4 
RIVERVIEW GARDENS, ST. PAUL, MINN. 
GLADIOLUS REPORT 
The 1939 blooming was ideal in every way. Weekly rains and cool weather 
throughout the growing season gave us a good chance to test out new varieties, 
and give further ratings of old ones. As a result, we have added many new 
varieties to our list this year. Inferior sorts, regardless of original cost, are left 
in the field to freeze, and not listed in this catalog at a cheap price to dispose of 
the stock. This is for your protection. 
In addition to our list of choice and new varieties, which have been tested 
by us and found to be desirable, we offer to you at the lowest possible prices our 
bargain list. It contains standard varieties that have been selected by amateurs 
and professional growers as reliable and foolproof. Just run through the list 
and you will find such strong, vigorous growers as Aflame, Albatross, Betty Nut- 
hall, Bill Sowden, Commander Koehl, Dr. Bennett, Picardy, Maid of Orleans, and 
Mildred Louise, just to mention a few. In our choice and new varieties, will be 
found those that will become standard varieties as soon as they are better known 
and stock becomes plentiful. From Scotland, Holland, Germany, France, New 
Zealand, Australia they come, as well as those from Canada and the United States. 
We can truthfully say we are growers of the World’s Finest Gladiolus. 
We highly recommend the following varieties: In the reds and scarlets, 
Commander Koehl and Dr. Bennett are the two old favorites. Bill Sowden has 
fine color and large flower, but does not grow tall enough to make it a good 
show spike. Allemania is larger than Commander Koehl, but the florets are 
“floppy.” Beacon is one of the most admired flowers in our gardens. The com¬ 
bination of red and white is most distinct. Rewi Fallu, Tunias’ Triumph and 
Hindenburg’s Memory are the giants in the reds, all are outstanding. Our favorite 
is Del Ray. It is not a dark red, but a nice medium shade with a pure white 
throat. Johann S. Bach is one of Pfitzer’s finest and also exceptionally early. 
Arabella was extra fine in the black reds, although spikes of Black Opal 
were exceptionally fine. Morocco is still a favorite of many. 
The whites have come to the front in the past few years. It was only a short 
time ago when Albania, Lily White and Chicago White were the best to offer. But 
with the introduction of Star of Bethlehem, Polar Ice, and the new Edelweiss, 
the whites are up to the high standard of the pinks. Star of Bethlehem is the 
most popular, but does not grow as healthy or as easy as Maid of Orleans. The 
combination of large flower and best spike goes to Snoiv Princess with Maunga 
close behind. Two new ones that impressed us very much were Camellia, a pinkish 
white with a red blotch, and Margaret Beaton, a pure white with a small red 
blotch. Shirley Temple from medium bulbs was straight and lovely. Spikes from 
large bulbs tend to come crooked unless staked. 
Amberglotv is the deepest of the yellows and looks like a promising com¬ 
mercial. Prairie Gold is exceptionally early and a fine strong grower. Desert 
Gold is the largest of the yellows, but the flowers were somewhat streaked with 
pink. Royal Gold made fine spikes and is a pleasing shade of light yellow. 
