A Word to Our Friends 
A Short History of What Is Now 
GERARD K. KLYN, Inc. 
T IS NOW 29 YEARS since the writer planted the first 25,000 Roses here in Mentor, along the shores of 
| Lake Erie. This location was chosen because of its ideal climatic conditions for the growing of fine Roses. 
Mother Nature provided this locality with cool fall weather and early frosts, which is so necessary for 
the early ripening of the plants and gives them the vitality to carry them over winter successfully. 
Cornelius Klyn, father of Gerard, started his nursery in Holland in 1892. Two of his sons are still continuing 
that business there now and ship a good part of their products to the United States every year. 
In 1916 I came to America to sell Father's products. Then America entered the first World War, and I 
could not get back until spring, 1919. I went back but had been in America too long; the homeland appealed 
to me no more. In 192] the first Roses were planted in Mentor. With very little money it was not easy, and 
much perseverance was needed. Sixteen-hour days were frequent. I had nine years without a single day’s 
vacation, and had not Mrs. Klyn stood so courageously by my side, the task would have been much more 
difficult. 
Starting with five acres and 25,000 Roses we have now 360 acres under farm and nursery cultivation. 
Over 600,000 Roses were planted this spring, along with many acres of evergreens and other nursery stock. 
Instead of one horse, there are now ten tractors. Shipments are made to all 48 states, outlying possessions 
and foreign countries. It was a heavy task, but I did enjoy it. 
And now the nursery rows seem so much longer to walk; the spade has become too heavy. So Gerard, 
Jr., now twenty-eight and known as “‘Jerry,”’ is gradually taking over where the ‘‘old man,” as they call him 
now, will eventually leave off. Then there is Jack, now seventeen and still going to school, who probably 
will join us a few years later. 
It was most gratifying to see Gerard K. Klyn mentioned in one of the leading magazines as one of the very 
few excellent sources of supply for Roses. I also owe a debt of gratitude to the many faithful employees who 
helped to gain the organization its enviable reputation. May it always be so. 
And last but not least, thanks to our thousands of friends and customers who favored us with their confidence 
throughout the years. 
Gratefully yours, 
Gerard K. Klyn, Str. 

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