TO MY FRIENDS AND PATRONS 
In presenting- this, my thirteenth annual catalogue, I wish to call the attention of intending planters to the 
following reasons why I can render them superior service and offer seeds and plants unsurpassed for Califor¬ 
nia and the Southwest. 
Experience.. —-To new and prospective customers I would like to say that having had twenty-seven years' 
practical experience in the Seed and Nursery business (twenty-two of which have been spent in Southern 
California), I feel I am in a position to give advice regarding all horticultural matters pertaining to this 
section. 
Sources of Supply.— My sources of supply are world-wide, and my stocks are purchased wherever the best 
seeds are obtainable. Having traveled extensively through the principal seed-growing centers of England, 
Germany and France, as well as this country, I am personally acquainted with most of the growers. I have 
seen their crops and observed their methods, and therefore am in a position to secure the best seeds. 
Vegetable Seeds. —In my list of vegetable seeds will be found varieties thoroughly tried in California, and 
adapted to prevailing conditions of soils and climate. I have written special instructions for the growing of 
each kind. 
Flower Seeds. —This is a great specialty of mine, and I wish to call your particular attention to my list 
of Novelties and Specialties in Flower Seeds on pages 17 to 22, California Wild Flower Seeds on pages 35 and 36, 
also my superior strains of Pansy, Stock, Antirrhinum, Cineraria, Coleus, Calceolaria, Aster, Scabiosa, Sweet 
Pea and Mammoth Zinnia. I have written instructions for the growing of annuals under California conditions, 
and special directions for all other Flower Seeds, thus making this portion of my catalogue the most complete 
ever published on this coast. 
Eucalyptus Seeds. —This is a department to which I have given much study and many years of careful ob¬ 
servation. I shall be pleased at any time to give intending planters advice on this subject. In these pages will 
be found full directions for sowing the seeds, raising and transplanting the plants. Of those species obtainable 
here, my seeds are collected by my own men under my personal supervision from specimen trees, and can be 
relied on to be of the highest quality and true to name. For those species not yet obtainable here, I am in 
direct communication with the very best and most reliable authorities in Australia, who collect the seeds for 
me in their native habitats. 
Tree and Palm Seeds. —Of these I have the largest and most complete assortment offered on the Pacific 
coast, including rare and desirable species. I enjoy a large trade in these among nurserymen, who will testify 
to their genuineness and quality. 
Nursery Department.— In this department I have a most complete list of Roses, specially adapted to South¬ 
ern California conditions. In Carnations, many varieties of great merit. Fruit trees, all the standard sorts in 
No. 1 grade trees, besides a full assortment of Climbing and Flowering plants, Ornamental Trees and Palms. 
I also make a specialty of growing California Native plants and trees, of which I now have over sixty species 
ready for sale. 
Landscape Department.— Specializing on California Wild Gardens and natural plantings of our native 
flowers, shrubs and trees, it will afford me a pleasure to consult with those contemplating garden making. 
Nothing blends so harmoniously with a California landscape as the native flora, and nothing can be more 
effective at a minimum of expenditure in money, time and labor. Correspondence invited and estimates 
furnished. 
Gardeners.— I keep a register of gardeners’ names, and to all customers wanting such help, I will be 
pleased to recommend competent men. 
Thanking friends and customers for their generous patronage 
use every endeavor to merit a continuance of their favors, 
in the past, and assuring them that I will 
Sincerely, 
THEODORE PAYNE. 
OBSERVE WHEN ORDERING 
How to Order.— -Write plainly your name, town, county, and state, giving street numbers and postoffice 
box when expedient. Send all money by postofflce or express money order, bank draft or check, and small sums 
by registered letter. Postage stamps received in sums up to one dollar. 
Terras. —Orders must invariably be accompanied with the cash, or satisfactory reference. 
Prices.— As the prices on all staple articles are governed by the market fluctuations, they are subject to 
change without notice. 
Postage Prepaid.— I prepay postage at prices quoted in this catalogue on all flower, tree, palm and vege¬ 
table seeds, except peas, beans, corn, grass and clover seed, stock beets, or where otherwise noted. All 
plants, trees and bulbs are forwarded at purchaser’s expense; for further particulars see heading above Nursery 
Department. 
Parcel Post. —Seeds can be forwarded by parcel post, and owing to the convenience of having mail de¬ 
livered at your door, it is well to take advantage of the low rates. 
20 pounds anywhere within the city limits of Los Angeles for 15c. 
20 pounds one hundred and fifty miles 24c, and lc for each additional pound up to 50 pounds. 
Nothing heavier than 20 pounds may be mailed farther than 150 miles in one package. The 
includes Mexico. The postage to Canada is 16c per pound. 
DOMESTIC PARCEL POST RATES 
On Seeds, Plants, Bulbs, Roots, etc., within the U. S. and First lb. 
Possessions or fraction 
First Zone, Los Angeles and within 50 miles of Los Angeles . 5c. 
Second Zone within 50 to 150 “ “ “ . 5c. 
Third Zone “ 150 to 300 “ “ “ 6c. 
Fourth Zone " 300 to 600 “ “ “ 7c. 
Fifth Zone “ 600 to 1000 “ “ •• Sc. 
Sixth Zone " 1000 to 1400 “ ” “ 9c. 
Seventh Zone “ 1400 to 1800 “ ’’ ’’ 11c. 
Eighth Zone “ all over 1800 “ “ “ . 12c. 
Eighth Zone 
Each 
additional 
lb. or 
fraction 
lc. 
lc. 
2c. 
4c. 
6c. 
8c. 
10c. 
12c. 
When it is required that postage be added to the purchase price of any article, note the distance from Los 
Angeles and see which zone you are in. It is then easy to estimate the exact amount of postage required. 
Non-Warranty of Seeds.— While I exercise the greatest care to have all seeds pure and reliable, I do not 
give any warranty, expressed or implied. If the purchaser does not accept the seeds on these terms and condi¬ 
tions, they must be returned at once, and the money paid for the same will be refunded. 
