IT IS NOT IDTiE TALK 
when we say that the stock we sell, mid our manner of packing and mailing plants surpasses anything and everything We 
back it up with substantial testimony. Our 250,000 customers in all parts of the world know this but they do not all under¬ 
stand how it is we are enabled to so greatly excel. It is simply our i borough determination to please our customers com¬ 
bined with our uncqualcd advantages which enables us to do it. We are not confined to the narrow limits of brick walls in 
tViA mirtaf.rtf n rawnrrlpH and hnsv o.ft.v Our st.(»pps wnrohmups. rosiripiifp um? . 
cowiuuniimoiih 111 awtiioa, omj r aim? jiuui ** t , auu nu) UUC CUU come 1111'1 see It. WltQ tU6S0 V'HSt floral 
crops constantly under our eyes, and having in our employ the most skilled growers, propagators and packers and with our 
system of constantly selecting and improving stocks, and searching the world over for superior strains and novelties we 
have been enabled to get, keep, grow and sell the best seeds, bulbs, and plants in the market. The city seedsman who seldom 
If oversees the growing crops of the seed ho sells, and who has to send his bulb and plant orders out to some one in the 
country to be filled and packed in a disinterested mauner. cannot compete with such advantages as ours. We give here i few 
of the unsolicited testimonials which are constantly coming to hand by the thousand from afi parts of the world. 
Mns. E. C. Asbury. Urbana, Mo., Says: “In your Cata¬ 
logue, which accidentally fell into my hands, I find a descrip¬ 
tion of the Brugmansla Arborea and the Earhart Raspberry, 
and 1 must say that your modesty is to tie commended, as 
most Seedsmen and Florists over, rather than underestimate 
their wares. I am fully acquainted with both flower aud 
berry. I kept the Brugmansia for over twelve years, and 
have many times counted more than one hundred full blown 
immense floral trumpets with hundreds more ready to open. 
I now have over 2000 of the Earhart Raspberry canes, and as 
to their superior qualities will say your description cannot 
be controverted. They are beyond question superior to any¬ 
thing I have ever seen." 
F. C. Yeomans, I.a Camas. Wash., says: "Plants. Bulbs 
and Seed have arrived. The Manettia vine had a flower on it 
in perfect condition, neither bruised nor wilted. Good enough 
for 3,00t> miles by mail, and speaks well for your packing.' 
Hanson M. Miller, Woodland, Wash., says: "I buy from 
all (lie largest Seedsmen and Florists, but I do not get such 
nice plants and shrubs ns you send out." 
John H. Alexander, Dromore, Ireland, says: "1 beg 
to say that the box of plants arrived here on Monday last, 
the contents being all in the best condition, and apparently 
nothing the worse for their long journey. Please accept my 
thunks for all you sent me gratis. I must, in justice to you, 
say that I have never received such liberal treatment from 
any other house In the trade, either in this country or any 
other. At catalogue price the serais and plants sent gratis 
amount to $2.25 on a small order of only a few dollars.’’ 
S. H. Williams, 29 Barclay St., New York City, sai s: " My 
Surprise Collection arrived duly. The term is well chosen 
but inadequate to the occasion—it was gigantic in its propor¬ 
tions. and most satisfactory in its makeup.” 
J as. L. Allan, Philadelphia, Pa., says: "My Hardy Cur- 
natiousand Pansies purchased last year are a perfect sight. 
Out of 25 Carnations only four arc single—the balance semi¬ 
double aud double, and all different colors. One of our lead¬ 
ing seedsmen praises the wonderful velvety texture of my 
Pansies, and thought enough of a box full Hint I showed 
him to ask for them, that he might show them to some 
friends. Everybody admires them, and speaks of them as 
lieing the handsomest they have ever seen." 
Fannie Smith, Corning, Ohio, says: "I received your 
Manettia Vine to-day. I think your Catalogue does not do 
your flowers justice by any means." 
Samuel Beiole, Victor, Iowa, says: "You are hereby 
tendered my grateful thanks for those plants, and I must 
say that you have treated me much more generously than I 
could expect, and 1 shall certainly remember you in future 
when in want of anything in your line. 
B. C. Monison, Neenah, Wis„ says: "Your prompt re- 
. spouse to m.v appeal came safely, bringing both surprise and 
' pleasure. Surprise at your exceeding kindness, and pleasure 
i not only for the lovely plants, but for the knowledge it 
brought me—that so honest and reliable a dealer existed. 
Accept my earnest thanks, and rest assured that your name 
will lie warmly recommended to my friends." 
Minnie Taylor, Springville. Ala., says: “ I have just re¬ 
ceived the package of flowers ordered of you a short time 
back. I feel myself under obligations to lliauk you for 
sending them so promptly. They wore very well packed and 
none of the plants were injured in the least. I would uot 
forget to thunk you also tor the splendid extras and the 
beautiful Cactus you sent as discount. 
Mrs. Day. Belgrave, England, says: "Plants and seeds 
safely received. They were most beautifully packed, and 
arrived In splendid order, und give every satisfaction.” 
F. It. Decker, Owosso. Mich., says: " Your Introduction 
Collection has arrived, and I am very much pleased with the 
splendid collection you sent me. When in want of seeds 
rest assured I will give you uu order. 
