"Although it is well known that selection is the great force in im- 
provement, too many professional growers are content with selecting, 
the seed parent only ; and the credit they would like to take for this care 
and enterprise would make them the subjects of ridicule with those who 
are improving by selection all useful forms in the animal kingdom." 
H. H. GROFF, before Waterloo Horticultural Society 
and Provincial Association of Fruit Growers. 
^ * ❖ ❖ 
"Limitations once thought to be real have proved to be only apparent 
barriers ; and as in many of the dark problems of nature, the mental light 
of many ardent, persevering, faithful workers will make the old paths 
clear, aiid boundless new ones will appear by which the life-forces are 
euided into endless, useful, and beautiful forms." 
^ — BURBANK. 
^ * ❖ 
"As civilization progresses higher and higher, the human taste for 
beauty and fine arts improves more and more, and I believe that the time 
may come when the world of beauty will entirely fall into the hands of 
those who are exponents of Nature." 
—HENRY IZAWA. 
♦ * ^ 4* * 
In the opinion of experts on the matter of hybridizing the Gladiolus, 
Mr GrofT of Simcoe, Canada, stands foremost in the world at this work." 
WAIKATO ARGUS, New Zealand. 
4, 4t 4t <j> ^ 
"Sunset Magazine," San Francisco, June, J902. 
"Mr. Groff is the leading American specialist in the Gladiolus." 
PROF. WICKSON, University of California, on Luther Burbank. 
* ❖ ❖ 4' ❖ 
All of my Gladiolus disappointed me the past season, as the hot wave 
struck them at the end of June. They had just pushed out their flower 
spikes, and were all so badly scorched by the hot sun, that none showed up 
well. Several of yours came out later, and under the adverse condition 
must say they were fine indeed. I will want more bulbs next spring, so 
please mail me your catalogue as soon as it is published. 
Illinois. HENRY C. ECKERT. 
On the Blues and Lights I cannot report, as they were in bloom while 
.1 was at the Pan-American. The Reds planted ten days earlier, gave me 
some fine colors, the equal of anything that has come to me from the Con- 
tinental lists. 
Vermont. ^- C. HICKS. 
10 
