3 
LONG BROTHERS' CATALOGUE— SPRING, 1876. 
The above is no extreme case as regards the number of times one name is used as the name of different Post 
office-, in the different States and Territories. Some names arc used in as many as twenty-one cases, and thousands 
are used from three to twenty times each. 
It is a sm?JI -waving of time to represent the names of States and Territories by abbreviations. 
But particular care should be exercised to write distinctly, especially as several of these do ( 
not look greatly unlike, in script. A short time ago we received a communication from the 
state of Maryland as we supposed. Subsequent occurrences revealed that we were in error in supposing this, and 
the accompanying fac simile will explain to the reader how much we were to blame, because a gentleman in 
Indiana (Ind.) did not receive matter, that was directed to his name and post office to which was added Md. for 
state, as we had done in directing his order. 
frequently a letter and order arrives, in which the sender neglects to give any clue to his or her name. All 
we can do in such cases is to place the letter and money aside, hoping to hear from the writer soon again. We 
usually receive a second letter from the same place and in the same hand writing, asking whether such and such 
an order reached us, and this one very likely contains the person's signature, which sets us on the right track for 
executing the order. At the end of every season we are reluctantly compelled to store away a batch of such let- 
ters without signatures, where the parties never wrote again concerning them. 
In numerous cases we are required to do more guesswork in making out badly written addresses and signatures 
than seems consistent with serving persons who have entrusted money and orders to us. The names of post 
„ offices occasionally bother us in this respect. There are over 
J^L j ^ ST? ^.Xtr/i 34,ooo offices in the country and hundreds of odd, meaningless 
(y-vr^JLf t/^l^l^?' /fp-^ names, such as Gerlaw, Gann. Corner, Hico, Ion, Stuarfs 
J Draft, Gowry Bridge, Uwchland, Upshur, Gastrides. etc. Wc 
considered that the address here figured belonged to this odd class— Somel Budge, Ky.— until we were enlight- 
ened to the fact that it was designed for Laurel Bridge, Ky. Sometimes we receive a communication or order 
that is faultlessly written throughout until it comes to signing the name, which is executed perhaps in dashing 
style, and with flourishes that renders it anything but intelligible. 
SUGGESTIONS TO OUR CUSTOMERS. 
7. Before ordering stock, become conversant with our manner of doing business, as explained in the preced- 
ing pages, and also in the matter which here follows. 
Write all communications distinctly, including your own signature, the names of your Post office, Express 
office if necessary, County, State, Territory or Province, and also the kind of stock desired, using the order sheet 
if you have one. 
3- In writing a letter, with an order, keep the matter of each separately. Merely alluding here and there in 
the letter to wliat is wanted is not sufficient, but the names of the kinds should be repeated at the end of the 
letter or elsewhere, and written orderly in column form. We sometimes receive small orders where the names of 
plants, seeds, etc., wanted arc scattered through three or four pages of matter, rendering mistakes by overlook- 
ing some kinds, in filling, quite liable. 
4. It is a capital plan to make a copy of every order sent out and keep it until the stock arrives, to see that 
all is right. Sometimes people forget the exact nature of their orders, if not copied, and write to us afterwards 
inquiring why such and such a kind was not sent, when we learn by turning to the original order that it had 
never hccii called for. 
5. New customers who are entitled loacopyoflhc HOME FLORIST according to the conditions pub- 
lished oil page 6, will oblige us bji mentioning the fact in their order, thus also hastening its arrival. 
6. UoiV to Komll.- -Always send Pottoffiee orders when possible, as they arc safe and convenient or 
draft on New York City, but do not send checks or drafts on local bo nks in your section, as we cannot get these 
(ashed without annoyance and extra e.v/ense ; when neither Postofficc orders or drafts on New York can be 
obtained, send the money in a registered letter, which is a safe means, and they can be procured at any Postofficc 
In the United Slates : upon these place ten cents in stands besides the regular postage. Every postmaster is re- 
quIroU to register a letter when requested. In sending small sums or currency in an ordinary letter use postage 
Mumps in preference to coin for making up the exact amount. 
7. 11c sure your letter containing order and remittance has been deposited in the Postofficc. Instances have 
occurred where a letter has accidentally been carried about in the persons pocket who wrote it, or in a friends 
pocket, for weeks alter it was supposed to have gone on its mission. 
8. No stock will be sent C. O. D. (collect on delivery) unless one-third of the amount is received with the 
order. Vv it li this exception our terms on retail orders arc invariably Cash with the order. ' 
9. If mi order should arrive In damaged condition from any cause, or if any error occurred in filling it, notify 
us at an early day, that wc may take steps to rectify the matter or refill the order. Sec " On the Substitu'tion of 
Sorts," page 5. 
10. Do not ask us to do what is contrary to our way of doing business as set forth in our catalogues and price 
lists, and particularly send us no orders for Plants amounting to less than $..00, unless you add for cost of pack- 
ing, etc., according to Special matter on page 4, (will fill SEED ORDERS of any amount,) neither ask of or 
expect Us to furnish any kinds or varieties wc do not advertise. 
11. Wc publish two Catalogues annually, besides special price lists, circulars, nursery price lists, etc Our 
General Spring Catalogue is issued early enough to be ready for mailing by January 1 of each year, and our 
Autumn Catalogue of Hardy Ilulbs, Winter Flowering Plants, etc. is issued in August of each year 
