UNITED WE STAND 
Dear Floral Friends: 
I like to assume that all flower lovers are friends and our customers have 
nearly all had this attitude. Your friendly letters are much appreciated even 
though I can only answer all in one letter in each catalog. 
I write to you usually about human foibles, health, happiness, education, 
events, flowers, or cabbages and kings. I am interested in you, your happiness 
and welfare. The uppermost interest right now for all of us is Victory, and 
how we can do our part. 
Every American must ask himself this question: ‘‘How can I best con- 
tribute to Victory?’’ I have asked it of myself. I tried to volunteer in 1917 
and was told that I was too old. Probably 25 years has not changed their 
viewpoint, the Army would not want me. Nor would the Defense Industries. 
My former profession, Education, prefers youth. But I have a talent that 
America profoundly needs, the ability to grow bulbs and flowers, help others to 
grow them. 
Thus I can contribute to morale. This effort offers great opportunity to 
many and varied enterprises, from Churches, Schools, Libraries to Beauty Par- 
lors and Florists. The work they accomplish contributes to Victory because it 
strengthens our spiritual and mental nature and gives us self confidence. 
America needs you. How can you best serve? Apparently not enough of 
us are doing our utmost. Many assume carelessly that America always has 
won, always will. Many are concerned with questions of personal interest. 
How can I earn more money? How can I get the most out of this situation? 
Are America and her allies bound to win? To answer this, review the 
answers to the following. Are we winning now? Are our armies advancing or 
retreating? Do victorious armies constantly retreat? 
We know that the armies of the United Nations lack nothing in courage 
and ability. We have vastly greater resources of man power, industrial ca- 
pacity and materials. What we lack are ships, planes, bombers, tanks and the 
things required for mechanized warfare. 
Our Allies are producing the limit of their capacity. The vital factor, the 
place where victory or defeat is to be decided is in American Industry. 
When capital and labor make sacrifices, not equal to those of the soldier, 
but appropriate to them, Victory will be assured. 
We all need to make the supreme effort of our lives, now, not next week. 
To do that we must also rest and relax. One cannot merely eat, sleep and 
work. One must also have mental and spiritual rejuvenation. One of the im- 
portant sources for this is in your garden, with your flowers. 
Your garden will satisfy your craving for beauty. It will replace many of 
the pleasures that are now somewhat restricted since we must travel less. I 
suggest you might use a little imagination as Mrs. Houdyshel does. When in 
need of a brief rest, she says, ‘I am going for a little trip to our canyon re- 
treat.’’ Her ‘‘retreat’’ is under a large avocado tree shut off from the house, 
the street and the rest of the ranch by tall gingers from India and by other 
large trees all around. There are lush Haemanthus from S. Africa, terrestial 
orchids from China and Brazil, Billbergias from S. America and Hawaii and 
many others close by. It is not so much like a California Canyon retreat except 
for the cool deep shade. One could call it a trip around the world because few 
countries are not represented in our garden. 
In order that you may have the best garden success, I have rewritten the 
culture advice in this catalog and made it much more explicit and complete. I 
have added several pages to the catalog and omitted all the cuts prepared for 
this issue. 
This advice is based on a lifetime experience in growing bulbs, not on 
reading knowledge. No other catalog gives as much culture information. 
I trust you will work hard, have a wonderful garden and buy all the bonds 
you can possibly buy. 
Yours for Victory, 
CECIL HOUDYSHEL 
