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A SIX YEAR OLD MISSING LINK TREE. Height, 17 feet 4 inches; width of top, 20 feet; circumference at base, 21/4 inches

==—"GROWN BY

Nursery Established in 1881. Disseminators of Missing Link Apples

STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF ADAMS. I, HENRY BARTLETT, a Notary Public, in and for said

County and State, do hereby certify that I was present when the above measurements

were made, and they are correct. HENRY BARTLETT, Notary Public.

THE MISSING LINK

Is a vigorous grower, exceeding any apple known to horticulturists for rapid growth, x bse woh form, never needing to be pruned while shaping the head. Branches heavily shouldered, making the tree absolutely wind and storm proof. Fruit large, oblong, flattened at ends, red and green when picked ; green turning to rich golden yellow as the fruit comes into season for use. Stem long, thus enabling the fruit to sway with the wind, adhering firmly until picking time. Calyx large, basin open deep furrowed, flesh yel- lowish marbeled, tender and juicy, improving with age and highly aromatic. Season for use, March to September. Keeps twelve months or more in any cellar.

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‘THE MISSING LINK APPLE.

A ROYAL ROAD TO WEALTH.

and their

and know them to tone wall H. TREGO.

E. T. Curry.

We call especial attention to the contents of this circular and urge all persons who desire to purchase the des¢ apple offered to the American public to carefully read every paragraph. :

The apple is commonly and very properly called the King of Fruits. Its history goes back to the hoary days of antiquity: It is frst mentioned in the days of Hesperus, Hercules and Plato. Many other ancient writers mention it. It was reserved, however, for the present age and our own land to bring to its present marvelous development this noble fruit. The Missinc Link Apple is the acme of this development. —__ ae ee

American products are rapidly pushing their way in the great markets of the world. This is especially true of the American apple. England, Germany and France are im- porting our apples in large and increasing quantities yearly, thus opening up an unlimited market for the apple crop of the United States.

The one great cry of our cousins on the other side of the Atlantic Oceanis: ‘‘Ship us apples that will keep in good condition during the late spring and early summer months, apples that will keep in good condition without the questionable aid of cold storage.’? This demand is made because cold storage robs the apple of its flavor, and a cold storage apple soon rots when exposed to the air, and the poor and coarse quality of the Ben Davis and Willow Twig are unsatisfactory to the European public.

If the American apple growers can raise an apple that will meet this imperative, in- creasing demand, it will be a veritable Klondike in itself. Farmers can then demand and __receive a fancy price for their apples, and ‘‘low prices,’ and ‘‘hard times,” the curse— —— and bugbear of the American Agriculturist, will be a thing of the past.

The Missing Link Apple Co., of Clayton, IIl., offer an apple to the farmers of the United States possessing these qualifications. A careful perusal of this circular will convince the intelligent reader that this is no idle claim. The most critical and even unfriendly investigation into the claims of the Missing Link, has convinced the most skeptical that we have found the perfection apple. The testimonials and diplomas printed in this circular are absolute proof of this.

History of the Missing Link. |

Mr. D. Shank, president of the Missing Link Apple Co., of Clayton, IIl., is a practical nurseryman of large experience. For a number of years he has propagated all valuable sorts of apple tree sent him by his friends and customers.

Many years ago a customer gave Mr. Shank a few scions. from a chance seedling apple, with the request that he would carefully propagate them. The reason of this request was that the apple had most wonderful Keeping and other excellent qualities. The original seedling of this species was brought from Ohio over sixty years ago. Each scion received careful propagation and care. When the trees arrived at bearing age it was proven beyond a doubt that he had found the apple for which fruit growers had been looking for the past fifty years.

In view of the fact that this apple will keep in good condition from year to year (a wonderful quality possessed by no other apple), thus filling a gap in the apple season that has never before been filled. We gave it the unique and significant name of the ‘“MIssInG LINK.”’

- Before putting this apple before the public we have thoroughly tested it. Trees reared by us in our orchards have been bearing fruit for several years, and have produced a crop each year, fruiting at four years from date of planting. We are thoroughly con- vinced that we claim nothing for the apple that is incorrect.

