€> Q ft ft » €> €> O ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft € BALTIMORE 6~-PACA *STS. BALTIMORE /^MD. The Franklin DaVis JVursery Co. BALTIMORE, MD. the front cover of this catalogue we present a photograph ON of the founder of our business, the late Franklin Davis, who died October 13, 1895. Below we give a short sketch of his life and the business he established. Franklin Davis was a born nurseryman, not a mere desk man, taking up with tree-growing as a mercantile business. His fondness for the work of practical horticulture was early evidenced, and, though turned loose at six years of age as an orphan, without a cent, his inherent worth brought him friends, and by the time he had reached his majority he had /'picked up" a knowledge of tree growth ample to start him in the nursery business. Born January 14, 1829, in Bedford county, Pa., his first business venture was when, in the spring of 1850, he loaded his capital on a one-horse wagon — said capital consisting mostly of a few boxes of grafts — and started south, his belief being that a promising field was there to be found. First his operations were conducted with success in Rockbridge county, Va., from whence he went to Staunton, Va. His work here was successful, and by the opening of the civil war he had a large business, and his accumulations were fully $20,000. The campaigning in Virginia during the civil war destroyed not only his trade, but most of his property, so that after the war there was no difficulty in another move, this time to Richmond, Va., where, in connection with S. C. Kent, he opened up the nursery business on a large scale. Success attended their efforts, and when, in 1879, Mr. Kent sold out his interest, Mr. Davis had under his hands one of the largest nursery enterprises in the east. Desiring to return toward the scenes of his early life, Mr. Davis removed the main office and nursery to Baltimore. The formation of the stock company occurred in 1892, after Mr. Davis had suffered a severe stroke of paralysis. His sons, who had grown up with the business, were thus more fully identified with it, and have, since the elder Mr. Davis's death, carried it on upon the broad lines laid down by their father with encouraging success. JFrutt anti ©rnamental Cms is^rubs, ©tnes ant> plants CULTIVATED AND FOR SALE BY The Franklin Davis Nursery Co. BALTIMORE NURSERIES OFFICES: N. E. Cor. Baltimore and Paca Sts., BALTIMORE, MD. T IS once more our pleasure to present to our /riends and patrons a new edition of our Descriptive Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Etc., and in doing so we tender to them our sincere thanks for the many expressions of encouragement and substantial aid they have given us. We will endeavor in the future, as we have in the past, by strict personal attention to business, to merit their patronage and good will. In 1877, at the exhibition of the American Pomological Society at Baltimore, we were awarded a " Wilder" medal for the largest and finest collection of Apples. With these and other evidences of our success, and the many encouraging words of our friends, we do not feel like relaxing our efforts, but, on the other hand, are induced to push on with renewed energy ; and while we are adding to our acres we are also watching closely all the new fruits that are brought to notice throughout the country. If their merits seem to justify it, we add them to our list, and at the same time discard those that have proved less valuable. Our Catalogue is, therefore, under revision all the time, and every succeeding list that we make is an improvement upon the one preceding it. There are three considerations that claim the attention of purchasers of nursery stock : First, it is of the greatest importance to procure a fine article, true to name. Secondly, it is of vital importance to secure good, healthy stock, for without a healthy plant to begin with, we have but a poor chance of success ; one healthy stock is worth a dozen sickly ones. Thirdly, success often depends on careful packing ; without it thousands of dollars' worth of trees are annually lost. To secure the first, we have tested in our specimen orchards nearly all the leading va- rieties of fruit, and our orchards, being planted in different localities, enable us to judge the merits of the fruit and its success in different soils and situations. We will propagate largely only of sorts we know will succeed in the section in which we intend selling them. Secondly, we will send out nothing but good stock. Thirdly, our packing will be done in the best manner, and by experienced hands, so as to insure the safe transit of the trees. A change has taken place in the labor system of the Southern states, and with it comes a change in the pursuits of many of their people. Many are looking about undecided as to what they shall undertake. We believe that fruit-growing offers greater inducements than anything else. Under this conviction we have gone largely into the business ourselves, and " " say to others, go and do likewise ; and if you give it proper attention, we will guarantee satisfactory returns. 2 The Franklin Davis Nursery Co. Maryland is already noted for her extensive peach orchards, which are indeed a large and profitable interest in the state yet, there is room to extend them far beyond their pres- ; ent proportions, and with great certainty of profitable results. Other fruits are very prop- erly receiving more attention throughout the state. Virginia, from her climate, soil and geographical position, must at no distant date be- come famous for the products of her orchards ; and whosoever does the most to bring this about must be looked upon as a public benefactor. To this end we aspire. FRANKLIN DAVIS NURSERY CO., N. E. Cor. Baltimore and Paca Sts., Baltimore, Md. To Correspondents In the transaction of any business, a mutual desire for mutual satisfaction between par- ties should prevail. Let us, then, ask ofour patrons an observance of the following requests: That all orders addressed to us be written out in a legible style, and the name in full that no mistakes may occur. That particular and plain directions be given how they wish their packages marked, and by what route sent, and to whose care consigned. When no route is designated, we will send by the one we deem most advisable ; but let it be distinctly understood that we will, in no case, be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur after we have deliv- ered them to the forwarders. They alone are responsible. While we exercise the greatest care to have all our trees and plants true to name, well- grown, and packed in the best possible manner, and hold ourselves in readiness, on proper proof, to replace all trees or plants that may accidentally prove untrue to label, free of charge, or refund the amount paid therefor, it is mutually understood and agreed to between the purchaser and ourselves that our guarantee of genuineness shall in no case make us liable for any sum greater than that originally received for trees or plants that prove untrue. Our reputation for upright dealing, and the uniformly high standard of quality of our prod- ucts, the result of a forty years' business career, is our only guarantee to our customers. When orders are received specifying the kinds wanted, the purchaser will please say whether we shall fill up with other varieties, should some of those which he has ordered be exhausted. We will, so far as in our power, give him his choice; but when the varieties specified cannot all be furnished, or are known to be unworthy of cultivation, we will take the liberty of substituting others in their place, unless special orders are given to the con- trary. When the purchaser is not well acquainted with the fruit by name, he would do well to leave the selection to us, briefly stating at what season he wishes the fruit to ripen ; and in such case we will exercise our best judgment in making a judicious and profitable selec- tion of the standard sorts and of good trees. Prompt attention will be given to all letters requesting information, all of which should enclose a postage stamp. It is expected that orders for trees from those with whom we have no acquaintance will be accompanied with the cash or a suitable reference. Our terms are invariably cash, or a negotiable note of short time, satisfactorily endorsed, made payable at bank. To all the points where the express companies have an office we can send trees marked C. O. D. This will save the purchaser, as well as ourselves, some trouble. When the cash accompanies the order, no charge is made for packing. From past experience we have learned that we cannot afford to delay collections, and must henceforth insist upon prompt payment. Our business is attended with heavy expenses, and we must have the cash to push it. Trees, plants, etc., will be carefully taken up, each kind tied by itself and labeled, and the roots packed so as to carry safely. Hints on Transplanting The proper season for transplanting fruit trees is during the months of February, March and April in the spring, and October, November and December in the autumn.