Texas or White Challenge is a matter of personal opinion. Earliness perhaps gives Texas 
the nod. 
These observations are based on the experience of growing 55 of the 1947 introduc- 
tions and seeing 54 seedlings here on trial, some of which will be the 1948 releases. 
Wax Model is the top white new commercial. 
Christine has quality. Heavenly White is of commercial caliber. 
Creamy white Texas, of the same shade as Leading Lady, but a week or more ealrli- 
er in its bloom season, is excellent. It will open from a bud cut, and grows consistently. 
White Challenge with its many open florets and soft carmine throat marks has exceptional 
holding power. Mt. Index with its yellow throat is a fine variety. 
Oriental Pearl is the best cream of recent introduction, and a great commercial vari- 
ety. 
Orange Gold is a consistent performer and a giant in plant size. Sun Spot in buff 
orange is fine. Its blotch is pleasing. 
October Sunshine gave a very satisfactory performance. It has much color appeal. 
Kestrel will appeal to many for its giant size of flower and plant. In smaller floret size and 
for house and shop arrangements, Color Marvel fills the bill. 
The primary virtue of Early Gold is its early blooming habit. It is a medium yellow. 
In deep yellow, Van Gold is very satisfactory. Klondike, an orange yellow, has fine color. 
The sports of Picardy, Silver Wings and Leading Lady in creamy white are excellent. 
Personal opinion will determine the preference between Kelsey and Prosperity, both ‘unc- 
tion like Picardy. 
The color fan will appreciate Beauty’s Blush. 
The vigor, size, and fine habits of Pioneer make it a contender for honors in the sal- 
mon pinks. Trojan in the same color class showed up fairly well under adverse conditions, 
a real test. 
The two blotched pinks, Connecticut Yankee and Chantilly are fine glads. Each pro- 
duces large florets and holds many of them open at one time. Yankee Lass is very vigor- 
ous. Tivoli somewhat of the shade of the older Coryphee, was one of the pleasant surprises 
of the season. 
Spellbound is slightly more rose than the excellent Dream Castle. Both open many 
florets of fine color appeal. 
Hiawatha in soft scarlet is excellent. Tarawa is a superb fiery scarlet with white :nid- 
ribs and many open florets. Dieppe is on the way to success. 
Lady Luck, a blush pink peaches and cream sport of Picardy, but in smaller ‘loret 
size is one of my favorites. 
Firebrand, Intruder, and Red Rascal, each of different hue, form a strong trio. They 
are hard to beat. Fuchsia Belle has superb color. Black Diamond is a fine glad, the best 
of the black reds. 
Of the newer lavenders Huntress and Lavender Prince are headed for commercial 
success. Abigail shows much promise. Crown Orchid is a tall variety. For those who ap- 
preciate sharper color contrasts Zelladee should please the buyer. It is a deep lavender 
with a cream inner throat area. 
Purple Lancaster is fine. 
Blue Ice in light violet with its cream yellow throat is excellent. Blue Lagoon is a 
vigorous medium blue. 
Twilight Dream is the first smoky to be catalogued by Reliance Gardens. It’s blend 
of colors is pleasing. 
In the deeper shades of rose Burma and Miss Wisconsin are the leaders. In medi- 
um rose Astrid has superb color. A bit lighter is Tralee, a great variety. No glad exceeds 
Dream Girl in making stunning spikes from any size of bulb. It is a pale rose pink with a 
harmonious blotch, and is getting better in its propagation qualities. Betty Lee is a fine rose 
pink in the medium floret group. It has a small throat mark. 
From the exhibitors point of view 1947 produced some superb varieties. The top 
winner was Spic & Span. It’s long tapering spike, many open ruffled florets, and much bud 
color make it an exhibitors dream. White Challenge can open up to 10 florets at one time. 
It is a winner of record. Venida showed great possibilities—several spikes held 8 open. 
Tralee, not widely distributed, will win its share of ribbons. It produces long spikes, opens 
8 or more and shows much color. Don’t forget Intruder! Chantilly, Connecticut Yankee and 
Yankee Lass are potential winners, Fiery Dieppe has possibilities. Miss Wisconsin can win 
(Champion Wis. ‘47—for a good customer) because of class. Hiawatha has won, and it has 
the ability to do so again. When large bulbs of Oriental Pearl are in the hands of exhibi- 
tors, it will add to its great show record. 
