1884 ] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
U1 
LOVERS OF FLOWERS, ATTENTION l 
CUSTOMERS BADLY SWINDLED! 
Quantrell Conquered by Flowers, and a nice Home saved ! 
My Seeds Too Good, and a Lawsuit 
Threatened! 
Read How Customers are Treated by 
JAMES VICK, Rochester, New-York, 
and send for a fine Catalogue of 
fifty pages, with twenty-five 
Engravings, and one 
Colored Plate. 
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS FROM CUSTOMERS. 
From Sabah J. Griffith, Batesville, Noble Co., Ohio, 
Sept. 2, 1SG3: . 
Your Flower Seeds I got this Summer gave good satisfac¬ 
tion. The live varieties of Pinks were beautiful, and adiuir- 
ed by all. 
m From William Lucas, Normandy, St. Louis Co., Mo., Aug. 
28, 1863: 
Be "-odd enough to mail me your next Catalogue as soon 
as published. The flower Seeds f"’”"'' 
Oner in my life, either in this country . ,, 
Double Zinnias turned out splendidly—about eight double 
flowers out of ten seeds, and they were as double and line 
as any dahlia. 
From Mrs. R. U. Sherman, N. Hartford, Oneida Co., N. T„ 
Sept. 4, 1803: 
The Asters from the seeds purchased of you last Spring, 
have been the wonder and admiration of all our acquaint¬ 
ances, far and near. The pleasure we have derived in be¬ 
stowing ttie beautiful bouquets made from them on number¬ 
less friends, lias repaid us fifty fold for the small expense and 
care they cost. 
From Mrs. Dr. Foster, Clifton Springs, N. Y., Sept. 2,1863: 
The Aster Seed you sent me when Mr. Foster procured his 
V“«-etable Seeds, have produced flowers so beautitul and 
perfect in color, size, and every development, that I hasten 
to thank you for the great pleasure they afford us hourly, 
and to sav I am sure I could procure you many customers ll 
you would seud me some Catalogues. 
From Geo. E. Jennings, Waupun, Wisconsin, Sept. 1SG3: 
The seeds tiad of you last Spring proved very satisfactory. 
My Asters now are splendid. I have them five and a quarter 
inches in diameter. 
From AV. P. Havens, Corning, N. Y., Oct. 11,18G3: 
I obtained a package of Double Zinnia Seeds of you this 
Spring, and sowed only a part. I think every seed planted 
grew A few turned out single and a few semi-double. I 
had one which produced nearly or quite twenty flowers, 
Borne of them as large as a good sized dahlia: and more com¬ 
pact. and more petals in the bloom, by at least fifty per 
cent., than shown in the engraving in your Catalogue. 
From B. W. Steere, Adrian, Michigan, Oct. 12, 1863: 
The Flower Seeds obtained from you this Spring produced 
fine results. The Asters took a first premium, and I think 
the Double Zinnias would, if I could have preserved them 
from an early frost. 
From Mrs.M art E . MoRTON.Battle Creek, Mich., Oct.17.1863: 
Send me a Seed Catalogue, as soon as published in the 
Spring. My Asters from your seed were splendid. 
From Elizabeth B. Seelye, Bethel, Conn., Sept. 21, 1863 ; 
Tlie Double Zinnias I had of you are charming. The flow¬ 
ers are very full, and double. 1 counted twenty-one rows of 
petals on one flower. One plant has borne one hundred 
blossoms. I am impatient to see your new Flower Cata¬ 
logue. 
From Mabien M. Glenn, Nobletown, Pa„ Oct., 1863: 
Tiie Flower Seeds I obtained from you last Spring all came 
up and gave me and others great satisfaction. 
From Robert J. Harris, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 15,1863: 
The Seeds I ordered of you last Spring came safely to hand 
and gave great satisfaction. 
From Jane W. Curtiss, Ira, Rutland Co., Vermont: 
The Double Zinnias from the seed which I ordered of you 
last Spring, were splendid. 
From Mrs. AVm. M. Harrison, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
Sept. 10,1863: 
Let me say that your Seeds give universal satisfaction to 
myself and "friends. AVe have never had any, either Flower 
or Vegetable Seeds, to equal them. 
From Mrs. C. G. Woodford, Candor, N. Y., Sept. 22, 1863: 
The Flower Seeds which I purchased of you in the 
Spring all did nicely. My Zinnias did splendidly—about 
half of them very large and double. They have been in 
blossom a long time, and are now as pretty as ever. 
