Illustrated Catalogs. 
We are sometimes asked why we do not use pictures of fruits in our catalogs, 
and this seems to be a good opportunity to state our reasons for not doing so. 
We have issued a plain catalog for many years, and it has served our purpose- 
well. We are plain people, and our statements are conservative. If we were to use 
illustrations it would be contrary to our principles to exaggerate in them any more 
than in descriptions. We should require that every picture be the exact size of the 
fruit from which it was made, and such pictures would as a general thing be so mod- 
est in size that they would hardly be noticed in comparison with the misrepresenta- 
tions extant. We receive many illustrated catalogs, and some of them keep to the 
truth, but others exhibit fruits and various kindred products which are mons- 
trous in dimensions. They are said to be photographed from nature, and no doubt 
they are, but they are so magnified as to be out of all possibility of truthfulness. 
Take the strawberrj^ for instance: All who are familiar with this fruit know that 
its seeds are small. What then is the conclusion when they appear in a picture as 
large as radish seeds; or even larger? We have often seen them one-sixteenth of an 
inch in length, by measure. We assert without hesitation that all such pictures are 
frauds. The Fendall, a new strawberry of great size, is pictured in various catalogs 
this spring, and although the illustration is nearh' three inches across, it is an exact 
reproduction of the berry, as may be seen by its small seeds; but what shall we say 
of those others with seeds four times too large and set a quarter of an inch apart in 
the berry? We repeat that they are frauds, and compared with them, correct pic- 
tures of most varieties would appear at a great disadvantage as to size. 
Another point worth noting is the fact that the same cut or halftone is often 
made to do duty for several different varieties. This practice, like that of exaggera- 
tion, militates seriously against the reliability of pictures. We have in mind a cat- 
alog received this spring which illustrates a certain beiry with a picture of a cluster, 
and a few pages farther along a portion of the same cluster is used to represent 
another berry, every item of this being identical with the first, as far as it goes. 
We do not say that we shall never issue an illustrated catalog, for we can not 
predict what inducements may appeal to us in the future, but we assert positively 
that if we ever adopt the use of pictures, they will be exact in size and true to name. 
"Strawberry plants came same old way. Fine plants, fresh, well trimmed, well 
packed, extra good count. Heeled in, all growing. Thank you for the nice plants- 
received in so fine condition," J. M. RAMAr,E;Y, Greensburg, Pa. 
"The plants arrived some days ago in fine order. Many thanks for promptness 
and liberal count." M. J. Graham, Adel, Iowa. 
"I wish to acknowledge for the Station the receipt of package containing four 
varieties of strawberries which arrived in excellent condition." 
O. M. Tayi^or, Experiment Station, Geneva, N. Y . 
"The plants were fine ones, as yours always are, and excellently packed. I thank 
you very much for your generosity." Mrs. Harry Ei^LIOTT, Sycamore, 111. 
"Strawberry plants arrived in good coudition. Many thanks to you for good 
plants, good count, and good packing." A. W. Bacon, Albion, N. Y, 
"The strawberry plants you sent me were as fine a lot and well rooted as I ever 
purchased." John A. Mosher, Wellington, O. 
"I meant to acknowledge before this the receipt of the plants you sent me, and ta 
express my more than satisfaction with both quantity and quality. Better plants or 
plants in better condition I have never seen. Thank you for your extremely liberal 
treatment, and be assured I will speak a good word for the M. Crawford Company.'^ 
Arthur Smith, Johnson, Ark. 
"Yours to hand, also plants in most excellent shape. Thanks for promptness and* 
fine stock." A. G. Gray, Pekin, Ind^ 
