J 
I T is just about a century ago since our name became associated with the distribution of seeds. The 
earliest announcement of our House is to be found in the London Directory for 1804, situated at that 
period at the City end of Holborn, in close proximity to Gerard’s celebrated garden, so often 
mentioned in old-time Horticultural works. At the commencement of the Queen’s reign, James Carter had 
a very tiny shop at 238, High Holborn, where he earned a well-deserved reputation for scientific knowledge 
in all that pertained to seeds. About this time the leading industries of the country underwent a marvellous 
transformation, helped materially by developments which brought increased facilities of communication, 
and it was during this revolution in the conduct of business that the real foundation of our present 
Establishment was laid. 
James Carter’s literary ability stood him in great stead. His earliest catalogue took the form of a broad¬ 
sheet, and a copy we possess is headed by an elaborate explanation of the Linnaean and Natural systems 01 
botanical classification. We print a reduced facsimile of his catalogue cover for 1837. Mr. Carter guaranteed 
the quality of all he sold, a proceeding which, at that time, must have required much courage, for the means of 
cleaning, testing, and proving seeds, as we understand the methods now, were of a most primitive order. In 
the illustration of Mr. Carter’s original shop at 238, High Holborn (overleaf), it will be observed that its old- 
fashioned window projected into the street, carrying only two shallow stories above it. In 1864 we found it 
necessary to rebuild the premises in High Holborn, to which was also added No. 237. It will be seen from 
our illustration that the new erection included a handsome shop with several floors above, and, although this 
building was arranged on a scale commensurate with the requirements of the time, we soon found it necessary 
to rent various blocks of warehouses near at hand. A steady increase in the business necessitated our pur¬ 
chasing in 1878 a large piece of ground close by, occupying about 5,000 square feet, and on this we put up 
the enormous structure of which an illustration is given. This huge building, six stories high, is devoted to 
the storing and despatching of seeds. Countless sacks of seeds are here stacked, and to anyone unacquainted 
with the trade their number would appear sufficient to supply the whole civilised world for a considerable 
period; yet the capacity of this warehouse did not suffice, for in 1887 the needs of the business compelled us 
to take over the enormous block of buildings at 97, High Holborn. It will be seen in the illustration what an 
imposing structure the Holborn entrance to this huge warehouse is. Its architectural features are discussed 
in all the best historical accounts of London. The system of our operations as conducted to-day will be 
gathered from the many photographs given of the various departments. 
It is our privilege to hold Royal Warrants of Appointment as Seedsmen to Her Most Gracious Majesty 
the Queen and Ii.R.H. the Prince of Wales, together with other official Appointments to many Continental 
Courts. We are also regular suppliers of seeds to Her Majesty’s Home and Colonial Governments. 
