IMPORTANT. 
We ship all orders for plants, bulbs, roots, etc., offered on the succeeding pages 123 to 175, inclusive, immediately 
upon receipt of order. We will, however, reserve same for future shipment, but instructions to that effect must 
accompany the order. This applies specially to plants ordered in winter. 
=A WORD WITH CUSTOMERS. 
First. Please use the order sheet and give explicit instruc¬ 
tions how you wish the plants sent. Second. Please don’t 
mix orders for seeds and plants together; all can be sent in one 
shipment, but it aids us materially if they are written on the 
separate order sheets supplied for that purpose. Third. Please 
don't mix orders with letters. They should be written on sepa¬ 
rate sheets to avoid confusion. 
PACKING PLANTS. Next in importance to growing good 
plants is proper packing of them, so that they may reach the 
purchaser without injury. The system of packing plants that 
obtains to-day was evolved by the founder of our house and 
perfected by him. Our plants almost invariably reach the 
purchaser as fresh as when they left our greenhouses. 
OUR GUARANTEE. We guarantee safe arrival of all plants 
sent by express in the United States. Should anything be 
injured in transit we urge our customers to notify us at once 
on receipt of the goods, and in every case send us a list of 
what has been damaged, so that we can replace them with¬ 
out delay. But when they arrive in good condition our responsi¬ 
bility ceases, and if from inattention or other causes they fail 
and complaint is then made we cannot replace them. Plants 
sent other than by express are entirely at the risk of the pur¬ 
chaser. 
EXPORT ORDERS. The extra packing necessary for plants 
going to foreign countries compels us to charge cost for packing. 
All plants exported are at purchaser’s risk of damage from 
any cause whatsoever. 
WE DO NOT DELIVER PLANTS FREE BY EXPRESS. 
Please note that the offer of free delivery as applied to seeds 
and bulbs, does not extend to Plants , Roots and Bulbs in the 
Plant Department, pages 123 to 175 . Light bulbs, like Tuber¬ 
ous Begonias, fancy Caladiums and Gloxinias if ordered alone 
can be mailed. We deliver plants free by mail if so ordered 
and it is practicable ; but we have to take the soil from the 
roots to lighten and must send smaller plants than if sent by 
express. We always add extra plants to help defray express charges. 
PLANTS FREE BY MAIL. Plants can be sent free by 
mail, except large Roses, Palms, Azaleas, Camellias, Shrubs and 
other plants of large size, when instructions to that effect ac¬ 
company the order, otherwise they will be sent by express 
(buyer to pay charges); but as we always add enough plants 
gratis to help defray these charges, customers will see the great 
advantage of having plants sent by express, for not only can we 
send larger plants, but they arrive in better condition than if 
sent by mail. We advise shipping by express wherever possible. 
LOW EXPRESS RATES. Under the present schedule of 
the leading express companies, plants packed in closed boxes- 
will now be carried at the “General Special” rate. This rate 
means a reduction of 20 per cent, from the regular merchandise- 
rates. Shipments weighing less than 100 lbs. receive the benefit 
of the rate per 100 lbs., but the minimum charge is 35c. The- 
buyer pays the express charges. 
Roses Our Leading Specialty 
' LARGE ROSES. - 
We claim that we send out larger and finer Roses than any 
other firm in the business. Our smallest size is larger than the 
plants usually sent out by the mailing trade throughout the 
country, and our system of growing Roses cool makes them 
infinitely better. 
- THREE SIZES. - 
We grade our Roses in three sizes. This gives purchasers- 
the opportunity of procuring a plant of large size which will 
make a show at once, or smaller plants at prices which place 
them within the reach of all. Our Roses are graded as follows: 
1st size are usually 15 to 20 inches high and branched; 2d size, 
10 to 15 inches, and 3d size, 5 to 10 inches. 
— _ HARDY ROSES. - 
The hardy Roses, unless where it is so stated in the descrip¬ 
tion, are not ever-blooming. They only produce one crop of 
flowers, in June, with an occasional bloom in autumn. This 
applies to hardy climbing (except where noted in description) 
as well as bush Roses. 
-_ EVEIVBLOOMING ROSES. . 
The Monthly Roses are ever-blooming, but are not entirely 
hardy in our northern climate. The smallest size (the third) of 
our Roses in the Tea or Monthly section should bloom the same 
season they are planted, but the larger plants flower earlier and 
produce more throughout the season. The small size (the third) 
of the hardy Roses, both bush and climbing, rarely bloom the 
same season they are planted. 
PLANTING TINE. - 
No question is asked more frequently by our customers than 
“ When is the best time to plant Roses?” The broad extent of 
our country renders it impossible to give any specified date in 
answer; midspring is the best time, generally speaking, and it is- 
better to be a little early than late. Dormant Roses should be- 
planted as soon as the frost leaves the ground and it is dry enough 
to cultivate. 
