THE NEW LOOK 
Dear Floral Friends, 
My custom of writing you a personal letter in each Spring and Fall Catalog was 
begun some 24 years ago because of my own desire to talk to you in this way, as friend 
to friend. It was purely the result of my own feelings and I thought that probably few 
would read the letters. 
‘It is still surprising to me that so very many do, and comment upon the “Personal 
Letter” favorably. 
I have frequently commented in these letters 
on events and issues of public importance. The 
important issues right now are the election and the 
cold war with Russia. 
Just the other day I sat waiting my turn in a 
barber shop. One of the barbers was _heatedly 
discussing politics. He lauded Roosevelt, assailed 
Hoover and blamed him most because he is a 
rich man. Touched very lightly on Truman’s 
qualifications and consigned Dewey to the Wall 
Street gang. 
Only one of the four or five customers present 
showed approval. One showed decided disapproval. 
Two, as I happen to know, silently disapproved. 
That was bad business for the barber. A 
business man should not argue politics with his 
customers. Therefore I cannot discuss political 
issues or party candidates with you. Some of you 
are Democrats and some Republicans and will 
remain so. 
The right man will be elected President, at 
least in the opinion of the majority. One of the 
candidates will “save the country.’ We should not 
worry about it. No disaster is likely to follow the 
election of either. 
Some worry about imminence of war with 
Russia. Some writers are alarmists and draw vivid 
pictures of the destruction likely to occur in the 
next war. They ‘should be put in jail. We know that America wants peace, not war. 
There is every evidence that the entire world desires peace. I am convinced that Russia 
cannot afford to fight a war and that they too desire peace. 
But we must remember the words of George Washington: “To be prepared for 
war is the most effectual means of preserving the peace.” 
If we keep ourselves strong, we are less likely to be molested. We are more likely 
to be respected. : 
Americans are justly proud of our high standard of living. But for some, too great 
an abundance of every good thing may become harmful. We need to live simply. 
Gardens furnish more real enjoyment than night clubs. The public library or the good 
books in the home rest and relax one more than the races. The best social contacts 
are made in the churches, schools, lodges and service clubs. 
People who live simply, enjoy flowers and gardens most. By gardens, I mean the 
outside garden, the greenhouse garden and the window garden. It is nice to have all 
three. One of the three should be a necessity. Anyone, any time, can afford to have 
flowers in abundance. 
I don’t know when we have needed flowers more. We have worried much about 
the high cost of living. But the remedy for prices that are exorbitant is simple. Don’t 
pay them. As long as we pay high prices and the producers of the goods can sell at the 
2 

