White Challenge * * (501) (Arnett) 1947) (90 days) (Euides x Pic- 
¢ ardy) A tall clear white that certainly can 
make an imposing spike. Flowerheads sometimes a yard long. Viewing the unbloomed spike, 
one sees the buds placed so far apart that one wonders how the spaces can be filled; but 
White Challenge fools one. It has huge, wide-open florets. We liked its clear sparkling sheen 
and its faint rose glow in the throat. But White Challenge lacks rhythm; it is undistin- 
guished in line. Medium propagator with us. An excellent garden and exhibition variety. 
Pictured on page 4. 
(L 1-3.50) (M 1-2.50) (S 1-1.50) (Blbts. 1-.25; 10-2.00; 100-14.00) 
WwW 2 7 wz *& *& *& «(500) (Fischer, 1948) (80 days) (Myrna X 
hite Christmas ee (Maid of Orleans x White Ribbon) White 
Christmas exemplifies the Christmas message by its ethereal grace of line, serene poise, 
and immaculate purity. It rivals the Regal Lily in its heavy, waxy substance. It is snow- 
sculptured. White Christmas opens 6 to 8 recurved, fluted florets on a 20-bud spike. 
It opens unusually well in water. In fact, spikes cut and opened indoors are more beauti- 
ful than when bloomed in the garden. Large bulbs should have all but one eye removed 
before planting, lest they attempt to throw too many spikes. White Christmas is gener- 
ally regarded as one of the leading introductions of recent years. We have had more 
enthusiastic reports on it than on any other variety. Rated by Dr. John F. Cason in the 
December, 1948, N.A.G.C. Bulletin as one of the ten best glads. Under irrigation it propa- 
gated magnificently last summer. White Christmas is pictured on inside back cover and 
on back cover. 
$1.50 each any size. Bulblets: 2-.25; 10-1.00; 100-8.00 
“I had fifty-one different whites last season and White Christmas certainly was tops.” 
—George E. Harvey, Rhode Island 
“We bloomed some fine White Christmas—plenty tall enough here, and mostly per- 
fect placement. Got some nice seed from it too—also from Wedgwood, which is surely 
a dainty little glad.” —Winston Roberts, Idaho 
“Today with temperatures in the 90’s and a forty-some mile wind blowing, White 
Christmas is taking it beautifully. I am looking forward to the day when we shall have 
quantities to cut. A few weeks back I cut our only spike of Rose Charm the morning after 
3 inches of rain fell during a windstorm that reached 60 miles an hour. Wedgwood had 
no such weather test but was of course a lovely thing. Poet’s Dream is doing very well 
today; most other things are limp and tattered.” —D. G. Hoag, North Dakota 
“You will probably be interested to know that at yesterday’s New England Gladiolus 
Society Seedling Meeting I won best recent introduction and an Award of Merit with 
White Christmas. I had five beautiful spikes available and put up four (three required 
for award of merit). At my request it was scored and the average score was 92.4! That’s 
2.4 higher than my commendation award last year—and this time it was three spikes 
instead of one! They were simply magnificent and if they had only been a few days later 
I honestly believe would have won the championship vase at Boston. They bloomed a 
little too soon and I would have so liked them for the Boston show Aug. 19th. Words can 
hardly convey the beauty of these three spikes. One had a flowerhead of 32 inches and the 
others close to 30 inches. Averaged seven to eight open. Everyone present thought they 
were wonderful. To me they were the crowning achievement of all my years in growing 
gladiolus. And I really mean every word of it. 
(Quoting a second letter from the same source): “So here are the winnings with the 
2. Award of Merit (score 92.4) 
Boston Show, Aug. 19 
3. Hall of Fame 
4. First in 500 Class Recent Introductions 
5. First in Class for Most Ruffled Florets 
“Not bad for twenty bulbs!” 
44 
20 ‘old jumbo’ bulbs you sent for me to grow: 
N. E. G. S. Seedling Show, Aug. 15 
1. Best Recent Introduction 
i 
—Kenneth Weale, Massachusetts 
