149 
September, 1920 
REPORT OP THE NOMENCLATURE 
COMMITTEE. 
Several applications to register Gladioli were re- 
ceived during the year. It was originally the require- 
ment that varieties should be grown on the trial 
grounds at Cornell so that the merits of the new 
variety could be compared with existing varieties. 
Owing to the shortage of labor and more especially 
of the lack of capable and trained assistants the trial 
ground work had to be given up. Since it was not 
possible to grow the variety it became a custom to 
require that blooms be sent the chairman of commit- 
tee. During the war period few varieties were sub- 
mitted for registration but the applications increased 
many times this year. It seems desirable to return to 
former practice and it is the hope of the Department 
of Floriculture to resume testing work on a large 
scale next season. It may be said, however, that we 
have grown a few new varieties each year and that 
some of these are worthy of registration. 
At the present time there is considerable discussion 
of horticultural nomenclature and some persons are 
advocating some sort of a Bureau of Registration at 
Washington. It is no doubt desirable to have some 
sort of a register of names to prevent different varie- 
ties receiving the same name. Since no complete 
description of each variety of every flower can be 
made which will enable anyone under all conditions 
of climate and soil to positively identify many of the 
varieties, and since no person can know all existing 
varieties of some of the larger groups of flowers like 
Roses, Gladioli, Peonies, Irises, Phloxes, Dahlias, 
Tulips, Hyacinths, Narcissi, Sweet Peas, etc., some 
of us are wondering how it will be possible to prevent 
or even to materially lessen the bestowing of differ- 
ent names on the same thing. Allow me to illustrate. 
When the Peony collection was assembled at Cornell 
it was supposed that there were 1600 varieties but 
when the committee on nomenclature of the Peony 
Society finished its work there were between 400 and 
500 distinct sorts in the entire collection. In other 
words there were about 1100 perfectly good names on 
the waiting list. In one case a certain variety ap- 
peared under eleven distinct names. It is quite prob- 
able that, if we had had a registration bureau at that 
time, many if not all these names would have been 
listed. No recording clerk anywhere can do more 
than list names. It would seem to be clear, therefore, 
that the effort to secure and fix distinct names is after 
all only a very small part of the question. Trial 
grounds of all the leading flowers should be estab- 
lished, not necessarily in one locality, and the varie- 
ties studied by the most capable men. For this pur- 
pose there should be carefully selected growers ap- 
pointed on committees to examine the growing 
plants. Some progress has been made along this 
line by certain societies but more and more syste- 
matic work needs to be done. 
There is another aspect of this matter that should 
not be lost sight of. The American Carnation So- 
ciety and the American Chrysanthemum Society 
control very efficiently the introduction of new varie- 
ties by requiring that the flowers be exhibited and 
passed upon by a committee of competent growers or 
dealers. The flowers are commercial cut flowers and 
there is little probability that there will be the incen- 
tive to grow new varieties of Carnations and Chrysan- 
themums to the same extent that some garden flowers 
are produced- In the case of certain out door flowers 
long lists of varieties were grown before the special 
societies were formed, or there is no special society 
for the particular flower. The Phlox is an example of 
the latter type. The problem is, therefore, to reduce 
existing lists and establish more exacting standards 
for the new varieties. The growers must establish 
these standards and enforce them. 
What is required, therefore, is a central recording 
office which should register varieties after these have 
been passed upon by experts either while growing in 
a trial ground under neutral control or on exhibition 
before the members of a special society interested in 
the flower, or by both means. The possibilities of re- 
naming either, innocently, or purposely, would be re- 
duced, at least, to minimum. My earnest hope is that 
the various societies will keep this under their own 
control in so far as the determination of what varie- 
ties shall be recorded or registered is concerned. It is, 
indeed, gratifying to find the horticultural interests 
working out this problem themselves instead of leav- 
ing it to some future federal board or office with its 
arbitrary rules. The American Gladiolus Society, I 
am sure, will wish to co-operate in any worth while 
effort to establish Gladiolus nomenclature on a more 
definite basis. Along this line the writer set about 
compiling names of the variety names of Gladioli 
as catalogued by the commercial growers. I was very 
much surprised to find my list embracing 605 
names. Most of these occur once or twice while 
some like America, Mrs. Francis King , Mrs. 
Frank Pendleton, Niagara and Peace occur in nearly 
every list. There are 106 varieties offered by five or 
more growers. Some of the varieties are new and 
consequently t he stock is entirely in the hands of the 
introducer. On the other hand some varieties are old 
and deserve extinction. Now I think the list of Gladi- 
oli is too long. Even though range of color and 
of color markings is perhaps greater than in any other 
flower, nevertheless it would seem that 150 varieties 
ought to be extensive enough. We wish furiher im- 
provement in Gladioli, but are there not too many in- 
ferior. too many closely alike, possibly too many 
freakish, or odd things in our lists ? What should this 
society do about this matter if any or all these ques- 
tions can be answered affirmatively? 
