MAYS NORTHERN GROWN SEEDS, BULBS, PLANTS AND FRUITS, BEST FOR ALL CLIMES. 
1 
How to Order. 
To Our Many Friends and Customers of the Past and to All Who Buy Seeds, 
Plants, Fruits, Shrubs and Trees. 
In issuing our Catalogue for 1903 we wish to thank our many customers for the kind patronage extended to us m the past, and assure them 
that future orders entrusted to us will be executed to the best of our ability. While the past year has been a prosperous one with our farmer 
friends and crops have been most bountiful, still many varieties of seed are in short supply owing to the cool, wet season which retarded their 
proper maturing and destroyed their vitality in some instances. On this account we would earnestly urge every one to send in their orders 
early. While we have an ample supply of choice stocks for all regular customers, the unusual demand from many new sections for certain 
varieties may exhaust our supply before the close of the season. 
sent by. This saves time and delay here and disappointment at your 
end of the line. 
IF SHIPMENTS DO NOT ARRIVE promptly after being 
notified by us, please advise, and we will have them traced at once. 
Our Seed Department. 
WE ARE SEED GROWERS.— By this we mean that we do not 
buy our seeds on the open market, as do many firms, but grow them 
ourselves. We know it will pay you to order May's Seeds, as you 
will then avoid the disappointment which go often follows the 
sowing of seeds that are purchased from commission dealers through- 
out the country, seeds which in many cases have been under the 
counter for years, ami are worthless to a gardener or farmer. 
NORTHERN GROWN SEEDS are known- to be superior 
to all others, being earlier, hardier and more productive. 
WE TEST ALL SEEDS as soon as received from our growers, and 
never send out an ounce that does not show a high germinative test. 
AT OUR FARMS near the city, in addition to growing many of 
the standard varieties and novelties listed herein, we test all new 
sorts as soon as offered, and never send out anything we cannot 
conscientiously recommend to our customers 
THE BEST IS NONE TOO GOOD FOR OUR PATRONS. 
— And we realize this as much as any of our largest market gar- 
deners and know there is not a firm in the world which is more 
particular regarding the purity of their seeds than we are, but 
still, like all other seedsmen, we do not give any warranty, express or 
implied, as to the description, quality, productiveness or any other 
matter connected with the seeds, plants, bulbs, etc., which we send 
out, nor will we be responsible in any way for the crop. Every order 
received for goods enumerated in this catalogue will be executed and 
sent out only on these conditions. 
SEEDS FREE. — Extras are sent with each order, and many are 
the kind letters we have received from our customers, who were sur- 
prised and delighted with the present of some new and choice seeds, 
plants or fruits which were sent with their order. 
Our Plant Department. 
AT OUR GREENHOUSES on Como Ave. in this city, the most 
extensive in the Northwest, we grow all of our tender plants, young 
roses, etc. At this place we employ experienced men who have 
made a life study of plants and who know their habits and needs 
in every particular. 
With all orders for olants we will send free our booklet, The A B 
C's of Successful Floriculture, written especiallv for us by 
Eben E. Rexford, of the Ladies Home Journal. This booklet contains 
much valuable information on the care and culture of plants, and 
answers many difficult questions which arise daily. 
Ous Nursery Department. 
OUR NURSERY, located 15 miles east of St. Paul, is governed by 
the same principle that has developed and built up our immense 
seed business, viz.: strict integrity in discarding worthless varieties 
and rigid tests in scrutinizing new ones. Nothing but well known, 
tested varieties are offered, and only the best stock shipped out. 
A certificate of inspection from the State Inspector of 
Nurseries, showing our stock to be free from San Jose 
Scale and all other injurious insects and diseases will 
accompany each shipment. 
OUR FRIENDS AND OUR GOODS ADVERTIZE US 
more than all the ads. we could place in all the papers and periodicals 
in the country. Realizing the importance of supplying good stocks 
and of treating all orders large and small with the same care and 
attention, we have built up our immense business extending from the 
Gulf to the Arctic circle and from the Atlantic to the Pacific as well as 
to our new possessions and to many countries of the old world. 
