FLANSBURGH & PEIRSON CO.'S CATALOGUE. 
Why We Make Strong Claims. 
In looking over our descriptions of potatoes you may say they make strong 
claims for all of them, which is true. They will bear it. Do not lose sight of 
the fact that we have been testing new varieties for years, rejecting those 
which did not come up to our standard and retaining those we thought worthy 
until every variety in our list has merits or it could not have a place here. 
Some Reasons Why Seed Potatoes do not Always 
Grow. 
As there is a reason for all things there is some good reason why seed po¬ 
tatoes sometimes fail to “come up." 
When your orders are received unpack at once and spread out in some cool 
dry place. This will conserve their vitality by keeping them from sprouting. 
Should they begin to sprout much before you are ready to plant, shovel them over 
which will retard sprouting. When you are ready to plant and the soil is in 
proper condition cut your potatoes and plant them. Never place them in boxes, 
barrels or sacks or in any place where they do not get plenty of fresh air as 
they are liable to heat which destroys their vitality. Do not plant when the 
soil is so wet as to bake over the seed. Never drop seed and allow it to lie in 
the sun until heated through before covering as it will most likely rot. 
Never open drills in a hot sunshiny day and allow them to remain so until 
the soil is heated and then drop and cover your potato seed in this hot dirt as 
they are most sure to rot. Always keep seed in the best condition until you 
are ready to plant then place in cool, most soil (not wet), and the chances of 
its not growing are very small indeed. 
Why Do Not All Succeed. 
Far too large a glass of growers do not exercise proper care about their seed 
potatoes. They plant the same variety of potatoes grown on their own grounds 
year after year; harvest half a crop, sell what are saleable, plant what are left 
the following season to harvest another half-crop of very inferior stock and then 
wonder why they do not succeed like their enterprising neighbor who changes 
his potato seed often, and increases his bank account by the potato business. 
Dear reader, which class are you in? If the latter, you know what we say is 
true. If the former, get out at once. 
Do not plant any more of those measly little “run-out” potatoes. Send us 
an order for some of our choice Michigan potatoes, grown especially for 'seed, 
and, our word for it. you will be better satisfied with yourself, and thoroughly 
convinced that it pays to use only the best seed potatoes. 
Potato Scab. 
After repeated trials we are satisfied it is profitable to treat all our seed po¬ 
tatoes for this pest, which certainly cleans them of all germs, if thoroughly 
done. We use corrosive sublimate in the proportion of two ounces of the subli¬ 
mate to 15 gallons of water, and soak the seed one hour and a half. 
If you have but few to treat, it may be conveniently done by placing them 
in a sack and then placing the sack in the solution. If a large quantity, a 
tank is very convenient. Dissolve the sublimate in hot water in a wooden or 
earthen vessel. Never use a metal dish for the purpose, as the subdimate 
is a preparation of mercury and will combine with the metal destroying its 
utility. 
Do not forget that the seed must be dried when taken from the solution, or 
■cut and planted at once. 
Buy your seed potatoes of parties who grow them for you and know what you 
are getting. 
Cedar Co., Iowa, Feb. 18. 1904. 
Dear Sir:--! had splendid success with the plants and potatoes got of you 
two years ago and shall want about seven barrels of potatoes for myself and 
neighbors this spring and more plants. Yours truly, 
F. R. GLEASON. 
Oakland Co.. Mich., May 10, 1904. 
Dear Sirs:—The plants arrived in good season and in fine shape. Thanks for 
extras. If 1 need any next year you are sure to have my order. 
JOHN HARPER. 
THE EATON RASPBERRY—SEE PAGE 24. 
