Kelsey Nursery Service 
1. We furnish high quality stock. Kelsey 
Nursery stock is grown where it grows best; al¬ 
ways, of course, with regard to shipping conven¬ 
ience. Of more than seventy nurseries with over 
twenty thousand acres of stock we select the 
nearest nursery growing the material of the 
quality and grade you want. 
2. We furnish our stock at the lowest 
prices made possible by mass production. 
Prices of nursery stock vary greatly. One nursery 
grows stock on land worth, say, $4,000 or $5,000 
per acre. The stock is no better than that grown 
at a nearby nursery where land is worth $400.00 
per acre. Nature has partiality in this respect. 
We are, therefore, enabled to sell excellent stock 
at very low prices. 
3. We are an entirely responsible source 
of supply. Established Fifty Years ago, in 1878, 
we still have among our customers many who 
have been patrons for forty years or more. In all 
our dealings we are always willing to make things 
right on any errors or just causes for complaint. 
4. Our Guarantee —Stock to be in good con¬ 
dition when furnished. We will, however, replace 
any and all losses at half price. 
5. Scarce and rare varieties: Why look 
through a dozen nursery catalogs for them? 
Send us your list and we will quote promptly. 
This Short Guide is necessarily confined to 
standard varieties, but with our facilities we can 
furnish almost any variety or size grown in the 
United States. 
6. The policy of this Company is to make 
and keep good will by careful and prompt service. 
Chart of Plant Requirements 
A KEY TO DESCRIPTIONS IN THIS SHORT GUIDE 
M OST trees, shrubs, and evergreens are tolerant. They will thrive in any 
normal garden. Some are very particular and a key word appears in their 
descriptions. The following table and map cover all plant requirements. 
LIGHT WATER 
If a plant is normal no men¬ 
tion is made in this catalog. If 
it is intolerant, the word “sun” 
or “shade” appears, as it may 
be. 
BACTERIA 
Roots depend on bacteria in 
soil. Bacteria depends on acid¬ 
ity. Most plants like a neutral 
soil. Where “acid” or “lime” 
are needed they are noted. 
HUMUS 
Most plants need some form of humus in the soil. All plants react well to fertilizing. Keep it away 
Any decayed life is humus. All soils contain some. from the root. Do not be afraid to use plenty. 
Plants needing extra humus are marked “humus.” Manure or commercial both good. 
SUN 
SHADE 
DRY 
DAMP 
ACID 
s 
o 
LIME 
LOOSE 
HEAVY 
HUMUS 
z 
BARREN 
Normal plants are tolerant to 
wet and dry soils. Such as need 
special treatment are marked 
“damp” or “dry” in catalog 
description. 
DRAINAGE 
“Loose” (sandy) soil and 
“heavy” (clayey) soil are speci¬ 
fied where needed. Most plants 
like medium drainage (loam). 
FERTILIZER 
We recommend these books and will pay postage at listed prices:— 
THE BOOK OF SHRUBS 
By Alfred C. Hottes. Gives comparison of 
species, characteristics, uses, soil, pruning, propa¬ 
gation, height in feet, exposure to plant, color of 
flowers, season of bloom, color of fruit, etc. Gives 
list of different shrubs for different purposes. 371 
pages, 7 x 7^2, 124 halftones, 56 sketches, 44 
tables. 1928. Cloth, $3.15. 
THE BOOK OF TREES 
By Alfred C. Hottes. A fine handbook cover¬ 
ing all important trees by description and culture 
—companion book to the “Book of Shrubs” by 
this author. 440 pages. Issued 1932. $3.65. 
HORTUS 
Bv L. H. Bailey. A complete dictionary of 
American Horticulture. 652 pages. $5.25. 
Terms of Sale 
PACKING COSTS —It 
would not be fair to average 
these—some would pay too 
much, some too little. They 
are billed at actual cost 
without profit. We will esti¬ 
mate them in advance if re¬ 
quested. Orders less than 
$10.00, allow 10% extra 
for packing—minimum 
charge 25 cents. 
GUARANTEE —We replace 
at half original paid price 
any plant that dies. 
LIMITED RESPONSIBIL¬ 
ITY — We disclaim re¬ 
sponsibility for any reason 
in amounts greater than in¬ 
voiced. 
PRICES —Net at the nurs¬ 
ery. Packing and transpor¬ 
tation to be added at actual 
cost. Usually 5 sold at rate 
per 10, 50 at 100 rate. 
CLAIMS —for errors, short¬ 
ages or other causes must 
be made within 10 days. 
PARCEL POST— Must be 
prepaid. We prefer express 
but will send by post if in¬ 
structed and charge you at 
cost. 
FREIGHT AND EXPRESS — Charges are ex¬ 
tra (except in a few prepaid Special Offers). 
They are paid by you to the Railroad or Ex¬ 
pressman. We will estimate these costs in 
advance if you wish. 
TRUCKING —Can often be arranged. Write for 
our estimate if you like, on your order com¬ 
pletely delivered. 
All plants in this catalog are zoned for hardiness. The Zone Number is a Roman Numeral 
following the description. It refers to the zones in the above map. Example:—Mountain 
Laurel (Kalmia) on page 23 is hardy in Zone IV, or anywhere south of Zone IV. The system 
of zoning is the best we know, but is not perfect. Sheltered localities may enable you to 
grow trees one or two zones colder than shown. 
♦Zoning system is from REHDER’S MANUAL of TREES and SHRUBS (postpaid $5.25). 
The most complete reference available on trees and shrubs. 
WATCH EXPRESS CHARGES 
Most of our shipments should take Sec¬ 
ond-Class rates, so check weight and rating 
when delivery is made. The delivery man 
often charges First-Class in error. 
F. W. KELSEY NURSERY CO. 
Fifty Church Street, New York City 
Members of the American Established in 1878 Telephone: 
Association of Nurserymen COrtlandt 7-2660 and 2661 
