Variety Comments 
We did not try out over 25 or thirty new varieties in our test garden in 1949. 
Our experiences in purchasing new introductions has not been too exciting in the 
past ten or twelve years. We are going to continue it, in a moderate fashion, but 
prefer to find excitement in our own seedling rows. We intend to keep abreast of the 
times by attending shows, etc., but the excitement of a good field of seedlings is a 
thrill indeed. 
The huge blooms of Lady Anne were probably the most exciting of the white 
varieties, altho WHITE CHALLENGE won a place in our hearts too. WHITE 
CHRISTMAS and SNOWFLAKE also made a fine showing here. 
Leading Lady and Lady Jane are still the top cream varieties here, both com- 
mercially and for show. Sunspot is probably best in buff color, and Pactolus is rather 
striking with its heavy blotch. Do not rate it as beautiful as many others. Weltwunder 
and Spotlight are probably leaders in yellow classes. Weltwunder was division champ- 
ion in the Omaha Show. Perdita is a nice little number, but was rather short headed 
here. Blooms seemed crowded on the spike. 
Orange Gold, Gratitude and Daisy Mae lead the field in the orange colors. 
In salmon, it is Spic & Span leading by a mile. Dieppe, altho more scarlet than 
salmon to this Irishman is coming fast in our field. If Victory Queen built a better 
spike, it would be hard to beat. Valeria is our favorite scarlet, always so healthy and 
fine too. Trocadero, is an exciting number from large bulbs. War Paint was very 
reliable, even from bulblets. 
There are many fine pinks, especially, PHANTOM BEAUTY, TREASURE 
ISLAND CONNECTICUT YANKEE, BEAUTY’S BLUSH, EVANGELINE, MAG- 
NOLIA, DEBORAH SAMPSON, LIPSTICK and TRUELOVE. We think perhaps 
Phantom Beauty, Beauty’s Blush, Treasure Island and Lipstick lead in popularity here. 
Do not believe that Tivoli or Evangeline are as reliable in our soil as Treasure Island, 
especially from medium or small bulbs. We have not yet grown a winner (a show spike) 
of Evangeline. Too much bad placement. “ 
All Red Glads are popular in my house. Red Charm, Firebrand, Red Wing and 
Mountain Gem, seemed to lead the pack. Birch Red was a knock-out when a good one 
showed up, Royal Windsor impresses us as a good reliable commercial. Does very well 
as seed parent. Kenwood is a reliable number too, and we like the color. 
Preview, Miss Wisconsin and Burma lead the rose colored glads, altho we believe 
that Rose Charm is the best commercial rose in our garden, and we propose to grow 
a million if we can. Believe Tivoli is classed here but we prefer it as a pink. It is 
probably one of the best to arrive from Holland recently. The great Burma is no doubt 
one of the finest glads in existence. It commands attention from florist and layman 
alike. Should continue to be a leader for years. 
Elizabeth the Queen is still the leading lavender, and worthy too. Splendid in 
health and popular commercially. Benj. Britton was a new arrival in our garden and 
is a fine new number. Reminds me of Lavender Prince, but believe it is more beautiful. 
Lavender & Gold and Lavender Queen are still nice commercials. 
Purple Supreme is probably the leading purple. King Lear still does well here but 
a new one with us SHERWOOD is the most beautiful we have seen in this color. Marg. 
Wood and Dorothy Armstrong show some burning in our Iowa gun. 
Blue Beauty still leads in that color, and in our perfect growing weather made 
tremendous bulbs. Look like base-balls. Blue Lagoon has shown a lapse in health. 
We do not grow many smokies, but Robinson Crusoe, Dusty Miller and Buckeye 
Bronze are all popular with our visitors. This grower likes Robinson Crusoe, and it is 
very healthy and tall here. 
