To Oi\r Frieuds auu Patrons: 
St. Paul, Minn., .iun. i. iuu.j. 
* It affords as great pleasure to hand von herewith our Catatogue of Northern Grown Products, which have been grown and are oflered with 
'■special refen nee to tlie needs of the North and Northwest. but'*\'hich, at the same time, are equally valuable for all sections ot the conntry. 
It is a well < staljlished fact tliat the farther no'rth either vegetiV'<: or animal life is developed, the sturdier, hardier and better that development 
is. We oflfei notliing that we cannot recommend, and recommend nothing without first giving it a thorough trial. On- this account our 
" Oiitalogue lias never teemed with novelties, for with the best interest of our customers (and their interest is ours) at heart, we have always 
sitated t,) offer anything without feeling in our own hearts that it was as good as, or superior to, well estabhshcd sorts. While the past 
:ir as a whole has "been a prosperous one with our farmer friends, still many varieties of seeds were a short crop owing to the cool, wet 
ison, which retarded their maturity and impaired their vitalitv. Anticipating this we have laid in a good supply ot all varieties ot seeds, but 
ould earuestlv tjrge our patrons to order early before stocks become exhausted. Knowing that Northern Orown Producte are vastly superior 
I iM others, aiid trusting that the perusal of these pages willindtice you to give us all or a portion at least of your orders, we t)eg to remain 
I ' a I to Yours very truly, L. L MAY « CO. 
I' 
HP 
^ How to Order. 
'OUR ORDER, no'matter how large or small, will always receive our 
>roTiipt and careful attention. 
(Rl>BR I3ARLY.— We earnestly request ail customers to place their 
irdcrs ca-lv, as it will assist usgVeatlv in gettingeverj'thing out promptly. 
Jfel^ THl^ ORDER SHEET in this book. If you wish to order n second 
fne, wjite your order on a separate sheet 01 paper and do not mix it 
i a til:, body of a letter. This will assist us greatly in filling your 
r. Blank order sheets will be sent at anv time upon request. 
O. D iSHIPMENTS.— We must decline to ship goods C. O. D. unless 
puivfiaser remits in advance sufficient money to pay transportation 
rgc iind <iost of packing, etc., or at least one-third the amount of 
JkDBkS MU5T BE ACCOHPAINEO by the money to pay for the goods, 
^'e c^tnot open small accounts, and will decline to fill orders unless 
'^ccoiiiianief'. by the cash. This is a uniform rule from which we cannot 
nd v.jjl not deviate. 
lON'T FORGET YOUR NAME, POST OFFICE AND STATE.— Every season 
e reieive scores of letters and orders from parties who forget to sign 
leir lame, and do not give their post-ofhce address. 
How to Send Money. 
OSTjDFFICE money orders may be obtained at nearly all post 
Ihcfs at ai small cost. This is a good way to send money. 
iRAPTS ON ST. PAUL, NEW YORK, OR QHICAQO can be obtained at 
nv ijank find are perfectlv safe. 
!XPRESS (.MONEY ORDERS can be had at the office of the American, 
Ini.ed Stiitcs, Adams, Northern Pacific, Wells, Fargo & Co., Great 
otthernjor any other express company. 
lililSTERED LETTERS cost but 8 cents, and money should be sent in 
lii. wavf.n case it cannot be sent by any of the above methods. 
U^JSONAL checks.— Do not send personal cheeks, as we are obliged to 
a,' for cblleeting same and will therefore have to deduct this charge 
■tm yoi/r order. Besides, orders arc held until our bankers report 
h ck's paid, thus causing needless delav. 
tVER SEND SILVER OR CURRENCY in a letter or envelope without 
Lristerilng it. as it is unsafe to do so. Kvery montli we have complaints 
mi people who send monev in this careless manner, which is stolen or 
'ransit and never reaches us. When remittances are not made 
g to these directions, we disclaim all responsibility. 
How to Ship. 