From Caroline F. Chadwick, Middletown, Conn., Sept. 
17, 1803: 
The Seeds you sent me this Spring received the admiration 
of every one. Tlie Zinnias and Asters are most beautiful. 
From C. White, Edwardsburgli, Canada West, Sept. 28,1863: 
Tlie seeds from you this Spring gave entire satisfaction. 
From Charles T. Simpson, Tiskilwa, Bureau Co. Illinois, 
Sept. 28,1863: 
bought several packages of Flower Seeds of you this 
From Thomas Bullock, Great Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept. 
8. 1863 : 
Tlie Flower seeds I obtained of you tills Spring produced 
'he most beautiful flowers, ami i am much gratified. 
From G. B. White, Union Springs, N. Y., Sept. 14,1863: 
I had the pleasure of planting and taking care of tlie seeds 
you sent me, through tlie season. They came up to the full¬ 
est expectation, and have made a good display. I have had 
charge of Mrs. J. J. Thomas’ flower department, and the 
seeds you sent him did finely, and made a most magnificent 
show of flowers. 
From Miss L. M. Matnabd, Greenwich Station, Huron Co., 
Ohio, Sept. 9, 1863: 
I take pleasure in saying that the seeds I ordered of you 
have richly repaid me "for my labor. Tlie Asters are perfect 
beauties, and are admired by every one that sees them. 
From Mrs. C. L. Mabbett, Mechanicsville, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y„ Nov. 23, 1863: 
I was well pleased with the seeds you sent me last Spring. 
From Royal E. Barry, Cambridgeport, Vt„ Dec. 27, 1863: 
The collection of flower seeds I purchased of yon last 
Quantrell, tlie Rebel Raider, Conquered! 
From George Ford, Lawrence, Kansas, Jan. 4,1864: 
Please send me your Catalogue for 1864. The flower seeds 
wo purchased from you last Spring came up remarkably 
well, much better than those that came from-. Tlie 
Asters were very fine, some seventy plants being in full 
bloom at tlie time of tlie Quantroll Raid, and made, together 
with tlie Snap Dragons. Diantbus Heddewigs, Phloxes. Petu¬ 
nias and other fine varieties, a very gay and beautiful ap¬ 
pearance, and were the means, Providentially, of sav" 
IJCdl .nice, <Wlil WUlC Lllc lUUilllb, J. lUVlUcU llaliy, U1 ChlvlUg dll. 
house from pillage and destruction. Quantrell, with a dozen 
of his gang, came to destroy tlie place, but Quantrell said to 
my wife ft was too pretty to burn, and should be saved. 
Thus you see that tlie beauty of cultivated nature softened 
tlie heart of a notorious bushwhacker and cold-blooded mur¬ 
derer. We shall cultivate flowers as long as we remember 
this horrible rebellion. 
From tlie Vindicator, Bruce, Canada West, Sept. 24,1863: 
We got seeds from Mr. Vick last Spring, and they were 
excellent; our Asters, grown from bis seed, were about as 
flue as we think Asters could be. 
From the Summit County Beacon, Ohio: 
We have for several years procured our Seeds from Mr. 
Vick, and can truly say, that we have found tlie seed3 im¬ 
ported by him more sure to germinate than any others that 
we have ever used. 
From the Sunday School Advocate, N. Y. Dec. 26,1S63—a 
dialogue between the Editor and his friend “Forrester”: 
“Mr. Editor,” says Mr. Forrester, “I have just received a 
beautiful gift from your old friend, James Vick, Esq., of 
Rochester. ’ 
A present, hey ? Pray, what is it, Mr. Forrester ? 
“A box of Hyacinth and Narcissus bulbs, sir. Choice 
kinds, too.” 
That's just like friend Vick. He sent me a lot of flower 
seeds last Spring, from which I grew such splendid German 
asters, petunias, pinks, etc., as are rarely seen. Everybody 
admired them. 1 advise everybody who wants good flower 
seed to try Mr. Vick. If your bulbs do as well as my seeds, 
Mr. Forrester, you will nave tlie finest hyacinths in your 
neighborhood. 
From the “Rural New Yorker,” Oct.24, 1863: 
Badly Swindled—Read. 
