ALFRED JERVIS 
E. IA /. REID. 
I NTRODUCTION.— We have great pleasure in again pre- 
senting to our many customers and friends our new Cata- 
logue for the coming spring, which we can recommend as 
the best and most reliable “Agent” you can do business 
with. It represents experience with accurate information, and 
gives you a true and honest description of all fruits worthy the 
attention of practical fruit-growers, including many new and original varieties. We take especial pains to 
weed out all inferior and unworthy sorts, and offer only what has been well tried and tested by ourselves, 
often at heavy cost, thus saving our customers both expense and disappointment, in buying stock which in 
after years shows no merit whatever. Poor, unreliable stock is offered by small and irresponsible growers 
and dealers every season. A common and almost everyday occurrence in our correspondence is to receive 
letters complaining bitterly of stock being inferior in grade and not what was ordered, and saying, “ I wish 
I had bought all of my stock from you.” Let us caution our friends against buying so-called “cheap 
stock,” and buying from every dealer and agent who comes along. Insist on knowing the caliper as well 
as the class of stock you are to get, as prices are governed by this as well as the height ; but most Nurserymen 
omit this in describing, which gives them an outlet for under-grade stock. Bear this in mind ! 
We offer prices as low as good and reliable stock can be grown for, and we will not be undersold by any 
responsible Nursery. All that we look for is a fair recompense for our outlay of time and capital. You have 
also the advantage of dealing with men who are reliable and take as much interest in their customers’ 
welfare as their own, differing from many who have a new address every season, and can oblige you with any 
varieties, made to order. 
It takes care and study to select varieties, many locations being so different from others in soil and climatic 
conditions. It is good advice, before planting, to arrange your plans and see what varieties surrounding you 
are the best, making your selection accordingly from the catalogue, when you will be sure to have success. If 
you desire any help or information in reference to anything we offer, write us freely. 
We wish cordially to thank onr paBt patrons for orders placed with us, and their kindness in recommend- 
ing our stock to their many friends. Many have become so familiar in name that we would like to thank 
them individually ; we can assure them, that no effort on our part shall be spared to give them as good satis- 
faction in the future as the past, and that we shall still keep to our strict business rule of sending out only 
No. i stock, true to name. We shall aim to please all our customers, and feel sure we shall receive the reward 
due to our efforts, in still further expanding our business until it is one of the largest Nurseries in the country. 
Our increase has been so great the past years that we have had to introduce all the latest machinery and erect 
new buildings, at great cost, to handle such an enormous amount of stock. It may give some idea of our busi- 
ness, when we state that last spring we shipped to one state alone over half a million trees, besides small 
Spring, 1897. 
fruits, of which we are about the largest growers in the states. 
We are glad to inform our customers that the stock we are offering for spring is about the best we have ever 
seen or handled. We have had one of the best growing seasons for many years, and all is looking bright and 
in fine condition, and we feel sure it will give good satisfaction to all who favor us with their orders. We have 
no scale or insect pests in our Nursery, and will guarantee all to be healthy, well-rooted, fully up to 
grade, and free from any disease. 
Now is the best time to plant. Prices are lower for trees and plants than ever before known. Take advan- 
tage of the present prices, as Nursery stock is now offered, like many other products, at about cost price. This 
cannot continue long, for production is being cut down, and prices will surely advance another season. 
Our packing department is under the personal supervision of our Mr. E. W. Reid and assistants, who are 
all old and experienced hands, who have grown up with the business, and who spare no pains in seeing that 
the stock is fully up to our high standard of grading. More than that, you get stock true to name. Our facili- 
ties for shipping are unsurpassed, as we have all the leading trunk lines represented, and six express com- 
panies. This competition insures us the very lowest rates as well as prompt attention. Our location, just oppo- 
site Wheeling, W. Va., gives us many advantages over our own town, as it is just as handy to ship from this 
point as front Bridgeport. Further, we have the Ohio river, by which we can reach many points at very low 
freight rates from Pittsburg to New Orleans, St. Louis, and other points along the great rivers. 
