6 
HORNRERGER’S HOME AND GARDEN SERVICE 
any one variety do not average much over exactly 1 y 2 '* each season (example Bill Sow 
den), also note this tendency on card. We wish to know what varieties produce dumbo 
No. 1 and on the other hand which varieties produce even a limited number of 1%” bulbs 
each year under identical conditions. 
Let us say that a variety flowered in an abnormal weather condition—say it was very 
hot, humid and wet in one of the seasons when a particular test was flowering. Hardly 
any variety would give normal performance under such conditions, even the flower .spike 
would grow very rapidly and likely in an abnormal way. However, you have a gambling 
chance of forming a fair opinion by making comparisons with the performance when the 
weather conditions were more normal. With a great many other Co-Operators all testing 
the same variety in many different states, you will have such conclusive proof at the end 
of a three year test that there will be but little chance of error in general conclusions. 
In addition, we will conduct some simple experimental tests we call “tip’ ’ tests or one 
year tests. They are never used to determine ultimate values but merely to supply “tips’ ’ 
to other Co-operators as to what varieties to use in their next season’s new tests. We will 
help you make direct contact's with all other Co-operators through the use of mimeograph¬ 
ed bulletins which you will receive each year in January, so you will at all times know 
who are you Co-operators. We will send Bulletins at other times if we find it necessary; 
the first year will naturally be in a formative stage. In these one year tests, you may use 
as few as two to five or more bulbs. Use the same sizes as with other tests with this 
difference that a No. 3 size will be the most desirable for all one year tests, but be sure 
it is not over two years old when you plant it. In these one year “tip” tests, you use 
two cards; one for your own files and one for our office records. You will use the same 
kind of card for all tests. You simply fill out each card each and every season just as 
completely as possible. Do not omit any item if you can avoid it. Complete, accurate 
records will have great future value. All records in our office relative to these tests 
will become the property of any Rating Society that may be organized by 75% or more 
of our Co-operators. All records and cards will be a joint property of all the Co-operators 
as soon as they organize, as a society or other co-operative group. In the January bulletin 
and any other bulletins issued, we will give a condensed record of general results, and 
anything that we regard as important to the co-operators. 
FREE CARDS: These are supplied only to listed Co-operators. It is fully understood 
that each co-operator will use these cards strictly for his individual testing, and not per 
mit the use of these cards by any other person except a listed co-operator; as we do not 
know how heavy the response will be, and as we have a large circulation of our catalog, 
I think it advisable to limit the tests for 1937 to about 25 tests or 50 cards per co-operator. 
However, if you wish to conduct but one test, we will send you cards for same. By an¬ 
other year we will be in a better position to make more definite decisions. We add this 
provision:—Be sure that no more than 50% of your tests are tests of unnamed seedlings. 
We need ratings of new, named varieties and we expect that at least 50% of your cards 
will indicate that you are testing that per cent of named varieties. 
IMPORTANT DATA. When observed in any single test, and that can not be clearly 
indicated on your “rating card” should be written on a plain 4” by 0” index card, the 
same size as your rating card. Attach this extra memo to your rating card with a paper 
clip. In this manner we can secure the most accurate memo. 
STUDY THE MEMO ON YOUR RATING CARDS BEFORE YOU START A TEST 
SAVE THIS CATALOG FOR HANDY REFERENCE. CO-OPERATE—TEST ALL. 
PROPAGATION is the average rate of increase of new stock under specified eondi 
tions. 
GERMINATION is the average per cent of bulblets that will sprout and grow under 
specified conditions. 
SPECIFIED CONDITIONS mean the use of irrigation, non-irrigation, warm soils, kind 
of pre-germination, etc. 
PRE-GERMINATION is inducing the bulblets to become active and sprout or show 
indications of sprouting, before planting them. There are many methods in use and the 
1936 yearbook, “The Gladiolus” published by the N. E. G. S., has about four pages of 
most methods in practical use. The book, prepaid for $1.00. 
