4 GLADIOLUS 0 FRDiS TEN Clr LON 
GOLD—florets almost reached the coveted seven inches. The color is almost that of pure 
gold with an even deeper throat. AUGUST MOON from the same originator vies with it 
for size, but having a lighter tone. GOLD MEDAL combines size with ruffling, having a 
bit of buff in its makeup. Fortunate indeed for the commercial grower was the introduc- 
tion of CYNTHIA which in my estimation ranks as the best early light yellow. The 1950 
release, GOLDEN CROWN provided one of the real thrills of the season. Spikes from the 
originator’s open field cultivation gave evidence that this new yellow is one to watch. 
Prof. Palmer has recently given us another beautiful yellow in LODESTAR, this one slight- 
ly ruffled with large wide open florets. It looks like a fine cut-flower variety. I have no 
reason to revise my last season’s judgment on KEEPSAKE. It produces tall spikes and 
large florets of an absolutely pure self medium yellow. SPUN GOLD does not excell in 
either size or height but it has color, is early and just what the florists are looking for in 
its season. The throat marks in SPARKS and SPOTLIGHT add zest to these varieties. 
The newer BRIGHT EYES is really a grand ruffled yellow, having small rose throat marks. 
SUNDANCE will open a ribbon of color and for this reason will always be a contender 
on the show table. However, its greatest competitor in this respect will be the 1950 intro- 
duction TERRIFIC which has the propensity of opening 12 to 13 florets of 5 to 54% inch 
diameter, providing a florescence heretofore unknown in this color. Going into the deeper 
warmer shades, SKYLARK with its golden throat is my favorite orange, having the all 
important attribute of beauty of coloring. SUNBEAM cuts 100% down the row and for 
this reason alone would merit commercial consideration. Tall straight spikes, blooming 
early, add to its merit. OCTOBER SUNSHINE is a blend of orange and yellow and a most 
satisfactory performer. The older ORANGE GOLD lacks only in length of flowerhead. 
The buff SUNSPOT with its attractive rose throat spot is one glad the florists apparently 
cannot get enough of. It has a willowy stem and flowerheads carry 8 to 10 open at one 
time, making it a basket glad par excellence. 
If we consider the pinks collectively, we have a wide range of color beginning with 
blush, down thru the light pink, salmons and pure pinks to the deeper rose tints. If one’s 
taste runs to the pastel shades, RAE, BEAUTY’S BLUSH and GRACE DARLING con- 
stitute a grand trio in the palest of pinks. FRIENDSHIP almost leads in earliness and a 
row of this reminds one of soldiers on parade; a crooked spike is almost unknown. 
EVANGELINE’S greatest fault is misplacement but its good qualities easily offset this 
defect. It was one of the few varieties to grow a full 6 feet tall. A spike of EVANGELINE 
with 8 to 10 open, and holding the floret size well to the tip, is a real bouquet and has no 
rival in this respect save GENERAL EISENHAUER. The latter is almost too large for a 
commercial glad but it can surely delight both fans and exhibitors. I was surprised at the 
giant spikes sent up by SEASHELL. PHANTOM BEAUTY is always popular with florists. 
It will easily open 10 to 12 in the open field. Commercially speaking, no pink can as yet 
challenge the supremacy of SPIC AND SPAN. It is always a real pleasure to cut this great 
pink; the color this season seemed even deeper than in former years. The past winter 
marked the first appearance of Florida grown SPIC AND SPAN in the Northern markets. 
Another pink that has the good habit of regular performance is the 1950 Gladmeadow 
release, NEW YORKER. Bulblets bloom profusely in late September. It also lacks 
nothing from the standpoint of beauty. The release of CLARENCE D. FORTNAM was 
awaited with much interest. I believe it is a living memorial to that grand showman for 
whom it was named. It has started off its career with a long list of winnings and cham- 
pionships. CITATION and FASHION belong to the geranium pinks, the former having a 
creamy white throat. Both are strong tall growers in the giant floret class. The heavy 
ruffling and fluting of GORGEOUS DEB is superb; some report 7-inch florets and 34-inch 
flowerheads. MISS CHICAGO is unexcelled for its beautiful combination of pink, rose and 
yellow. It does, however, need good cultivation to attain height. SPARKLE is rightly 
named. I like this salmon for its strong healthy growing habits. JINI MARIE has been 
well received. It makes gun-barrel spikes and is a show flower as well as a promising 
commercial. HEART’S DESIRE is a very pale ruffled salmon, most daintily ruffled. 
TREASURE ISLAND has lovely color with a bit of lavender in its make-up. The color 
of MAUVIE ROSE is just what the name indicates. For early or real late, it has com- 
mercial value; in midseason, it is but mediocre. The newer REBOUND by the same 
originator outclasses it in many respects, particularly in brighter more attractive coloring 
and enjoying the distinction of leading all varieties in early blooming. MISS WISCONSIN 
is often imitated but never surpassed. I predict this superb rose pink will be with us 
for decades to come. I like ROSE CHARM particularly for basket work; the tall slender 
spikes lend themselves especially to this type of arrangements. JUNE ROSE closely fol- 
lows REBOUND in early blooming; it should supplant the older EARLY ROSE. 
The always popular red section has many worthy entries, but if there is a present day 
leader in popularity, the honor would undoubtedly fall to RED WING. RED RASCAL 
