simple ones, but when given those simple conditions they grow, remain in good health 
and increase rapidly. Denied those simple requirements, a fish soon dies. No one expects 
a fish to live long out of water because it has no lungs. It can only take in oxygen by 
means of its gills, from the water. Possibly the orchid that you tried to grow was like a 
fish out of water because you did not quite conform the culture given it to its natural 
environment and conditions of growth. 
There are many sources of information for the culture of orchids. Usually these 
sources are not easily available to amateurs. I wanted to correct this situation and there- 
fore during the past summer I wrote a small booklet entitled, “How to Grow Orchids.” 
This booklet contains more complete information about orchid culture than could be 
included in our catalogs. I believe that any gardener who is able to grow other plants 
can also grow orchids, with its help. If you have the desire and the will to succeed, 
you will do it. 
The cost of preparing, printing and sending out makes it necessary to charge 25c 
for the booklet. If you want it by air mail send 5c extra for postage and state, ‘‘send 
by air mail.” 
If you have tried to grow unestablished, dried out imported orchids and did not 
get flowers, do not be discouraged. They do not always do very well for me either. But 
ours, established in wire baskets or paper pots are already growing. The principal 
difficulty has been overcome. 
All the above may appear to be “strictly business’ and not quite like the friendly 
letter you usually receive in the catalogs. But I believe we will all agree that any 
business to be successful must be considered as a service, as well as the means of making 
a living. Therefore if I call your attention to any thing pertaining to plants, I trust you 
will understand that it is as much friendly interest as “strictly business.” 
It has always been my intense desire to promote the growing of plants and 
particularly flowers. Now with the availability of orchids and the information about 
their culture I am equally enthusiastic about helping you to obtain them and to grow them. 
Provided, that you want to grow them. I really do not want to promote them to 
any one who is not going to take proper care of the plants and thus succeed. 
My booklet “How to Grow Orchids” is merely a beginning. I shall add descriptions 
and instructions for growing other orchids about next summer. At present I am growing 
more than 50 species and hybrids, including Cattleya hybrids. 
We receive many friendly letters from our customers. The floods, the partial 
failure of the corn crop in some states have been mentioned. 
The reduction in the corn crop below that estimated and hoped for is most re- 
grettable. It is not especially serious that some of us who love corn bread, will have 
less of it. 
The following story illustrates the importance and the significance of corn in our 
agricultural economy. It was told to me by our foreman Jim, who was born in Kentucky. 
Kentucky is probably more noted for other products, like horses or tobacco, than 
it is for corn. Yet a Kentucky Colonel in giving advice to his son said: “Son, you can 
grow a crop of tobacco or any number of things that will bring you in ready money. 
But when the money is gone you have nothing. If you grow corn you have everything. 
You have bread, meat, milk and eggs. About all you need to buy is clothing, salt, 
sugar and coffee.” 
Corn is indeed important. 
I am frequently misunderstood. I really do get some long letters of advice, and 
don’t think I do not appreciate them because I do. I don’t follow all of them, I admit 
since if I did I would be both going and coming at the same time. 
As the result of two letters I wish to explain that a recent reference to our highly 
esteemed coal miners was wholly intended as humor. 
Altho the friends of the miners may misunderstand I am sure the miners them- 
selves will be able to laugh with me. How do I know this? I have been a coal miner 
3 
