[4] 
RICHGLAD GARDEN 


MERCURY (E. H. Lins) 
Name of this variety changed from 
“NAVAJO” in order to avoid duplication 
of names. This wonderful seedling 
#1-3550, now named MERCURY, is de- 
scribed by the following excerpts from re- 
port of National Gladiolus Show, Minne- 
apolis, published in September 12, 1940, 
issue of Florists’ Review, as follows: 
“Hh. H. Lins of Cologne, Minn., took the Amer- 
ican Home Achievement Medal with a vase of 
three spikes of his seedling #£1-3550. This is a 
large scarlet with a somewhat deeper throat. 
There were six spikes of this variety in the show 
and all were tall straight spikes. This variety 
was also judged Grand Champion Spike of the 
show, an unusual honor for a seedling; six of 
the seven judges selected 3#£1-3550 on the first 
ballot.” 
A seedling of Picardy x Commander 
Koehl, Mercury had the ability to produce 
massive show spikes. Experienced gladi- 
olus growers pronounce it a distinct break 
in color, not to be confused with usual run 
of scarlets since it carries very little, if 
any, orange. A wonderful grower and even 
large bulbs of Mercury dug this fall pro- 
duced bulblets. Mr. Lins seems to have had 
a break in the reds, beginning with Blaze 
introduced by us in 1940, which received 
an Award of Merit at Maryland Gladiolus 
Society Trial Grounds, 1940, Red Spire and 
several seedlings we now have under test 
which you will hear more about later. Due 
to fact that available stock of Mercury 
is limited, no small bulbs or bulblets will 
be released this year. 
Large bulbs only $10.00 each. 
RIO RITA (E. H. Lins) 
As seedling 3429RR, Rio Rita was first 
in orange seedling class, Wisconsin State 
Show, 1939, and received Vote of Com- 
mendation at Maryland G. S. Trial Gar- 
den. For 1940, it received Vote of Com- 
mendation N.E.G.S. and the Alfred M. 
Butler Perpetual Trophy for Large Decora- 
tive Type receiving the highest score for 
the entire season. Rio Rita scored 87. 
A very fine orange-red with somewhat 
deeper throat marking. A seedling of 
Picardy x Pfitzer’s Triumph and color about 
midway between these two great gladiolus. 
Plants average about 414-ft., opening about 
six 5%- to 6-inch slightly ruffled florets, 
with 5-6 additional florets showing color, 
on tall straight spikes of about 18 buds. 
Good placement, texture and substance and 
unusually fine keeper, opening well when 
cut in bud. 
EW GLADIOLUS 
FOR 1941... 
Excellent grower and propagator, per- 
forming like Picardy; has a vivid color and 
consistently produces a large percentage 
of show spikes. We believe Rio Rita will 
become very popular both as a garden va- 
riety and as a commercial. 
Large bulbs $3.00 each; 3 for $7.50. 
Medium $2.00 each; 5 for $8.00. 
Small $1.00 each; 5 for $4.00. 
Bulblets 25c each; 10 for $2.00. 

Mercury 
