

RITA MAE (Pommert) 
Commander Koehl Seedling 
After giving Rita Mae two years’ trial, we 
are convinced that it has all the ear marks 
of a leading commercial. It compares favor- 
ably with well grown Valeria; it is as tall if 
not taller; its health is as robust; its florets 
are wider open; its form more shapely; its 
color is a trifle paler being a soft bland light 
red. The color deepens in the throat and is 
overlaid with a narrow white line. Opens 
seven florets on tall tapering flowerheads of 
about 20 buds. Propogates well, and the 
bulblets germinate! Rita Mae has been thor- 
oughly tried out, which is more than one 
can say about 99.9% of the galaxy of new 
ones currently offered. Was judged the best 
seedling at the Washington Trial Gardens 
last summer. The spike pictured here is 
one grown by us last summer. We feel that 
when Mr. Pommert offers a new one for our 
pleasure and profit, it is sure to be a good 
one. We place an exclamation point after 
Rita Mae! 
Price $2.00 each any size plus 2 bulblets 
gratis if requested. 
DISCARDS 
Reading over the descriptive lists in bulb cata- 
logues, one finds many superlatives, but practical 
growing experience with a variety sometimes 
brings its letdowns. We are taking you behind the 
scenes and showing you what varieties we dis- 
carded this year and why. Some of these varieties, 
however. may prove to be successful for other 
growers. 
ALADDIN—too short. 
ALPINE—short; weak. 
ASOKA—doesn’t open well in water. 
ATHLONE—deteriorated. 
BARCAROLE—virus. 
BEACON— virus. 
BELTRAMI—limited use for smokies. 
BLAZE—Stoplight and other reds superior. 
CHEHALEM—virus. 
DR. WHITLEY—slow propagator. 
FAIR ANGEL—virus. 
FRECKLES—sold out completely. 
HALLOWEEN—short flower heads. 
HIGH FINANCE—growing season not long enough. 
KING’S RANSOM—got tired of it. 
LAVENDER RUFFLES—Poet’s Dream far superior. 
MANDALEEN—virus. 
MAXWELTON—didn’t propagate. 
MELROSE—pretty, but too slow propagator. 
MINSTREL—weak grower. 
MOHAWK—limited use for dark reds. 
MOTHER KADEL—virus. 
MYRTH—virus. 
OPHIR—too short. 
PALERMO—fades badly. 
PIQUANTE—n. g. 
ROSY RED—virus. 
SHIRLEY TEMPLE—others superior. 
SILVER SWORD—n. g. 
SILVERY TETON—poor propagator. 
SNOW SPRITE—other varieties superior; burns. 
WHITE EAGLE—virus. 
WINSTON —slow propagator. 

dels, tsp lees Oy. ihy | TON 
RITA 

MAE 
1 Oy 
