last year was the Dwarf Annual 
_ on Page 19. 
GREEN BEANS IN SEPTEMBER. Yes, the picture above was taken 
in September. You never saw nicer green beans. They were planted 
July 19 in our 76-acre Test Gardens. Page 25 explains our im- 
portant program of Triple-Tested Seeds. We tested 47 varieties of 
beans last year. The best of them, by test, are listed on Pages 26 
and 27. 
FLOWERS in our Test Gardens 
Phlox, above. You will find it and 
I wish I could make some comforting sense out of and come to some definite con- 
clusions about National and International affairs. But, the truth is, when I look very far 
ae from Shenandoah and my own family and friends, | really don’t know what to 
4 m ° 
It seems necessary and certain that we as a nation are in for years when we must 
keep a large and strong army. Some raw materials are already being rationed and | 
suppose no one knows when or how many other things will go on the rationed list. Prices 
in general and living costs in particular have been climbing higher and higher. It is enough 
to confuse anyone. 
In these times there doesn’? seem much that we, as individuals, can do about those 
big problems. We must just go right ahead “sawing wood” and fending to our own busi- 
nesses the best way we know how. 
I am glad to tell you that inflation has not hit our business very hard as yet. Our 
material and labor costs have gone up, as they have in every business, and postal rates 
have increased. But, most prices in this catalog are the same as last year and nearly 
everything is still postpaid to you. It is very probable that all our prices will have to go 
up after the Spring season. — an we 
aes It is certainly a good time to get the trees and flowers and shrubs 
“ you need to beautify your home. And there never was a time when the 
fine foods you can raise in your garden would save you so much actual 
cash. With food prices so high, we look for folks who haven't always 
had a garden fo sure have one this year. 
At the start of the season we will have ample stocks of nearly 
everything we list. But, there never was a year when we didn’t run out 
of some things. You will be wise to send your order early. You will be 
rewarded, too, because we are glad to give very worthwhile premiums 
for early orders. These special gifts for early orders for nursery stock are 
explained on the opposite page. On page 25 you will find still more 
special gifts on early orders for garden seed. Make out your order now 
and send it to us early so we can send you these fine “extras.” 
Depend on us to do our level best fo deserve your confidence and 
P. a your business. | hope you have a fine year, with happiness and success 
and profit. 
Sincerely, 
GOVERNMENT INSPECTED NURSERY STOCKS. Certificate No. 97, State of Iowa. 
The Earl May Seed Co. of Shenandoah is authorized to sell and ship Nursery Stock 
of its own growing or obtained from approved sources. The Certificate expires Sep- 
tember 1, 1951. Signed by Clyde Spry, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, and H. M. 
Harris, lowa State Entomologist. 
RADIO STATION 
KMA 
For a lot of helpful information on 
the planting and care of Flowers, 
Fruits, and Vegetables, tune in KMA, 
960 in the center of your dial. Every 
‘weekday we broadcast ‘programs to 
‘help you have more beautiful yards 
and more profitable gardens. Write 
us about your yard and garden prob- 
lems. We'll be glad to help you all 
we can. 
FREE 
Nursery Booklet 
Right along with your order for 
Nursery Stock, we will send you 
complete and practical planting in- 
structions for Roots, Bulbs and Tub- 
ers. And a 24-page Booklet will bring 
you information and the planting 
care of Fruit Trees, Shrubs, Roses, 
Berry Plants, etc. 
FREE 
Garden Booklet 
You will find complete instructions 
on how to prepare, plant, and culti- 
vate your vegetable garden in our 32- 
page booklet. Sound, practical help. 
Lawn and Flower Seed culture are 
also given. Sent free with your order 
for Vegetable Seed, Flower Seed, or 
Lawn Grass Seed. (Extra copies are 
10c each:) 
FORTY ACRES OF PEONIES. Visitors by the thousands drove here 
last Spring to see this glorious sight. Your orders for Peonies this 
Spring and next Fall will be filled with big root divisions from 
this 40-acre planting. 
This field of Peonies is part of over 1500 acres of nursery 
stock being grown within a few miles of Shenandoah by my grand- 
father, E. S. Welch. Of course, I am out in the fields a lot, check- 
ing on the growth and handling of the tens of thousands of trees 
and bushes and plants being grown. That’s why I am so confident 
of their high quality and so sure of the satisfaction they will bring 
to you. Other pictures taken in my grandfather’s nursery are shown 
below. 
DIGGING SHRUBS and getting them ready for storage. You will 
be glad to know all the shrubs made excellent growth. 
GUESS WHAT? It’s Baby’s Breath! Row after row, like a lovely, 
lacy blanket of snow (KMA towers in the background). 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN FULL GLORY. Our Mum listings on 
Pages 52 and 53 were chosen from 76 varieties, part of which are 
shown. 
Page 3 
