Please Read Before Ordering 
CALIFORNIA-GROWN ROSES, bare-root are seldom harvested, hardened and 
ready for shipment before January first, hence we cannot book definitely for 
earlier delivery. We will guarantee, however, California Roses, Early Spring 
Planted, will surpasss those from any other district, fall-planted, which must struggle 
for survival in a long winter of severe temperatures, and alternating thaws and 
freezes. We ask you to try them at our risk. In answer to a frequent question— 
yes! we can deliver California roses in perfect condition, guaranteed to thrive in 
your garden, whether it be north, south, east or west. 
CHRISTMAS GIFT ORDERS. We will mail your friends an appropriate holiday 
rose-card (or send yours if preferred), stating that roses of your selection will be 
delivered them with your compliments, at proper planting time for their section. 
WE CAN NOW DELAY SHIPMENT. Cold storage facilities will permit us to deliver 
dormant, bare-root roses in fine condition as late as June Ist. 
PRICES. Since our last catalog, there has been a whopping 36% increase in 
delivery costs, which is not offset by other savings or price advances. We buckle 
our belts a little tighter and carry on. Patented roses herein are priced uniformly 
to all nurseries by the patent owners and are out of our control. Our prices on old- 
fashioned and non-patented roses do not determine their relative value. Some 
varieties are difficult growers in the nursery and may be in short supply, hence are 
priced accordingly. In comparing prices with others, remember please, we offer 
No. 1, two year plants (not one year “June buds’), and guarantee both quality and 
performance. “It pays to buy the best.” 
DISCOUNTS. We have adopted the sound principle of discount for quantity— 
10% if your order exceeds 20 plants, which shares with you the savings below the 
relatively high cost of packaging and delivering small orders. (This discount does 
not apply to Group Offers.) 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Our terms, cash with order, prompt refunds when 
necessary, are general throughout the nursery business, and appear entirely satis- 
factory to all customers. Please add the sales tax of 3% in California only. 
WE PREPAY DELIVERY CHARGES, to any address on all orders of five plants or 
more. On smaller orders, we are compelled to request 50 cents per plant service charge 
for high cost of packing and delivering small orders, otherwise they are handled 
at a loss—and that’s not good for either of us. 
ORDER BLANK. We have bound a perforated order form in the catalog. 
SUBSTITUTIONS. Hated word for we, too, dislike substitutions and wish we 
could send always, exactly what you specify, however late your order. Alas, we 
cannot determine exact quantities of No. 1 plants until the harvest is graded. Bear 
with us a little, friends—surely in a listing of over 300 varieties there must be at least 
a few alternates, selected by you, of equal interest. We will not substitute without 
your authority, but please be specific. If you fail to instruct us, the right of substitu- 
tion will be implied. 
GUARANTEE. Rose lovers, (well, 99% anyway), are the finest and fairest 
retail customers in the commercial world. We do not hesitate therefore, to guarantee, 
unconditionally, that our plants are true to grade and variety, “hale and hearty,” 
ready and eager to grow and flower. Most, but not all varieties, old or new, bloom 
the first year planted. Our interest in your roses does not end with the filling of your - 
order. We will replace any which may fail for any cause. 
KODACHROMES FOR SHOWING. Our original collection of 125 kodachrome 
slides for projection has been improved considerably since first announced in 1952. 
It consists chiefly of the rare and unusual old-fashioned roses and several of the 
more distinctive hybrid teas and floribundas. A “‘lecture’’ accompanies the slides 
so that anyone whose knees do not quaver at the sight of an audience, can give a good 
performance. The charge is $10 plus cost of return. The slides have been generously 
commended. 
CATALOGS. If you ordered roses in 1953 or 1954, we are happy to send 
one free catalog to a rose-friend, with your name appearing as the giver. Additional 
copies are available at the customary 35c deductible from rose order. 
OUR GREATEST WISH is to please you in every particular. 
WILL TILLOTSON 
802 BROWN VALLEY ROAD — WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA 
