(Extract from American Gardening of Aug. 24th, igoi, on Pan-American 

 inside Floral and Plant Exhibits.) 



Let us now mention the star attraction of the Horticultural Building, 

 namely Graft's Hybrid Gladiolus. Mr. Graff has been working for fifteen 

 years as a hybridist, working consistently with the various species of 

 garden hybrids, looking mainly for substance in the petals, or as he de- 

 fines it, resistance, in order to suit our climate, and this together with 

 gaiety of color. All these qualities he has certainly secured and for the 

 past three weeks has kept up an exhibit of over ten thousand varieties of 

 unnamed seedlings. Supt. Scott informs us that a certain lady who was 

 worked up over the grandeur and excellence of this exhibit that she 

 bastened at once to the telegraph station and sent this message to a friend : 

 "Come to the Pan-American ; the Gladiolus are worth the journey alone." 

 And at this we are not surprised, for to the lover of garden plants a strange 

 fascination centers at this exhibit. • The different batches of seedlings as 

 they come at different dates show the blood of different parents. For 

 instance, the first day it was our privilege to see the display, the Lemoine 

 types in light colors were most conspicuous. Later Nanceianus and 

 Gandavensis influences were more in evidence, and in deeper colors ; but 

 when we mention color we are at a loss to faithfully describe anything 

 that is to be seen here, as the range is from blue to white, including 

 brilliant yellows and deepest crimsons. As an evidence of the staying qual- 

 ities of these hybrids, we are privileged to receive from Mr. Groff about 

 thirty kinds on Saturday which were brought to New York after being 

 on exhibition, and they were yet in good condition on the Tuesday follow- 

 ing. We take this opportunity of congratulating Mr. Groff on the great 

 success which he has attained after fifteen years of laborious work. His 

 associate in the United States is Mr. Arthur Cowee, of Berlin, N. Y., who 

 has twenty-eight acres planted ("this year, 1903, seventy-five acres), and 

 will be some weeks later in securing bloom, by which means it is expected 

 to have the displav kept up until verv late in the fall. 



JAMES W. WITHERS. 



$ * * * # 



I found the Graff's Hybrid Seedlings, purchased from you last April, 

 blossomed unusually well for small bulbs, and with a rich variety of 

 color. I was surprised at their vitality. I shall want more seedlings next 

 year. Kindlv send me your next catalogue. 



New York. BENJAMIN DURHAM. 



***** 



I had the best blooms, and richest colors I have ever seen from Gladioli 

 bought from vou last spring. 



Pennsylvania. R. F. SHANNON. 



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