Modern Automobile 
The Radio 
And the Aeroplane 
Reviewing the Past and Looking Forward 
Dear Customers and Friends: 
A long—long time ago before the advent of 
the Rubber Tire Buggy—The Bicycle—The 
Automobile—The Radio—and the Aeroplane— 
Shumway’s Annual Catalog was the Garden 
Guide that your Mothers and Fathers looked for¬ 
ward anxiously to receiving annually. It was 
then, as it has always been down through the 
century, the leading American Seed Catalog. 
Many who receive this our 70th Annual Catalog 
have been customers here for more than half 
a century. 
You younger men and women will remember 
the joy and satisfaction your parents obtained 
planting Shumway’s Northern Grown, Pedigreed 
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 suifering 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 predic¬ 
tions 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 v/ith 
this 1940 Catalog times are much improved over 
a year ago. Millions of men and women have 
gone back to work, and conditions in general 
indicate an early return to more prosperous 
times. 
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 Catalog 
has 96 pages—size 10 x 13 V 2 —many items 
featured in natural colors—Garden, Flower and 
Field Seeds, Hardy Perennials, Ornamental 
Shrubs, Fruit Trees, Strawberries, Hardy Lilies; 
in fact “Everything for the Garden.” Edition 
over 500,000 copies. 
In 1870 when Shumway’s first Catalog was 
issued Rockford had a population of 5,000 people. 
Today our City boasts of more than 100,000 in¬ 
habitants. 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 conditions with to¬ 
day and surely you will agree that this has been 
a Century 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 Garden 
and Flower Seeds, Shrubs, Bulbs and Fruits. 
A modest Garden will afford you fresh Vege¬ 
tables and Fruit all summer long with sufficient 
quantity to can and store for winter consump¬ 
tion, This is one very definite way to reduce your 
living expenses, and at the same time enjoy 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 carefully 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 shipment 
is received. If you should find a shortage or mis¬ 
take 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 appreciative to 
you for your valued patronage of many years 
standing. 
IMPORTANT NOTICE 
For nearly three-quarters of a century, Rock¬ 
ford, Illinois, has been recognized throughout 
the world as the center of mail order Seed, Plant, 
and Nursery houses. R. H, Shumway was the 
pioneer in this industry and after being estab¬ 
lished some twenty, years, the firms of H. W. 
Buckbee, Charlotte M. Haines and Great North¬ 
ern Seed Company developed as separate institu¬ 
tions in the production of Seeds, Plants and 
Nursery items. For many, many years these 
three old reliable houses served millions of 
American planters. 
Recently the allwise Creator called to their 
heavenly reward Charlotte M. Haines, H. W. 
Buckbee and the proprietors of the Great North¬ 
ern Seed Company. Unfortunately there were 
no sons to carry on these long established com¬ 
panies, so the widows and heirs decided to sell 
each of the Institutions, and R, H. Shumway, the 
Pioneer American Seedsman, bought their entire 
assets and good will. 
To all of the Shumway, Buckbee, Haines and 
Great Northern customers and friends, we send 
you this copy of our big 1940 illustrated Garden 
and Farm Catalog and sincerely hope you will 
find it helpful in making your selections this 
need in Seeds, Plants, Bulbs and Nursery 
feel free to write us for any special 
year for everything you 
items. 
When sending in your orders 
information pertaining to your 
Garden and Farming prob¬ 
lems. 
Yours most sincerely. 
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 
Gratefvd to 
You All. 
R. H. SHITMWAY 
the pioneer AMERICAN SEEDSMAN 
Established ih 1S70 
70 
Years 
of 
Progress 
From 
the 
Covered 
Wagon 
to the 
Aeroplane 
Advent of the HiRh AVheel 
Bicycle 
The Covered Wagon Era 
Rubber Tire Buggy Days 
Will you please hand to your neighbor or friend who 
^ - gardens the postal card enclosed so they too may re- 
eive a copy of this instructive catalog? Thank you. 