We pointwith pardonable oride to our immense patronaee which 
has been secured by Honest Methods and Strict Attention to 
Details, and respectfully solicit the continuance of your 
kind favors 
Yours, for the best seeds, plants and fruits that are 
produced, t 
L. L. MAY & CO., St. Paul, Minn, 
YOUR ORDER, no matter how large or small, will always receive 
our prompt and careful attention. 
ORDER EARLY. — We earnestly request all customers to place 
their orders early, as it will assist us greatly in getting everything 
out promptly. Those who order bulk seed can have them sent by 
freight, and thus save excessive charges. 
USE THE ORDER SHEETS in this book. If you wish to order 
a second time, write your order on a separate sheet of paper and do 
not mix it up in the body of a letter. This will assist us greatly in 
filling your order. 
C. O. D. SHIPMENTS.— We must decline to ship goods C. O. D. 
unless the purchaser remits in advance sufficient money to pay trans- 
portation charges and cost of packing, etc., or at least one-third the 
amount of the order. 
ORDERS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by the money to pay 
for the goods. We cannot open small accounts, and will decline to 
fill orders unless accompanied by the cash. This is a uniform rule 
from which we cannot and will not deviate. 
DON'T FORGET TOUR NAME, POST OFFICE AND STATE. 
Every season we receive scores of letters and orders from parties who 
forget to sign their name, and do not give their post-office address. 
How to Send Money. 
POST-OFFICE MONEY ORDERS may be obtained at nearly 
all post offices at a small cost. This is a good way to send money. 
DRAFTS ON ST. PAUL. NEW YORK OR CHICAGO can be 
obtained at any bank and are perfectly safe. 
EXPRESS MONEY ORDERS can be had at the office of the 
American, United States. Adams, Northern Pacific, Wells, Fargo & 
2o Great Northern, or anv other express company. 
REGISTERED LETTERS cost but 8 cents, and money should 
be sent in this way in case it cannot be sent by any of the above 
methods 
PERSONAL CHECKS. — Do not send personal checks, as we are 
obliged to pay for collecting same and will therefore have to deduct 
this charge from your order. Besides, orders are held until our bankers 
report checks paid, thus causinsr needless delay. 
NEVER SEND SILVER OR CURRENCY in a letter or en- 
velope without registering it, as it is unsafe to do so. Every month 
we have complaints from people who send money in this careless 
manner, which is stolen or lost in transit and never reaches us. 
When remittances are not made according to these direc- 
tions, we disclaim all responsibility. 
How to 5hip. 
MAY'S SEEDS POSTPAID.— At the prices quoted in our Cata- 
logue we prepay postage on all seeds ordered by packet, ounce, 
quarter pound, pound, pint or quart. On seeds in larger quantities, 
also plants, trees, fruits, etc., offered by express or freight, the pur- 
chaser pavs the transportation charges. 
EXPRESS AND FREIGHT. — M an y of our customers do not 
stop to consider the difference between express and freight charges, 
and frequently order large quantities of seed by express, when it 
could be sent by fast freight just as well, and at a much less expense. 
The express rates are naturallv very much higher than the freight. 
EXPRESS RATES ON SEEDS, PLANTS AND BULBS are 
20 per cent, lower than merchandise rates. Bear this in mind when 
receiving stock and insist on the express company giving you the 
proper rate. 
ST. PAUL., BEING A RAILROAD CENTER, freight rates are 
exceptionally low and freight shipments can be hurried to destina- 
tion more rapidly than from less favored points. 
PREPAID STATIONS.— Many small railroad stations are pre. 
paid stations and the railroads will not accept freight for such 
points unless charges are fully prepaid. *It will save delay if you 
ascertain Jf your station is a prepaid one before sending your order 
and irclude enoueh monev to cover freight charges if it is. 
IN ORDERING GOODS forward by freight or express be sure 
t» write plainly youi express or freight office, county and state in 
full, giving th« express or railroad company you prefer to have them 
