PRELIMINARY NOTES 
1 ERE is a growing demand for hardy plants that will live year after year, and 
when once planted and properly cared for grow stronger, and we may expect 
to see come up each vear with renewed vigor. Of annuals we must sow the 
seed each year, but these HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS, 
as the name implies, are hardy; being herbaceous, they die down to the ground 
when matured, and being perennial, the roots live year after year. Of BORDER 
PLANTS we have the old established kinds, and are adding to the list the best new sorts. 
Japan Iris, Peonies, Phloxes, Hardy Primroses, Campanulas, English Violets, etc., the 
class of hardy plants most popular and best suited for beds and borders, we are growing 
here in cold New England in quantity, and they are suitable for almost any place where 
plants will grow. 
There is in the WILD FLOWERS a richness of both flowers and foliage quite 
desirable in the home surroundings, and, being American, they take kindly to cultivation in 
American soil; and are all the more desirable since we knew many of them in the old 
childhood home, we looked for them in the rambles through the woods, along the mountain 
path or by the old brook, and learned the best places for Arbutus, Young Wintergreens, 
Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Hepaticas, Snake-root, Trilliums, Cowslips. Now, while a great many 
of the wild flowers are as easily grown in the open border as the old garden sorts, others 
do not take so kindly to this mode of treatment; those found in moist, rich, shady places 
are often the fairest kinds, and quite often the ones which do not grow readily when trans¬ 
planted unless we give them the right soil and surroundings. Growing in the wild, they 
rest in soil largely composed of decayed leaves (leaf-mold), constantly kept moist by a 
good mulching of leaves and deep shade; the soil is porous, allowing good drainage. Low- 
growing shrubs, unevenness of the ground, rocks and trees, all help to keep the air about 
the plants moist and cool and still, and it depends very largely on these conditions what our 
success will be in growing these hardy native plants. 
We find that a box or coldframe aids greatly in establishing many of these wild 
wood plants. Select a moist shady place among shrubbery if convenient, or where the un¬ 
does not circulate freely. We use a frame 3x6 feet (so a common sash can be used) and 
about a foot deep, putting 3 or 4 inches of coarse litter at the bottom, which will insure good 
drainage, and on top about 3 inches garden soil, leaf-mold and bog-moss in about equal 
parts. After planting and moderatly watering, the sash is put on for a little, but raised 
slightly; this keeps the air moist and new roots will form in a few days. Of course the 
plants have to be watched closely when the glass is on, as the same rule applies to these 
plants as to any others when growing in a frame under glass. After they are well estab¬ 
lished with new roots the frame can be removed, putting something like ferns around the 
raised bed to keep the soil in place. Chimaphilas, Partridge Berry, and even Trailing 
Arbutus, one of the very hardest of the wild flowers to grow, seem to take kindly to this 
mode of treatment. 
HARDY ORCHIDS. These are quite hardy in New England, and, when given 
proper care and place, are among the choicest of our flora. Nothing can be more charming or 
showy than a great field of Cypripediuni spectabile in full bloom. 
HARDY FERNS. The possibilitie s of this class seem to be but little understood ; 
even nurserymen and florists do not seem to realize that here in cold New England is a class 
of plants consisting of over 40 species and varieties, especially adapted for planting in cold, 
dark corners, near buildings, under trees, in dry woodlands, wet springy places, and many 
others which it is desired to beautify, but for which the proper plants could not be found. 
POSTPAID. We will deliver at any post-office in the United States, the Ferns, 
Hardy Perennials, Bog and Aquatic Plants and Orchids given in this Catalogue 
at prices named, but this offer does not include Trees, Shrubs and Roses. 
Parties often desire somewhat heavier stock than can easily go by mail. We can usually 
accommodate them, and shall be glad to do so when our stock will warrant it, if they wifi 
pay the express charges. We can often make selections of extra strong clumps, when 
such are desired, at a reasonable advance in price from catalogue rate. 
TREES, SHRUBS AND ROSES. These are too heavy for the mail, but they will 
be delivered at the express or freight office here, the purchaser paying transportation charges 
when goods are received. When stock can be packed in small boxes no charge is made, 
but when larger boxes or bales are used a charge will be made to cover actual cost. 
EXPRESS RATES. The express company here (Adams) offers to carry nursery 
stock at a reduction of 20 per cent discount from the regular rate. Thirty-five 
pounds can be sent to Boston or New York for 35 cents, and 1 cent for each additional 
pound ; 100 pounds go for 80 cents. Eleven pounds can be sent to Chicago for 35 cents, and 
3 cents for each additional pound. See that the red tag is on all express packages; this 
is a reminder that it is entitled to a discount of 20 per cent from the regular express rates. 
REMITTANCES may be made by Registered Letter, by Post Office Money Order 
on Southwick, Mass., or by draft. 
CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION. A copy will be sent with each shipment. 
See third cover page for Collections of Flowering Plants. 
Address all communications to 
EDWARD GILLETT, Southwick, Mass. 
