Happy Days Are Here Again! 
The new year of 1953 begins with great promise of better times ahead, 
especially for all of us in the gladiolus business, whether on a commercial 
basis, or if we pursue it as one of the world’s best hobbies. 
While the year just passed has been most trying for many of the glad 
growers because of weather which “taxed their souls”, the cut flower grow- 
ers had much improved business. Prices in most places showed marked 
improvement and there was a much better demand for glads all through 
the summer season. This is why I say "Happy Days Are Here Again!” I 
feel confident that with the prosperity the nation is enjoying better business 
for us is bound to be reflected in improved flower sales. 
For the exhibition grower and hobbyist, 
new creations in glads are being produced 
by busy hybridizers here, there, everywhere, 
so the offerings of excellent new varieties 
has increased by leaps and bounds. Those 
of you who have received my catalogue in 
past years will find that over half of the 
varieties I offer are new additions to my 
list. Some of these I have grown for a year 
or two to make certain that they were 
worthy, and only a half dozen or so are 
listed which have not been grown in my 
gardens, but I have seen all of them either 
in the originator’s fields or at the Nation’s 
leading shows. 
Many people are inclined to think that 
our present bulb prices are high. Really 
they are very cheap, especially for the new 
introductions. Some of the new ones of 
yesteryear were introduced at prices rang- 
ing up to $100. each. Just think, now you 
have all the beauty and improvement which 
the patient work of hundreds of hybridizers 
has bred into our marvelous new glads. 
I know of no other branch of floriculture 
which has so great an amount of expert and 
painstaking hybridizing in back of their 
flower as has our glads. Whether it be one 
of the foremost and best known hybridists, or 
one of the most obscure in some isolated 
country village, they all know the funda- 
mentals of hybridizing. That is why we have 
these marvelous new originations springing 
up, as I mentioned, here, there, everywhere. 
The results of all this systematic planning 
ideeed | and patient work is yours for the cost of a 
HEIRLOOM new bulb which is cheap at the price we ask, 
whether it is one dollar or five. 
Many thanks to all of you who have favored me with orders. I feel 
certain that I have always given the utmost in satisfaction as over 90% of 
my business each year comes from former customers. 
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