T’S just two days before Christmas as I complete the 
work on my 1952 catalogue, all except to write a note 
to my customers and many friends in the gladiolus world. 
So, may I begin by extending best wishes for a Happy 
and Peaceful year to come! 
As I look back upon my few short years in the com- 
mercial end of the gladiolus business, I realize that I 
have been fortunate indeed in building my business to 
the success that it is. I have mentioned before that I 
attribute my success, not so much to my ability as to the 
love of flowers which I have possessed all through life. 
Ours has been a flower loving family, ten children and 
father and mother, all of whom always loved and 
always grew flowers. In our early years, when we had 
to strive desperately to make a living from a small farm 
devoted to truck gardening, there always was the extra 
work, but loving work, in the flower gardens. I remember 
how different flower growing was then. We grew such 
flowers as asters and stocks right out in the open gardens 
with great success. Diseases such as aster yellows were 
unknown and they grew almost shoulder high. 
My first experience in flower growing was made with 
sweet williams and columbines, soon followed by glads. 
Some of the first varieties, as I recall, included Rose 
Ash and Dr. Bennett. From then on the pace increased 
fast and furious and it wasn’t long before I found myself 
established in the bulb business. 
I don't know whether or not modesty is a virtue, but 
I can now see that I have been a bit modest in exploit- 
ing the success I have had in introducing outstanding 
varieties. But I must, and do, place the real credit where 
credit is due, to my good friend Anton Carlson whom I 
consider to be the world’s most successful hybridist. 
This year’s symposium reports show that Cosmo- 
politan Glad Gardens is the home of our greatest glads. 
From here have sprung such famous names as Spic and 
Span, Hearts Desire, Bridal Orchid, King David and 
Oriental Pearl. I believe that’s a story of greatness all 
(Continued on page 5) 
(Left) BONNIE BRAE 
(Center) EDGEWOOD 
(Right) EVENING STAR 
KING DAVID 
Champion Vase 
at 
Binghamton Central International Show. 
Note — 10 spikes. Looks like a whole basketful. 
Cover: Same vase with Mrs. Beulah Fortnam, 
exhibitor, and Nancy Ann Puerner. 
Page Three 
