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At the Ohio show, Akron, we continued 
our habit of amassing the most points in the 
commercial classes and our own commercial 
exhibit was over 50 feet long, the largest we 
have yet attempted. Spikes of Tara and F. J. 
McCoy were commandeered from this exhibit 
by the judges for grand champion considera- 
tion but neither could quite make the grade 
against the winning Corona by Esterline, 
Ohio society president. We entered 26 ar- 
rangements, winning most of the commercial 
arrangement classes. 
The average quality of bloom at this show 
and the second two-day show staged at the 
Cleveland Garden Center easily outstripped 
all other shows we have seen (some 100 or 
more over a 15-year period). Particularly 
the Garden Center show, where entries were 
limited to recent introductions and seedlings. 
Here six awards of merit were issued by the 
society, two more than the society had pre- 
viously issued in its total 14 years of existence. 
Our Spitfire with 9 open, 21 buds, 30-inch 
flowerhead and high color value topped this 
list with high score of 88 points, obtained a 
reaffirmation of Award of Merit and was also 
grand champion of the show. Tunia’s Maho- 
met followed closely with 84 points and A. M. 
Other firsts of ours which pleased us most at 
these Ohio shows were winning entries of 
Tuts Both, Bobby Dazzler, Stella Antisdale, 
Snow Cruiser, Snow Ball, Pinocchio, Ober- 
bayern, R. B. Herbstfreude, Misty Dawn and 
Glamis. Firsts by others of outstanding 
interest were Helen of Troy, A. M., 84 points, 
Leona, Candy Heart and Greta Garbo by 
Beardmore; Donna, A. M., 82 points and 
most ruffled, Hurricane (Am. sec.), Coutt’s 
Orchid, Redney, Algonquin and Hinden- 
burg’s Memory by Esterline; Rima, H. B. 
Pitt and Crystal by Wells Knierim; Blue 
Wonder, King of Hearts, Elanora, Perky 
(9 open) and Hurricane (R. I.) by Smithett; 
Amulet, Rosa van Lima, Blue Admiral and 
Amberglow by Bayne of Pa.; Jersey Cream 
and Diane by Secrest and Wilson’s Larime, 
which was champ seedling. Beardmore is in 
the army now. 
The Seedling Show at our farm a week 
later brought out the usual large crowd of 
5-600 and more entries than ever before, 
again of high quality and bringing Awards of 
Merit to Purple Supreme, King Click, High 
Finance and a Lade cream seedling which we 
entered for scoring. 

“As you know I purchased 5 seeds each of many lots. They 
germinated not less than 4 and thanks to your count many of 
the lots have 7 and 8 growing.”’ 7-16’42. H.P.M.., St.Joseph, 
Mo. 
“I had very good success with the seed I purchased from you 
2 years ago, especially with the Harmau cross. The seedlings 
from this cross are all clear color even though there is quite a 
range in the colors and the plants all seem to have unusually 
good vigor. I think your catalog is without doubt the best one 
issued and checking your ratings against the blooms at the 
Midwest show proves that.’’ 3-1-’42. C. R. H., Quincy, IIl. 
THE’ GLADIOLUS FANCIERS 
INVESTMENT 
Buying seemingly expensive bulbs of new 
introductions of proven merit is an invest- 
ment seldom given proper consideration. A 
single medium (half size) bulb, an average 
from our list, will normally produce a spike 
approximately 70-80 percent of capability of 
a large bulb (not just 50 percent) and while 
doing it grow into a large bulb and produce 
on an average of 50 sizeable bulblets. In two 
more years of propagating one may well have 
50 large, 200 medium, 500 small bulbs and 
7500 bulblets. This expectancy has the ear- 
marks of a good investment. But does it? 
Not unless two further facts are present. 
First, if the variety does not prove up to 
expectation and representation, the invest- 
ment could be a loss of time and money. 
Second, and of equal importance, the relation 
of the quantity bought to the whole amount 
extant, or extant in America is vital. When 
you invest $1000 in a newly formed corpora- 
tion you use care to ascertain if your $1000 
will net you 51 percent of the stock, or 10 
percent or just 1-10th of 1 percent. Whale of 
a difference, isn’t it, though costing the same. 
Same way with glads. Some introductions 
have been launched at beginning prices of 
$5 to $10 per bulb with 100,000 or more 
bulbs already propagated. Many more with 
little background of proven merit. What 
chance has your investment to prosper in 
such cases? 
We guarantee that there is not in existence 
in all America a total of 250 bulbs of all sizes 
of any one of the 13 varieties we are intro- 
ducing this year unless it be Gray Dawn 
which, being a sport, may be in other hands 
in quantities unknown to us and Flying 
Fortress, the stocks of which were grown by 
Wilson. 
And we regret that of Mrs. E. Both and 
Snow Cruiser, seedlings selected more recently 
than the others, we have only a small fraction 
of 250 and must necessarily price them higher 
than the others. We have been unable for 
the past two years to surmount Australian 
export restrictions so have been unable to 
build up our stocks of Both varieties by 
further imports. 
We reserve the right to stop sales of these 
13 varieties when halt of the stocks are sold. 

“Twice I have asked you to select bulbs and varieties cap- 
able of grand championships. Twice you have done so and 
many thanks. Taken ill on way to Midwest show, I returned 
home. But next day I carted same blooms to Cedar Rapids 
show. 3 of 11 spikes had to be discarded but the other 8 were 
entered and all won firsts including amateur champion, re- 
serve champion and grand champion. On arrival home found 
spikes of King of Hearts, Corona, Glamis, Grand Opera and 
Festival Queen which beggared description. Even my wildest 
imagination never conjured up such huge blooms and just 
think, 2 weeks before a baby tornado ripped through here and 
mowed every glad down, tore out some by roots, of course, 
breaking many roots. Had to replant and stake a whole day. 
What other flower could take punishment like that and then 
win Grand Champion?‘ 8-21-‘42. Mrs. E. F., Bellevue, Ia. 
