Headliner Glads for 1950 
Glad fans generally want to know three things about a variety which they have not 
yet had a chance to try out for themselves: 1, How beautiful is it? 2, How valuable is it 
as a cut-flower? and 3, How large is it? 
The generally adopted 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 size-classification system explained on 
page 55 accurately describes the floret size. To assist in respect to beauty and cut-flower 
value, we devised the following rating system and inaugurated it last year aS an experi- 
ment. Customer reaction was so favorable that we have decided to continue it. In pre- 
paring the ratings, I have again consulted with a group of friends, including both growers 
and fanciers. Also, as last year, I have again refrained from rating my own varieties, 
leaving it to the friends with whom I consulted to do this for me. 
I do not want to present these ratings in a dogmatic spirit, knowing full well how glads 
can vary in performance from place to place and from year to year—especially when they 
have not yet been acclimated. I do believe, however, that these ratings, based on extensive 
growing experience in most cases and worked out with meticulous effort to be fair, should 
give a good average picture of the merit of each variety and thus prove helpful to our 
customers. 
KEY 
* moderately beautiful 
xk * beautiful 
x wk & very beautiful 
* * * x* supremely beautiful 
suitable for home garden only 
good local cut-flower 
ee very good cut-flower type 
e e e excellent cut-flower type 
aA * * (378) (K. & M., 1946) (80 days) In point of color this is 
Abu Hassan ¢ © ¢ the most unusual glad in our entire list. Like the rustic 
who, upon seeing a giraffe for the first time, expressed his incredulity by declaring, “There 
ain’t no sech animal,” so a flower lover, accustomed only to the more common range of 
gladiolus colors, would be likely to exclaim upon first seeing Abu Hassan, “There ain’t no 
such glad!” But there is! And if your artistic soul is hungry for a deep blue-violet glad, 
rich as one of those deep velvety violet-blue petunias, you will love Abu Hassan and be 
gratified to add its unique color to the rainbow in your glad garden. Unbelievable in 
arrangements. CL 2-.25; 10-1.00) (M 10-.50) (S 10-.25) (Blbts. Pkg. .25) 
* * * * (433) (Winsor, 1942) (85 days) (Alpheus seedling x 
A. L. Stephen o e e Picardy) The originators of this clean-cut blotched 
salmon had the misfortune to lose their stock of it by frost injury after digging a year ago. 
Our own stock is so limited we are compelled to withhold it for propagation. 
* *_* (454) (E. Bane Snyder, 1948) (90 days) (Rewi Fallu X (Vaga- 
Antietam e e bond Prince x Beacon)) This deep blood-red, heavily flecked 
maroon-black, will open eight 41-inch florets at a time on tall rangy spikes. An easy 
grower. The originator, who lives near the battlefield of Antietam, calls this his best 
introduction to date. We have grown this only one year and further acclimatizing may 
entitle it to a higher rating in our locality. Definitely worth growing if you like the deep 
rich shades. (L 1-2.00) (M 1-1.59) (S 1-1.00) (Blbts. 1-.20; 10-1.50) 
* _* * (416) (Fischer, 1947) (65 days) (Brightside x Rosemarie 
Arethusa e e e Pfitzer) If we are to distinguish frilling from ruffling, then 
Arethusa is the most intensely frilled glad in our entire list. A tall spike maker that blooms 
among the earliest. Color is a delicate warm buff. Very popular with many of our cus- 
tomers and a best seller year after year. Rarely seen at shows, however, because it is 
through blooming at show time. Indeed, it seems to have better color and produce taller 
spikes if p'anted so as to bloom early. (q, 3-.25; 10-.70) (M10-.40) (S 10-.25) (Blbts. Pkg. .20) 
sa fee 
