SHETLAND PONIES. 
The Shetland Pony has become very popular in this country within the last three or four years, par. 
ticularly since the bicycle has been used less as a pleasure vehicle; and the sturdy little horses from across 
the sea have been in special demand. There are many reasons for their popularity : they are; strong and 
hard 3 ', any woman or child can care for them and drive them, and they can be kept in good condition at 
very little expense. 
It is said there are more Shetland Ponies in America than on the other side of the water and the most sat¬ 
isfactory ponies in use here are American bred. They are thoroughbreds however from the Shetland stock. 
The origin of the Shetland Pony is not known, although there is a tradition that some of their finer 
points have been inherited from the fine Spanish horses. 
The size of the little animals is, undoubtedly, to some extent, due to the hardiness of their lives on the 
Islands, as their good temper is due to association with the children and dogs of the poor Islanders. 
They are put to work as soon as they can carry half their weight strapped on each side with strong 
pack saddles. 
The smaller ponies average 37 inches and the larger ones 42 inches in height, the limit in size being 46 
inches. The greatest demand is for medium size ponies, as they are the most servicable and the best size 
for children. 
There are several stock farms in this country where Shetland Ponies are bred ; one of the largest in the 
East is the Pittsford Farms located at Pittsford, N. Y., where I purchased “Chestnut,” “Chance ” and 
“Bijou,” which are to be given away in June. 
The Shetland Ponies will thrive on less feed than any horse, and on stock farms they are turned out in 
winter to rough it on the straw stack and look out for themselves. 
When the ponies are driven several miles a day, they require from four to six quarts of oats with hay 
during the twenty-four hours. As these ponies are brought up as pets, they are easily broken to the har¬ 
ness. Shetland Ponies are not troubled with nerves, and it is only necessary to teach them the meaning 
of reins and how to turn. They are not necessarily slow on the road; many of them have a record of 
eight miles in 40 minutes, on a country road. 
I will Give Away Three Shetland Ponies. 
These ponies were purchased from the Pittsford Farms, Pittsford, N. Y. They are pure bred Shetlands 
the best that I could buy, and can be seen at anytime at my Seed Farm at Rose Hill, N. Y., where they are 
being kept until shipped in June to the winners in this contest. These ponies are kind and gentle, well 
broken, and any child can drive them. 
I want to introduce my seeds and plants into thousands of new homes this year, and fully realize that 
the boys and girls can help do this more than any one else, and as a reward I am offering these Shetland 
Ponies and outfits as described on the preceding page. 
There are three offers, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and they are given absolutely free to the three persons sending 
me, on or before June 1st, 1904, the largest number of Pony Coupons, which are of two kinds as follows; 
PURCHASER’S COUPON. 
This is a coupon that goes with every 25c. pur¬ 
chase at mail prices from this Catalogue. If 50c. 
worth is purchased you get two coupons ; if $1.00, 
four, and so on to any amount you may purchase 
at mail prices. The coupons w'ill be found in the 
package with goods purchased. 
NEW CUSTOMER’S COUPON. 
These coupons are given free to those who secure 
me new customers, and five coupons are given for 
every new customer you get, providing the purchase 
is 25c. worth or more, at mail prices. This is in 
addition to the Purchaser’s Coupons that go with 
the order. 
In order to make these offers plain to all, I give for example the following: 
John Jones sends in his order for articles from this Catalogue amounting to $4.00; $2.00 of this is for 
goods at mail prices and he receives in the package one coupon for each 25c., which would give him eight 
coupons; the balance of the order being at express and freight prices entitles him to no coupons. He also 
sends me two new customers’ orders, each amounting to $1.00 worth of goods at mail prices, and for his 
trouble he receives 10 New Customer’s Coupons, five for each new customer, making a total of 18 coupons. 
The two new customers receive four coupons each in the package with goods, and Mr. Jones can 
arrange to have his friends give him all their coupons if he so desires, and in this case he would have a 
total of twenty-six coupons toward the Pony Offers. 
Return me May 21 the coupons you receive with your orders and for new customers sent us, together 
with all you can secure from your friends, and perhaps you will be a winner. Why not ? 
Remember, all coupons must be held until May 21, and at that time they should becounted, and a state¬ 
ment made out and enclosed with the coupons in a letter addressed to F. B. Mills, Seedsman, Rose Hill, N. Y. 
In order to enter the contest coupons must be received on or before June 1st, 1904. Within three days 
irom that date, notice will be sent those who are to be awarded the ponies and outfits, asking for shipping 
instructions. In case of a tie the value of the prizes will be equally divided between the winners. 
1'hese pony offers do not interfere in any way with any of the premium oilers made in this Catalogue 
Your orders will contain coupons just as promised and you can use them or give to anv friend which you 
may wish to help win a. Shetland Pony. 
Address. F. B. MILLS, SEEDSMAN 
ROSE HILL. N. V. 
