& $? & & 2G)tl? ^ear in Special ^ulfure of looses. 



To Our Friends and Patrons. 



HFTER months of careful thought and patient labor, OUR NEW GUIDE FOR 1898 is completed. 

 We send it forth to good friends in all parts of the world as a messenger of good cheer ; to extend 

 cordial greetings, and to express our grateful appreciation and sincere thanks for the liberal patron- 

 age accorded us. Its bright pages tell of what we have prepared for your edification and pleasure. 

 It asks you not to forget us during '98, and its handsome appearance reminds you of the care, labor and 

 capital we have invested in it. It is our sole traveling agent, and we hopefully await the result of its 

 mission to you. We have striven to make it worthy of your confidence, and it solicits your order, whether 

 it be large or small. We are ^ Leading; Rose Grower s of America. 



We take pleasure in introducing to our many 

 friends one of the pioneer Rose Growers of this 

 country (and the first to send them safely by mail), 

 Charles Din gee, the founder of this present great 

 business, and for nearly fifty years its active man- 

 aging head, whose likeness appears on the front 

 cover page of this book. After a life that has 

 spanned and gone beyond the Biblical allotment 

 of three-score and ten, we are proud to have him 

 still guiding the destinies of this business, whose 

 fame is not confined within the shores of our own 

 country, and under whose fostering care and wise 

 direction it has become the leading Rose-growing 

 establishment of America. 



The road to success is long, steep and stony, 

 and is rarely, if ever, reached by accident. Ca- 

 pacity, ability, force and unimpeachable honesty 

 and integrity are the fundamental principles neces- 

 sary to its attainment. These are prominent fac- 

 tors that have made this business what it is, and 

 which have been so thoroughly exemplified by 

 its founder and instilled into its co-workers. 

 Dishonesty in all its forms has been the cause 

 of releasing instantly those who believe it to 

 be a virtue by which the journey to success is 

 quickened. 



From the small establishment of forty-eight 

 years ago, and the circular describing its contents, 

 this business has grown until to-day the output of 

 seventy large greenhouses, covering over five 

 acres of ground, is required to meet the demand 

 for the famous D. & C. Roses and other flowers, 

 and the circular of early times has evolutionized 

 into this the handsomest edition of OUR NEW 

 GUIDE that we have ever sent out. This is a 

 magnificent achievement made possible only by 

 the loyal support of our friends, and our un- 

 swerving belief that honest methods must prevail 

 against deceptive inducements, gross exaggera- 

 tions and deliberate misrepresentations, factors 

 that unfortunately predominate to some extent 

 in the business of to-day. 



The Rose is our one great specialty. In sending 

 them safely by mail to all parts of the world, we 

 are the pioneers. We otter the largest and most 

 complete collection of Roses on their own roots, 

 true to name, to be found on this continent. Our 

 methods of growing are our own, and our plants 

 when sent out are full of vigor and vitality. They 

 will start quickly and grow rapidly and bloom 

 freely without petting or nursing. They are 

 infinitely superior to the cheaply-grown Roses 

 with which the market is flooded, the cost of 

 which discloses their real value. Such Roses are 

 dear at any price. We solicit your patronage 

 upon the basis of quality and not cheapness. In 

 omer departments of our business we have made 

 ample preparations for a large trade. It is difficult 

 to describe accurately within the pages of a cata- 

 logue the immense quantity of flower treasures 

 our seventy greenhouses contain. Every flower 

 worth growing is here in quantities according to 

 its worth. They are yours for prices consistent 

 with their value. The ease and quickness with 

 which goods are delivered by Mail or Express to 

 any part of the United States make it as safe for 

 you to buy from us, no matter where you live, as 

 if you were our next-door neighbor. We want 

 your orders, and in sending them remember that 

 we have a reputation of nearly half a century's 

 standing for honesty and integrity to sustain. 

 You will receive just what we promise to send ; if 

 that is impossible we will send you what you want, 

 or return your money. Mistakes will sometimes 

 occur; when they do, please tell us at once, and we 

 will cheerfully rectify them. Your order will re- 

 ceive the same treatment as if you were here face 

 to face with us buying your goods in person. A 

 man that means to be honest will be, whether deal- 

 ing with his neighbor at home or a thousand miles 

 away. It is this policy of having all our customers 

 satisfied with their dealings with us that has won 

 their lasting friendship. We believe this to be our 

 best advertisement. 



In Conclusion. 

 We wish to sav that The Dingee & Conard Co. has no connection whatever with any other con- 

 cern, and will not be responsible for any offers except which it makes in its catalogue or advertise- 

 ments. Bear in mind that the safety of all money sent us by the methods described on page 8 is guaranteed. 

 We also guarantee the safe delivery of all plants, bulbs, seeds, etc., in first-class condition to any ppst- 

 oflice in the United States, Canada or Mexico. It is the privilege of the purchaser to hold us responsible 

 for these guarantees ; thus satisfaction is assured in every instance. Asking for a share of your patronage 

 and assuring you of prompt and liberal attention, we are, Faithfully yours, 



THE LEADING ROSE GROWERS OF AMERICA. THE DINGEE & CONARD CO., West Grove, Pa. 



Is) 