A C. Beal, 
Chairman. 
Ol)£ Slower (Brower 
NOTES OF THE SHOW. 
As usual H. E. Meader of Dover, N. H , 
President of the American Gladiolus Society, 
made an especially fine showing. His Lily- 
white and Primu linus Hybrids, and his display 
of the florists’ art in staging and design work 
were especially notable. As usual Meader 
carried off his full share of prizes consider- 
ing the comparatively few entries made. 
S. E. Spencer of Woburn, Mass., Vice-Pres- 
ident of the Massachusetts Gladiolus Society, 
staged a wondtrful display of varieties and 
his ‘‘banded’’ seedlings were of exceeding in- 
terest and attracted much attention. Spen- 
cer filled a big table with a most excellent 
quality of bloom besides entering a number 
of classes. 
Jelle Roos of Concord, Mass., was one of 
the largest exhibitors. He staged between 
2,000 and 3,000 spikes, filling several tables 
and entering many of the classes. He is this 
year’s winner of the Burpee Silver Cup for 
the largest and best display, which is consid- 
ered the biggest prize of the show. Over 75 
varieties were shown by Mr. Roos, including 
several of great merit of which he holds the 
largest stocks. 
C. Zeestraten, of the Chautauqua Flowerfield 
Co., Bemus Point, N.Y., brought with him a 
collection of 40 Primulinus Hybrids, mostly 
his own seedlings. His flowers were staged 
late, owing to railroad delays, and were not 
staged in competition, but they were staged 
in the upper lobby and their extra fine qual- 
ity called forth much favorable comment. 
Among other varieties were Chautauqua Sun- 
set, Jewel, Old Rose, Ruby and Zephyr. 
Thos. Cogger, of Melrose, Mass., was 
awarded the American Gladiolus Society 
silver medal for the best seedling never be- 
fore exhibited. This has been named Mrs. 
Thos. Cogger. 
T. A. Havemeyer, of Glenhead Nurseries, 
Glenhead, L. I., staged a magnificent table of 
Gladioli, among them Golden Measure, the 
famous yellow, and Elizabeth, an enormous 
new pink. 
Chas. F. Fairbanks, of Lexington, Mass., 
President of the Massachusetts Gladiolus 
Society, staged some magnificent bloom, en- 
tering many of the competitive classes and 
capturing many prizes. He secured first for 
the best general collection. 
A. L. Stephen, of Waban, Mass., had the 
unique honor of winning thirteen first prizes 
and no seconds. 
The varieties, Mrs. Dr. Norton and Mary 
Fennell, which won for him the Jelle Roos 
Cups, were especially fine specimens. 
Mrs. G. M. Hawks, of Bennington, Vt., 
brought from her magnificent collection 
Gladiolus spikes which won an even dozen 
awards, She captured the Kunderd Gold 
Medal for the best display of Kunderd varie- 
ties. This was Mrs. Hawks’ first experience 
and she is to be congratulated on her initial 
success. 
Dr. Frank E. Bennett, President of the St. 
Thomas Horticultural Society of St. Thomas, 
Ont., was delayed with his collection by late 
trains, but was able to stage a large collec- 
tion and was awarded the Michell Silver 
Medal. Dr. Bennett is to be commended on 
his good sportsmanship in shipping flowers 
so far and in staging them in competition 
with nearby growers. 
J. A. Kemp of Little Silver, N. J., showed a 
fine collection of seedlings. The Kemp vari- 
eties are already well and favorably known. 
A. Gilchrist, of West Toronto, Ont., staged 
some fine crosses of Primulinus and America. 
These shell pink blooms were greatly ad- 
mired. 
The editor of The Flower Grower staged 
a collection of the so-called blue varieties of 
Gladioli, eleven in number, and in remarka- 
bly good condition, considering weather con- 
ditions and the difficulties of properly grow- 
ing these varieties. 
C. W. Brown, of Ashland, Mass., entered in 
many of the classes and captured his share 
of the prizes. His display of the Brown 
seedlings and Kunderd varieties was espe- 
cially fine and his collection at the entrance 
of the hall received special attention from 
visitors. 
Thos. M. Proctor, of Wrentham, Mass., was 
represented by seedlings and numerous 
named varieties of merit. 
A. E. Kunderd showed a new seedling 
which was given the Silver Medal of the 
American Gladiolus Society. This was a re- 
markably dainty flower of white, edged with 
pink. 
Among other amateurs winning prizes 
were Joseph Cony, Mrs. H. M. Walker, S. 
