ADVICE TO CORRESPONDENTS 
[Please read before making out order .] 
Correspondents will greatly oblige by observing, as far as possible, the following regulations: 
1st. All orders should be sent in as early as possible to insure prompt attention; it is our rule to 
execute them in the order in which they come to hand; hence we cannot, except for extraordinary 
reasons, delay orders, received first, for those coining late in the season and requiring attention at once. 
In every case where possible it is advisable to forward goods early. If ground is not in condition to plant, 
they can be left in the boxes, or taken out and the roots covered with earth. 
'2d. All orders should be legibly written out on the order sheet herein enclosed; this will save 
us much trouble, and at the same time prevent mistakes. 
:*d. In ordering fruit trees, it should in all cases be stated whether standard trees are wanted for 
orchards, or dwarfs for gardens. 
4th. Where particular varieties are ordered, and particular ages and sizes of trees, kinds of 
stock, etc., it should be stated whether, and to what extent, other varieties, sizes, ages, etc., 
may be substituted, in case the order cannot be filled to the letter, as happens occasionally in 
all establishments. 
5th. All trees and plants are carefully labeled and packed in the best manner for all parts of the 
world and delivered on board cars here at the prices named in this catalogue. 
6th. It is requested that post-office address, as well as explicit directions for marking and shipping 
packages, accompany each order. When it is left to us to choose the mode of conveyance, we will exer¬ 
cise our best judgment. We pack in such a manner that fruit trees and small fruits (excepting 
strawberries), ornamental trees, shrubs, evergreens, and roses, go safely as freight. Hardy border plants 
should be shipped by express. In all cases the articles are at the risk of the purchaser after being shipped, 
and if delay or loss occurs, the forwarder alone must be held responsible. 
7th. For shipment abroad, we pack in the best manner, in close boxes. Our consignments to 
all parts of the world have generally been received in good condition, and parties who favor us with their 
orders may rely upon the same having careful attention. Shipments of this kind can usually be made 
to the best advantage in the month of November. 
8th. All orders from unknown correspondents must be accompanied with a draft on some of 
the principal cities, or post-office or express money order for the amount. If neither can be had, enclose 
currency in registered letter. Checks or drafts on local banks outside New York, Philadelphia, and 
Boston should have exchange added. 
9th. Our customers are requested to notify us instantly of any errors that may be committed in fill¬ 
ing their orders, so that we may at once make ample amends, as we desire to conduct our business in all 
respects satisfactorily to those who favor us with their confidence. 
LOW EXPRESS RATES ON TREES AND PLANTS. 
The express companies now carry trees and plants to any part of the country at a reduction of 20 per 
cent, from regular merchandise rates. 
THE PACKING SEASON 
The Spring packing and shipping season usually opens here about the first of April, and continues 
into the month of May. The planting season is not regulated by any particular month or day, nor 
by the state of vegetation where the planting is to be done, but by the condition of the trees to be planted. 
Hence, trees can be sent with safety from Rochester to localities several degrees south, even if they do 
not arrive until the ordinary transplanting season in that locality is passed. In the autumn, we usually 
commence digging and packing the first week in October and continue until the freezing of the ground, 
say middle to end of November. 
FALL PLANTING 
The Spring planting season is often of such short duration that much intended work is necessa¬ 
rily omitted or postponed. In the Fall there is abundance of time to plan and plant, and the work 
therefore can frequently be done as satisfactorily as in the Spring. 
The once prevalent notion that Fall planting is not advantageous, has proved to be erroneous, and 
with the exception of evergreens, almost everything called hardy can be planted successfully in the 
autumn, except in some regions where the winters are extremely severe, or in exposed situations, 
in which cases Spring planting is absolutely necessary. 
