27 
Bulb Buyers Guide: 2" 
(see chart on page 29) 
With literally thousands of gladiolus varieties on 
the market (NEGS and NAGC each listed over 2500 varie—- 
ties in their 1948 classification lists) and hundreds 
more coming from the hybridists each year, it becomes 
increasingly difficult to know what to buy. Naturally, 
there is no better method of measuring an unfamiliar 
variety's worth than to check its record on the show 
bench. 
However, too many glads that are able to win 4 
prize or two in their heyday, oftimes in small shows 
against little competition, are being deseribed henee= 
forth as top winners, At today's more important shows, 
competition in most classes is keen enough that very 
few inferior blooms win even a third ribbon. With this 
in mind, we started, several years ago and intend to < 
continue, to list the current winnings of the leading 
varieties that won at the larger shows in the U. &S. A. 
and Canada, 7 
Show schedules of the larger shows where the five 
size classes and the twenty five or more color elasses 
are used, make it possible for well over 100 specimens 
to win 1st prizes in each division (Single spike, three 
spike, ute tes After tabulating reports of nearly 50 
State, Regional, National and International shows, 
there were 409 varieties that won three or more first 
prizes during 1946 and 1947 (1948 reports not all in 
at time of tabulation). This still makes quite a list 
to select from. 
In an attempt to narrow the field still more and 
further aid the buyer, we present this year, the 
BULB BUYERS GUIDE of the leading winners in each size 
and color class which, including the three ties, cuts 
the list to 101 varieties. Other purposes of the Chart 
arse 1. To encourage introduction and sale of better 
glads in all size and color classes by graphically show=- 
ing which varieties are todays leaders. — wi 
2. To discourage the flood of mediocre varieties in 
already overcrowded classes 
