Small Talk 
Nineteen fifty-two will go down in my book as the 
worst year in my nineteen years of glad growing. It was 
really a stinker here in the middle west, and from all 
indications some of the other parts of the country were 
as bad or worse. Even those of us who were able to 
water found that the incessant heat Overpowered the 
benefits of artificial aids such as irrigation and mulch- 
ing. 
I showed in seven shows in Illinois and Indiana, and 
in all the severity of the season was evidenced by the 
reduction in the quantity and quality of entries. How- 
ever, the number of entries of miniature and small type 
glads was still on the increase in all shows attended. 
In such a year it is difficult to evaluate glads, parti- 
cularly new varieties with which one has had no pre- 
vious experience. Most of all, the matter of appraising 
the various seedlings sent me has presented an embar- 
rassing problem. When one observes excellent standard 
varieties flopping in such a year how can he condemn a 
Btrange seediing or recent introduction for appearing un- 
worthy? 
In spite of all this many of my little friends continued 
fo reward me with fine performances, and while some 
were letting me down still others that are wont to be 
quite ordinary in normal seasons were positively out- 
doing themselves. All of which makes growing little 
glads a fascinating pursuit! 
Due to an unfortunate auto accident my associate, 
Mrs. Raymond Rohde, was not able to be with me at the 
early shows, and because of her injuries could not make 
the trip to Sioux City to the Central International Show 
as we had planned. However, she recuperated in time to 
assist in putting on our annual display at the Chicago 
show. And not a little credit for this display also goes 
to my good wife, Frances, who assisted Mrs. Rohde in 
demonstrating the feminine touch of our exhibit. 
Some of the noteworthy winnings that little glads 
brought me in 1952 include: — 
At Kankakee, Ill. 
Sweepstakes in Commercial Division by virtue of 
winnings with miniature & small type glads. 
Award of Commendation on 3-spike entry of 
Bambi, my ruffled chartreuse seedling of Pelle- 
tier D’Oisy to be introduced in 1954. 
At Springfield, 111. 
Award of Commendation on 3-spike of Bambi. 
Award of Commendation on single spike of Zig 
Zag, my red seedling to be introduced in 1954. 
At Lafayette, Ind. 
Best 100/200 Seedling in Show — a single spike of 
Bambi. 
At Momence, Ill. 
Best 100/200 Commercial Spike in Show — Jin- 
gles. 
At Chicago, Ill. 
Best 100/200 Single Spike in Commercial Division 
— Tangelo. 
Grand Champion 3-spike of Show — Jingles. 
Award of Commendation on single spike of Zig 
Zag. 
At Rantoul, Ill. 
Best 100/200 Single Spike in Commercial Division 
— Nadia. 
Best 100/200 3-spike in Commercial Division — 
Tangelo. 
Champion 3-spike Seedling of Show — Zig Zag. 
Sweepstakes in Commercial Division. 
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