reelings 
The thought occurs to me, now that we are about to go to press 
with our new catalog, that a “Greeting” or 'Foreword” is so much 
wasted space and effort. Nobody ever reads it. Be that as it may, I 
prefer to reserve this first page to ‘'selling ourselves'’—the rest of 
the book being devoted to selling ROSES. 
Looking backward into the future is a sane and sensible way 
to conduct a conservative and successful business. Looking back- 
ward a very few years, I find that we sold No. 1 grade roses, in 
the newest varieties for 35c each. That was for top variety, top 
grade and top price. Today the great hybridizers of the world are 
giving us the marvelous and exciting improved varieties which 
you will find described in this book. Scientific cultural methods 
are steadily improving the grade and quality of the plants we offer. 
The change in price I cannot explain. You probably know more 
about economics than I do. YOU CAN BUY A CHEAPER ROSE- 
BUSHeBUT YOU CANNOT BUYSA BETTER ONE. 
Mrs. Crombie and I never had ambitions to develop a large 
business. We enjoyed the personal contact with our customers. 
In fact, many years ago we coined an expression ‘Our friends are 
our customers and our customers become our friends.” Today that 
same atmosphere prevails. Today Mr. and Mrs. Vern Golie, our 
friends and the managing owners of Crombie Nursery, join me in 
offering you the same friendly help and service in growing good 
roses. 
Remember, it is your success with Crombie Roses that has made 
Crombie Roses a synonym for the BEST. 
Sincerely, 
J. R. CROMBIE 
P.S. Our variety descriptions have not been copied nor are they 
the exuberant outpourings of the originators. We of Crombie Nursery 
all have contributed our opinions and your comments have been 
helpful. Regular field trips to the growing fields and test gardens 
all have supplied the necessary information which Mrs. Crombie 
throughout the years has so aptly put into words. 
VERN P: GOLIE 
