History
By 1895, D. Hill was operating Dundee Nurseries with a specialization in growing evergreens from seed rather than transplanting wild specimens — a practice Hill argued was widespread among other nurserymen but deeply flawed. According to Hill's own published findings, wild evergreens sourced from northern forests — including American Arbor Vitae, Balsam Fir, White Pine, and Swamp Spruces — showed only a 3% survival rate when tested over a six-year period. Hill presented this data as justification for the nursery's seed-grown approach, positioning root cultivation as the essential factor in long-term evergreen success. (Source: Catalogue of Evergreens (D. Hill Nursery Co., Dundee, Ill., 1895))
The nursery's 1895 catalogue, Catalogue of Evergreens, offered a broad inventory that extended well beyond evergreens. Listed stock included evergreen seedlings, transplanted evergreens, hedge plants, shade and ornamental trees, flowering shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and small fruits. The catalogue also contained planting instructions and customer testimonials, suggesting an effort to educate buyers and build confidence in mail-order or distant customers. (Source: Catalogue of Evergreens (D. Hill Nursery Co., Dundee, Ill., 1895))
By March 1896, the nursery was actively advertising in newspapers beyond the immediate region, including The Advocate of Topeka, Kansas, indicating an effort to reach a national or at least multi-state customer base. The advertisement — placed in a classified ads section — described the business as an "Evergreen Specialist" operation in Dundee, Illinois, and promoted a range of price-point offers intended to attract both small and large buyers. Advertised bargains included 200 choice evergreens in 10 varieties for $2, ornamental trees offered in quantities of 2,000 to 4,000 in 6 varieties, 100 Scotch Pine trees at 2 feet high for $1, and 1,000 trees at 10–12 inches for $10. The advertisement also noted that local agents were being sought and that an illustrated catalogue was available free of charge. (Source: The Advocate (Topeka, Kan.), March 25, 1896, Image 16, via Library of Congress, Chronicling America)
Notable Associations
- D. Hill — Proprietor of Dundee Nurseries, active as of 1895 and through at least March 1896. Hill was an advocate for nursery-grown stock and documented the comparative failure of wild-harvested evergreens through what he described as his own trials. His emphasis on seed cultivation and root development became a defining characteristic of the business's public identity. By 1896, Hill was marketing the business under the identity of "Evergreen Specialist," advertising competitively priced stock in out-of-state publications. (Source: Catalogue of Evergreens (D. Hill Nursery Co., Dundee, Ill., 1895); The Advocate (Topeka, Kan.), March 25, 1896)
Sources
- Catalogue of Evergreens (D. Hill Nursery, Dundee, 1895). Available via Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/catalogueofeverg1895dund#offset-0
- The Advocate (Topeka, Kan.), March 25, 1896, Image 16. Available via Library of Congress, Chronicling America: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn85032018/1896-03-25/ed-1/?sp=16