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1865 1911
Fortysix Years Successful Business!
Des Moines, Iowa, January, 1911.
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Established 1865
To Our Customers:
We owe you increased gratitude for your kindnesses extended to us during the year just past. Our trade was greater than ever before and you have added greatly to our hope for the future by the confidence expressed in hundreds of kind letters which you sent us. We realize from reports received that this year you will make still heavier demands upon us and we assure you we shall do everything in our power to keep up the quality and excellence of our Choice Iowa Seeds.
Competition, with us, is only a secondary matter. The question of price or the offers of competitors worry us not a bit, but our unceasing thought and effort is that the customer shall get satisfaction in results. We believe that it is this policy that has caused the growing demands for our stocks and added so greatly to our constantly increasing list of customers, so that we can justly claim to be
"SEEDSMEN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE"
By this we mean not only native born Americans, but all residents of this country.
[Image of a handwritten note that states]
A satisfactiory business deal
must benefit both the buyer
and seller. We consider your
interests as well as our
own in every transaction.
See our bond proposition page 39.
If you are an old customer no introduction or solicitation
on our part is necessary, and we shall only ask that you
accept our sincere thanks. Every year, however, we meet
fifty to seventy-five thousand prospective buyers and we
desire to solicit the trade of such on the basis of quality of
stocks supplied and service rendered. Look over this catalogue
carefully, and note the great diversity and completeness
of our line. Read our descriptions carefully, and note
our offers. We take great pains to not exaggerate but to set
forth in plain words descriptions that will describe and not
mislead; illustrations that will truthfully convey to the mind
the object shown. The catalogue itself is intended to be a
reflection of the house and its methods - neat, not gaudy -
clean, showing care and pains, - honest, telling the truth as
we know it, - and fair, offering a square deal to both parties,
and we believe you will concede the truth of these clalms if
you will favor us with a share of your patronage.
This year we have made our usual careful investigation of
goods and stocks offered. We have spent a great deal of
time and money in personal inspection of crops and testing
of varieties; also in testing and comparing tools and miscellaneous
articles in our list, and we believe we have the very
best to be obtained in every department of our business.
IOWA SEED COMPANY
See our bond proposition on page 39.
SUGGESTIONS TO CUSTOMERS.
Column 1
Our constant aim is to make the highest quality the first consideration
and next to put our prices as low as good seed can be sold,
Order Early: The best time to order is just as soon as you receive
this catalogue, as we can always give your orders more
of our personal attention if they come in before the rush of the spring
trade. Please use the order sheet, as it makes it more convenient for us
in filling orders. You will note there are two order sheets enclosed: one
for seeds, tools and miscellaneous goods, and the other for plants, bulbs
and nursery stock. If you will use them as intended, it will greatly facilitate
the execution of your orders. Terms are invariably cash with order,
as we keep no book accounts in our mail order department, and the expense
of sending goods C.O.D. is quite large. Postage stamps received
as cash.
Shipping: There are five express companies and fifteen railroad lines
at Des Moines, so that quick shipments can be made to any
town in the United States.
Charges Prepaid: All Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Bulbs and Plants,
except those noted, are sent prepaid by mail or
express by the quickest and most direct routes, unless ordered otherwise,
and we guarantee the safe arrival. Seeds sold by the peck or
bushel, Field Seeds, Potatoes, Implements and other heavy goods are
sent by freight or express, customers paying charges. Remember seeds
go at special rates by express.
Delivery: The point of delivery of all goods is on cars at Des Moines.
When we quote a delivery price it means simply that we prepay the freight,
express charges or postage.
Many of our farmer customers live at railroad stations where there are
no agents. In such cases we must request them to send sufficient money
to prepay freight charges on heavy shipments; also in cases where perishable
or other goods are ordered to be sent by freight or express to such
great distances that cost of transportation will nearly or quite equal the
value of the goods.
Discounts: We have this year made the prices in this catalogue as low
as our high grade seeds can be sold, and we can give no
discounts. In ordering seeds in bulk you may deduct ten cents per pound
on vegetable seeds, such as are listed prepaid, if you are willing to have
them sent by express or freight at your expense.
Premiums: Each year we put up thousands of packets of new or particulary
desirable varieties of seeds for free distribution to
our customers. We will send these out with the seeds ordered by you
and will treat you liberally in this respect. We shall also try to please
our plant customers by adding something to their order when shipping it.
Column 2
Our Responsibility: As this book will probably go into the hands
of some who are unacquainted with us, this
question will naturally arise, and in answer to same we refer you, by
permission, to the Century Savings Bank of this city, to the postmaster, or to
any express company.
What We Guarantee: That all money sent to us for seed shall reach
us if sent us by registered letter, postoffice
or express money order, or bank draft, made payable to our order.
That your orders will be filled promptly and well. That goods ordered will
reach you safely. Keep a copy of your order. Sometimes persons think
they have ordered articles which they have omitted, and blame us for not
sending them.
About Warranting: We thoroughly test all our seeds and nothing is sent out which we do not believe to be good in every respect. When it is considered how many are the contingencies on which the success of any crop depends, such as sowing too deep or too shallow, too wet or dry soil, unfavorable weather, insects, etc., our customers will readily see that it would be sheer folly for anyone to warrant seeds to produce a perfect crop, and we want it plainly understood that while we exercise great care to have all seeds pure and reliable, and also true to name, we do not give any warranty express or implied as to description, quality, productiveness, or any other matter of any seeds, bulbs or plants we send out, and we will not be in any way responsible for the crop. If the purchaser does not accept the seeds on these terms and conditions they are to be returned at once, and the money that has been paid for same will be refunded. No officer, agent or employe [employee] of this company is authorized to make any warranty whatsoever. However we have so much confidence in our seeds that we hereby agree to refill any retail order for vegetable or flower seeds free of charge should they prove otherwise than as we represent them. We know of no responsible seed firm in the world which guarantees seeds any further than this. Compare with other seed catalogues and you will find that we are right.
Market Gardeners: and others who buy vegetable seeds in bulk to the amount of $5.00 or more are requested to send their list of seeds wanted to us and let us make special quotations.
Plant Orders: Orders for Plants will be filled as early in the spring as we consider it safe to send them. If ordered for immediate shipment in severe weather they will be sent at purchaser's risk.
Small Orders: We take pains to fill orders promptly and correctly, no matter if only for one packet of seeds, but we request that plant orders amount to at least 25 cents and nursery stock to at least 50 cents, as otherwise they are filled at a loss to us.
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