By Way of Introduction 
WE TAKE pleasure in submitting- herewith our descriptive cata- 
logue and retail price list for the spring of 1»06. We are 
grateful for the libera, patronage which we have enjoyed in 
the past and return sincere thanks to our numerous custom- 
ers and we hope, with increased facilities and a complete line 
of 'stock of our own growing, to merit a continuance of the 
same To those who have never dealt with us we extend a 
cordial invitation to get in line and let us try to help you on 
the way to produce the best fruit in the world-viz.: IOWA 
GKt Tweive years ago we commenced the growing of nursery 
stock on less than one acre of ground here in Linn county. By 
honest dealing and an earnest endeavor to please our customers 
we have been able to increase our planting year by year until 
now we have twenty-five acres planted to trees, vines and 
p. ants for our increasing trade. While we have been building 
up our nurseries we have also been planting experimental 
orchards consisting in importance as in order named: Plum, 
Annie Cherrv Peach and Pear, with various plantations of small fruits of 
which we grow large quantities for market. Of those intending to purchase 
nursery stock we ask to make a careful examination of our .descriptive > list. 
It is based on practical experience and describes our stock truthfully without 
confusing the buyer in announcing every variety as the best, offering only 
varieties that we know to be of value. If requested, we will glad.y help you 
to select varieties suited to your locality, or to aid you in any way with our 
experience in growing fruit for market. We have no secrets. Write us 
at a oUR ! METHOD OP PROPAGATION — In apple grafts we use a four inch 
root and a six inch scion, using as long a scion as possible and then plant it 
in the ground up to the top bud in order to get the tree when grown 
principally upon its own roots, and the first season's growth is cut back to 
the ground which insures a strong, upright growth the second year making a 
straight smooth stem for our tree. Our plum trees are propagated both by 
grafting and budding upon seedlings produced from seed grown in our own 
orchard. Cherry and pear are budded upon French stocks, the only satis- 
factory and suitable stock in this line obtainable. Our peach trees are budded 
upon seedlings grown from native seed of the hardiest known variety (viz.: 
Baily) which has stood the test for more than fifty years in southeast Iowa. 
IMPROVING BY SELECTION. — We follow the old rule "like produces 
like " so endeavor to cut every bud and scion we use in propagating from 
young vigorous, healthy trees that bear good annual crops of fine truit. 
Careful experience has taught farmers that they must plant the best seed, 
if a profitable crop is expected. If propagating wood is cut trom sickly 
and unfruitful trees we must expect to grow trees like their parents, in 
every orchard are trees of the same variety which differ greatly; there are 
trees of Wea.thy which have better crops of better colored fruit than do 
trees of the same variety in the same row. What causes this difference.' 
The difference in the individuality of the trees, we believe, accounts for this 
difference in the habit of fruiting. This is the case in animal lite. the 
Jersey is a good dairy breed Of cows, and yet not every Jersey is a good 
cow. 'it is the individuality of horses which makes the get of one sire better 
than Ihe get of another. It Is this characteristic which makes improvement 
of breeds possible. Now the best orchardists of the country are recognizing 
ibis difference ii, the individuality of trees. Nursery trees propagated from 
bearing trees oC known value, which hear regular crops of good fruit, are 
sought after by the most thoughtful planters. Every farm boy early learns 
the trees in his father's orchard which bear the best fruit every year; the 
close observing boy often learns even the branch on that tree which bears 
the very cnoicest of fruit. Why not propagate from this tree and from this 
particular branch, and thus get other trees like it? 
This is the work we are carrying on and our growing stock has been 
propagated from scions cut from selected trees. The time is coming when 
every one will appreciate the value of these trees; now is the time to start an 
orchard of this character. 
Our shipping season usually begins early In April and continues as long 
as stock can be safely handled. 
Center Point is located on the Decora h branch of the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway, eighteen miles north of Cedar Rapids. 
Our office and grounds are located two miles southeast of depot on main 
road to Cedar Rapids or Marion. 
We make no charge for boxing or bailing, the prices quoted are for stock 
packed and delivered on board the cars here at Center Point. 
GUARANTEE. — We exercise great care to keep our varieties true to name, 
and are ready at any time to replace any stock that may prove untrue, or, 
refund (he amount paid for the same, but it is mutually agreed that we are 
not to be he'.d liable for any amount greater than the original price of the 
goods. 
CONDITION. — We accept all orders on condition, that they shall be void 
should any injury befall our slock from hail, frost, storm, fire or other causes 
over which we have no control. 
ORDER EARLY. — A great deal is gained by sending in your order early. 
We can do better by early orders than by those that come tn right in the rush 
of digging and packing time. 
