2 
ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES 
OUR BOOK OF BERRIES—1919 
W E have no apologies to make for the size of our 1919 
Book of Berries. Rather, we are proud of it. We 
have just signed a pledge with one of our paper dealers 
to practice every economy in the use of paper—not only 
to save it for important war work—but to save also 
transportation and the labor, materials and fuel used in 
its manufacture. This alone is reason enough for econ¬ 
omizing. But we want to save as much for our custom¬ 
ers as possible. By cutting down the size and number 
of our catalogs, we can sell our plants at a lower price 
than we could, if we issued a large and expensive cat¬ 
alog. 
We have made the Berry Book just as serviceable as 
we could. Much information as to caring for plants, 
preparing the land, cultivating, training, marketing, 
etc., is included, as well as accurate descriptions of 
varieties as to season, color, size, productiveness, blos¬ 
soms, etc. We have a number of copies of last year’s 
Berry Book still on hand and we will be glad to send 
one on request, to those desiring more detailed informa¬ 
tion. 
The stock of plants all over the country is very short. 
We have a decreased acreage, altho those we have are 
fine, as robust and healthy as we ever had. For this 
reason and the fact that last year strawberries sold for 
the highest prices ever, all over the country, the de¬ 
mand for plants is going to be strong and we advise 
ordering early, if you expect to get the varieties you 
want. 
We have made some increase in our prices. It was 
not of our own choice. We had to do it, if we were to 
continue our business. You all know labor, materials, 
manure, everything concerned in the production and 
shipping of plants is out of sight. Our plants are 
worth the price, because, altho we pledge ourselves to 
economize on paper, we also pledge to our customers, 
that we will not economize our quality of plants, good 
packing, or care in keeping them true-to-name. 
Unquestionably, the country needs the fruit. It is 
a necessity, because it has food value, it helps replace 
staple, non-perishable foods and it acts—as oil to an 
engine—to keep the body fit. So, from a patriotic stand¬ 
point, we should grow all we can—and from the stand¬ 
point of profit the scarcity of plants, fruiting beds and 
labor, make good prices and good profits for what you 
can grow almost a certainty. 
Yours for the best of plants and service, 
THE W. F. ALLEN CO. 
INSTRUCTIONS TO PURCHASERS 
TIMETOORDER. As soon as convenient, after receiv¬ 
ing this catalog. Late in the season we may be sold out 
of certain varieties, but if ordered early, the plants are 
reserved for you, to be shipped when you are ready for 
them. This is especially important this year when the 
crop of plants is very short. Our own crop is not one- 
third that of last year, and reports we have had from 
other plant-growers indicate that the crop is very short 
all over the country. The best varieties will be taken 
first. And, to be doubly sure of getting just what you. 
want when you want it, order early. 
