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PREFACE.
Des Moines, Iowa, February 1st, 1888.
To Our Many Friends and Customers:

In presenting this, our Sixteenth Annual Catalogue, we wish to call your attention
to the following facts:
Our business here in Des Moines was established in 1871 by Mr. S. L. Fuller. Since
that time, each year we have been supplying the people with CHOICE IOWA SEEDS, and
have made many thousands of customers, whom, from long acquaintance in this way,
we have come to consider as warm personal friends. Our business has steadily grown
larger and the trade has become more extended, until now it is the largest in the state.
It has changed hands several times, the present company succeeding the late firm
of C. W. DORR & Co., and most of the employees of the old firm will remain with us.
Chas. N . Page, a member of the late firm, and S. L. Fuller, the original founder of
the business, who are well known to the customers, will be found with us. Mr. Henry
C. Windsor, the senior member of the new firm has a practical experience of over
twenty years in one of the largest nurseries in the country.
We start out this season with one of the choicest and best selected stocks of Vegetable,
Flower and Field seeds that has ever been offered by any Seed House. It is our
design to offer nothing unworthy of a place in every garden. Our customers can be
sure of being pleased and satisfied with anything purchased of us. You will readily
see that, besides the principle at stake, we cannot afford to sell you anything of a
doubtful character, because our reputation would suffer thereby.
As is well known, Des Moines Is one of the principal railroad points of the West,
there being 15 railroads centering here, lind our shipping facilltes are unsurpassed.
Our store and greenhouses are near enough to the post office and depots so that we get
our mall several tiones a day, and can fill all orders promptly.
Instead of publishing a large and expensive catalogue this year, we have decided to
only send out this small price list, deeming it better to give our customers the benefit
of the difference in the cost of the catalogue and mailing, in the prices at which we offer
the seeds. Our 1885 catalogue containing full discriptions and directions for cultivation
will be mailed free to all applicants.
Our Trial GroundS are in charge of Mr. F. S. White, who has had many years' experience
as a practical Market Gardener.

ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Order Early.-Because your orders are sure to be promptly filled and we are sure to
have what you want, which might not be the case late in the season, and you will be
ready for planting when good weather comes.
Warrants.-While no one can warrant a crop, we will agree to refill gratis any retail
order for vegetable or flower seeds sent out by us that fails to grow from want of vitality
of the seed, or fails to be what it purports to be.
Send Money With Order.-As we keep no book aocounts in our mail order department,
and the expense of sending goods C. O. D. is quite large.
To Market Gardellers and other large purchasers we shall be pleased to send our
special prices on application.
Finally Remember-That our stock of seed is fresh and reliable, and with proper
treatment they will grow and give satisfaction.
That all seeds are carefully tested and nothing sent out which we do not believe to
be good in every respect. Our facilities for testing seeds are not excelled by any.
That your ordar will be filleded promptly and well.
That all seeds and plants, except those noted, are sent prepaid by mail or express,
unless ordered otherwise, and we guarantee their safe arrival.
That our prices are as low as good reliable seeds can be sold at. That we can afford
to and do sell seeds and other goods at a less profit and cheaper than others can.
That we will be responsible that all money sent by Bank Draft, Money Order or
Registered Letter will reach us. When the order amounts to $2.00 or over, the expense
of sending money may be deducted from amount sent. Our patrons will find the new
Postal Notes aro quite convenient. Postage stamps (1 oent and 2 cent preferred) taken
same as money.
Our Responsibility.-As this book will probably go into the hands of many who are
unacquainted with us, this question will naturally arise, and In answer to the same we
respectfully refer you, by permission to the Valley National Bank, of this oity.
Respectfully soliciting your orders and correspondence, we remain,
H. C. W1NDSOR,
M. L. PAGE
Yours, Very Truly,
IOWA SEED COMPANY