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Office of Dorr's Iowa Seed Store,
Des Moines, December, 1881.

To The Public:—

The past year, in many respects, has been a remarkable one in our history as a nation, and will long be remembered with exceeding joy and excessive sorrow. Not only has the continued revival of prosperity been realized throughout the land, but just in its very zenith, we have been bathed in the deepest sorrow, by the unparalled tragedy at our National Capital, which not only stunned proud America, but paralyzed the entire civilized world.

In the aggregate most crops have suffered by a series of climatic causes: prices of all farm produce have fluctuated in a wide range. Seed crops have not escaped and in many instances are very light.

I present to your notice in the following pages a select list of the choicest and most approved varieties of vegetable, field and flower seeds, of both foreign and domestic origin which have been proven to be suitable to the climate of the United States.

Believing low prices would better subserve the interests of our customers than an expensive elaborate catalogue they have been given the benefit of such judgment,

Shopping by Mail—Since the seedsmen first inaugurated the system of shopping by mail, it has become exceedingly popular in many other commercial branches of business. The advantages to the buyer are great, especially in the seed business. Practically it places a seed store at every post office in the world; on receiving the seed catalogues, they can be carefully read at home and a selection of seeds made, much better, than hurriedly in a crowded store in the spring.

I Claim—That my seeds are fresh and reliable. That with proper treatment, the climate and soil being in a proper condition, they will grow. That prices are as low as good, fresh seeds can be sold for. That my business is conducted in an honorable and businesslike manner.

All seeds are carefully tested, and nothing sold that does not prove to be perfectly good.

Nothing is substituted except in cases where a variety is entirely sold, and having another of equal or better quality than that ordered, the substitution can make no material difference to the purchaser.

No seeds are sold on commission.

I Will be Responsible—That all money sent by Registered Letter, Post Money Order, or Bank Draft will reach me. The expense of sending money in this manner may in all cases, where the order amounts to two dollars or upward, be deducted from the amount sent. Small amounts may be sent in stamps when more convenient. Do not moisten them in the least, but place them safely in a sealed letter. Do not send private ckecks [checks], as they have to be returned for collection.

That all seeds sent out by me will reach the purchaser.

From the fact that the success of the crop depends on so many contingencies entirely beyond the control of the seed grower, to warrant seeds to invariably produce a perfect crop would be rank quackery, and while I exercise the greatest possible care to have everything strictly reliable and perfectly satisfactory in every particular, yet I cannot warrant the same and am not liable or responsible for any loss or damage arising from any seeds sold by me.

Order Early—So that the orders can be filled before the stock is broken.

Write Plainly—And observe the following rules in making out your orders. Do not mix orders in the body of letters. Be particular to sign your name and full P. O. address no matter how often you write. We receive many orders with no name or address, and of course the customer blames us for not sending the seeds, when the fact is, we have no means of finding out who ordered them. Carry out the price of each article on the order. When perishable goods are ordered before the proper season for forwarding, they will be sent without further writing, as soon as practicable.

Terms—Cash must accompany all orders. No goods sent C. O. D.

Am I Responsible—A great many people hesitate to send money away, fearing it will be lost; and in order that any such may feel fully satisfied that they will receive the seeds ordered, I would respectfully refer them to the Post Master, Agents of the American or United States Express Companies, to any banker, editor or large business house in the city.