GREETINGS FOR 1940 
As we present our SILVER ANNIVERSARY CATALOG, marking 
our twenty-fifth year as gladiolus growers, we take this opportunity 
to thank all our customers for their generous orders of last season. 
Especially do we thank the many who were kind enough to write 
about their success with our bulbs. 
Once again we offer a selected list of 70 proven satisfactory var¬ 
ieties ALL AT ONE LOW PRICE. As in last year’s list, we offer 
large bulbs at 2 for 10 cents, 50 cents per dozen, medium and small 
bulbs at proportionately low prices. This year you can realize even 
greater savings by taking advantage of our SILVER ANNIVERSARY 
SPECIAL OFFER, see the descriptive list for details. 
During the twenty-five years we have been growing glads in large 
quantities, averaging 20 acres yearly, it has been our policy to try 
the best of the promising new varieties. We have added to our list 
only the best of these varieties from all over the world. We hon¬ 
estly believe that you may select any of the gladiolus in this cata¬ 
log with confidence in their ability to produce fine blooms under any 
ordinary garden conditions. We have tried to be honest and un¬ 
biased in our descriptions, pointing out any shortcomings that we 
have noticed in our experience with these varieties. 
You will find a very few of the more promising newer varieties, 
at higher prices, listed immediately following the general descriptive 
price list. These are all excellent varieties and are priced higher 
because stocks are still limited. 
Again we remind you that the price of a gladiolus is not an indi¬ 
cation of its beauty, but only of its scarcity. It is because of this 
fact that we are able to offer a collection of fine varieties which 
will thrill you with their beauty, please you with their fine perform¬ 
ance, and surprise you with their very moderate cost. 
Thank you again, and best wishes for a successful season. 
F. F. & F. O. SHEPARDSON 
(Marshall O. Shepardson) 
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