We grow a full line of Nursery Stock embracing all Standard Varieties of fruits. We

ave fully exa ry s Ss

f preservation,

h months ; ina

, do hereby certify that S. y: eo

that the

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ty and state e ane under oath say, ot 1897 yet 1 i‘ z li through the summer e same as any Jk. STAKER, NP:

in and for said coun

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iven the ap November,

es of cro

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been

Pane

llinois, did this day appear

d we find the Misstnc LINK a

I, J. L. Staker, a Notary Publ that we have seen the a

ra care ha

y those found in the cellar by us.

pecial process or ext

on, I Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 19th Day of

’ bss, yt , an We further testif

, both residents of Cla

Missin

g Link Apple Co. ent. ples as

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COUNTY OF ADAMS. and E. T. Curr cellars of the

STATE OF ILLINOIS uality to be excell be the same a

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believe in progresssion, and ever since the establishment of our nursery, in 1881, it has been our aim to select our scions and buds for propagation from trees showing the highest

Especially is this true of the commercial apples ; a test of our trees will prove the fact.

Warsaw, ILL., November 28, 1898, The undersigned, expert judge on fruits at Illinois State Fair, found on exhibition an apple propagated by the Missing Link Apple Co., of Clayton, Illinois, called the MIssING Link AppLg, which in keeping quality is deserving of commendation, and gives great promise of value to growers of fruit. Specimens from crops of two seasons were shown together. I have examined the specimens of Missinc Linx apples at the Illinois State Fairs, also at the Illinois State Horticultural Society meetings held at Springfield, Illinois, in _ December 1897, 1898 and 1899, where it took the first premium as the best new apple in the State of Illinois. ee JAMES T. JOHNSON.

To whom it may concern:

We, the undersigned citizens of Clayton, desire to testify to our personal knowledge of the wonderful keeping qualities of the Misstnc Link apple. We believe that the apple is all that the Missing Link Apple Co., claims for it. We further testify to the reliable character and business standing of each member of the Missing Link Apple Co.

JAS. B. COE, of Coe & Curry, Hardware. S. A. HARDING, Mayor.

W. F. GIVLER, Agent Wabash R. R. Co. D. A. DAVIS, Druggist

C. H. MOFFETT, Farmer.

; FREDONIA, N. Y., September 29, 1897. Missing Link Apple Co., Clayton, Ill.: GENTLEMEN—We are in receipt of Pe letter of the 25th inst. Also the samples of the MissinG Link apple, which reached us in perfect condition and were greatly enjoyed | by ourselves and the members of our office force. They were in a most remarkable con- | dition of preservation for an apple grown in 1896. Both apples were perfectly sound, juicy and fine eating, and the quality we should consider first-class. Yours truly, GEO. S. JOSSELYN.

5 CLAYTON, ILL., March 1, 1go0.. To whom it may concern:

We, the undersigned, take pleasure in recommending the well-known Missing Link | Apple Co., of this place, and of testifying to the reliable character of the firm anal their _ financial ability to fulfill any contract they are likely to make. Any inquiries in regard _ to them will be cheerfully answered. BARTLETT & WALLACE, Bankers

Testimonials Regarding the Missing Link Apple.

We can give but a brief outline of a few of the many testimonials on our files for want of space.

A. W. Boscow, Carthage, Ill. Exceeds any apple known to me, as a keeper. Tested it myself. 2

| Rev. W. H. SHANK, Claremore, Indian Territory. Never saw an apple equal to it _in keeping and good flavor when old. Tested it in my home here.

J. M. Larimorge, Plainville, Ill. I have tested it in my cellar and never saw its equal | as a keeper.

James M. Houck, Medora, Ill. I used an apple of crop 1897 for sample apple in m | canvass from May 1898 until March 1899. z hae . | Geo. D. Main, Carthage, Ill. Have handled the Missinc Linx apples for three _years, and never saw anything to equal it for keeping or quality. | Gro. I. Fre_ps (Editor Versailles Ente rise) Versailles, Ill. I have tested the | MissING LINK apple, and found it a wonderful keeper.

pe S. M. Ham, (Orchardist) Barry, Ill. Have tested the Missinc LINK apple, and am satisfied it is all you claim for it.

