We have bought many times in Holland and thus we have a basic knowledge of Holland 
Amaryllis for comparison of quality. But we do not call ourselves “big.” 
In the meantime we were buying stock of the Howard and Smith firm of California. 
This firm of growers and breeders has produced the best and hardiest type in America. 
All this and more was told in our article in Nov. 753, Flower Grower. We have 
only 4 copies of this issue left. The price is 25c per copy but sale is limited to those 
who accept our offer of 15 varieties of Royal Dutch and Ludwig named varieties for 
$87.75. 
Last year we tested a number of the Ludwig strain, including their wonderful red, 
A. Wyndham Hayward, and this catalog lists several of what we believe are their best, 
including Love’s Desire, a 1954 introduction which they say is their best pink. We also 
will have a sufficient number of Royal Dutch “Red Master” at a reduced price. This is 
believed to have the largest flowers and they are a fine dark red color. We could not 
fill many orders last year for Red Master. 
We ship California grown Amaryllis in November, as early as they become dormant. 
We hope to receive Dutch bulbs also in November and will fill orders as soon as they 
arrive. We like to send them all out before December 1 and thus avoid the Holiday 
mail congestion and cold weather. 
However, we pack Holland bulbs in plenty of peat and they will be sufficiently 
insulated in case of cold weather, early. This peat also contains a tablespoonful of bone 
meal and a teaspoonful of blood meal for fertilizer and we expect you to add it to the 
potting soil of your Amaryllis. 
We advise you to order Amaryllis early and ahead of the shipping date. We believe 
we have enough, but who knows? 
We have built a new greenhouse this year in which to grow Amaryllis and Achi- 
menes. Also a few Fancy Leaf Caladiums of the newer types and a very few Haemanthus 
multiflorus. All of these items will be listed in our Spring Catalog. The Caladiums will 
all be new sorts, mostly the “lance leaf’ and “strap leaf’ sorts that are hard to get 
and cost more. 
We were grieved to drop a few thousand names from our mailing list this fall. 
We would like to but we can’t afford to send catalogs unless you buy from us. We 
hope that every one who receives this catalog sends us an order and thus remains 
eligible for a spring catalog. 
Wishing you much success in your gardens, good health and happiness, 
Sincerely, 
Cecil Houdyshel 
P.S. We have ordered a few extra catalogs this fall. Please tell your garden friends or 
your garden Club to send us a post card request for a free copy. 
