.•'• General Directions LOCATION. My grounds arc at Wyomissing, a TERMS. Cash, unless otherwise specially arranged. suburb of the city of Reading, Pa., ten minutes' ride by Orders from unknown correspondents without satis­ trol ley from Penn Square, the business center of the city. factory commercial rating should be accompanied by a remittance to cover the order, or by references. VISITORS. I am always glad to welcome visitors who are interested in hardy plants. The first week in REMITTANCES. Should be made by post-office, or June the German Irises are at their height, together express money order, registered letter, or bank draft. with the Pyrcthrums, Oriental Poppies, etc. At this 2-ceut and 5-cent postage stamps may be sent for time the early and midseason Peonies are also at their amounts under $1. best. Late-blooming Peonies come a week later, Japan GUARANTEE. It is obvious that if I wish to retain Iris early in July, and Hardy Phlox the last of the month. trade I must send out only first-class plants, true to description, and in good condition when they leave SHIPPING FACILITIES. The Reading Railroad my packing-house. It is likewise perfectly clear that I system centers here, which, with the Pennsylvania have no control over conditions surrounding the plants Railroad, places us in quick and easy communication and the care they receive after they pass out of my with all eastern cities, and with all through lines to the control. I cannot, therefore, assume responsibility for West. The American and Adams Express Companies customers' failure to make them grow, cither on ac­ cover most points. count of unfavorable weather or soil conditions, im­ FORWARDING. Growing plants and small pack­ proper planting, neglect, or a lack of knowledge of ages of roots will invariably be sent by express, unless necessary requirements for success. Although I take otherwise instructed. In the majority of cases the ex- the utmost possible care that all plants shall leave here ress rates are cheaper than parcel post, as will be seen in first-class condition which will, under proper con­ Ey the following parcel-post and express rates on pack­ ditions, produce satisfactory results, I give no warranty ages of from five to fifty pounds, to cities in various as to description, quality or productiveness, and will Earts of the country, covering all zones. Plants and not in any way be responsible for the results. Persons ulbs are sent under a special express ruling as second- sending orders must accept them under these con­ class matter, which is 20 per cent lower than general ditions only. I guarantee safe arrival of packages sent merchandise. Heavy shipments of shrubs or peonies by express, and will replace any arriving in a damaged and other dormant plants may be sent by freight with condition, if reported at once. If, through error on perfect safety. my part, any plants should prove untrue to name, I In some cases it may be more convenient for cus­ will replace them without charge. tomers to receive small packages by parcel post. I I will not substitute other varieties than ordered will forward such orders by mail, if a sufficient sum is unless expressly noted, or by permission. remitted to amply cover the postage. Should more CORRESPONDENCE. I shall be glad to give than enough be sent, the balance will be returned. On information regarding a proper selection of plants and request from responsible persons, we will prepay post­ the time of planting, provided the questions are of age and charge it on the bill. such a character that they can be answered briefly. PRICES. All prices are strictly net and not subject My personal correspondence is so great during the rush to change. The sending in of long lists of plants with season that it is a physical impossibility to reply, with­ requests for quotations places a heavy burden on my out considerable delay, to letters involving study and office force and causes unnecessary delay. I have spent research. I am willing to offer suggestions for improv­ much time, effort and a considerable sum of money to ing the garden or home grounds, but those desiring make this catalog complete in every detail. All items assistance for this purpose should, where possible, are plainly priced, and customers may order with the write before the shipping seasons—April and May in positive assurance that