TO OUR FRIENDS AND PATRONS. 
\ We take much pleasure in again presenting you the new annual 
edition of our Catalogue, full of good things with which to beautify your Flower 
Gardens, Lawns and Conservatories. During the past season we have spared neither 
time nor expense in procuring and growing that which will be of interest to our patrons. 
Much time has been spent in preparing this, our “ Floral Treasure,” and our descrip- 
tions of the plants are not exaggerated, but true to nature. We have also given help- 
ful notes on the culture of each class of plants. 
New Plants. Each year brings something new and beautiful in the floral king- 
dom, and we have by the most careful selection endeavored to secure the best of the 
new and good things. The novelties offered have all been thoroughly tested by us the 
past season, many of them for two years, and we find them all worthy of cultivation. 
We have put them at a reasonable price, so that all may secure at least a few plants of 
each variety offered. 
Our Thanks. In submitting to our friends these pages, we return to one and all 
our most hearty thanks for their very liberal patronage in the past, and the many kind 
letters received from time to time, and ask for a continuation of such favors to us in the 
future, giving, on our part, the assurance that we will do our utmost to please. We 
have always aimed, by closest attention to our business in all its details, to serve our 
customers faithfully. Our large and increasing trade testifies that our efforts to please 
have been appreciated, but we feel that much of our success is due to the kind recom- 
mendations of our friends and patrons. Of the hundreds of new readers who will this 
year see our Catalogue for the first time, we ask for it a careful examination, feeling sure 
that it offers many good things that will prove either a pleasure or a profit to plant, and 
we hope that our reasonable prices and the assurance of our careful attention to their 
wishes will bring us at least a trial order from many who have not previously bought 
of us. 
Our Houses and Stock. Our whole plant of houses is heated by hot water under 
pressure, which gives a moist, even temperature, that induces a healthy, vigorous plant- 
growth. Our immense stock of plants has not been forced, but grown at as low a tem- 
perature as possible. 
In filling the orders of so many hundreds of customers, it is to be expected that, 
in such a varied business, errors will sometimes occur; but we wish to say to any cus- 
tomer who has found that any part of our stock has not proved as represented: kindly 
mention it when you forward your order for this season, and it will be made entirely 
satisfactory to you. Relying upon the healthy condition, as well as the genuineness of 
our stock, it has been our constant aim so to deal with our customers that they may 
continue to favor us with their orders, as well as recommend us to their flower-loving 
friends; and they may certainly rely upon our efforts to give satisfaction in every instance. 
In other words, we propose to send out none but perfectly healthy plants, true to name, 
and packed in the most careful manner. As further proof of our desire to act conscien- 
tiously and justly, we request to be notified immediately of any error on our part, that 
we may rectify it without delay. 
We have reduced our system of packing plants forwarded by mail to such per- 
fect order that we can safely fill orders from any part of the United States and Canada, 
and guarantee that plants shall arrive in excellent condition. Our mailing-size plants 
are strong and well-grown, and will start to grow at once without coaxing. When our 
customers can afford it, it is better to have plants shipped by express, as we can often 
send larger plants, and put in more plants gratis when the order is to be sent by express. 
Plants received by mail should be placed in tepid water for thirty minutes before 
the moss is removed from their roots. 
