A Brief History of 
DOUBLE-FLOWERING DUCHESS 
(pictured in color on the cover) 
About 8 years ago, in a greenhouse filled with the vari- 
ety Blue Boy, a plant sport was found with very double 
blue flowers, with many extra petals. The term “sport” 
is applied to a plant which unexpectedly shows character- 
istics different from those of the normal variety and may 
be the starting point of a new strain. 
This plant was kept aside and progressive leaf cuttings 
were taken for propagation from those plants that had 
the largest and fullest blooms, thus improving the orig- 
inal sport. I was given the privilege of naming and in- 
troducing this double-flowering variety last year, when 
it was offered for sale for the first time, as “DUCHESS”’. 
An accurate description of the blossoms is given on 
page 9 of this catalog, along with the price, $2.00. And, 
plants are sent in full bloom for your immediate en- 
joyment. 
DUCHESS is the first of a new type of African Violet 
that is excitingly different, and a true aristocrat of the 
highest quality. It is the result of 8 years of selection and 
breeding by the originator—and yet is so easy to grow. 
Plants shipped are taken directly from the originator’s 
greenhouses. 
It is a fancier’s variety—most desirable and very choice 
—and will lend importance to your collection. 

(6) 