Eds. Rural:— James Vick advertises in the Rural. Well, 
so far that is a good recommendation.. He desires people to 
send for his catalogues of seeds, bulbs or tulips, croc.usses, 
hyacinths, lilies, &c„ &c. Well, people ought to send for it, 
out of curiosity, if nothing more. Yes, in spite of all tlie 
caution we hear almost daily against Eastern nurseries and 
seedsmen,—especially from Western dealers,—I did send for 
it. and worse than that—for it is said “ Experience is the only 
school in which fools can learn,”—I sent for bulbs, and induc¬ 
ed several friends to do tlie same! To-day tlie bnlbs 
came: they didn’t keep our “ready” without making any 
returns, but they really came—and proved to be tlie finest 
bulbs wo ever saw, all in good order, “baker’s dozen,” and 
sent by mail free of postage! “That’s what’s the matter,” 
and wlmt I have to complain of, is that bad swindle which 
people inflict upon themselves by allowing their suspicions 
to cheat them out of many luxuries which they might other¬ 
wise enjoy. 
Who does not love flowers! And how few persons have 
gardens from which you might take even a decent bouquet! 
But there are some would-be florists who love flowers just 
as some good, dear, pious, stingy people love tlie Lord,—with 
all tlie heart, but none of the purse. They “almost worship 
flowers,” but are appalled if you chance to suggest buying 
them. I ought to add, however, that I have called ou the 
others who also sent for bulbs, and they were all disappoint¬ 
ed—all nicer than they expected. Too bad to be martyrs 
just this time. L. G. Bedell. 
Crown Point, Ind., Oct. 14,1S63. 
A Good Chance for a Lawsuit. 
The following is a part of a facetious letter, published in 
the Rural New Yorker, January 2,1SG4: 
Mr. Editor:— Before commencing an action against you 
for damages, I thought I would write to you, and see if you 
are willing to make the “amende honorable” for certain 
“actions and things” which this individual has suffered at 
the hands of two firms of Rural advertisers. For, have you 
not, at divers times, promised to protect the subscribers of 
the Rural NewYorker against impositions of designing men ? 
Now, Mr. Editor, there is one Rochester man that yon have 
advertised extensively, sirnamed Vick : I suppose liis father 
must have called him James, as I see lie appends something 
of the kind to his other name. I put money in a letter and 
sent it to him. What do you suppose be sent me in return ? 
Seed! yes, cabbage seed, tomato seed, flower seed. Well, 
that is not what I complain of. But of this:—the cabbage 
seed all grew! Well, anybody knows that was not right 
that ever bought a paper at a “ store.” You may fool voung 
birds “with chaff,” but not one who has bought cabbage 
seed for years, and never had a dozen plants to a paper 
grow. Then, did not all the tomatoes grow “smooth,” 
when every novice knows that they ought to be rough like 
a wasli board. It won't answer, Mr. Editor, to have them 
"smooth.” If you do, their skins will “peel." You kuow, 
too, that flower seeds have no business to blow double, like 
those flowers that Mr. Vick sent us. We know better, for 
have not our mothers raised Zinnias and such tilings, from 
our boyhood up, and who ever saw double ones? It is 
clearly not legitimate. It is time a stop is put. to such tilings! 
Finally, Mr. Editor, if yon are willing to “ chalk up.” and 
do tlie fair thing, I will be reasonable in my bill of damages. 
But, if you compel us to “go to law," you will be made to 
suffer considerable, “if not more.” L. L. Fairchild, 
Holing Plains, Wis., 1863. 
From the Country Gentleman • 
Flower Garden of James Vick.— Among the most en¬ 
thusiastic admirers and successful cultivators of fine flowers 
is .James VrcK, of Rochester, horticultural Editor of tlie Ru¬ 
ral New Yorker, and the proprietor of a seed store in that 
city. During a recent visit to his garden, a number of beau¬ 
tiful novelties were observed. His collection of Asters in 
full bloom was extensive, and exhibited many very tine 
specimens of all colors. He annually imports those from 
Europe, where the seeds are obtained mostly from plants 
grown In pots, good seed of tlie fine double sorts lining rare¬ 
ly produced in this country. There was a collection of new 
Double Zinnias, but as these have a tendency to run back, a 
large share, or about one-lialf of tlie poorer ones are pulled 
up and thrown out, leaving only the finest for seed. This 
plant is already beginning to run to varieties, and among the 
selected specimens were observed various shades, w'tli liuht 
red, scarlet, and crimson, tlie flowers presenting different 
forms and sizes. A considerable collection of new Japan 
Pinks were in bloom, with their rich, coarsely cut flowers, 
and the few double Portulacas were remarkably beautiful. 
