Progress ou the Glad routier 
A Survey of Recent Introductions Tried Out in 1948 
Our recent blooming season was the best ever due to a very cool summer and to our 
irrigation system. With but two good rains from July 1 to September 15, it was a joy indeed 
to turn on the rain the “Atlas” way. The glads received a good drink about once a week, 
producing superb flowers and a handsome bulb crop. We have the plumpest, best-looking 
bulbs that we have ever had. Hats off to irrigation! 
Although an occasional dry season probably does no permanent injury to gladiolus 
stock, it has been our experience and the experience of others that an adequate supply of 
moisture contributes to the storing up within the bulbs of the vitality necessary to produce 
tall spikes the following year. This seems only natural in view of the fact that the fertility 
of the soil that becomes available each year bears a recognized relationship to the amount 
of moisture provided. 
As usual, the brightest spot of the summer was our combined seedling patch and trial 
ground. We have some very interesting seedlings coming along in every color class ex- 
cept the blues and smokies, where we have not worked; but the largest number of out- 
standing things seem to be coming among the lavenders and rose pinks, for which fact we 
are grateful, since they will reinforce two of our weakest color classes. It is not my purpose 
here, however, to discuss our oncoming seedlings (of which you may have a glimpse, if 
you wish to send for the kodachrome sets offered elsewhere in this catalog), but to give you 
a resume of the new and recent varieties which we tried out in 1948 and to discuss the 
advancement in beauty and performance recently made on the glad frontier. 
Glads have improved at a breath-taking rate in recent years, few other flowers 
equalling them. Whites have improved more than any other group, due in part to the 
‘white sports of Picardy, Eureka, Snow Flurry, and Silver Wings—similar, but each 
distinct enough to merit a name. Morning Star has the purest color and heaviest substance 
of all white Picardy sports. Although it has beauty of a high order, its florets are too 
loosely attached and its propagation is too slow to make a commercial. Florence Night- 
ingale is dear to my heart. Deserves all the recognition it has received and will replace 
many present-day commercials. We were not enraptured with White Goddess last sum- 
mer but believe it did not give us her best. Immaculate Alice Ayer was early and 
much admired. White Magic had nice frills. It took Reliant about 125 days to bloom. Not 
a glad for the fancier but one that may be of use for late fall cutting. Bells of June, from 
Holland, reminded me of a larger Surfside. Immaculate is just that. Wax Model was neither 
waxy nor a model; its color was not pure. Christine can be heavenly but with us it had 
weak stems and was devoid of propagation. White Wings from Australia bears watching. 
My own new whites, Freedom, Cupid, and Summer Snow, and White Christmas, are fully 
described elsewhere and need not be discussed here. 
The cream color class is not especially strong. Leading Lady, which passes for a white 
with the florists, is easily the leader here. Blotched Salman’s Glory will find a place as a 
commercial. Lake Placid is winning in favor but was short with us. Connie G. won our ad- 
miration, reminding us of Gleam, though of course much paler. Both possess superlative 
refinement of color and lustrous texture of petal. In our limited experience, Connie G. 
produced more buds but fewer bulblets than Gleam. Both have loose floret attachment. 
The yellow class as a whole is weak. Spotlight steals the show here for lack of much 
competition. Not a form glad but it has color and good habits. Aureole, though not the 
yellow the trade is looking for, will have many friends. It is a fine bouquet glad. Martha 
Deane is severely plain but we thought it quite worthwhile. It has excellent habits. Ex- 
pensive Java from Holland is but a larger Gold Dust. Spun Gold would qualify as an early 
cutter, but it wasn’t early here. We will list intensely ruffled Babs when stock is available. 
Color is a little short of perfection but it certainly makes up well and is very early. Belle 
Jauve from Holland failed to impress this year. Golden Arrow was moody with us. We had 
a few nice tall spikes, but most of them were short. Even from small bulbs it split badly. 
We loved its flat, round florets. Coventry is larger than its sister, Sparks, but not nearly as 
appealing. 
Pactolus leads the buff class for us. This striking flower could have been named De- 
parting Sun. Ruffled Arethusia and sturdy Susquehanna are the leading commercials in this 
color. Arethusa is very beautiful when well grown. Gold Medal was not happy with us 
last summer. Buffy Bo-Peep with deeper flecks, a glad in the 200 series, makes up well in 
arrangements but did not catch our fancy as much as did its orangy companion, Twinkles. 
Orange Gold and Gratitude lead the orange parade. Brightside has the most unusual 
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