Seventy Years 1868 • 1938 
O. F. BRAND 
We were told long ago that “three score years and ten” constitutes a good 
span for the active life of a man. It is much more unusual for a business of any 
kind to maintain a continuous healthy existence for that length of time than it 
is for a man. So it may not be out of place to call attention here to the fact that 
1938 marks the close of the seventieth year in the history of the Brand Nursery 
business. 
Mr. O. F. Brand started the business in 1868. He carried it on for many years 
with a constantly increasing interest in the flower phase of the work, especially 
in the growing and developing of the Peony. His son, A. M. Brand, showed an 
interest in plants from his childhood, and to him his father explained his work 
and his plans. As “Archie” grew older, he took an active part in the work of 
the nursery. In fact, his entire life, with the exception of 4 years, which he gave 
to the study and practice of law, has been spent in the nursery where he was born. 
In 1911 Mr. O. F. Brand retired because of failing health and spent the re' 
mainder of his life in California. The Peony business thus passed into the control 
of A. M. Brand. 
Just before this time the first seedling bed of the nursery came into bloom. 
This bed contained many beautiful flowers. In the first enthusiasm of experi' 
mental work the two Brands chose many plants for preservation and propagation, 
gave them names, and put them on the market. A considerable number of these 
new varieties have not come up to the standard which the more critical judgment 
of later years has demanded, and they are no 
longer grown. However, many others, including 
Longfellow, Frances Willard, E. B. Browning, 
Martha Bulloch, Lora Dexheimer, David Harum, 
Chestine Gowdy, Winnifred Domme, Phoebe 
Cary, Henry Avery, Judge Berry and Mary Brand, 
have become standard varieties, maintaining high 
ratings, and are found under every comprehensive 
list of Peonies. These are designated as Brand 
Peonies. 
Since 1911 Mr. Brand has brought into bloom 
a number of later seedling beds. One of these 
produced an unusual number of remarkable flow' 
ers. Twenty'two varieties originating in the bed 
were shown at the St. Paul American Peony So' 
ciety Show in 1923. These varieties are Blanche 
King, Ella Christiansen, Hansina Brand, Ha 2 ;el 
Kinney, Laverne Christman, Mrs. A. M. Brand, 
Mrs. E. A. Goodrich, Mrs. Erank Beach, Mrs. Har' 
riet Gentry, Mrs. John M. Kleitsch, Mrs. Romaine 
B. Ware, Myrtle Gentry, and Victory Chateau 
Thierry. 
Of these, Mrs. A. M. Brand received the Society’s gold medal, and Myrtle Gentry 
received the silver medal. This giving of both of these medals to one originator at 
the same show was a unique event in the history of the Society. 
This list of Peonies as well as those varieties originating in later beds are designated 
as A. M. Brand Peonies. A few new ones have been selected and named from these 
later beds and are listed and described in this catalog. 
Mr. Brand now has an immense seedling bed of Lilacs from which he is selecting 
the best, and he hopes soon to give to the world Brand Lilacs as well as Brand Peonies. 
Miss Gentry was formerly a High School teacher 
but twenty years ago she gave up teaching and ac' 
cepted Mr. Brand’s offer to take charge of his office. 
Through her association with Mr. Brand and his 
work, her interest in the Peony itself, as well as in 
the sales department of the business, developed rap' 
idly, and in 1920 she became Mr. Brand’s partner. 
In 1929 the business was incorporated and she is 
its Secretary and Treasurer. 
Miss Gentry presides over the office and answers 
your letters. Both she and Mr. Brand give their 
personal attention to the filling of your orders, and 
this means you will receive satisfactory stock. 
A. M. BRAND 
MYRTLE GENTRY 