A package of seeds furnished ns last spring by tlie proprie¬ 
tor of this flower garden, now ornaments several large flow¬ 
er beds, and exhibits many beautiful plants of tlie older, as 
well as tlie newer sorts, and ou which we may furnish some 
particular notes in tlie future. 
CATALOGUES sent, postage paid, to all 
wlio apply, enclosing ten cents. 
JAMES VICK, 
Rochester, N. Y. 
See description of Catalogue in another column. 
Rare and Choice Flower Seeds. 
AND NOVELTIES FOR 1SG4. 
II4>VEY & CO., BOSTON, Mass. 
Balsams, Stocks, Portijlaccas, Larkspurs, 
Petunias, Verbenas, Zinnias, &c., &c.. 
And all tlie best Florist’s Flowers, viz., Cinerarias, 
Pansies,Pelargoniums, Carnations, Calceola¬ 
rias, &c., &c. 
EXTRA JPI2I25E ASTER SEE®. 
We offer our unequalled collection of French Asters, 
in all the varieties of Pivone, Pompone, Pyramid¬ 
al, &e„ of our own raising, having been make a specialty 
for more than 20 years, and our flowers have been awarded 
prizes by the Mass. Hort. Society as follows: 
FIRST PRIZE—1841, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 43, 49, 51, 52, 55, 56, 57, 60, 
61, 62, and 63. Second Prize, 1846, 56, and 59. 
16 varieties in separate packets $1.50. 12 var. $1.2.7.- 8 var. $1. 
Descriptive Catalogue of Seeds, Fruit Trees, Greenhouse 
Plants, &c., forwarded to all applicants. 
Rare him! Beautiful 
Flowers. 
Splendid Novelties. 
B. K. BLISS, Seedsman and Florist, 
Springfield, Mass , 
Would inform liis friends and patrons that tlie supplement 
to tlie Tenth Edition ofliis Catalogue for 1S63-1, will lie 
issued early in February, and mailed to all applicants upon 
receipt of a 3-cent stamp. It will contain a list of all the 
Novelties of tlie past season both of European and home pro¬ 
duction, witli many other rare and desirable seeds, well de¬ 
serving the attention of all lovers of Flowers. Particular 
attention is invited to the following choice assortments of 
French and German Flower Seeds, 
saved by the most successful European cultivators, contain¬ 
ing onlv the most beautiful varieties in packages, in which 
are enclosed four, six, eight, ten or more separate papers, 
each containing seeds of a difl'erent color or variety of the 
same plant. 
French and German Asters, Rose and Camellia flowered 
Balsams, German Ten Week, Intermediate and Brompton 
Stocks, Larkspur, Alpine Plants, Diantbus, Everlasting Flow¬ 
ers, Hollyhocks, Ipomea, Jacobea, Lupins, Marvel of Peru, 
Nemophila, Ornamental Grasses, Ornamental Gourds, Portu- 
lacca, Petunias, Scluuanthus, Pansies, Scabiosa, Tropoeolum, 
Wallflowers, &c„ &e. 
Among the improved varieties of Florists’ Flowers, the 
quality of the following cannot be surpassed. Auricula, Cin¬ 
eraria, Calceolaria, Cockscomb, Carnation and Picot.ee 
Pinks, Fuchsias, Geraniums. Gladiolus, Gloxinia, Mimulus, 
English and New Fancy Pansies, Polyanthus, Petunias, Chi¬ 
nese Primrose, Stocks, Perfection and Auricula' flowered 
Sweet Williams, &c., &c. 
All of tlie seeds named in the Catalogue will be mailed 
post-paid to any address in the loyal States, upon receipt ol 
the price affixed. 
Those who have not a copy of tlie Catalogue will be sup¬ 
plied with botli Catalogue and Supplement upon receipt of 
two 3-cent stamps. Address ii. K. BLISS, 
Springfield, Mass. 
BRVDGEZHTAN’S 
DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 
OP 
T5EI333IIVGJ- PLANTS, 
Embracing many NEW and BEAUTIFUL 
Varieties, as well as a 
SELECT LIST OF ROSES. 
Now ready for Distribution. 
ANDREW BIIIDGEMAN 
878 Broadway, New-YorK. 
