Most Promising Newer Type Commercial Varieties 
Abnaki, Adoration, Astrid, Athlone, Benison, Bernadette, Blessed Damosel, Carrara, 
Cleo, Concord, Connie G, Daisy Mae, Deborah Sampson, Dieppe, Donella, Evangeline, 
Firebrand, Fort Garry, Gen. MacArthur, Golden Arrow, Huntress, Kestrel, King Alfred, 
Ladrone, Lady Luck, Lake Placid, Lucky, Miss Wisconsin, Montpelier, Orange Gold, 
Oriental Pearl, Palisades, Paul Rubens, Penelope, Phantom Beauty, Pioneer, Prosperity, 
Red Wing, Redowa, Ruth Ann, Siboney, Silver Wings, Sparks, Spic and Span, Summer 
Gal, Templar, Trocadero, Truelove, White Challenge. 
The above are only a few of them. There is money in getting a start in the newer kinds 
and working up a trade with florists direct. Many varieties are suitable for florist use that 
the large cut flower growers never grow. The public would take many varieties they never 
see in the flower shops. A grower in California is cleaning up several thousand dollars a 
year in this way. A tip to the wise, etc. 
Most useful in Hybridizing 
Hybridizing or producing new varieties is one of the most fascinating branches of 
gladiolus growing. Every seed will produce a different variety. And there is a real thrill in 
going out in the morning and seeing the new ones that have opened up in the night, kinds 
that no one else has ever seen. 
The mechanics of crossing various varieties is described in the Rockwell book which 
we sell and which is listed on page 47, or given free with a $15.00 order. Tho new and better 
varieties are coming along all the time there are still unlimited possibilities in breeding, 
not only in glads but in everything else. 
The main thing is to find the varieties which when crossed will give a good proportion 
of seedlings that are better than anything that has been produced before. No matter how 
good a variety is it may not be a good parent. You simply have to try the various varieties 
and combinations of varieties and see for yourself what they produce. The Yearbook of 
the N E G S gives parentages of many of the newer varieties. About the only help I can 
give you is to name some varieties that have produced outstanding seedlings. Among the 
better ones are the following: 
Algonquin, Corona, Elizabeth The Queen, Glamis, King Lear, Lancaster, Lavender 
and Gold, Maid of Orleans, Minstrel, Orange Gold and Picardy. 
Culture of Gladiolus 
The culture of gladiolus is very simple. They will grow in most any kind of soil or in any 
climate where there are eighty days or more of growing weather. They are successfully 
grown in many countries from Alaska to South Africa. The main requirements are: 
Full sun all day. 
Plenty of moisture. 
Good cultivation. 
Spraying. Tho you have never been troubled with thrips they are an ever present 
threat and they can sure spoil the looks of glads in a short time. Use some spray 
containing DDT and you will not have to spray nearly so often as with the 
older types of sprays used some years ago. If you can get a spray containing 
both DDT and a good fungicide by all means use it. 
5. There should be some fertility in the soil. There is in most soils anyway. But glads 
can be grown on sea shore sand if fertilized and watered. Don’t overdo the 
fertilizer. I have heard of cases where so much manure and fertilizer were put 
into the soil that it rotted the bulbs and spoiled the crop. Some super-phosphate 
in the trench under the bulbs but with soil over it so that it does not touch the 
bulbs is O.K. Then two or three side dressings with any good mixed fertilizer 
should be alright. 
A six page circular on culture goes with every order of bulbs. If you wish this circular 
before your order is sent drop me a card for one. 
ed 
Days to Bloom 
Many people ask for the number of days it takes a variety to bloom. I don’t give these 
dates as they are never accurate unless by chance. In some parts of the country it takes from 
two to four weeks longer for a variety to bloom than it does in other places. Then if bulbs 
are planted very early it takes much longer than if they are planted late. Then again bulbs 
-of one variety don’t all bloom at the same time. Some kinds will nearly all bloom in two weeks 
and other kinds will straggle along for several weeks. In selecting an early variety try to get 
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