Sur growing season in the Midwest was terribly hot for over 
4 to 5 weeks and almost no rain at all east of the Mississippi 
river for about ten weeks. I watered religiously - giving the 
equivalent of 1 inch of water per week - and the surprising 
glads were as good as they have ever been, I was so swamped 
with war work I could get to only three major shows, Illinois, 
Garfield Park and Wisconsin and won 137 ribbons, 5 trophies 
and 7 rosettes. This brings the total close to 1,000 for six 
yearse 
Last year we failed to get many Pacific Coast shipments 
out on time - mostly because we ran out of some varieties but 
from this year on I promise that Pacific Coast orders will be 
shipped within three days of their receipt. 
You will find our variety descriptions, color class and 
size class accurate - as we rated all when maximum number of 
florets were open - placed in color class with bloom before 
us and took measurements of florets with ruler-measuring per 
new National ruling “as the eye sees it" without stretching 
out or taking hold of any florets. 
In my growing comments and instructions there are some im= 
portent changes about ouring bulbs and keeping free from dis- 
ease but I am confirmed in my belief that anyone who buys 
bulbs from us and will grow them according to our instructions 
can have just as good top show quality as do the finest show- 
men in gladiolus. It does not matter whether you are a new 
grower or an experienced one, it is no more difficult to grow 
per instructions than it is to cook following a cook booke 
There may be something to the feeling that some glads grow 
better in some districts than in others but generally speaking 
it is not so for I have alweys been able to secure in my gare- 
den the top growth written up about any variety. And know any= 
one else can do the same 
So here is our 1945 list and we hope you like ite 

1945 INTRODUCTIONS 
We are introducing-either alone or jointly with the origin-= 
ator, 12 very fine flowers-each one a worthy addition to its 
color and size class-each one capable of winning against any 
competition. 1944 season was a remarkable one for fine variet=- 
ies of new flowers-more new ones being really good this year 
then for any year during the last si 12 new ones is too many 
we admit thateas naturally no fancier can afford all of theme 
But they are grand flowers. Every one of them has been bloomed 
for several years-and we believe you will find each of them de- 
pendable and honest growers. We will try to make our descrip- 
tions complete and accurate. All of these came through with a 
fine 944 performance in what was a really tough, hot, dry sea=~ 
son, In a way I wish there were a lesser number we are bring- 
ing out-but if I should try to eliminate even two of them I 
would not know which two to select-as they are all very fine 
flowerse 
WHITE HOPE, Monk May's origination and used last year as a 
premium bulb. See picturee A 300 class white but florets 
on border line between 300 and 400 class-being 4+ to 43 
inches. Florets stand very rough handling-recurved as pic=- 
tured=-opens to 10. Color a fine pure white-a class winner 
on show table and a grand commerciale $1.50 L or Me no bbe 
sold this year. Dependable grower and good performer, For 
show spikes de-eye bulbs. A medium early bloomer. 
FIRST LADY by Winston Robertse A very beautiful, ruffled 
light salmon pink with white center=-Rates 82 in 1944=-Opens 
8 to 10 = 5 inch florets and has straight spike, nice 
placement=-good dependable growere Everybody will like it. 
L $2.50, M $2.00, S $1.50, bb 40¢ ea. 10 for $3.00. In 
430 class. 85-90 dayse 
GRACE ESTELLA by F. E. Youmanse One of most beautiful flowers 
anyone has ever seen. A salmon pink=cream throat-with some 
variation in center colors like Conquest only far lowlier, 
which is saying something as Conquest is very beautiful 
flower. See pictures Class 430. Rated 83-Opens 8 - 5 inoh 
florets-maybe larger. Good s traight spike and a winnere 
Stock large enough to introduce at moderate price tho 
flower could easily have been priced much higher, Price 
$1.50 = any size bulbe No bb. this years 

IVY 
ROBERTSON 
W.R.READER WHITE HOPE 
EUNICE EWING by Floyd Kaylor - A marvelous one over one floret 
placement on tall stretchy spike with flowers a deep blue 
purple with white center, Like Oberbayern except color is 
purple instead of blue. A marvelous and striking color cam= 
bination and while I have had 6 open=-it is a descendent of 
Red Lory and opens a great many-just how many I dont know- 
but more than sig. Size is 470 class-about 4z inches=4ito 
ge About 85 dayse L or M $3.00. No bbe 
CRIMSON TIDE by Winston Roberts. My own secret name for it was 
urkish Rug as it is a deep 552 red-ruffled 54 to 6 in. 
florets-very stiff petals-fine substance=good placement= 
straight model spikee One of finest of the reds if not the 
finest. With Red Fox one of two best reds. BlueR.in seed= 
ling class of many entries-and should have been seedling 
champ. Everyone admired it that sawit. L or M $4.00. No 
bb. this yeare 
ALETA, Grout - Class 520 - Picardy x Golden Chimes, large de- 
corative, orange petals are of excellent texture, will not 
fleck in hot weather. Flower head 22 to 24 inches with 16 
to 18 buds. 6-7 open. Blooms 5s to 6 inches, blooms mid- 
season. Tall grower with medium heavy stems that are strong 
and always straight 5 to 5z feet tall. Foliege very broad 
and healthy with plenty of stem above leaves for cuttinge 
Liberal in production of bulblets which germinate well 
without cracking, Will bloom from any size bulb and large 
bulbletss Price $3.00 L. or M, No bb. this yoare 
ROMANY by F. ©. Youmans, a grand 480 class smokey-a strawberry 
"smokey with blue red blotche When fully open is striking 
and very beautiful. A good grower and good perf-rmer and @ 
contribution to smokey class and winner in its size, This 
flower will be widely popular and florists also will like 
it. Price $1.00 - any size bulb = no bb. See picture. 
LADY LUCK by He H. Harris - a smaller and more beautiful Picar= 
~~ dy=330 class and sure winner=-grand dependable grower, and a 
little beauty. Grand combination of light salmon florets 
with pink and yell. and cream in center. Color is a knock=- 
out. Rates 80-4 inch florets-opens 8-9. Always straight-mod- 
el spike-good placement=early=about 80 days-splendid commer= 
cial-good propagator. A sport of Picardy. L. or M. $2.00. 
No bbe ‘ 
WESTERN STAR, by F. D. Dainese A sport of Picardy and lighter 
{in color and enough different in color to be considered a 
new variety. Many sports of Picardy came out this year 
