OUR WEST CHICAGO 
TRIALS INCLUDE: 
Annuals (Photo at left). New varie- 
ties of Petunias, Marigolds, Salvia, 
bedding Snaps, Verbenas, Zinnias, 
and other promising spring items 
are compared each summer with 
the best known commercial strains. 
Perennials (including extensive Del- 
phinium trials). Nearly 100 varie- 
ties of perennials are flowered for 
two years in our outdoor trials. 
Pansies (May). One of our most in- 
teresting trials—the finest strains 
“Trialing” at Ball’s - - - 
and what it means to you. 
In one respect flower seeds are like other 
merchandise. There are some very good strains; 
there are some just average; and a few, unfortunate- 
ly, are poor. 
How may a seedsman separate the good from the 
poor? * 
Many seedsmen rely solely--and sometimes justi- 
fiably-- on the reputation of the seed growers from 
whom they buy. This is a good plan and generally 
adequate — but to provide our customers with the 
highest possible degree of reliability!and quality -- 
that “extra something” to which they are really en- 
titled -- we have for years grown trials of all princi- 
pal seed we sell, solely for the purpose of comparing 
“strains” and selecting the best source regardless of 
price. 
This is an expensive project, as crops so grown 
are “chopped up” and not very marketable. How- 
ever, we are certain, from expressions of confidence 
from three continents. 
Petunias (Double and Fancy). Sev- 
eral hundred varieties and strains 
are finished off in 3 inch pots in 
late April. 
Snapdragons. A complete trial of sev- 
eral hundred standard varieties and 
new crosses—several crops bloom- 
ing from January to April. 
Stocks (May). Most commercial va- 
rieties plus new seedlings. 
Other trials include Asters (Au- 
gust and September), Begonias 
(spring), Carnation variety trials 
(winter), Cinerarias (spring), 
Chrysanthemums (year-around, es- 
pecially fall), Hardy Mums (fall), 
Cyclamen (next trials planned for 
winter °52-°53), Gladioli (late 
spring), Iris, Daffodils, Tulips, 
by florists who return to us year after year for their 
seed needs, that this added cost is justifiable. 
You are cordially invited to visit us at any time 
etc. (spring), Larkspur (May- 
June), Primula Obconica (winter) 
and Malacoides (spring), border 
Roses (summer), and Sweet Peas 
during the year and inspect in detail these trials. ; 
(winter and spring). 
A few of the more important ones are described at 
right. 
If you plan to visit us to view cer- 
tain trials, suggest you check with us 
as to progress of crop to make sure 
it will be blooming during your visit. 
*One way of accomplishing this is to produce one’s own seed—this we 
do in the case of many of our specialties—for example, most of the Snap 
seed which we sell is grown in our greenhouses. 
