SHIPMENTS 
We prepay postage on parcel post shipments, but do not insure against loss. 
Please add porcel post insurance to your remittance if you wish them insured. Parcel 
post shipments are subject to freeze damage going eastward if mailed through the 
period beginning Dec. 1, ending March 1. If you specify shipping dates through the ~ 
winter months, better ask for express shipments; the rates are higher, but bulbs are 
insured against freeze loss. Express shipments are always sent transportation charges 
collect — but extra bulbs are included to cover the express charges. 
Gladland Introductions icr 1948 
ORIGINATED BY ELIZABETH BRIGGS 
(Shirley Briggs, Alice Adams, Easter Parade) 
To a lot of folks, newcomers to the game of gladiolus growing, the name 
of Mrs. Briggs as a hybridist is unknown. But all oldtimers will remember what sensations 
F. J. McCOY, RED PHIPPS, and others of hers were, when introduced back in the early 
“thirties.” Donald Briggs, her son, was one of the few to realize the potential flower 
market among the elite florists of the Los Angeles area, and this in the time of prolific 
production by Japanese flower growers, which was offered at lower prices than 
American growers could afford to meet. Mr. Briggs decided that the only answer was 
quality production of exclusive varieties, and he and his mother decided to make no 
more public releases, but to preserve and grow the finest seedlings for his own market. 
During all of the years that elapsed since this became their policy, Mrs. Briggs 
has grown not less than 10,000 new seedlings each year, all of them planned crosses, 
and these from line breeding, (some parents are the result of eight generations of 
line breeding before the final crossing is attempted.) so that with much more than usual 
success, she can predict the size, color and character of the seedling plants. Mrs. 
Briggs explained that all of her hybridizing efforts of the past few years have been 
devoted wholly to the creation of varieties with the qualities necessary for the successful 
marketing of the cut spikes. 
This includes of course health, vigor, dependability, good propagation, sufficient 
field height, well proportioned spikes with ample buds, ability to open in water, 
durable texture, adequate size, firm attachment, absolute clarity of color tones, and 
above all, individuality and charm. In fewer words, a spike that will impress the 
prospective buyer of the bloom, to the extent that he is no longer content with the 
common run of spikes as produced by the average grower. 
Naturally these attributes make a variety just that much more desirable for 
the garden. There are, of course, a number of temperamental beauties that perhaps 
need staking to prevent crooking, or whose stem substance is not firm enough to hold. 
the spike erect when florets open, yet can produce marvelous show spikes on occasion. 
But the fewer of these in the garden, the less work involved for the gardener. 
SHIRLEY BRIGGS — Class 542. The color is a delightfully clear, live, medium pink 
(Technically by Royal Hort. Color Chart is CARMINE No. 21-2). In this flower the 
border tintings are deepest, shading smoothly into a large, clear, white throat area, 
giving a pink-and-white effect. 
Price: $1.00 for any size bulb, choice of large, med. or small! 10 bulblets for $1.00. 
ALICE ADAMS — Class 442. This is a deeper shade of pink, (Technically by Royal 
Hort. Color Chart is GERANIUM LAKE No. 20-2). This floret is ruffled, and the color 
arrangement is a solid band nearly an inch wide of this glistening pink, superimposed 
on white. The color transition is quite abrupt but very pleasing, and gives an entirely 
different effect from the gradual shading of SHIRLEY BRIGGS. 
Price: $1.00 for any size bulb, choice of large, med. or small! 10 bulblets for $1.00. 
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