A PERSONAL LETTER — TO YOU 
Dear Floral Friends, 
This introductory letter will not be as we had planned. When our catalog copy 
was set up, every page, down to the last line, was full. There was no room for a letter. 
So many have expressed interest in and approval of our letters that a letter had 
already been partly written. We have delayed the catalog’s completion by about one 
day and have revised many paragraphs in order to get about one page of space. We can 
say only a little of what we would like to say. 
First, we want to remind you that Mrs. Cecil 
Houdyshel has several sets of Kodachrome slides which 
she rents to garden clubs or groups. With each set a typed 
lecture, explaining the slides, is sent. Inquire about them 
from her. 
Did you read our illustrated article on Amaryllis in 
Nov. Flower Grower? Many wrote me that they liked it. 
The best species and the best strains of hybrids were 
discussed. If you did not and would like to have a copy 
of the Nov. issue, send me 25c and I will mail it to you. 
I have only 25 copies. 
Better still, send me $3.25 and I will ask Flower 
Grower to enter a year’s subscription for you or two years 
for $5.25, still including the Nov. copy. 
On Dec. 12 we potted one of each of our Royal 
Dutch Amaryllis. Today, Jan. 7, one flower is almost 
open. All the bulbs are budded or in spike. From the 6 var., all jumbo bulbs, offered 
for $42.50, you should be able to raise several hundred seed and develop nearly as many 
seedling bulbs. 
We have added a few fine new Gladiolus including miniatures. I know they will 
charm you and that you will be unlikely to find assorted named varieties elsewhere 
for 95c/doz. 
We are also helping you to acquire Gloxinias at a low cost. Several new varieties 
of seed are listed and you should’ be able to raise a hundred or more blooming plants 
for only two or three dollars. 
It is our sincere wish that you may have a fine garden this year, a better one than 
ever before, new plants and better varieties of old ones. 
The advances being made in horticultural varieties of African Violets, Amaryllis, 
Begonias, Gloxinias and nearly all the ornamental plants are astonishing. African Violets, 
Saintpaulias, have proven to be most pliable in the hands of many hybridists who are 
working with them. We wonder if the Baron would now recognize some of them as 
Saintpaulias. 
The topic I expected to discuss was based on a line from a poet I do not identify, 
“T am the master of my fate.” Some other time I may again wish to do this. I believe 
you will agree that we are not the playthings of fate. Most of us can have a long, useful 
and happy life if we make an early choice and work for it. 
With our best wishes for your health, happiness and prosperity. 
Sincerely, 
Cecil Houdyshel 
