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Status: Needs Review

Des Moines, Iowa, January, 1906.

To Our Friends and Patrons:

WITH HEARTY GREETINGS and well wishes to our many customers in all parts of the country, we send out this our annual
messenger. While the past year has had its share of trials and sorrow to individuals, still taken altogether we consider it one of the
best and most prosperous that the country has ever seen. On the whole, crops have been good in all parts of the country and prices
for same much aove the average and we have every reason to believe that the new year will bring fully its share of blessings.
Our seed crops have been quite favorable and aside from a few varieties of onion, beans and peas, the prices of garden seeds average somewhat
lower than previous seasons and quality is superior. The crops have been harvested in excellent condition and we are prepared this season to give
each customer the best seeds that they have ever had, realizing that in the past the high quality of our CHOICE IOWA SEEDS and our promptness
and painstaking care in filling orders have made many friends. It is our highest ambition to merit the title which has so often been applied to us,--
namely: "SEEDSMEN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE."

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Read What Prominent Men Say.
-----
They are a proof of merit. Such tes-
timonials cannot be bought.

"I have bought seeds of you for sev-
eral years past and have found them
very satisfactory. I have used them on
my own farm and also sold them to
others and have had no complaints.
Have also purchased some from other
firms, but could not depent on them
as on yours." R. J. Johnson, Hum-
boldt, Iowa, President Iowa State
Agricultural Society.

"I am pleased to state that all seeds
both garden and field, that I have
bought of your firm during the past
twelve years have been perfectly sat-
isfactory, and I am always pleased to
recomment the Iowa Seed Company
to any and all who are in need of
anything in their line." M. J. Wragg,
Waukee, Iowa, President Iowa State
Horticultural Society.
-----------------------------------------------

By this we mean not only native born Americans, but
all residents of this country.

WE GROW OUR OWN SEEDS
either on our own place or have them grown from care-
fully selected stock seeds, and it requires the entire seed
crop from about 8,600 acres to supply our trade. The
soil and climate of Iowa are specially adapted to growing
and maturing most seed crops, still there are some va-
rieties which will produce better seed in other localities,
and we spend a large part of the summer and fall in
travelling around among our growers inspecting the
growing crop.
Again thanking you for past favors, respectfully solic-
iting a continuance of your patronage, and wishing you
a happy and prosperous New Year, we remain,
Your friends,
IOWA SEED COMPANY.
M. KURTZWEIL, President.
CHAS. N. PAGE, Treasurer and Manager.

-----------------------------------------------
What Des Moines People Say.
------
Voluntary expressions of a few of the
leading market gardeners of this city
showing how we stand at home.

I have planted your seeds for 25 yrs.
and have found them perfect and true
to name. I can always depend on you
for quality and purity.
F. SESTIER.

I have now been purchasing seeds
from you for 29 years and have found
them true to name and of good quality.
I recommend your seeds to all garden-
ers. HENRY ROLLINSON.

My father and I have been buying
garden seeds from your company for
thirty years, and all I need to say is
that we intend to continue. Results
prove their value. W. L. ROTH.
-----------------------------------------------

SUGGESTIONS TO CUSTOMERS.

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.
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. It is well to remember that express charges are usually
much higher on heavy goods, and you should order them sent by fast
freight.

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 guaran-
tee their safe arrival. Seeds sold by the peck or bushel, field seeds, po-
tatoes, implements and other heavy goods are sent by freight or express.
The terms "by express" and "by freight" mean that goods are shipped
at purchaser's expense, not prepaid.

OUR PRICES.--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.

DISCOUNTS.--On all orders for seeds in packets the purchaser may
select twenty-five cents worth extra for each one dollar sent us. This refers
only to seeds in packets, not in bulk. This discount does not apply to
Collections of any kind nor other special offers. Each year we put up
thousands of packets of seeds for free distribution among our custom-
ers, by adding liberally of them to orders. We will allow you a discount
of ten cents per pound on vegetable seeds, such as are listed as prepaid,
if you are willing to have them sent by express or freight at your expense.

SMALL ORDERS.--If you only want a single packet, do not hesitate to
send for it. We take as much pains to fill small orders promptly and cor-
rectly as we do large ones. Orders for Flower Plants and Nursery Stock,
however, must amount to at least twenty-five cents.

PLANT ORDERS.--Orders for plants will be filled as early in 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.

WHAT WE GUARANTEE.--That all money sent us for seed shall reach
us if sent by registered letter, P. O. or express money order, or bank draft,
made payable to our order. That your order 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.

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 same we refer you, by permission, to the Century Sav-
ings Bank, of this city, to the postmaster, or to any express company.

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 them to produce a per-
fect 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. 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 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 for our Market Garden-
er's Price List. This list for market gardeners is intended only for large
buyers, and is exclusively for those who order vegetable seeds alone by
weight or measure amounting to $5.00 or over. Club orders which call for
this amount of bulk seeds altogether are entitled to these prices.

PREPAID RAILROAD STATIONS.--Many of our farmer customers live
at Prepaid 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 goods.
OUR GERMAN FRIENDS will be pleased to notice that we also issue
a catalogue in the German language, and we will take pleasure in sending
a copy free on request. Tell your German neighbors about it.

[German notice]

FOREIGN ORDERS.--Our trade with European countries, Australia,
New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies and other foreign countries,
is increasing constantly, and while it is still somewhat expensive and slow
to send large shipments by freight, small lots can be sent by mail quite
easily. We are willing to prepay the postage on all vegetable and flower
seeds offered by the packet or ounce, at the prices named in this cata-
logue, to Canada, Mexico, all parts of Europe, and all countries of the
Postal Union. Not more than 12 ounces can be sent in each package.
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WE ARE PLEASED TO RECEIVE SAMPLES OF NEW, RARE OR SUPERIOR SEEDS YOU MAY SEND US FOR TRIAL

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