WINTER SNAPS 
We find, both in the selling of seed and in our cut 
flower marketing experience, that the business in 
Snaps is increasing. Our cost accounting of all crops 
we grow also generally points to better average re¬ 
turns on this crop than on most others. We believe 
the annual improvement in varieties contributes to 
this situation. We might occasionally get a new one 
that doesn’t click as well for us as with the originator, 
but generally, every one marks up a distinct advance. 
Greenhouse growing and selling this seed is one of 
our leading specialties. Along with this goes the care¬ 
ful testing of varieties which we did in a most com¬ 
plete way the past winter, devoting several large houses 
to a trial of all winter varieties available. This showed 
a wide variation in earliness. We also found consider¬ 
able variation in this respect between mid-winter and 
spring flowering crops. Schumann’s Lavender sown 
early July didn’t flower in our trials until late Feb. 
while Windmiller’s Lilac was a month earlier. In a 
late planting that flowered in May, this was reversed. 
Interesting too was the half dozen varieties that 
flowered a month to 6 weeks earlier than the main lot. 
This comparison, we feel, is dependable and im¬ 
portant for the value of a month earlier in flowering 
is easily figured. The early ones were White Wonder, 
Rose Pink Cheviot, Xmas Cheer, Mary Ellen (New), 
Radiance, and Early Sunlite. The very latest among 
the early sown trials were: Klondike, New Cincinnati, 
Snow White, Bertha Baur, Coates Yellow, Ideal, 
Lucky Strike, Orchid, Peggy Schumann, Schumann’s 
Lavender, Terry’s Surprise, and Westover’s Fringed 
White. We can at least safely say that there is fully 
6 weeks difference in flowering between these two 
classes. 
12 BEST MID-WINTER VARIETIES 
Because of varying growing conditions, seasons, and market de¬ 
mands, determining the best varieties is necessarily somewhat un¬ 
certain. However, in doing so, we have not only considered our 
own experience and trials but the demand from all sections as well. 
We clearly find the following belong under this heading. 
Mary Ellen. (Illustrated in full color on front cover). (New). 
While we hesitate putting a new variety under this heading, our 
trial of it the past winter convinces us that it belongs here. We 
have failed to find any weak points in this variety. Early July 
sowing flowered freely for Xmas on long heavy stems. No 
grassy growth. Color light rose pink about that of Daybreak. 
Flowers quite large, ideally spaced on the stem, and with no 
tendency to shatter. Our trial was on a raised and a ground bed 
and this exactly describes it both ways. Tr. pkt., $2.00; 3 pkts., 
$5.00. 
White Wonder. Not an extra strong, long stemmed grower, but 
plenty long under favorable growing conditions. Flowers freely 
produced, pure paper white, and fairly well placed on the stem. 
Flowers nicely for Christmas from a June sowing. Tr. pkt., 
$1.00; 3 pkts., $2.50; 5 pkts., $3.50. 
Ethel. While Klondike Supreme wins out with us for spring 
flowering, Ethel is easily the best for mid-winter because of its 
earliness and better winter color. Tr. pkt., $1.50; 3 pkts., $4.00; 
5 pkts., $6.50. 
Seeds sown July 5 gave these Snapdragon blooms December 12. This was 
done by Frank Volz, Cincinnati. About Chicago sowing must be made 
earlier to get these results. Our great variation in climate makes it neces¬ 
sary to make allowances accordingly in accepting sowing dates. 
Glorious. Might be described as a dark Afterglow. Its deep 
bronze takes on a scarlet sheen that makes it a strong outstand¬ 
ing color. Habit of Afterglow. Flowers Feb. 1 from an early 
summer sowing. Tr. pkts., $1.50; 3 pkts., $4.00. 
Cheviot Maid Reselected. We annually make selections on this 
valuable rose pink. This maintains our stock as good as it is 
possible to be. The standard early rose pink. Tr. pkt., $1.00; 3 
pkts., $2.50; 5 pkts., $3.50; 7 pkts., $4.55. 
Christmas Cheer (Windmiller). This is among the extra ear- 
lies; comes 100% true with us, flowers well placed and the 
color excellent. No grassy growth. Could well be called Christ¬ 
mas Perfection. Tr. pkt., $2.00; 3 pkts., $5.00; 5 pkts., $7.50. 
Lilac (Windmiller). Our trials clearly prove this the earliest 
lavender. Color is brightened with lilac shading. True to color, 
well placed flowers, and no grassy growth. Tr. pkt., $2.00; 3 
pkts., $5.00; 5 pkts., $7.50. 
Ceylon Court (dark). While not quite so dark or early as Ethel, 
this old timer holds its own and continues extensively called for. 
Tr. pkt., $1.00. 
Afterglow. Continues the best fairly dark bronze. Flowers Feb. 1 
from a June sowing with us. Tr. pkt., $1.00; 3 pkts., $2.50; 5 
pkts., $3.50; 7 pkts., $4.55. 
Suntan. Quite early flowering bronze or tan color that many pre¬ 
fer to Afterglow because of earlier and freer flowering. Tr. pkt., 
$1.00; 3 pkts., $2.50; 5 pkts., $3.50; 7 pkts., $4.55. 
Early Sunlite. Selected by us from New Deal for longer stem. 
Attractive light bronze. Free flowering and extra early. Tr. pkts., 
$1.00; 3 pkts., $2.50. 
New Cincinnati. In several ways, this is a fine rose pink. 
Color, medium light—about midway between Rose Queen and 
the new Mary Ellen. A choice shade. Large flowered, long 
stemmed, fairly early. Tr. pkt., $1.00; 3 pkts., $2.50; 5 pkts., 
$3.50; 7 pkts., $4.55. 
Ball Forcing Mixture. A formula mixture of the best above 
varieties except originator’s. Tr. pkt., $1.00; 3 pkts., $2.50; 5 
pkts., $3.50; 7 pkts., $4.55. 
4 