D. H. SHANK, (director of the r9th District Farmer's Institute) Paris, Ill. Saw samples of the Misstnc Link apples of crop of 1897 on exhibition at the State meeting of the Farmer’s Institute held at Princeton, Illinois, in February, 1899.

S. N. BLAcK (President of the Adams County Farmer’s Institute) Clayton, Ill. I

know to my personal knowledge the Missinc Link apples shown at the State Meeting of the Farmer’s Institute held at Princeton, Illinois, in Feb. 1899, was of the crop of 1897.

types of fruits; and in many instances we have the third generation in bearing.

“DIPLOMAS...

Awarded by ILLINOIS VALLEY FAIR ASSOCIATION,

of Griggsville, Pike County, Illinois, to the Missing Apple Co., D. Shank, President, for the merits of the Missing Link Apple. Griggsville, Ills., August 6, 1897. C. M. Simmons, President. J. T. Hatcu, Secretary.

Awarded by THE BROWN COUNTY FAIR,

To Missing Link Apple Co., Clayton, Illinois, for Longest Keeping Winter Apple. Mt. Sterling, Ill., August 27, 1897. Gro. R. McDANNALD, President. < ad: W. M. Rein, Secretary.

ADAMS COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION.

Camp Potnt, ADAMS County, ILL., Sept. 4, 1897. The Missing Link Apple Co., Nurserymen, of Clayton, Ill., had on exhibition at Adams County Fair, on above date, specimens of Missing Link Apples of crops of 1896 and 1897. After thorough and critical investigation, a Diploma of Merit is awarded for longest keeping winter apple ; quality and condition unsurpassed. E. E. B. SAWYER, Secretary. Gro’ W. FRANCIS, President.

REASONS FOR PLANTING MISSING LINK.

ertigin 2 the tree is vigorous, hardy and of rapid growth, bearing early and regularly.

Pad Recaee its branches are so well shouldered it can not break down or split from wind. sleet or overbearing. :

3d—Begguse the fruit will keep longer than any other variety, and by careful hand-~ ling will keép.in first-class condition more than one year, in any ordinary cellar.

4th—Becausé the fruit is of the finest quality, either for cooking purposes or dessert. Its season for use begins in March and it will increase in flavor with age. ~ oe ae

5th—Because it does not rot like other apples, and should one decay, it remains hard and does not rot the one next to it ; therefore never assort MissinG LINK apples only as you take them out to use them. .

6th — Because the good housewife will be saved all the work and expense of canning and preserving the apple, as the apple will keep ta excellent condition until apples come again.

7th— Because the trees are sold under a positive guarantee of $5.00 each, that every tree sold is true to name.

8th—Because of its strong healthy foliage and the closed calyx and compactness of flesh around the seed cavities (see drawings), it is not subject to Fungi, Apple Scab, or Bacillarieal Diseases, and will produce good crops without the aid of spraying. No home is complete without this apple, and it requires but one investment in a life-time to have it, then you and your children and grand-children will enjoy its blessings annually.

We hold certificate from State Entomologist as to healthy condition of our stock, which will accompany each shipment of trees.

Agents wanted in every locality. None but responsible people need apply.

We have tried in this circular to truthfully set forth the excellencies of the MisstnG Link Apple. We invite investigation as to the apple and our financial and business standing. We expect as soon as possible, to canvass the whole apple-bearing belt of the United States through our salesmen. We confidently present this apple to the public, knowing that it will speedily win its way to universal favor.

PRICES :—$1 each; six trees for $5; twelve trees for $9 ; twenty-five trees, $17.50; fifty trees, $32.50; 100 trees, $60; 200 trees $100; 1000 trees, $300.

Small trees sent by mail, securely packed, post-paid, on receipt of price, to any part of the United States.

THE MAISSING LINK APPLE CGO., : CLAYTON, ILLINOIS.

Every person authorized to solicit orders to be filled by us will have a certificate of agen signed by D. Shank, President of Missing Link Apple Co. No other will be recognized.