4 
A. B. Hood & Co.’s Descriptive Catalogue 
very highest quality, first-class in every particular and true to name. W'e shall con- 
tinue to use, as we have always done, the very best stock to be had for propagating 
purposes. 
Our facilities for growing, packing and shipping slock of all kinds known to 
first-class nurserynien cannot be excelled. 
A. B. HOOD & CO., Richmond, Va. 
REMARKS 
To the planter or purchaser of nursery stock at least three things are indis))en- 
sable : first, varieties true to name ; second, healthy, vigorous, well-matured trees or 
plants, and third, careful and judicious packing, without which all may be lost. 
We give the most careful scrutiny to the propagation of varieties, endeavoring by 
all methods known to us to protect ourselves from error and imposition, and rejecting 
anything of which we have reason to feel suspicious. Hy such careful and constant 
watching and attention we are warranted in offering our stock as pure and absolutely 
true to name. 
Our soil being of a character best suited to produce the healthiest conditions of 
growth — that solid, firm texture of the wood, with abundant fibrous root, so necessary 
to successful transplanting — we are enabled to offer the products of our Nurseries with 
entire confidence to planters 1ti all sections of the country. 
We give to our packing and shipping careful personal supervision, and to still 
further protect our patrons, as well as ourselves, against loss in this direction, we 
employ the most skilled and competent hands to assist us. 
By careful consideration of the wants of our trade and faithful attention to busi- 
ness, we hope to continue to merit and receive a share of the patronage of lovers and 
buyers of choice fruits and ornamentals. 
GUARANTEE OF GENUINENESS 
While we exercise the greatest diligence and care to have all our trees, etc., true 
to label, and hold ourselves in readiness, on proper proof, to replace all trees, etc., 
that may prove untrue to label free of charge, or to refund the amount paid, it is mutu- 
ally understood and agreed to, between the purchaser and ourselves, that our guar- 
antee of genuineness shall in no case make us liable for any sum greater than that 
originally received for said trees, etc., that shall prove untrue. 
ADVICE TO PLANTERS 
Select thrifty young trees in preference to old or very large ones ; the roots are 
more tender and fibrous and they bear transplanting better and are far more apt to 
live ; they can also be more easily trimmed and shaped to :my desired form, and in 
the course of a few years will usually outstrip the older ones in growth. 
SELECTION OF VARIETIES 
Be careful to choose such as you know to be suited to your section ; or, as we 
have suggested heretofore, leave the selection to us. It is fair to presume that with 
the experience of more than twenty years, giving all our time and talent to the sub- 
ject, our information must be at least equal to that of the average planter. Varieties 
are almost innumerable, and many of them either worthless or of little value. Great 
injustice has been done by the compilation of long lists, which ser\e only to induce 
the orchardist to plant a large assortment, the greater number of which generally fail 
