Our local paper once offered an umbrella to renewing subscribers, but we’ve never seen an offer like this one from the Skidmore Standard (Skidmore, Missouri) in 1900:
Ad reads, “Early Potatoes. The Standard has secured a few potatoes, of the variety that took the 1st premium at the Punkin Show last fall, and proposes to distribute them among its paid up subscribers. The conditions are as follows: Each person taking a half bushel of potatoes must agree to return to the standard a half bushel of potatoes next fall. This is a new variety of potatoes; very early and originated right here at home by Mr. Chas. Robbins, and potatoes of like quality from the seedmen would cost you $5.00 or more for a half bushel. Last year they yielded at the rate of over 400 bushels to the acre. Remember only paid up subscribers can have advantage of this offer. This offer is good until April 21, 1900.”