YouMI Have Best Results 
With Nelis' Michigan- 
Grown Bulbs 
When you buy Nelis bulbs you have the ad' 
vantage of dealing direct with the grower, there- 
by having the satisfaction of obtaining the 
cream of the crop. The smaller sizes that might 
otherwise be sold to you are used on the farm 
in next year’s plantings. Those who obtain 
their bulbs from outside sources have no con¬ 
trol over their supply; they are obliged to sell 
just what they get. Having no work to do in 
growing them, and little or no responsibility for 
the results that are obtained, there cannot be 
the same pride taken in filling your order that 
we, who actually grow the bulbs, experience. 
Fashions change in Tulips the same as with 
everything else. We have dropped from this 
catalog all the varieties that are out-moded and 
have added those which best exemplify the cur¬ 
rent vogue. Go through the listings carefully, 
and we know you’ll have a grand time making 
up your collection for next year’s Tulip garden. 
O NE cannot talk about the Tulip without wanting to gild it 
with glowing adjectives. But this glorious spring flower is too 
universally admired to need any eulogy; it is not a case of 
whether you want your garden to be enriched with the stateliness 
of its blooms and the grandeur of its color, but of where to call a 
halt in the unlimited choice of varieties that is at your command. 
That, of course, is a matter of taste and means, and to the end of 
making your choice a happy and intelligent one this catalog is 
dedicated. 
Of one thing you should be sure. Get your Tulip bulbs from a 
source that has your interest at heart,—a source that is in the Tulip 
business for aesthetic as well as commercial reasons, and which will 
give you the best to be had for the sake of winning your gratitude 
and continued patronage. There is so little, if any, money to be 
saved by buying inferior bulbs that you can ill afford to run the risk 
of disappointment over results. 
of J^etter of Special interest to Oflt Our Gustomers 
Dear Garden Friends: 
At the time this catalog is printed (April, 1940), there is no telling what will happen to 
the prices on imported Tulip bulbs as the season advances. Barring any invasion of the 
Netherlands, there still remains the uncertain and expensive task of transporting the bulbs 
to this country. Under the ha 2 ;ardous shipping conditions of wartime, the price which the 
Dutch grower may charge for his bulbs has no bearing on what the eventual cost will be 
when the bulbs reach our hands. The cargo insurance rates may alone be more than the 
actual cost of the bulbs. Therefore, all prices on imported bulbs are meaningless when quoted 
prior to the definite arrival of those bulbs in this country. 
From 
Grower 
to 
Consumer 
But with Nelis bulbs we are not concerned with these uncertainties. All varieties listed 
in this 1940 catalog are those grown by Nelis on the extensive Tulip farms which are situated 
at Holland, Michigan. The prices are based on normal conditions, and will continue in effect 
until the 1940 crop of each variety is exhausted. Practically all of the newer varieties are 
priced much lower than in previous years, due to the larger stock which has systematically 
been built up. Taken as a whole, all prices in this catalog are lower than those which pre¬ 
vailed during the past several years. In other words, the Nelis policy is one of treating all 
customers fairly, and not taking advantage of the war to profit from high prices. 
There is only one word of caution that need be sounded. Orders are going to be filled 
in rotation, with first come, first served. When the choice Nelis stock of any variety is sold 
out, we will try to fill the balance of the orders with imported bulbs of that variety—but in 
that case the price will have to be altered to fit the circumstances of the time. To avoid this 
possibility of paying a premium, the wise thing to do is place your order now—at the guaran' 
teed prices listed herein. Remember, these prices are 
not based on the probable cost of equivalent imported 
bulbs; they are lower than ever before on the finer 
varieties, and represent the kind of a bargain that 
comes only once in a great while. Don’t be disap' 
pointed; get the benefit of these low prices by placing 
your order now. 
Yours very truly. 
NELIS NURSERIES, Inc. 
Harry Nelis, Sec’y'Treas. 
p;<3 --Pi<3 
|GUARANTEE| 
Except where clearly stated otherwise in this catalog, we un- 
conditionally guarantee every bulb we ship out to be strictly 
Q*Q top size, and to be absolutely true to name. All bulbs shipped QiQ 
by us will grow and bloom under ordinary conditions. We have, 
P^ however, no control over unfavorable weather or soil conditions, Iq’O 
improper planting, neglect, moles or mice, and therefore cannot 
assume responsibility after they reach you. Stock not reaching 
you in first class condition should be reported within 10 days OjQ 
after receipt, and will be replaced free of charge if so received, p^ 
After ten days it is mutually agreed that stock is satisfactory. 
Do not return bulbs or plants unless so instructed by us. 
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