'Robert \@ayinaii_ 
(importer and Cjrower of- Rare djnses 
39o9~2l4 th. Place. 
Bayside . deny Island, N.Y. 
Dear Friend : 
This letter and folder are intended to serve several definite purposes. 
First: It is an Iris Calendar, showing the continuity of bloom of 
different types of Irises from month to month throughout the year. It will, there¬ 
fore, show you how it is possible for you to have Irises in flower in your garden 
every month of the year, by adding such groups as you do not already have. 
Second : For those who do not wish to study the different groups in my 
catalog and make their own selections, I have arranged a well-balanced collection 
in each group, carefully thought out to cover the color range. I can assure you 
that, even if you should exercise the greatest care and give the subject consid¬ 
erable study, you would not be likely to make a better choice, for I know each 
variety personally, and have planned each collection with the utmost care. You 
cannot go far amiss in buying any or all of these collections. 
TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET BOUGHT FROM ME. (If you are a customer, you 
need not read this part of the letter.) Last year I was compelled to drop from my 
mailing list 27,000 names of people who had asked for my catalog and never ordered 
anything from me. These 27,000 names had cost me about $25,000 to carry them. 
(The postage alone on one catalog mailed to these 27,000 names was $810.) 
Present business conditions do not warrant my continuing on my mailing 
list any but actual buyers; therefore, it will be necessary at the end of this year 
to drop all who have not bought anything from me. This will not be done as a matter 
of choice, but because business conditions demand it. I am planning some very fine 
literature for next year, and will also appreciate hearing from any who are no 
longer interested in remaining on my mailing list, so that I may avoid the cost of 
sending them this expensive literature. I am sure no one will misunderstand this, 
and that my appeal will meet with a certain measure of co-operation. But the 
co-operation I will appreciate most will be in the form of an order from any who 
have not as yet bought from me, which will be a tangible way of saying "I see your 
viewpoint ; I realize that expensive catalogs do not grow on trees and that postage 
and mailing cost money." 
One more thing: The supply of my 48 page four color Iris and Peony 
catalog has been completely exhausted for this year. It is the finest catalog of 
its kind ever published, and the demand for them was much greater than expected. 
Requests for them keep pouring in, but a reprint at this season of the year is 
impracticable. Any copies returned by those who are no longer interested will 
immediately be placed in the hands of apparently interested parties. 
May I also take this opportunity of thanking those who have entrusted 
thsir orders with me, for their very kind support and to wish you health and 
pleasure from your gardening activities. 
Sincerely, 
P. S. NOW IS THE TIME TO DO ALL SORTS OF PLANTING. 
