26 
BULB BUYERS GUIDE 
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With literally Thousands of gladiolus varieties on 
the market (NEGS and NAGC each listed over 2500 varie-~ 
ties in their 1948 classification lists) and hunderds 
more coming from the hybridists each year, it becomes 
increasinglv difficult to no what to buy. Their is 
Virtually no better method of measuring an unfamiliar 
variety'’s worth than to check its record on the show 
bench, 
However, too many flads that are able to win a 
prize. or two. in’ their heyday, oftimes in small shows 
against little competition, are bing described hence- 
forth as top winners, At today's more important shows, 
competion in most classis is deen 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, 
Show schedules of the larger shows where to five 
Size classes and the twenty-six or more color classes 
are used, make it possible for will over 100 specimens 
to win 1st prizes in each division- Single spike, three 
spike, etc. From a tabulation of the reports of nearly 
50 State, Regional, National And Internetional shows, 
there were +44 varieties thst won three or more first 
at time of tabulation). This still makes quite a list 
to select from. Many gardeners don't heve room for ++ 
size and color class which cuts the list to 102 varie- 
ties, Other purposes of the chart are; 
1. To encourage introduction and sale of better 
elads in all size and color classes by graphically 
showing which varieties are today's leaders. 
