2 



[Ban' and Sugden, 1871. 



SPECIAL NOTICES. 



I. We prove the growth of our seeds before sending Uiem out, and our Experimental Grounds we test 

 their purity and the relative value of varieties. By.thcse means : check the numerous growers who. 

 supply us, and are enabled thereby to discard wliat is inferior. Oui trials of an experimental character \ 

 are conducted on a very extensive scale, and from time to time we give the result of tliese experiments. 

 Thus in 1869, we dealt with the Onion and the Beet ; and last year we completed our experiments with 

 Kales, clearing up the confusion which existed amongst the names. We need hardly mention that in 

 these experimental trials we not unfrequently realize the fable of /Esop in the peacocks, which are pushed 

 forth upon the public, proving simply to be jackdaws. Were we disposed to "tell tales out of sohool," 

 we could show that there is even greater scope in this direction for another enterprising seedsman, if he 

 had the courage, to bring Inmself prominently forward in getting an Act of Parliament, than there was 

 in the case of the " Adulteration of Seeds ;" but we fear that the confessional box in the Select Com- 

 inittee Room of St. Stephen's may have a deterrent effect. It is a crucible for destroying the cobwebs 

 which envelope malpractices. 

 II. Owing to the very abundant harvest of most kinds of seeds, we are enabled considerably to reduce our 

 prices. 



III. We shall not trouble our customers with the supererogatory statement that we execute our orders promptly 



and well, as this is the only way by which we can hope to satisfy our numerous friends, and to secure 

 their good will and recommendation. 



IV. Thinking it would be interesting to tlie numerous readers of our Catalogue to know what has been done 



in a horticultural point of view on the Tliames Embankment, one of the grandest undertakings of the 

 age we live in, we have prepared a view of what may be fairly called the ' ' inner circle " of the ornamental 

 part of the work. See p. 66. 

 V. From what we have stated in Paragraph I. our readers will be prepared for the announcement that we 

 have added in the present Edition much valuable information, which has been gathered since our last 

 issue, with the industry of the busy bee, during tlie sunny hours of a' sunny season, and stored up for the 

 delectation of the winter readers of our Catalogue. 



VI. The Gladioli we present in an entirely new form to our Readers, the result of three consecutive years' 



careful collating. If crimsons are required, they can now be found under their own heading ; if scarlets 

 are required, soft as vermilion or brilliant as a sunbeam, they are to be met with at once ; if that host of 

 beautiful combinations, white mottled purple, and purple marbled white, are sought for, the section has 

 simply to be found, and there the colours which first strike the eye, and by which combinations are formed, 

 are got without that jargon whicli in many cases is nothing better than a number of words strung 

 together and unintelligible even to the cultivator. 



VII. Our Novelties and Specialities have as usual had that careful attention which we are wont to give to this 



transition part of our Catalogue. 



VIII. Our Floral Albums (four volumes super-royal) contain above 5000 coloured plates of Bulbous and 



Tuberous-rooted Plants, Annuals, Perennials, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Ferns and Ornamental 

 fohage Plants. We keep constantly adding plates of new plants, as these appear in the various works 

 devoted to gardening. 



IX. The Albums are kept at our warehouse as books of reference for the use of those of our customers who 

 / Tvish to refer to them when in London. 



/ X. Carriage is allowed on orders amounting to 21s. and upwards, to any principal Railway Station in Eng- 

 f land and Wales, to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and to any principal Station on the North British, 



Caledonian and Scottish Central Lines. Also to Dublin and Belfast. To Cork and Waterford, by 

 steamboat from London, or as far as Bristol by railway, cn route for Ireland. We prefer the latter, being 

 more expeditious, and unless instructed otherwise, we shall forward vid Bristol. 

 XI. Carriage to be deducted at settlement. Formerly our custom was to pay carriage in London ; but we were 

 compelled to relinquish this practice, in consequence of our " Carriage Paid " packages not being 

 delivered with the same promptitude as those not prepaid ; and, also, on account of continual com- 

 plaints from our customers that they also had to pay carriage before they could get the goods. We 

 mention t/iis as the reason why we have abandoned a practice followed by us for so many years. 

 XII. Orders which are paid in advance will either be sent carriage paid, or a liberal equivalent in goods will be 

 *»-^i„,^added. The latter course zuill be adopted unless we are otherwise instructed. 



XIII. No charge is made for the packing or the package, except in the case of Plants, Seed Potatoes, Asparagus, 



Seakale and Rhubarb. A small charge will be made in these cases for the mat, hamper, etc., and, if 

 returned, half-price will be allowed. 



XIV. Fruit and Forest Trees, Soils, Wirework, Plant Cases and Stands, Chapman's " Multum-in-Parvo" Exhi- 



bitors' Cut Flower Cases, Barr's Portable Cut Flower and Bouquet Transmission Cases, Garden 

 Engines and Water Barrows, Flower Boxes, Jardinets, and Terra-Cotta, Rustic, China, and Glass goods — 

 on these we do not allow carriage, and the packages are charged. 



XV. Five per cent, is allowed on all payments made within one month from date of invoice. 



XVI. Post Office Orders to be made payable at King-street Post Office, Covent Garden, W.C. All cheques to 



be crossed, adding the words "and Co." Small amounts may be paid in Postage Stamps. 

 XVII. Those with whom we have not previously had business transactions, unless introduced by a customer, are 

 respectfully requested to send with their order a remittance or a London reference. 



FOREIGN AND COLONIAL NOTICES. 



XVIII. To insure attention, orders must be accompanied zuith a remittance, a draft or an " order to pay " on a 

 London agent. The remittance must be sufficient to cover the expense of cases, and also of carriage, as 

 when the freight is not paid in advance a heavy percentage is added to it by the Peninsular and 

 Oriental Company and their agents. 



XIX. We pay postage on all " packets " of Flower Seeds sent to India and the Colonies {provided the present 



restriction recently imposed by the Postal Authorities on merchandise at sample post rates be rescinded, 

 and it is expected that the outside pressure which is no~iU being applied will be found too great for the Post, 

 master to retain his present antagonistic attitude to this great commercial and domestic convenience). 

 When sent in Waterproof bags these are charged for. 



XX. A few pounds' weight of Vegetable Seeds, if they can be sent by sample post, will go more cheaply and 



expeditiously than by Overland Mail, thus avoiding Custom-house intervention and the employment of 

 forwarding agents. In such cases the remittance should leave a margin to cover postage and the cost of 

 Waterproof bags. 



XXI. Our shipments of Plants to India have been very successful, great care being taken by us in selecting 



the plants and properly packing them. 



XXII. Our successful shipments of seeds to India have led to several of the Agricultural and Horticultural 



Societies there intrusting us with the execution of orders for distribution amongst their members. This 

 year the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India has placed in our hands the large order 

 which for many years past they have been in the habit of sending to Paris. 



