UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Library 
Washington 25, D. C. 
i ° January 2, 1951 
Messrse D. He and M. E. Carlson 
8701 E. Old Shakopee Road 
Minneapolis 20, Minn 
Gentlemen: 
For many years the United States Department of Agriculture Library 
and the Division of Fruit and Vegetable Crops and Diseases, Bureau 
of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering have co-oper- 
ated in building and maintaining a collection of the catalogs and 
other trade lists issued by nurserymen and seedsmen. Every catalog 
or list received is recorded and becomes a permanent part of the 
Library. The collection now numbers approximately 80,000 items. As 
a student's and research worker's collection, it is invaluable in 
investigations concerning the history, nomenclature, characteris- 
tics and distribution of varieties. It is also in constant use in 
answering inquiries as to where plant material may be obtained and 
regarcing varieties being, introduced to the trade. The collection 
as a whole is available to the public for reference use, and the 
information in it is made readily accessible by means of indexes. 
In order that this collection may be kept up to date and as complete 
as possible, we wish to obtain all trade catalogs and lists of fruits, 
vegetables, and ornamentals as issued. Will you kindly send us your 
catalog, price lists or other similar material of the current year? 
It will also be appreciated if you will place our address (Librarian, 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. Cc.) on your perma- 
nent mailing list to receive your annual catalog and other publica- 
tions as issued. 
We enclose an addressed label for your use in sending your publica- 
tions. 
Very truly yours, 
Lok (Lalas 
lph R. Shaw 
The Librarian 
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