TO OUR CUSTOMERS. 
' , 7HEN our last Garden Seed Catalogue went to press in October 1918, we could only address 
our Customers as a ‘Nation at War’ and speak of the seed industry—so vitally important 
to the Country—under war conditions. We then had the honour of recording the visit of 
Their Majesties the King and Queen to see the methods adopted in seed distribution during our busiest 
season of the year. 
Now we are once more a ‘ Nation at Peace,’ and vast numbers of our demobilised Forces are again 
at work on the farm, and in the garden, office, and warehouse. ‘The gratification at their safe return to 
their homes and peace employment is as great to us all as it is to them. 
Though the losses have been heavy, we already have to congratulate nearly 200 out of 245 of 
our staff on their return, after having left their work and homes at the call of King and Country. 
Some, alas, are suffering from wounds contracted on service, but work suitable to their disability has 
been found for them, and when the King’s National Scheme for the employment of Disabled Men was 
announced, our Firm was already employing the number requisite to qualify for enrolment on the list 
of Firms fulfilling the necessary conditions. 
Many of our men have been able to make use of their expert knowledge of horticulture for the good 
of their fellow soldiers. When the War Office realised the possibilities of providing the army in France 
with food grown behind the lines, we were proud to be able to recommend, in response to a request 
received, some of our most experienced men then serving at the front in France, Belgium, and Italy, 
including one of our Partners. Their technical knowledge enabled them to render invaluable service in 
the production of many thousands of tons of vegetable food so much needed by the army. 
These men are now again serving their Country in an essential industry at home, and with the 
further advantage of increased accommodation which was impossible under war conditions, we are 
looking forward to the uninterrupted execution of orders, and our Customers will, we hope, be relieved 
from the anxiety felt in war years as to whether their seeds would arrive in time for sowing. 
The experience of the past five years has taught the Country many things, one of the most important 
being the value of the Vegetable Garden. Where formerly all the vegetables brought to table came 
from the market or shop, many households now enjoy the luxury of fresh vegetables cut daily as required 
from the garden or allotment: in the large establishment the cook has been brought more than ever into 
touch with the gardener and realises the importance of his help in keeping up the standard of the cuisine, 
notwithstanding the difficulties of rationing. 
Those who have campaigned in France and were at some time billeted 
in villages behind the lines may have seen what our Allies could do with 
an abundance of vegetables but with little meat. In the future these 
experiences will tend to make our Nation much more interested in the 
kitchen garden and the vegetable seed catalogue than it was before. 
Seed Farms are once again returning to more normal conditions, 
though, as everyone connected with the land is aware, expenses have 
increased greatly ; and the scarcity of seed which caused the Government 
cE 
LANA and the Food Control Department, as well as the Seedsman, so much 
ge | QO anxiety, will we hope ere long be replaced by more abundant supplies. 
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But the Vegetable Garden is not now the only one to be thought of, 
and we would call especial attention to the Flower Seed portion of our 
Catalogue which opens on page 71. 
January 1, 1920. 
RRR Er ee 

