CORRECT LABELING OF PLANTS 
I realize that there seems to be a kind of “racket” in the 
mum business, and that quite often when you order a very 
definite variety, and give the plants unusually good attention 
during the growing season, you may be rewarded in the fall 
by very inferior blooms—undoubtedly not the variety you 
ordered although the plant bore the correct name on the 
label. Unfortunately, nature seems to have unintentionally 
aided in this “racket,” as with few exceptions it is impossible 
to tell one variety from another in the young plant or cutting 
stage. Fully realizing this, I have resolved to make my little 
mum business unique in that you will get what you order, or 
if you permit substitutions to correctly label the plant or 
plants I ship. Most of my business now is repeat orders—so 
that policy must be appreciated by discriminating flower- 
friends. 
To carry out this policy it is necessary that I personally 
gather, label, pack and ship each order myself (which neces- 
sarily limits it to a small volume), and in return I would 
appreciate a postcard stating the condition of the plants on 
arrival, as well as any suggestions you may have towards 
improving my packing methods. (I have received some good 
suggestions from customers.) 
However, being human, an occasional error will occur, and 
in such cases I would prefer to know about it—rather than be 
judged guilty of deliberate mis-labeling. Last year, despite 
my best efforts, I did ship an order to the correct city and 
street address—but wrong state. (Am certainly glad she let 
me know she did not get her shipment so I could replace it 
promptly.) 
WARRANTY 
During my over 20 years experience in dealing with the 
public I have found only rare instances of dishonesty—prac- 
tically all people who grow flowers are scrupulously honest, 
but in order to protect myself in these rare instances I wish 
it distinctly understood that I give no warranty, expressed 
or implied, as to description, quality or productiveness of any 
plants I send out. 
With the above explanation and under the conditions 
stated, I am offering limited quantities of the mum varieties 
listed within. 
F, A. SPIVEY 
P. O. Box 574, Montgomery, Alabama 
P.S.—As a personal favor to me, after you have signed 
your name, PLEASE print your name immediately under- 
neath the written signature. I have lost far too much religion 
trying to figure out people’s names, and I am sure you will 
agree that no one has any religion to lose. 
P. P. S.—I have received a world of comment on the above 
postscript, but I still stick to my guns that nothing makes 
me lose my religion quicker than trying to figure out a half- 
legible signature. I guess I will never know why a person 
will very carefully print out the variety RAYONANTE 
(and often describe the bloom too), and then when the order 
is finished sign it with a signiture that looks just about like 
a hen’s scratching. It apparently never occurs to them that 
all I need to identify the variety RAYONANTE is the first 
few letters; whereas I will need to know every letter of their 
names or the package may not reach them. However, such is 
human nature, and I don’t suppose it can be changed, so just 
for my sake PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRINT YOUR NAME 
BENEATH YOUR WRITTEN SIGNATURE. 
