TEED =e 

Wm. TRICKER, INC. and AMERICAN WATER LILY CULTURE 
Few men live to see so many en- 
joy the fruits of their life’s labors 
as did William Tricker. Through- 
out his days, he had a deep love 
for green, growing things, and it 
was this that patterned his life. 
Early in life he became intensely 
interested in green, growing 
things and felt the strong desire 
to produce them so all could enjoy 
their beauty. He particularly liked 
Water Lilies because they were so 
hardy that anyone could grow 
them with no experience, and their 
beauty among flowers was unsur- 
passed. What he accomplished in 
bringing garden beauty within the 
economic and physical grasp of everyone is well known. 
But what is not so generally known is how he attained 
success in this direction. 
William Tricker was born in England, and in 1880 de- 
cided to try his fortune in America. Upon arriving in this 
country, he first saw Water Lilies growing at Newport, 
Rhode Island. He was immediately impressed with their 
delicate beauty. Later while working on a private estate 
on Staten Island, he found opportunity to experiment in 
growing liles in pools and tubs. It was at this time that 
he envisioned the future of water lily culture in the United 
States. William Tricker felt the need for someone who 
could produce water lilies in quantity, with uniformity, 
and at a cost low enough so everyone could enjoy them. 
With these aims in mind, he established a commercial 
water garden at Clifton, New Jersey, in 1895. This was 
the first ever to be established in the United States. In 
this same year, William Tricker found the need of a cata- 
logue with which to inform people of the lilies he had for 
sale, and to aid them in growing those that they pur- 
chased. Thus was produced the first American catalogue 
of Water Lilies. Today as then, the Tricker Catalogue 

WILLIAM TRICKER 
Founder 
Famous first patented tropical water 
Saint Powis!’ Striking yellow color. Prolific 
bloomer. Sturdy in growth. 
Especially priced at ..... $3 00 
s 



pear 

embodies ideas not found in other catalogues. You will 
note how it deals not only with items for sale, but with 
information which will lead to greater enjoyment of the 
purchase. In the pink pages of this book, you will find 
simple, but careful explanations on growing water lilies. 
It is believed this is the most clear and complete basic 
description for any horticultural specialty item. Then, as 
on page 21, there are descriptions of other books which 
may be obtained for further reading. These were care- 
fully selected with the basic idea of the founder in mind. 
Mr. Tricker did not stay long at Clifton, but continued 
his hybridizing in connection with other work, and soon 
transferred the business to Arlington, New Jersey, where 
he was active until his sudden death in 1916. 
Besides innovations already mentioned, Mr. Tricker 
originated the idea of grouping water lilies in collections, 
so the beginner could have a pre-selected group that 
would be in excellent harmony. This was also of interest 
to the experienced water lly grower, because these collec- 
tions represented special prices. This grouping has been 
a most important factor 
for new and experienced 
water lily growers in 
planning their garden 
pools. 
Results of Mr. Tricker’s 
hybridizing produced such 
varieties of day blooming 
tropicals’) as 98 ULE 
BE AGUS eas UR Some Comma 
WARD, WM. STONE, 
MRS. WOODROW WILSON and PANAMA PACIFIC. It 
is such work that has provided America and the world 
with uniform water lilies improved in shape, color and 
hardiness. And, according to the founder’s aims and 
wishes . . . everything from Tricker’s is guaranteed to 
grow. 
Under the leadership of his son, Chas. L. Tricker, the 
business continued to expand and in 1927 it became nec- 
essary to move to larger quarters to meet the ever increas- 
ing demand. The firm moved to Saddle River, New Jersey, 
and also established a Plant at Independence, Ohio, with 
combined facilities at both plants to adequately serve the 
whole country ... and today the entire world. Since the 
death of William Tricker, the same ideals have been pur- 
sued, Hybridizing has been continued, and Tricker’s has 
also been privileged to disseminate varieties originated by 
Mr. George H. Pring of the Mis- 
souri Botanical Gardens. Such 
beautiful varieties inelude 
MRS. EDWARDS WHIT- 
AKER, GENERAL PERSH.- 
ING, MRS. GEORGE PRING, 
ST. LOUIS BAGDAD, and 
DIRECTOR MOORE. 
The story of William Tricker, 
Ine., is an American story of 
success in building an industry 
att of enjoyment for 
7 thousands upon thou- 
i sands of people. To 
y many this enjoyment 
af is such as they have 
never known. It is 
with pride that the 
firm preserves the 
ideals and the name 
of William Tricker 
aw ee See mtoday 
the established leader 
in the field of water 
lily culture. 






















CHAS. L. TRICKER 
President of 
William Tricker, Ine, 