A. S. Johnston, San Jacinto. Cal., says: “The articles 
arrived in perfectly good condition. They were even put¬ 
ting out leaves aud blossoms when they arrived." 
.1 as. H. Tucker, St. Thomas. Ontario! says: " My order of 
bulbs and seeds received in good order, also the numerous 
presents, which I believe were as numerous, and at vour 
catalogue price, worth as much as mv order. It is needless to 
say for the future you have made me a regular customer. 
Also one more great point in your favor: when the parcel 
came to t he post, office it was mine, but. not so in dealing with 
other of your American brother florists, for on the same day 
that. I received your parcel, there was a notice in my P. 0. 
box to call at the custom office for another." 
beg leave 
aud to 
Mrs. T. K. Mohlbr, Williamsburg. K.v„ says: " Received 
Mayflower, and am surprised to find it so valuable. 
John H. Kossai.l. Torquay, England, savs: "] be 
to acknowledge the receipt of the plants and seeds 
express my perfect satisfaction with them." 
Mrs. James S. Squires, Cortland. N. Y„ savs: "r )„, vo 
found your Tobacco Soap to be the very best thing 7 have 
ever tried for the purpose advertised. I use it on mv plants 
m the green-house, aud on my roses out of doors, and if 
taken early onough, and given about twice, keeps off the 
June pests, and has certainly more than doubled mv June 
Roses in number and quality.” ’ 
Geo. A. Games, Sun Francisco Cal., says: ” The belated 
packet arrived in good order to-day. and I will never again 
find fault with your house. ’ 
Ada Gist, Letart, W Va„ says: “The package of plants 
and seeds were received yesterday, and I hasten to write and 
thank you many times for all the nice extras you so kindlv 
sent i am delighted at receiving so many fine bulbs, and I 
am charmed with the plants. And all those seeds ! I am ela¬ 
ted over them, and do not know how to sufficiently thank 
you, aud I wonder and wonder where your profits come in.” 
R. R. Darby, Downey, Cal., says: ” The seeds aud plants 
ordered from you were received in excellent condition 
Most of t.ie shrubs aud plants starting growth when rel 
eeived. In fact, it seems wonderful that they could pass 
through so much low temperature in such line condition I 
placed the trees and plants in the ground at once, and they 
did not stop growing. Many thanks for extras.” 
Ida B. Mercer, Portland Oregon, says: ” I received the 
Roses in good condition, and divided them between mvsolf 
and two friends, who agreed they had never seen finer plants, 
a fact I greatly appreciate. Also for your kindness in not 
only favoring me with the seed requested, but adding other 
packages. I shall bo pleased to order from you again.’’ 
John Miller, Bcver Point, Mich., says: "The plants 
mailed by you a lew days ago came to hand in fine condition 
ami were fine blunts Indeed. Am more than satisfied. Please 
accept my thanks for the choice extra plants you sent mo." 
Mrs. M. J. Eaton, Reno, Nov., says: " Last Monday I had 
the pleasure of receiving the box with two Mary Washington 
rose bushes in excellent condition, for which I thank vou 
very kindly, and If they do not thrive well I think It will 
not lie your fault. 1 will recommend vour prompt atten¬ 
tion to all who may wish to avail themselves of the advan¬ 
tage of your establishment.” 
Mrs. Robert Fransham, Bozeman, Mont,, says: "The 
Surprise Package reached me in safety, and I write to thank 
you, for it was truly a surprise to see the fine collection of 
choice plants, and every one is growing and doing well I 
assure you I take great pride in showing them. 
Mrs. Eliza H. Irish, Windham, Maine, savs: “I have 
Just received the seeds ordered of you. and was very much 
surprised and pleased with the liberal way you filled the 
order. I shall know who to order of another year. I have 
without exceptiou, received more generous treatment from 
you than from any other seedsman. The Sweet Peas bought 
of you last year were the most beautiful I ever grew." 
S. W. Thomas, Pearsall, Texas, says: “ The plants ordered 
of you were received some days ago in good condition, and 
1 may truly say they are the finest plants I have ever re¬ 
ceived from a northern house. Accept my thunks for vour 
kindness and generosity. 
Mrs. W. H. Fox, Marietta. On., says: "1 don’t know as 
you have time to read anything but orders, but I am so 
pleased with the fine condition that your seeds, bulbs and 
plants Imve reached me in. and with the nice extras you 
added—every one of which I had wished for so much, that I 
must write and tliank you." 
W. W. Noyes, Lyndon, Ill., says: "We obtained of you 
last year a packet of Golden Jubilee Tomato. Nearly every 
seed germinated, and in size, yield aud abundance'exceed 
all expectations." 
Mrs. Jas. G. Carson. Philadelphia, Ta.. says: “ My flowers 
came duly to hand, aud in good condition, and as for the 
planU looking healthy [neversaw better. 1 was surprised 
and very much pleased to see so inanv extras." 
M. A. DuxisOP, Algeries. Africa, says: ** I am glad to be 
able to tell you that the eight, boxes you sent containing 
bulbs aud plants have arrived safely, aud are all planted out. 
They were beautifully packed, and will all grow." 
H. H. Holcomb, Jhansi, India, savs: "The package you 
sent me July 27th, reached me here on August 20th. None of 
the contents were injured and the plants are now growing.*’ 
