UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Library 
Washington 25, D. C, 
February 19, 1954 
M, Cogswell rR 
Box 235 
Hamburg 
nT Vv 
sie +e 
Gentlemen; 
For many years the United States Department of Agriculture Library and the 
Divisions in the Horticultural Crops Group, Buresu of Plant Industry, Soils, 
and Agricultural Engineering have co-onerated in building and maintaining a 
collection of the catalogs and other trade lists issued by nurserymen and 
seedsmen. Zvery catelog or list received is recorded and becomes a nermanent 
nart of the Library. The collection now numbers almost 87,000 items. As 
e student's and research worker's collection, it is invaluable in inves- 
tigations concerning the history, nomenclature, characteristics and distribution 
of varieties. It is also in constant use in answering inquiries as to where 
Plent material may be obtained and regarding varieties being introduced to the 
trades 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 kent uv to date and as complete as 
possible, we wish to obtain all trade catalogs and lists of fruits, vegetables, 
end ornamentals as issued. Will you kindly send us your catalog, price lists 
or other similar material of the currmt vear? It will also be anpreciated if 
you will place our address (Library, . S. Department of Agriculture, Washington _ 
25, D. C.) on your permenent mailing list to receive your annuel catalog and 
other publications as issued. 
We enclose an addressed label for your use in sending your publications. 
Very truly yours, 
Ralph #. Shaw 
Encl. Director of Libraries 