these prices are definitely fixed. spring, and September and October in fall. This table will help you to estimate the cost of delivery by parcel post and by express. Weights and rates from Reading, Pa., to various points BY PARCEL POST BY EXPRESS POST OFFICE Zone 5 lbs. TO lbs. 20 lbs. 5 lbs. 10 lbs. 20 lbs. 25 lbs. 50 lbs. Atlanta, Ga S0.32 S0.62 Si.22 So.34 S0.36 S0.57 $0.67 Si.18 Boston, Mass .14 .24 .44 .25 •25 •33 .38 .60 Buffalo, N. Y .14 .24 •44 .25 .25 •33 .38 .60 Burlington, Vt .23 •83 .25 .25 •39 .64 Chicago, III .32 1.22 .30 :40 •54 .92 Cleveland, Ohio... .42 • 23 £ .83 $ .26 .68 Denver, Colo .51 •43 .47 •55 .06 1.16 2.16 Galveston, Texas... .41 I.OI 2.01 .45 •53 .90 1.00 2.03 Helena, Mont .60 .81 1.61 .57 •72 1.28 1.56 2.97 Jacksonville, Fla.... -32 1.20 2.40 •35 •39 .62 •73 1.32 Louisville, Ky .62 1.22 .30 .46 •54 .92 Los Angeles, Cat.. .60 •43 .83 •i° 1.58 1.20 2.40 .07 .87 1-93 3-72 Minneapolis, Minn. •32 .36 .40 •65 •77 '•39 Nashville, Tenn.. .62 1.22 .52 .32 .62 1.22 -32 •33 .61 1.07 New Orleans, La. .. .41 .40 •45 •75 .90 1.63 .81 1.61 •33 Pittsburgh, Pa .24 -44 .25 .38 .60 Portland, Ore % 1.60 1.96 3-77 1.20 2.40 .68 % •33 Richmond, Va .24 .44 •25 •25 •38 .60 San Francisco, Cal.. .90 1.65 So 1.20 2.40 .70 1.59 2.03 3-90 Seattle, Wash 1.20 2.40 .87 1.95 3-73 St. I.ouis, Mo .60 .68 .50 .32 .62 1.22 •3' -33 .58 1.02 NOTE.—The limit of weight for parcel post beyond the first and second zones is twenty pounds. rat— a *& Through it flows the lovely Wyomissing stream Here I am planning a new garden to contain all the choicest shrubs and plants grown at Wyomissing, where they may develop into mature specimens—my Dream Garden, the beauties of which, if it comes true, I hope to share with all my friends and visitors I n troduotion FIFTH EDITION. SEASON OF 1915 AND 1916 ?»F PETER PAN always remained "just a little boy" and "never grew up," I am sure it was because he followed the glittering rain­ bow of some all-absorbing hobby, and so became oblivious to the l| passing of time. It seems like yesterday, though many years have slipped away, since there was a boy's garden out on the western prairie; then the city where there was no garden—only a memory of a garden that was, or a dream of a garden to be. Then came Wyomissing, and a man's garden which was an unrestrained passion for growing things soon filled until it overflowed out into the open fields, a riot of glorious color, an intoxication of delight, like the promise of the rainbow fulfilled. Six years ago I sent out the first edition of My Book of Hardy Plant Specialties, and what began as a hobby has become a business that grows so rapidly that it requires the utmost effort to keep pace with it. Today the Peonies and Irises from Wyomissing have found their way into thousands of other gardens in every state in the Union and in many lands across the eastern and western oceans. New build­ ings, propagating and storage house and office, had to be built; new help trained; and finally land purchased for a permanent home where there is room for the present and for future development. I have been most fortunate in acquiring seventy-five acres, beautifully situated within ten minutes' walk from my present buildings and grounds. To those who follow the rainbow, the end seems always just a little farther on, and I am dreaming of a new garden that I want to tell you about; since so many of you have written to me about your gardens, I feel sure you will be interested in mine. In the first place, I think Wyomissing is very beautiful, surrounded on all sides by its setting of mountains. Through it flows the lovely stream which gives the town its name, and here along its banks, on both sides, I hope to plant a specimen garden, where some of each of the hundreds of varieties of Peonies, Irises, Phloxes, etc., and all of the shrubs and trees grown at Wyomissing may be concentrated and artistically arranged; where they may be allowed to grow and develop to perfection, for the benefit of those who come to visit us. The meadow is framed in by the woodland and divided by the Wyomissing Creek. A little brook hurries through the tall grass. There are springs clear as crystal, and a little pond, all furnishing ideal conditions for a water-garden. There will be a Lilac and Iris, a Peony and a Rose time, and so on throughout the season, if it all comes true, as I hope.