HoRNBERGER’s HOME AND GARDEN SERVICE 
3 
FOREWORD AND OUR OPEN FORUM 
t For several years we have attempted to publish constructive information 
in our several catalogs; the fact that we have practically doubled our cus¬ 
tomer list in the past two years seems to indicate that our efforts have met 
with considerable approval. I have realized for some time that there is 
an urgent need for this type of information, which if accepted in the right 
_spirit will greatly assist all who purchase Glads. The information we 
supply is helpful to amateur and professional alike and it is my wish, 
that it may be of vital interest to every beginner. I know if someone had given me 
the information that is printed in this catalog twenty years ago, it would have saved 
me thousands of dollars. I began glad growing as a hobby, and for experimental 
work, and gradually developed into one of the largest growers of new varieties 
by non-irrigation methods. For the last twenty years we have been known as propa¬ 
gators of bulblets, and growers of “young bulbs.” With the exception of the first few 
years of our experience we have grown without the use of irrigation. I know this 
experience is, and naturally must be much different than the experience of the irriga¬ 
tion grower. I am therefore writing mainly for that large number of eastern growers, 
florists and flower producers, who must grow and propagate without the use of irri¬ 
gation. On another page, under the title “Progressive Nomenclature” we have made 
an attempt to give a special utility rating, and classification. I will be pleased to 
have your comments favorable or unfavorable. I think we had something like two 
or three letters last year, that would be considered critical regarding our last years 
comments under this heading. One well known irrigation grower said he also likes 
to tell the faults, but added not all of them, because he thinks then the people would 
not buy, perhaps he is right they are not likely to buy the “lemons” when fully in¬ 
formed. One Garden Club publication printed over one full page of their paper, 
with quotations taken from our open forum last season. This paper makes this com¬ 
ment;—“Why can’t more growers be as truthful about the nursery stock they offer 
for sale? We believe that this policy should be encouraged, and in our correspon¬ 
dence with seedsmen we would do well to compliment those who practice the Golden 
Rule. (End of quote.) 
Before reading the following discussion, we ask you to consider these few perti¬ 
nent facts; There are two distinct methods of growing glads, by the use of irrigation, 
and by non-irrigation methods. The general results from these two methods are 
entirely different, and should be so considered in all discussions pertaining to glad 
growing. We have used both methods, and we have had long, and diversified experi¬ 
ence in several states. Next, our country is large, with many and diverse forms of 
climate. To simplify this discussion, we will divide the country in four distinct zones, 
or sections, eastern, southern, mid-western and far western. Many of these general 
sections could easily be again sub-divided, but these four sections will represent quite 
radically different climates, which have their climatic influence, not alone on the 
growth of glads, but all kinds of vegetation. Make a few comparisons, the two prin¬ 
cipal factors that have the greatest influence on results are method used, and climate. 
While soils and fertilizers also help to influence results, they are both subordinate to 
the principal factors. 
THE HOLDERS OF THE EMPTY BAG 
Below is a reprint from part of a letter we received a year ago: The writer 
says in part; — 
“I INVESTED $10 0.00 a few years ago in small - which our high 
pressure salesman said was a very rapid propagator. I have 8 No. 1 bulbs left out 
of 250 No. 6 and I have never seen a bulblet.” (Selected from part of a long letter 
from a successful eastern cut flower grower) 
This man is one of the most successful growers of cut flowers in the east; we 
print this extract from his letter to show you what happens when you purchase a 
new variety that must be grown UNDER VERY SPECIAL CONDITIONS to get a 
worth while increase. In this category we may mention Solveig, Champlain, Freder¬ 
ick Christ, Blue Triumphator and many others of this type. If you are not equipped 
for “Special Propagation”, it is best to purchase these varieties in small “test lots” 
(only) until you can determine what results you can secure with them. 
This man who lost his $100.00 is a very successful cut flower grower, he knows 
his Glads from A to Z, he is not interested to any great extent in Gladiolus exhibi¬ 
tions, but he is vitally interested in having his investment in new varieties at least 
return his money with some little increase in value of same. In his case it can not 
be said that he did not understand culture, for it is my opinion that he knows more 