Irving Woody and Herman F. Wheeler. 
SCHEDULE OF PRIZES. 
Open to All. 
No. 1— Best 12 varieties, 3 spikes each, named, 1st 
prize, $7.50; 2nd prize, $5.00. 1st won by 
John Zeestraten ; 2nd won by Jelle Roos. 
2— Best 12 vases, 12 varieties, 1 spike each, 1st 
prize, $6.00 ; 2nd prize, $3.00. 1st won by C. 
K. Fairbanks; 2nd won by Madison Cooper. 
3— Best collection White varieties, 3 spikes 
each, named, 1st prize, $7.50; 2nd prize, $5.00. 
1st won by C. F. Fairbanks; 2nd won by 
Jelle Roos. 
4— Best collection Pink or Blush varieties, 3 
spikes each, named, 1st prize, $7.50; 2nd prize, 
$5.00. 1st won by C. F. Fairbanks; 2nd won 
by Jelle Ross. 
5 -Best collection Yellow varieties, 3 spikes 
each, named, 1st prize, $7.50 ; 2nd prize, $5.00. 
1st won by C. F. Fairbanks; 2nd won by 
Madison Cooper. 
6— Best collection Crimson or Red varieties, 3 
spikes each, named. 1st prize, $7.50; 2nd 
prize, $5.00. 1st won by C. F. Fairbanks; 
2nd won by S. E. Spencer. 
7 — Best collection Blue, Purple or Lavender va- 
rieties, 3 spikes each, named, 1st prize, $7.50 ; 
2nd prize, $5.00. 1st won by C. F. Fairbanks; 
2nd won by Madison Cooper. 
8 Best collection any other colors, 3 spikes each, 
named, 1st prize, $7.50; 2nd prize, $5.00. 1st 
won by S. S. Thorp. 
9 Collections Nos. 3 to 8 inclusive, provided 
the same exhibitor shows not less than 25 va- 
rieties, will be judged for Best Collection. 
First prize. Silver Medal ; 2nd prize, Bronze 
Medal ; 3rd prize, Certificate 1st won by 
C. F. Fairbanks. 
10 Best Seedling Gladiolus never before exhib- 
ited. American Gladiolus Society's medals. 
First prize, Silver Medal ; 2nd prize. Bronze 
Medal ; 3rd prize. Certificate. 1st won by 
Thomas Cogger ; 2nd won by Eugene Fisher ; 
3rd won by T. A. Havemeyer. 
H. E. Meader, Dover, N. H. 
No. 11— Best 6 spikes Lilywhite. First prize $5; 
second prize, $3 ; third prize, $2. 1st won by Madison 
Cooper ; 2nd won by Thomas Cogger. 
W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Philadelphia, Penna. 
No. 12 - Largest and best display, number varie- 
ties, quality and staging considered. Burpee Cup 
valued at $25. The winner taking this cup the third 
time to hold it permanently. Won by Jelle Roos. 
Arthur A. Kirchhoff, Pembroke, N.Y. 
No. 13— Best 6 spikes General Pershing. First prize. 
Silver Medal; second prize, Bronze Medal. 1st won 
by H. E. Meader. 
C. Zeestraten, Bemus Point, N. Y. 
No. 17— Most artistically arranged vase or center- 
piece of not less than 50 spikes of Gladiolus Primu- 
linus. First prize, $10 ; second prize, $5. 1st won by 
H. E. Meader. 
Tait Brothers Company, Brunswick, Ga. 
No. 18— Best 3 spikes Seedling, never before shown. 
First prize, j.5 ; second prize, $3. 1st won by C. W. 
Brown ; 2nd won by F. O. Sheperdson. 
Richard Diener Company, Kentfield, Cal. 
No. 20— Best spike Mrs. Win. Kent. 1st prize, $3.00; 
2nd prize, $2.00. 1st won by Madison Cooper. 
No. 21 — Best spike Anna Eberius. 1st prize, $3.00; 
2nd prize, $2.00. 1st won by C. L. Stephens ; 2nd won 
by Mrs. M. B. Hawks. 
No. 22 — Be-t spike Diener's American Beauty. 
1st prize, $3.00 ; 2nd prize, $2.00. 1st won by Madison 
Cooper. 
No. 23 Best spike Jack London. 1st prize, $3.00 
2nd prize, $2.00. 1st won by Madison Cooper. 
United Bulb Co., Mount Clemens, Mich. 
No. 32— Best collection of Blue Gladioli not to ex- 
ceed 5 vases, 3 spikes to the vase. First prize, $15 ; 
second prize, $10. 1st won by Madison Cooper ; 2nd 
won by S. S. Thorp. 
No. 33 — Best collection of Yellow Gladioli not to 
