3 
GILL BROS. SEED CO. 
GROW VEGETABLES—HELP WIN THE WAR. 
Scarcity of labor and the high prices on grain will tend to reduce the vegetable crop for 
1918, and the government is urging every farmer to produce all the vegetables they can care 
for properly. City gardeners can also do much to prevent a shortage by growing a garden. 
A vegetable shortage would be dangerous to the nation. Make sure of a good vegetable 
crop by planning early on your garden. 
CHEAP SEEDS. 
In no other place does quality count so much as in seeds, and the practice of using 
cheap seeds is poor economy. The desire upon the part of so many farmers for price cutting 
is largely responsible for the immense amount of worthless, cheap seed that is being sold 
throughout the country, and when the average farmer realizes that quality is the first and 
main consideration in seed buying, his demand will force the production of better seed all 
along the line. 
We are not a cheap seed firiji and our aim is not and never will be to sell the cheapest 
seed. Good seed means careful selection and years of work in breeding up. This cannot 
be done without added expense. If you would produce the best you must plant from 
thoroughbred stock and after all, the difference between the cost of good and cheap seed 
docs not begin to compare with the difference in the crops. 
On this year of depleted seed stocks all planters should be especially warned against 
cheap seeds. 
PLANTING THE SEED 
We are fully convinced that much failure in seed germination is due to careless plant¬ 
ing, and those inexperienced in garden work are urged to study the culture directions at 
the heads of the different vegetable lists. 
1 he all too common folly of wet plowing has ruined many crops, for the cloddy, run 
together, condition of the soil after such work is disastrous to growth of any plant. Plant¬ 
ing too early or in damp cold ground will never make for success and should be avoided 
Too deep or too shallow planting is often the cause of poor germination and the weather 
conditions should be studied. 
OUR DAHLIAS LEAD 
Dahlias are one of our leading specialties and we are now the most extensive growers 
west of the Mississippi River. We have originated and introduced over thirty new varieties 
of exceptional merit. Our acclimated bulbs will give 100 per cent better results than 
Eastern stock. Thousands visited or show gardens last fall, and we wish to extend to all a 
hearty invitation to visit our farm. 
MISTAKES 
Unfortunately like all other human beings, we are apt to make mistakes, and if an 
error does occur, we will consider it a favor to be notified at once so that we can rectify 
the oversight. 
If you have a complaint, tell us first. In the rush of spring business mistakes may hap¬ 
pen, but if so, tell us pleasantly about it and be assured of courteous treatment. 
SUBSTITUTION 
In view of the fact that many kinds of seed are short this year, we would suggest that 
customers give, as much as possible, their permission for us to substitute the nearest 
variety to the one ordered in case we should be sold out. On items of small importance, 
or during the planting season when time is precious, we may occasionally send other sorts 
if out of the ones ordered, but such substitutions may be returned for credit if unsatis¬ 
factory to the purchaser. 
SCHOOL GARDENS 
We wish to encourage the school garden movement and will give a discount on orders 
placed through any public school. 
MR. MARKET GARDENER, SAVE MONEY 
We can save you money if you will order your seeds in the fall of the year. There is a 
great deal of expense in the seed business, due to the fact that seed must be held from the 
growing of the crop until seed season. If we could book orders for quantities of this seed 
during the summer and fall we could make reductions that would be worth while to the 
buyer. Send in your lists during the summer and fall and we will be pleased to quote you. 
VEGETABLE SEED SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN EXTREME CASES. 
Prices.—Owin" to war conditions in Europe and tile United States, there has been a 
great decrease in seed production and seed stocks have been further reduced by short seed 
crops in this country last season, and also by the unusual seed demand last spring, which 
used up much of the carry-over surplus. 
This shortage is the most serious known for many years; in fact on some varieties 
■there will not be enough seed to go around 
Prices are of necessity much higher on most kinds and we hope and expect to fill or¬ 
ders throughout the season on the prices as printed, but must reserve the right to make in¬ 
creases over these prices in case of any radical changes, such as would force us to sell at a 
loss. 