. SEEDS POSTPAID.— At the prices quoted in our Catalouge we 
postage on all seeds (irdercd by packet, ounce, quarter pound, 
pint or quart. On seeds in larger quantities, also plants, trees, 
et?., offered by express or freight, the purchaser pays the trans- 
ion charges. 
SS AND FREIGHT.— Many of our customers do not slO|> to con- 
e difference bet\veen express and freight charges, and frequently 
arge qtiantities of seed by express, when it could be sent by fast 
just as well, and at much less expense. The express rates are 
lilv very much higher than the freight. 
2SS RATES ON SEEDS. PLANTS AND BULBS are 20 per cent, 
than merchandise rates. Bear this in mind when receiving stock 
sist on the express company giving vou the proi>er rate. 
IT FOROET TO STATE HOW you wish goods shipped, whether by 
or express. Unless you do, we will shi]) as we think best and 
t be held resjionsible for delays or expense. 
|AUL, BEING A RAILROAD CENTER, freight rates are exceptionally 
nd freight shipments can be hurried to destination more rapidly 
from less favored points. 
AID STATIONS.— Many small railroad stations are prepaid stations 
he railro.ads will not accept freight for such points unless charges 
div prepaid. It will save delay if you ascertatiyf your station is a 
id' one before sending your order and include luiotigh money to 
freight charges if it is. ^ 
IN ORDERING GOODS forward by freight or express be sure to write 
plainly your express or freight office, county and state in full, giving 
the express or railroad company you prefer to have them sent by. 
This saves time and delay here and disappointment at your end of 
the line. . „ . 
IF SHIPMENTS DO NOT ARRIVE promptly alter being notified by 
us, please advise, and we will have them traced at once. 
Our Seed Department. 
WE ARE SEED GROWERS.— liy this we mean that we do not buy 
our seeds on the open marjict, as do many firms, but grow them 
ourselves. We know it w "/Tiav you to order May's Seeds, as yon 
will th?n avoid the disapi"* tment which so often follows the sow- 
ing of seeds that are pure f .d from commission dealers throughout 
the country, seeds which, 1 ma'ny eases, have lain nnder the counter 
for vears, and are worthless to a gardener or a farmer. 
NORTHERN GROWN SEEDS are known to be superior to all others, 
beinji: 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. 
THE BEST IS NONE TOO GOOD FOR OUR PATRONS.— And we realize 
this as much as any of our largest market ganlencrs and know 
there is not a firm in the world which is more particular regarding 
the purity of theirftecds than we are, but still, like all other seeds- 
men, we do not give any warranty, express or implied, as to the 
description, quality, prodnctiveness or any other matter connected 
with the seeds, plants, bulbs, etc.. which we send out, nor will we 
be responsible in anv way for the crop. Every order received for 
goods enumenated 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 surprised 
and delighted with the present of some new anil choice seeds, plants 
or fruits which were sent with their order. 
Our Plant Department. 
AT OUR GREENHOUSES on Conio Ave., in this city, the most ex- 
tensive in the Northwest, wc 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 
'""^ vf|"h all orders for plants we will send free our booklet. The A B 
C's of Successful Floriculture, written esiieci.illy for us by Eben E. 
Rexfoi d. 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. 
Our Nursery Department. 
OUR NURSERV, located l.T miles cast of St. Paul, is governed by 
the sai!ic^)rinciple 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 shippei) out. 
A certificate of inspection from the State Inspector of Nurseries, 
showing our stock to be free from San Jose Scale and all othsr injurious 
insects and diseases will accompany each shipment. 
Realizing the importance of supplying good stocks and oftreating 
all orders large and small with the s,ame care nud .attention, wehave 
built up our large business and point with pardonable pride to our 
immense patronage which has been secured by Honest Methods and 
Strict Attention to Details, and respectfully solicif the continuance of 
your kind favors. 
Yours, for the best seeds, plants, and fruits that are produced. 
L. L. MAY & CO., St. Paul, Minn. 
