Sterling’s 1944 Catalog 
February 7th, 1944. 
To My Frigenps AND CUSTOMERS: 
Please accept this, my catalog for 1944, with my very best 
wishes and my thanks for all your kindness, good wishes and 
sympathy extended to me and mine during the past year of 1943. 
Many of us suffered severe losses during that momentous year 
and, sad to say, many more of us in these United States have got 
to take more losses of all kinds in this year of 1944. 
I also wish to thank all my customers for their patience in the 
rush of last Spring. We not only had the heaviest mail order busi- 
ness we ever had, and a heavy counter trade, but also had sickness 
and death in the family. 
So to you all my sincere thanks. 
We regret our Brussels Sprout seed crop has been a near 
failure for two years now, and that we are unable to supply you 
with our Blue Ribbon strain seed only in very small quantities in 
proportion to your 1943 orders. 
There are many other shortages in seeds this year but we have 
tried to order enough for our regular demands. Of course the 
prices have advanced on nearly all lines, not only in the cost of the 
seeds and sundries but also the cost of labor, and the amount of 
labor to be had is very limited. 
Victory Gardens are still one of the most important activi- 
ties for the season of 1944 and we wish all of you Victory Garden- 
ers the very best of success. 
We are striving to get the very best strains of Garden Seeds 
and Plants for your use and hope we can be of service to you. 
And after choosing the right amounts and the right kinds for 
your requirements, don’t be afraid of using lime and fertilizer in 
proper amounts. Remember nothing will grow without being fed. 
Here are some crops that need plenty of lime: Beans, Peas, As- 
paragus, Beets, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Limas, 
Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Muskmelons, Onions, 
Peas, Radish, Spinach, Tomato and Turnip. 
With my very best wishes to you all, I remain, 
Sincerely, 
RALPH W. STERLING. 
