(text only version)

The Seed Catalogue: A Comparative Study - page 5

by Clement Kent, 1991 Johnson and Stokes Special Introduction Box, Garden and Forest Feb 19 1890, pg. ii

CONCLUSION

WE HAVE SEEN, then, that seed catalogues may contain the elements of various literary forms. Surrealist in their logic, medieval in their elaboration, resembling in their content the mystery or SF novel, they appear to us, their cautious readers, through the distorting medium of sales-oriented prose. "Upper-crust" catalogues may rather aspire to the condition of the coffee-table book, with its mixture of beautiful illustrations and too often shallow text. Or they may touch upon literature itself and be written by skilled essayists whose commentary is based on a deep understanding of the role of plants in culture and history.








Some representative catalogues:

Ridiculous:

Riverland Gardens, 8595 Darnley Road, Mont-Royal, Québec H4T 2A4 -- the worst yet, quite surreal - may be no longer in business in 2001?

Storrs and Harrison, Garden and Forest Mar 19 1890, pg. ii

Gaudy, kitschy:

McFayden Seeds, Box 1800, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6N4 -- good kitsch collection and useless tools - no web site

McConnell Nurseries, Port Burwell, Ontario N0J 1T0 -- surprising colours



Burpee's Catalogue, Garden and Forest Jan 1 1890, pg. ii

Beautiful:

Thompson & Morgan, P.O. Box 1308, Jackson, N.J. 08527 USA -- but watch your wallet!



Gregory's Seeds, Garden and Forest Jan 1 1890, pg. ii

Interesting:

Chiltern Seeds, Bortree Stile, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 7PB, England

J.L. Hudson, Seedsman, P.O. Box 1058, Redwood City, California, 94064 USA



Dreers Seeds, Garden and Forest Mar 19 1890, pg. ii



Copyright 2001 by Clement Kent, c l e m e n t @ g o d e l . n e t
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