To The Home Folks

Around the Hearth Talk by Birkley F Wells,

Some ten or twelve years ago I fell in love with Horticulture and the phenomena of plant life. I cultivated the close observation of things; applying myself to study and research, delving into the minutia, detail, and technicality. As first I liked the novelty, and by and by I became delighted with the science. I learned to look upon a lesson in Nature as a grand opportunity to study the works of God and the scientific proof of creation.

Feeling that I had stored a considerable information relative to the habits of plants, I started to experimenting along various lines, and the knowledge and information thus gained , I feel that I am in a position to say to you that I know how to grow and handle small fruits to get the requisite results for my customers. In brief, this is why Vesterbrook farm was started.

Again, I find that fruit and fruit culture can never be made a success by working it as a side line with farming or other business. The business is a business by and within itself; it demands your attention more closely than any crop in existence today. The culture and harvest of fruit conflict with the culture and harvest of the cereal crops of this country, and where justice in done to one, the other is sacrificed.

Having decided to devote me entire time to the specialty of small fruit, I have this to say: I can furnish you with any fruit in its, choice fruit, large, firm, juicy fruit, clean neatly packed fruit, sweet fresh fruit, fruit that is grown in your midst from pedigreed plants and trees free from canker, rust, rot and disease. I say that I can furnish you with this kind of fruit cheaper, – remember I say cheaper and more for your money that you pay others for a scant measure of inferior fruit. Now please make a few comparisons and be convinced of what you gain.

Some folks are asking how I am able to give such a large measure for the prices I get. Well a great many people never accomplish anything in this world because they spend their time wondering and figuring how some body else does it. To these it should be said: “There is honey in manure, but it takes a bee to get it out.”

Again, here are the reasons that I am in a position to satisfy the most exacting:

I do not like farming or cereal raising.
I am not interested in stock raising.
I do like small fruit and poultry raising.
I know my business.
I attend to my business.
I own my business.
I run my business.

I devote my entire time to the methods I use in producing the BEST. I am constantly experimenting with and propagating fruits and other things. This year I am especially interested in an experiment with berries, also with a Chick food which, if a success, will be on the market next year. Respectfully asking you to try Vesterbrook goods.

I remain yours very truly,

Birkley F. Wells