50th Anniversary 
I N 1884, S. F. Leonard opened a small market 
gardeners’ store on Randolph Street (on what 
was known as the “Haymarket Square”) doing 
business with the truck growers who sold their 
produce from wagons on “The Market”. 
It was not long until this original store was too 
small and more spacious quarters were acquired a 
few doors away where customers might be served 
to better advantage. Shortly after this move, 
Mr. Leonard enlarged his activities by adding a 
mail order department. Again increasing business 
made a move into larger space necessary so the next 
move was into a five^story building at Union and 
Randolph Streets — the center of the “Hay' 
market.” Now a new line was added—commission 
boxes. These added lines necessitated a growing department which was started with peas 
and beans as the base, gradually adding other varieties as the necessity dictated. 
In November of the year 1899, a fire completely destroyed the six-story warehouse 
we then occupied on West Lake Street. Practically all our stocks had been taken in in- 
eluding commission boxes. Starting from zero in merchandise again, Mr. Leonard 
decided to discontinue the mail order and commission box business and make the business 
strictly “grower and wholesaler” with the exception of a retail market gardeners’ seed 
store in Chicago. We now have three of these stores in the city of Chicago, supplying 
this critical trade. The balance of our trade is with dealers; consumer mail inquiries, of 
which we have many, are referred to the local dealer in the town. 
The ever increasing demand for more space made several changes, in our main warehouse, neces- 
sary, as well as the addition of numerous country warehouses for the growing department and this 
steady increase in our business was continued until now we have, in addition to our large seed and 
onion set warehouse here at Chicago, warehouses in Idaho and Montana, as well as growing sta¬ 
tions scattered well over the Northern and Northwestern part of the country in Michigan, Wis¬ 
consin, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Idaho and Montana. 
This consistent growth over this fifty year period is the result of the reliability and honesty of 
the Seeds produced and sold, as well as the patient work in breeding and selection of stocks for, as 
we all know, the success of any seed business is founded on confidence. 
In this catalogue we offer many new varieties as well as the best of the older ones and assure 
you the same quality which has made our success possible. 
Prices quoted are F.O.B. our stores at Chicago, cash with order. If it is not convenient for you to call at one 
of our stores or our seeds are not available in your community, send us^ your order direct, adding postage at the 
regular Parcel Post rates to cover transportation. 
We Give No Warranty, express or implied, as to purity, description, quality, productiveness or any other 
matter ol any Seeds, Bulbs, or Plants we send out, and we will not be in any way responsible for the crop. 
LEONARD SEED COMPANY 
Office and Main Warehouse with Retail Department 
333-355 West 35th St. CHICAGO, ILL. 
Phone Boulevard 5910 
