OHIO STATE GLADIOLUS SOCIETY 
GLADIOLUS TRIALS, 1952 
This marks the 10th year of Gladiolus testing under the supervision of 
Thomas R. Manley, Horticulturist: 1939-42 at Morris Park, Fairmount, W. Va., 
1947-48 at Oglebay Park, Wheeling, W. Va., 1949-51 at Valleevue (W.R.U.) 
Chagrin Falls, Ohio and 1952 (herewith reported) at both Solon, Ohio and Bur- 
lington, Vt. We hope the present set-up can be maintained with a co-sponsorship by 
a Vermont Gladiolus Society. 
Follows an explanatory letter by Mr. Manley. 
When I moved from Ohio to Vermont to assist Elmer Gove with the operation 
of Champlain View Gardens it was decided by the Garden Center of Greater Cleve- 
land, which financed and sponsored the Valleevue Trial Gardens, that this project 
be abandoned. 
The Ohio State Gladiolus Society was desirous of continuing a program of 
testing new varieties and offered to grow and evaluate half of the corms of each 
variety submitted for trial. These varieties were grown by H. O. Evans, James 
Sebesy, Earl Platell and Joseph Hartman. The other corms were planted at Cham- 
plain View Gardens, Burlington, Vermont where Mr. Gove is desirous of establish- 
ing one of the nation’s largest trial gardens. 
This season at Burlington over 400 new varieties and seedlings were grown 
and carefully evaluated by many gladiolus judges who frequently visited the plant- 
ing. The constant stream of visitors to the trial garden and fields of planting stock 
was observed to elicit remarks pro and con on various varieties which we noted 
on our record cards. 
This fall these cards were taken to Cleveland where we discussed the results 
of the two test plantings, resulting in an over-all rating based on growth in 
Vermont and Ohio. 
The growing conditions varied greatly this season. Ohio having an early spring 
with ample moisture followed with a dry, hot, 110 degrees in many instances, 
summer and fall. In Vermont a late cold spring with many rains was followed by 
a cool summer with well-timed rains until September when it became dry and has 
continued dry to November Ist, the time of this report. 
It is hoped that hybridizers will continue to send their seedlings to us for trial 
as we feel the program originated at Valleevue Trial Gardens a most desirable one 
to all gladiolus growers. Those interested in submitting varieties for trial may do 
so by contacting Thomas R. Manley, Champlain View Gardens, Burlington, Vt. 
Thomas R. Manley 
GLADIOLUS RATINGS 
Data presented in order of listing 
1. Name of variety. 
Name of hybridizer. 
38. Year of introduction in North America. If not introduced, the initials N.I. 
indicate the fact. 
Color and size classification by North American Gladiolus Council standards. 
5. Season of bloom. VE (very early) under 65 days; E (early) 65-75; EM (early 
mid-season) 75-85; M (mid-season) 85-95; LM (late mid-season) 95-100; 
L (late) over 100 days. 
6. Flowerhead data: first figure represents number of open florets in field; 
second, buds in color; third, number of green buds; fourth, total buds, maximum 
bloom from the 6 large and 6 medium bulbs grown. 
Size of floret in inches. 
8. Color value. Poor under 80; Fair 80-85; Good (having only minor color faults) 
85-90; Excellent over 90; Perfect 100. A study of comparative ratings in the 
same color classification gives one a good conception of the value of these 
color ratings and the high degree of care used in judging color values. 
9. Exhibition rating. AA—Superior; A—Excellent; B—Good; C—Fair; and 
D—Poor. Based on all qualities entering into production of prize winning 
blooms and giving proper consideration to the proportion of good exhibition 
bloom obtainable from the quantity grown. 
10. Commercial rating. Indicated AA to D as above. The best Commercial gladiolus, 
commonly, is the best exhibition gladiolus which also has those characteristics 
enabling the commercial grower to maintain healthy stocks with easy propaga- 
tion; one which blooms well from planting stock, has good placement and 
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