CARTER AND CO.'S GARDENER'S VADE-MECUM FOR 18(12. 
ADDRESS TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. 
We have much pleasure in submitting to your notice the Twenty-seventh Animal Issue of our GARDENER’S and 
FARMER'S VADE-MECUM, which we feel assured, upon examination, will be found to far surpass any existing 
work of a similar description : we have spared neither time, trouble, nor expense in its compilation ; and as the 
cost of the present far exceeds that of previous issues, and as we cannot be expected to furnish the majority of the 
Gardening World with a useful book of reference, free of charge and post paid, we have decided to affix the price of 
One Shilling to the present edition in self-protection : we have observed in past years that many persons have applied 
for the Vade-Mecum, and when obtained, have refrained from purchasing ; however, as heretofore, all our Customers 
will receive a copy gratis. 
Under the Column headed “GENERAL OBSERVATIONS,” we have endeavoured to give as complete a 
description of the best soils for, mode of culture, &c. &c., of nearly 3000 Species and Varieties of Flower Seeds 
as the limited space will permit. We wish to draw special attention to the “ calendar of garden 
OPERATIONS ” ( commencing at page. 73), which we think will be found an unrivalled production of its kind. 
We have also appended A COMPREHENSIVE ORIGINAL AND PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR FARM OPERATIONS 
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION ( commencing at page 95), which we doubt not will prove a valuable assistance to 
the Amateur and Professional Farmer and the Agricultural Emigrant. The entire work has been re-written, and 
the greatest care taken to eliminate errors ; but should any accidentally have crept in, we shall esteem it a favour 
to be informed of it. All the information is entirely original and practical, and we trust will prove of essential 
service alike to the Professional as to the Amateur Gardener. 
Such of the Seeds as ripen well in England have been grown at our own Farms {vide page 120 ; and to obtain those 
which require a warmer climate to perfect their ripening, our senior Partner has travelled nearly the whole of 
Europe, and has personally inspected the growing crops of all the principal Floriculturists in Italy, France, 
Switzerland, Germany, &c. &c. ; and as we purchase only from the original producers, we are enabled to recommend 
our Seeds with greater confidence than it is in the power of any other Firm to do. The Miscellaneous List of Flower 
Seeds will be found to contain all the best varieties in cultivation, all deserving Novelties, and many choice and 
rare Seeds, which we have received from our various Correspondents in the East and West Indies, America 
Australia, British Columbia, &c. &c. 
DIVISIONS OF COLOURED PAPER. — Many of our Correspondents having intimated to us that, in conse- 
quence of the yearly increasing size of the VADE-MECUM, it became a matter of some little difficulty to refer to the 
articles in the body of the work, we have printed the whole of the VEGETABLE and AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT 
upon DARK- COLOURED PAPER, and the NOTICES OF NEW FLOWERS, ILLUSTRATIONS, &c. upon LIGHT- 
COLOURED PAPER, by means of which easy reference is at once obtained ; and we trust that this alteration will 
prove of service our many Correspondents. 
QUALITY OF THE SEEDS.— We have much pleasure in stating that the quality of Seeds is unusually good 
this season, as the late harvest has been one of the best known for many seasons; and it is scarcely necessary for 
us to advert to our invariable practice of sending out genuine Seeds only. 
“ CARTER’S FLORAL ILLUSTRATIONS ” are a series of truthful drawings of the Floral Novelties of the day, 
respecting which further particulars will be found at page 119. 
SEEDS for EXPORTATION.— We beg leave to say that, being large Exporters to all parts of the world, we 
are in a position to make selections suited to any climate, and will pack them in such a manner as to ensure a safe 
transit : and all orders that we may receive we will tuke care to despatch at the proper season. 
“PARMENTER’S PREPARATION FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF INSECTS.”— This Preparation has been found 
to act with the most unerring certainty ; and we can confidently recommend it as the best destroyer of Insects on 
plants ever offered to public notice {for particulars see page 1 12). 
“ SPERGULA PILIFERA.” — This charming substitute for Grass for Lawns is increasing in reputation, and we 
are enabled to offer it at a very reasonable figure {vide page 1 18). 
“ BEDDING, GREENHOUSE, AND STOVE PLANTS.” — A complete List of Bedding and other Plants grown at 
our Sydenham Nursery will be published on the 1st of May, and forwarded free of charge, on application. 
In conclusion, we beg leave respectfully to prefer a few requests. First, that with each Order the full name and 
address be given, that we may be enabled to keep our accoimts as correctly as possible ; Secondly, that with each 
remittance our Invoice or Statement be returned ; Thirdly, that no Post-Office Order be sent without a name, as the 
Post-Office Authorities forbid their officers from informing the Payee of the name of the Remitter; and Fourthly, 
we earnestly request that no Money in Coin be sent through the Post, as, besides risking the loss of the money, it 
offers temptation to the Post-Office Servants. 
AVe wish also respectfully to intimate that, except in case of urgency, all orders will be executed in rotation as 
received ; and having considerably enlarged our Premises, and increased our Staff of Assistants, no unnecessary 
delay will take place : but we would strongly advise that orders be sent early. In returning our sincere thanks for 
past favours, we solicit a continuance of the same, with your kind recommendations. 
Nos. 237, 238, and 261, High Holbom, London, 
January 1862 
We have the honour to be, 
Your very obedient Servants, 
JAMES CARTER AND CO. 
