Business Policies and 
Terms of Sale 
(Please Read Before Ordering) 
MAKE ALL CHECKS, drafts, or money orders payable to TOPNOTCH 
GARDENS. Please do not send stamps or currency. Terms are cash with order except 
to those with established credit. 
ORDERS OF $2.50 and over will be sent postage prepaid. Orders under this 
amount must be accompanied by 35¢ extra to cover packing and shipping costs. 
TO GIVE YOU large, fully developed Iris rhizomes, we prefer to ship during 
the month of August. We will, however, ship earlier or later. Poppy shipments can be 
made any time between early August and October, Hemerocallis and Peonies from 
September to November. On all orders please specify desired shipping date, merging 
shipments wherever possible. (Iris with poppies, hems or poppies with peonies, etc.) 
EARLY ORDERING is advised, especially on newest varieties. When ordering 
please state whether an equal or higher priced plant in the same color class may be 
substituted in case we are sold out of desired variety. Or specify second choice. 
OUR STOCK is well grown, true to name, hardy and vigorous. If plants are 
not satisfactory or are not in good condition on arrival, kindly return at once for ex- 
change or refund of money. Complaints on stock musi be made within five days after 
receipt. We cannot assume responsibility for plants after that time, as care is no longer 
in our hands. 
WE ATTEMPT to answer all correspondence promptly, but efficient help is still 
difficult to obtain. You will aid in getting a quick answer if letters requiring reply 
are written separately from order. 
AS YOU WILL NOTE, we are doing all we can to combat inflation by ma- 
terially reducing prices. Your cooperation in conforming with the above suggestions 
will enable us to lower operating costs, which is necessary if small businesses such as 
ours are to survive present and future economic adjustments. 
BUSINESS REFERENCES AND STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP 
BANKING REFERENCES: 
Chesterton State Bank, Chesterton, Indiana. 
Gary Trust & Savings Bank, Gary, Indiana. 
TOPNOTCH GARDENS are owned and operated by Deanette M. Small, (Mrs. 
Waldo P. Houchin) former Chicago newspaper garden editor. Member American Iris 
Society, Midwest Hemerocallis Society, Indiana Nurserymen’s Association, Gary 
Branch Business and Professional Women’s Club and Gary Woman’s Press Club. 
