

Research Brings You Better Roses 
Fine new roses result from thorough research, carefully planned breeding, the latest and best hybridizing techniques, followed by 
years of painstaking observation and selection among thousands of seedlings. Every day in the year these efforts go on in the labora- 
tory, in the greenhouses, and in the fields at Armstrong Nurseries. It is interesting work, but like most other worthwhile projects, 
it takes much thought, planning, labor, and money. We stint none of these things in the Armstrong Research Department. 
The Formula for a 
New Armstrong Rose 
What do you want in a new rose? More brilliant and un- 
usual colors? Colors which do not fade? More perfectly 
formed buds? More continuous bloom? Flowers which open 
well in all weathers? Or do you want all of these things 
plus an appealing fragrance? 
And probably most of you want a plant which is sturdy 
and vigorous in your particular climate. You may want a 
plant which has a neat attractive habit, with plenty of 
luxuriant glossy disease-resistant foliage and long straight 
stems under each bloom. 
These are just a few of the many features which we try 
to combine and incorporate in new roses. Then there are 
special objectives to consider—climbing roses which bloom 
from early spring until late summer instead of just in the 
spring. And new hybrid Polyanthus or Floribunda varieties 
with their masses of colorful bloom for hedge and garden 
display. We are doing our best to get all of these for you, 
and we think we are succeeding. 

A Rose by a New Name 
Once objectives are selected, a program of specific crosses is laid out 
which we hope will reach those objectives. To know what you want is 
one thing, knowing how you are likely to get it is another. Here the 
science of genetics plays an important part. Above is shown Mr. 
H. C. Swim, Director of Research at Armstrong Nurseries, at work 
in our laboratory. At the left is “Mac’’ McIntosh, doing some pollinat- 
ing in one of our lath houses. The results, we hope, will be a worthy 
new Armstrong rose, 

Tests & Still More Tests 
Insure Better Roses for You 
After the planning is done, the crosses are made, and the resulting seedlings are brought 
into bloom, the work is just then well started. For each of these seedlings must be 
carefully observed for a long period of time, and its characteristics indexed. At the right 
is shown Dale Kloppenburg of our Research Staff doing this all-important work. 
After several years of observation, a few are selected for further trial. And finally out of 
thousands of seedlings, a very small number will survive the tests and are entered in the 
important national and international trial contests or are otherwise started on their way 
to your gardens. 
All of this procedure is not done overnight. Ten years is not an unusual length of time 
to elapse between the time a new rose seedling first blooms and the date on which it is 
first ready to plant in the gardens of America. 
We're mighty proud that from this Research Department of ours have come more 
All-America Award Winners than have been produced by any other hybridizer in the 
world. 

