Greetings: 
Thank you all for your interest and patronage during the past year. We appreciate the 
many kind remarks and testimonial letters (also the one request for an adjustment and sub- 
sequent nice letter of satisfaction and thanks). We try our best at all times but are only 
human and an adjustment is sometimes necessary. We welcome an opportunity to promote 
good will, satisfaction and friendship. \We want our customers to be our friends. 
In spite of a rather wet season, we have dug the nicest, cleanest, healthiest crop of bulbs 
it has ever been our pleasure to harvest. Another large grower, who dropped in to see me 
while some of the bulbs were in the curing stage, exclaimed over and over on their fine ap- 
pearance. You, too, are sure to be pleased with the ones you buy. 
lt had been our intention to illustrate our catalog this year but decided to eliminate this 
added expense as black and white and even colored illustrations are not at all satisfactory in 
giving a true picture of a “‘glad.’’ We try to be honest with our description without going 
into too great detail and although, it is impossible to please everyone, we believe you will be 
enthusiastic if you govern your purchases by the descriptions we give. 
ABOUT THIS YEAR’S PRICES 
A comparison with last years catalog will show an approximate average reduction of 
from 20 to 25% on named varieties. | believe you will also find our priced on collections: 
as quite a bit lower than many other growers listings. 
Our expenses have not gone down. Labor, fertilizer, taxes and insurance have not been 
lowered and parcel post has gone up. We know that living costs and expenses are affecting 
many of our customers as they are us and many of you may feel’ that you can’t afford flower 
bulbs when you need potatoes. We are doing all we can to make new glad bulbs part of 
your plans for ’49 and, of course, we hope you will choose Higgins Gorgeous Glads. 
The prices of certain varieties do not necessarily mean that they are either superior or 
inferior to varieties in different price ranges although a new variety is introduced by its origina- 
tor because, in his opinion, and, in the opinions of judges at shows and trial gardens throughout 
the country, it is an improvement over anything else in its class, and, of course, anything new 
is placed on the market at rather high prices. It has to because seven to ten years of labor 
have gone into its production before there is any return from bulb sales. Another reason for 
higher prices is that certain varieties aré notoriously slow in multiplication. 
In spite of this condition, | should like to quote from a list published by the North 
American Gladiolus Council in their organ, ‘“‘North American Gladiolus Bulletin.’’ For those 
who are not familiar with the N. A. G. C., it is an Association of State Gladiolus Societies and 
their bulletin is published quarterly with a wealth of information for the glad fan. Better join 
your State Society and receive this valuable book. | quote in part from the bulletin, ‘““A check 
of the 1948 show reports received for publication shows approximately 30 classes each domi- 
nated by a single variety that win at least 50% of the blue ribbons. This select list of vari- 
ties for 1948 includes Margaret Beaton, Leading Lady, Golden State, Picardy, Big Top, Corona, 
Bit-O-Heaven, Margaret Fulton, Black Opal and Vagabond Prince.’ The top winner was 
Burma, Elizabeth the Queen, King Lear, Lady Jane, Spotlight, Red Charm, Buckeye Bronze, 
Elizabeth the Queen with blue ribbons in 86% and Burma with 84%. 
The list consisted of 32 varieties 17 of which | have listed as | have them in this catalog. 
The most of them are as low in price or nearly as low as the lowest and yet are consistent 
prize winners. 
Complete cultural directions will be included in each order. All bulbs are state inspected 
and pronounced free of disease. 
PRICES 
All prices include parcel post charges. Do not break groups. Do not order one at half 
the two rate. You may order 5 at one half the 10 rate and 25 at one quarter the 100 rate, 
but please do not change grouping otherwise. 
Please send remittance by check or money order. We cannot be responsible for currency 
sent with order. 
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