This was the way Mother Nature intended plants to grow. Healthy, wholesome and nutritious. Chemical fertilizers deplete the soil of valuable minerals and nutrients and leave nothing in return.

POPEYE? Popeye got strong from his spinach, right? Well, sort of. 25 years ago a bowl of spinach from the supermarket supplied 200 milligrams of iron. Today, sadly, a bowl has only 15 milligrams.

PEPPER JOE'S PRODUCE AND SEEDS Our peppers and tomatoes are loaded with important vitamins and minerals. That's why they're bright and vibrant, growing on robust plants virtually pest-free. We encourage ladybugs and praying mantis to thrive, keeping pesty bugs at a minimum. We refuse to use synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides or chemicals.

THE SECRET IS IN THE SOIL! I'm very proud of my rich, loamy, well aerated soil. I mulch with leaves and grass clippings. I use fish heads, cow manure, bonemeal, lime and seaweed to condition the soil. That's why there's thousands of healthy earthworms further helping the soil by leaving their fertile castings behind.

DONT GET BUGGY In addition to ladybugs and praying mantis, encourage birds and bats. You may want to put up a birdbath near your garden and a bathouse. They will help keep garden pests at a minimum. The ladybug alone consumes several times it's weight daily in aphids and other bugs. Gather praying mantis egg clusters during winter in shrubs, hedges and bushes and move into the garden area. These garden friends are environmentally friendly.

LETTERS FROM CUSTOMERS

"Greetings from southern California. Thanks for the speedy order." A.E. Corona, CA

"I wanted to be the first on my block to grow the Peter peppers. If I succeed, I'll do an illo for your next x-rated catalog." S.F. Philadelphia, PA

"My peppers are great! I've been enjoying the Barneys. They are just hot enough!" Your friend, F.G. Boca Raton, FL

"I really enjoy receiving your catalog. I think its great that you include growing tips and pepper trivia." B.E. Madison, Wisconsin

"Thank you very much for completing my order on trust. It doesn't happen too often these days. Much appreciated," S.C. Baltimore, MD

"Please keep up the good work. Catalog is great." G.D. Ansted, WV

"Do you have seeds for Peter Peppers? They look like what Loretta Bobbit amputated!" L.D. Rockville,MD

"You really do have the best pepper selection I have ever seen." D.P.Montgomery, AL

"We are really enjoying your little Jellybean peppers. They caught us by surprise because we really didn't expect them to be hot, but they are great! It's one of the best Christmas presents I've every received! Keep up the good work." J.G.Pine River, MN