FOREWORD 
If we thought we had a wet spring in 1952, we just did not know what we were 
talking about, for the spring of 1953 caused us to scout around and see if anyone had 
plans for an ARK. It rained and rained, and rained, and even our high light land, just 
would not dry out. So, come May 3rd, we started to plant anyway, sort of mudded them 
in. I think that from about May 15th, until August 20th, we enjoyed the finest growing 
weather I have ever experienced. We enjoyed just the right amount of rainfall, and the 
glads grew like mad, and we had more 6 ft. spikes than I have ever had before. So, while 
we have heard from many of our friends in New York and Pennsylvania, that they were 
experiencing their worst drought in history, and felt so sorry for them, we saw the 
glads at their best, for which we thank the good Lord. 
First spikes of course showed up on the miniatures, as always. Those cute little 
devils, Bo-Peep, Twinkles, came into color in just 50 days from planting, and we sold 
them for as much money as we normally get for the big fellows. Of course the first 
commercials, as always, coming into flower in 60 days, were DARLA, RHETT BUTLER. 
Other swell commercials, coming into flower this season in 65 to 70 days, were BAR- 
RETT’S BEAUTY, GOLD BANK, WINONA, CLAIRE WALLACE, MELLOW MOON, 
LILA WALLACE, HENRIETTA, and CROWN JEWEL. 
As is my custom, the best commercials, from my records, seem to me to rate about 
as follows, and starting with WHITES, SNOWCLAD TOPS THE LIST, and you will 
see it on most symposiums I think. This is followed closely by SIERRA SNOW, MOTHER 
FISCHER, BARBARA WARR, WHITECLIFFE, CRYSTAL BEAUTY, ANGELA LYNN, 
EASTER MORN, and don’t ever under-estimate dependable FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE, 
which while somewhat older, is still the greatest commercial white glad in the low 
priced field. 
CREAMS are coming up, and we bloomed some extra fine things. If I were a com- 
mercial cut flower grower, I would grow DAYBREAK by the thousands. It is most 
dependable, makes fine long straight spikes, that open well, and keep well when cut. 
CHARLOTTE RUSSE, CONNIE G, are excellent performers, and you will find a couple 
of 1954 introductions that are topnotchers too. 
YELLOWS, which were such a weak class not more than 5 years ago, are now 
not only plentiful, but clean, clear, ruffled, heavily textured, and as wonderful as any 
color we have. I think FORSYTHIA has won more Grand Championships, under tougher 
conditions, than any yellow we grow, partly because it has had rather wide distribution, 
but this past season, GOLD BOND, GOLDEN DIANA, GOLD BANK, all won their 
share of Championships, and all are excellent commercials. The o!der SUNDANCE, 
CATHERINE BEATH, GOLD and YELLOW FLARE, are still darn good yellows too. 
Keep your eye open for two new ones, SCEPTRE and MING YELLOW. 
REDS are coming up a bit, but believe it or not, it is still not too strong a class. 
I shall not separate reds from scarlets, in this diary, because to the average glad fan, 
searlets are red. DAVID WARR and RED MILL are certainly the two most brilliant reds 
I grew. (The experts will say, they are scarlets of course) LORD ELGIN showed its class 
this season, RED FEATHER excellent, GARNET RUFFLES, RED TOWER, TRULY 
FAIR, RED VELVET, and of course the two older dependables RED CHARM, and 
DIEPPE. Watch for some of the 1954 introductions, which increased the number of 
superb reds, and will be heard from later. 
PINKS, well, I could write a book about fine pinks, but as usual, I will start with 
Rose Pinks. Perhaps we shall see better ones, but if we never see a better lot of rose 
pinks, I could settle for ROSANNAH, ROSITA, ROSIE O’GRADY, ROSELYN, ELMER’S 
ROSE, LYNNE HILL, POWDER PUFF, GREAT DAY, WHISTLE STOP, AYLMER 
GLORY, and ORCHID MIST. More are coming, so you pays your money and takes your 
choice. Now, the others, I am not going to attempt to classify, and get you all mixed up 
in your mind, and of course this includes the salmon pinks, deep pinks, blush pinks, etc. 
What a galaxy of gorgeous gals we have here. EDITH WARR, ANNIVERSARY, LOOK, 
SUMMER CHARM, BARRETT’S HONEY DEW, GRACE DARLING, DOLLY VARDEN, 
FRASER, BONNIE BRAE, ANN SHERMAN, PENNANT, HEARTS DESIRE, DOROTHY 
MARGARET, were all marvellous and you should consider them carefully, in making 
your selection. 
LAVENDERS, another class which used to be weak, has been greatly strengthened 
and today, we have some great lavender glads. DESERT SONG sent up 66” spikes this 
year, BRIDAL ORCHID, MARTHA WASHINGTON, HENRIETTA, and last, but by no 
means least, LAVENDER LADY will thrill you to no end, and is the finest lavender in 
the 300 class. 
