Jessie R. Prior

Jessie R.  Prior, “Seedswoman” and “Flower Seed Specialist,” started her business in Minneapolis in 1895.  In her 1901 catalog Prior notes that her trial grounds are “beautifully situated on the shore of Lake Minnetonka, twelve miles from Minneapolis.”  She continues, “It is here sitting in my room overlooking the garden that the descriptions of plant and flower in this book are written.  From ten to twelve colonies of pure Italian bees are kept by me to ensure pollenization of the flowers.  Every detail of my business is given my personal attention.”