PEDIGREE 
The pedigree of a plant must be known in scientific propagation, because it requires several years 
lo breed up and develop i', and the line of ancestry muit not be broken by propagatins from any 
weak plant. 
A THOROUGHBRED PLANT 
A thoroughbred plant is one possessing the best characteristics of its variety, the result of growing 
chem continuously under the most favorable environments and accumulating good qualities through 
annually selecting the desirable variations and discarding weaklings and restricting to prevent pollen 
and seed exhaustion, thus preserving a perfect balance between vegetative parts and its fruit producing 
organism. 
THE PEDIGREE OF THESE PLANTS 
The pedigree of each plant offered in this catalog, unless otherwise stated in the description, shows 
ihe ancestry in lineal ascent to have been thoroughbred, as above stated, and they are believed to be 
perfect in their physical and fruiting organism in all respects. 
COMMON PLANTS 
Common plants ttro. those grown under ordinary conditions, without any systematic selection of bud 
variations, and for the want of proper restriction are more or less pollen exhausted and therefore have 
a strong tendency to make runners rather than strong fruit buds. They do not give uniformity of 
(Quality to fruit under any system of tillage that can be'used. 
THE CAUSE AND EFFECT 
We have pointed out the cause of unfruitfulness in plants and given the effectual remedy as proven 
by repeated definite experiments, which may be summed up as follows : 
The most congenial environments to induce better variations, and continuously selecting those 
making the greatest improvement, and keeping them under restricted fruitage to develop their fruit 
producing organism. These methods have met the warmest approval of the highest horticultural 
experts in the country, and especially that of the International Conference of Plant breeders. We have 
been the pioneers in this work, and have the only establishment in the country having perfect condi- 
tions for plant breeding. 
STOCK FOR PROPAGATION 
We make a specialty of furnishing fruit growers with Thoroughbred Plants for their propagating 
beds, from which they can grow perfect plants which are able to respond to high culture, with large 
berries and plenty of them, as well as for general planting. 
THE DEMAND 
Up to this time the demand has been beyond our ability to supply. Wherever they have been seen 
in fruit under good cultivation, they have created a sensation, and in order to meet this demand, we 
have discontinued propagating all other plants, and this year offer a stock several times greater and 
much finer than ever before ; but indications are that the rush for them will be equally great, and so 
orders must be filled in the rotation received. Orders should, therefore, be booked as early as possible. 
Our customers are always leaders on the markets. 
THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
Typical specimens of each variety were photographed in the season of 1901 and engraved to show 
the size and form of the berries of different varieties, but the camera cannot do them justice, as the 
beautiful color, delicious flavor and firm texture cannot be put in the picture. 
The seeming uniformity of berries of different varieties arises out of continued selection of those 
ajjproaching the most nearly to the ideal type. It is the result of skillful propagation through a series 
of years. 
Copies of this book will be sent free lo any four of your friends, with your name and compliments 
written on each book, so they will know that you sent it. Send in their names. They must be persons 
interested in berry growing 
VISITORS 
Visitors are most cordially welcomed at our grounds at any lime. You will be entertained free and 
conducted through the grounds by ourselves. 
COPYRIGHTS 
The various editions of this work have been duly copyrighted, covering engravings and all subject 
matter. All rights are reserved, and nurserymen will be held responsible for infringements in making 
up their catalogs. 
lliling Bros, t Kvorurd, Kulauiiixoo, Mich., Printerit of catalogs and oilier thnn;«. 
