3

1911

Des MOilles, Iowa, January, 1911.
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 recieved 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 ot price or the offers of competitors worry us not a bit, but our unceasing thought andffort 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.

[imagine 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.

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 quailty of
stocks supplied and service rendered. Look over this cata-
logue carfully, and note the great diversity and complete-
ness 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; illistrations 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 coucede the truth ot these clalms if
you will favor us with a share of your patrpmage.
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 miscel-
laneous 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.
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 ot 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 ordersheets 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 facil-
itate tje execition of your orders. Terms are invariably cash with order,
as we keep no book accounts in our mail order department, and the ex-
pense of sending goods C. O. D. is quite large. Postage stamps recieved
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,
express by the quickest and most direct routes, unless ordered other-
wise, 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 pre-
pay 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 oon heavy shipments: also in cases where per-
ishable 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 vegtable 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 par-
ticulary 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.
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 per-
mission to the Centruy Savings Bank of this city, to the postmaster, or to
any express comany.
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
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.