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John W. Adams 
1828-1911 
“Originator and founder, who for more 
than sixty years conducted’’ the 
J. W. Adams Nursery Co. 
Walter Adams 
Acting President 
th Anniversary 
Greetings 
For one hundred years we have rendered a continued service as nurserymen, landscape advisers 
and horticulturalists. We have seen New England’s tiny hamlets grow into villages and villages 
expand into cities. During all these changing years the purpose of the founders has never been 
altered. The principles of honest quality, careful service and reasonable prices continue to govern 
our policies. 
This descriptive catalog of “Better Plants for New England” is especially designed to commem- 
orate our One Hundredth Anniversary. 
We acknowledge with gratitude the kind Providence which during these long years has smiled 
upon our efforts and we appreciate the generous patronage of our many friends and customers. 
Believing that a short history might be interesting, we will relate briefly the principal events over 
the last one hundred years. 
Back in the “gold rush days of forty-nine,” when the hardy pioneers were pushing their way 
westward, John W. Adams started a little nursery in Portland, Maine. His first efforts were to 
supply the local demand for apple trees. The cold weather experienced soon convinced him to 
seek a more congenial climate. 
After careful consideration he moved his nursery in 1867 to Springfield, Mass., 
where seven acres of fertile Jand were located at the north end of the city. He con- 
tinued to grow fruit trees but gradually the demand for ornamental plants forced him 
to branch out. Several greenhouses were built and large importations of new orna- 
mental plants were made each year. 
In 1896 Mr. John W. Adams’ two sons, Walter and Charles, were admitted to the 
firm. In 1911 Mr. Walter Adams was made president on the passing of his father and 
has continued in office up to the present. Mr. Charles Adams, our treasurer, remained 
active until his passing on June 8, 1945, when Mr. Floyd Oatman of the third genera- 
tion assumed his duties. 
By 1912 the nursery had grown and become so crowded that it 
seemed wise to seek more spacious accommodations elsewhere. A forty- 
acre farm was bought in Westfield on the main highway between 
Springfield and Westfield. It was not, however, until 1922 that an 
office was built and the entire nursery and business moved to West- 
field. From time to time additional land has been acquired until today 
there are about two hundred acres. 
While history is interesting and teaches us many lessons it is the 
present and future that concerns us most. 
Although we are not the largest nursery, we are 
extremely proud of our accomplishments. We shall 
continue to pursue the policies laid down by our 
founders and jealously guard and maintain our good 
reputation gained over the first “One Hundred Years.” 

, Charles ayelas 
tt 1871-1945 
Wo oereeet tar Treasurer from 1911-1945 
