R. H. SHUMWAY 
THE PIONEER AMERICAN SEEDSMAN 
Established in 1S70 
The Covered Wagon Era 
Rubber Tire Buggy Days 
Advent of the High Wheel 
Bicycle 
67 
Years 
of 
Progress 
From 
the 
Covered 
Wagon 
to the 
Aeroplane 
The 
House 
of 
Shumway 
Has 
Kept 
Ahead 
of the 
Parade 
Your Parents 
and 
Grandparents 
Were Among 
Our Early 
Customers. 
They and 
You Did 
Much to 
Make 
Shumway 
the Largest 
Direct Mail 
Seed House 
in the World 
and We Are 
Grateful to 
You All. 
Reviewing the Past and Looking Forward 
Dear Customers and Friends: 
A long—long time ago before tlie advent of 
the Rubber Tire Buggy—The Bicycle—The Au¬ 
tomobile—The Radio—and the Aeroplane— 
Shumway’s Annual Catalog was the Garden 
Guide that your Mothers and Fathers looked 
forward anxiously to receiving annually. It 
was then, as it has always been down through 
the century, the leading American Seed Cata¬ 
log. Many who receive this our 67th Annual 
Catalog have been customers here for more 
than half a centuiy. 
You younger men and women will remember 
the joy and satisfaction your parents obtained 
planting Shumway’s Northern Grown, Pedi¬ 
greed Seeds. Shumway’s Motto then and 
always has been “Good Seeds Cheap— 
None Better at Any Price.” 
Shumway’s first Seed Catalog was mailed in 
1870. We were still suffering from the effects 
of the Civil War—times were very hard. Some 
people thought we would never recover from 
the effects of the War, and that the Nation 
could not endure. You and I know instead of 
those predictions coming true we came out of 
the depression a stronger and better people, 
and the Nation rose to greater heights than 
ever dreamed of before. We did likewise in 
1873, in 1893, in 1907, and again in 1932, and as 
we go to press with this 1937 Catalog times are 
much improved over a year ago. Millions of 
men and women have gone back to work—farm 
prices are 100% better than last year. Every 
sign indicates a long era of Prosperity for the 
Nation. 
All during those distressing periods—1873- 
1893-1907-1932—the house of R. H. Shumway 
has gone forward Growing Better Seeds and 
Giving Greater Values for Less Money than 
any other Seed House on earth. Compare 
Prices—See for Yourself. 
Shumway’s first Seed Catalog, published in 
1870, was a 16-page book—size 6x9, total edi¬ 
tion, 4,000 copies. Today this beautiful Cata¬ 
log has 92 pages—size 10 x 13%—many items 
featured in natural colors—complete Rotogra¬ 
vure section of Hardy Perennials, Ornamental 
Shrubs, Fruit Trees, Strawberries, Hardy 
Lilies; in fact “Everything for the Garden.” 
Edition over 500,000. 
In 1870 when Shumway’s first Catalog was 
issued Rockford had a population of 5,000 peo¬ 
ple. Today our City boasts of more than 100,- 
000 inhabitants. The great Chicago fire did 
not occur until the following year—to be exact, 
October 7th, 1871. Covered Wagons—Horse 
and Buggies—Mud Roads—Log Cabins—were 
the things of luxury then. Compare those con¬ 
ditions with today and surely you will agree 
that this has been a Centuiy of Great Progress. 
Surely you will want a Garden this year. No 
purchase that you could make would yield re¬ 
turns equal to a small investment in good Gai'- , 
den and Flower Seeds, Shrubs, Bulbs and 
Fruits. 1 
A modest Garden will afford you fresh Vege- w 
tables and Fruit all summer long with sufficient 
quantity to can and store for winter consump¬ 
tion. This is one veiy definite way to reduce 
your living expenses, and at the same time en¬ 
joy the World’s Finest Fruits and Vegetables 
fresh from your own Garden. 
May we suggest that you, and your good 
wife and family look through the Catalog care¬ 
fully at your earliest convenience; one writing 
on the order sheet enclosed the things you need; 
the other member of your family checking the 
items in the Catalog so you will have a copy of 
your order to check against your list when ship¬ 
ment is received. If you should find a shortage 
or mistake in any of your purchases, feel free 
to write us promptly. 
We are all indeed grateful to Almighty God 
for his many blessings during those trying 
years referred to above, and likewise apprecia¬ 
tive to you for your valued patronage of many 
years standing. 
It will be a pleasure to serve you again this year for everything 
you need in Seeds, Plants, Bulbs, Shrubs and Fruits. When send¬ 
ing in your order feel free to write us for any special information 
pertaining to your Garden 
and Farming problems. 
Yours most sincerely, 
Will you please hand to your neighbor or friend who 
gardens the postal card enclosed so they too may re¬ 
ceive a copy of this instructive catalog? Thank you. 
Modern Automobile 
The Radio 
And the Aeroplane 
