color of King Size, I will admit that its huge propor- 
tions will catch the judges’ eyes. Although it won't 
Open more than six, Beau Brummel is superb. The 
demand for Gorgeous Deb far exceeds the supply. 
A well grown spike is something to behold. Dixie 
Maid is a top commercial release and is unsurpassed 
for health and vigor. I like its clean cut salmon- 
pink color. 
The demand for scarlet and red shades of Glads has 
increased greatly in recent years. They very seldom 
go begging on the market. Early Red is a great 
commercial with its ideal growing habits and earli- 
ness. Poinsettia is a tall strong grower and is a 
beautiful shade of red. The only fault I have noted is 
slow bulblet germination. However, bulblets from 
buiblet grown bulbs germinate readily and make 
splendid growth. Tomahawk sends up superb spikes. 
It is a coming commercial. The light red color of 
Leah Gorham is enhanced by its white throat. This 
makes very uniform growth. Red Wing continues 
to set a high standard with its long, slender spikes. 
The Black-Red class has become much stronger 
with the introduction of Ruffled Ebony in 1953 and 
the new comer Black Joe. The former has a very rich 
sheen and is intensely ruffled. Black Joe is early. 
Its 8 open florets have a silver edging and, unlike 
many black-reds, does not sunburn. The beautiful, 
glossy color and heavily ruffled florets of Thunder- 
bolt remind you of Burma, one of its parents. Black 
Cherry wins the honors of “most open”, easily open- 
ing 10 florets of very firm substance. Ace of Spades 
is the blackest red I have seen. Its florets resemble 
black velvet. Dark David throws massive spikes of 
perfect placement. The black-reds always appeal to 
garden visitors and are a center of attraction at the 
shows. 
We have so many fine Glads in the pink classes it 
is difficult to select just a few. Miss Madison is a 
lovely pastel color and is one of the most beautiful 
Glads. Blossomtime is more than a name — it is a 
description of the flower, a pure pink shading to a 
pure white center. Those who remember Rima, 
which refused to propagate, will no doubt recall its 
lovely pure lilac-pink color. The pure pink of Pink 
Chiffon is identical to that of Rima. This one is a 
fast increaser. Rose-pink C. D. Fortnam sends up 
stunning spikes of heavy substance and intense ruf- 
fling. The old reliables, Friendship and Spic and 
Span carry on as great commercials. Show reports 
reveal Spic and Span is still in the select group. 
The rose classes, from the light through the deeper 
tones present a large variance in lovely shades and 
hues. The bright rose of Badger Rose, blending into 
rose purple, is most vivid. The soft, rose-pink Burma 
Rose has much inflorescence and will surely catch 
your eye. Elmer's Rose is a wonderful commercial 
with its heavy substance and long spikes. One of 
the best introductions to appear in several years is 
Julia Mae. The originator of Julia Mae, my good 
friend Ralph Pommert, has thoroughly tested it on 
the cutflower market. I consider it a real find. It 
has been said that Shallimar’s color is identical with 
that of Chamouny. They are practically alike but 
Shallimar throws much longer spikes. Tops in color 
is Miss Chicago, a lavender-rose of appealing beauty. 
It needs good culture to produce the best spikes. 
Rosario is a clean-cut, glowing rose and rates highly 
as a commercial. A well grown spike of Noweta 
Rose, with many open florets of formal placement, 
is a sure winner on the show table. 
Competition in the lavender class is greatly in- 
creasing, especially with such introductions as 
Princess, Tyrone, and Orchid Blush. All three are 
tops for exhibition and have what it takes to make 
good commercials. I have had the pleasure of judg- 
ing Orchid Blush at several shows, beginning with 
the 1949 Purdue show where it was champion seed- 
ling, and heartily recommend it to the showman. It 
swept the 1953 Indiana State show. Tyrone is a real 
Grand Champ and is such a consistent producer of 
long spikes it merits a high commercial rating. The 
rose lavender Princess is much in demand. It easily 
opens 8-11 of perfect placement. Attraction sends up 
beautiful formal spikes. It is a runaway propagator. 
Francesca has won wide acclaim for its beauty. De- 
mand will exceed the supply. The deep lavender 
Cavalier is a very vigorous, tall grower. Gail can 
always be depended upon to supply you with fine 
spikes. It easily opens 8-10. Falcon is very beauti- 
ful and justly popular. No doubt it is the most 
unusual lavender. 
Grapewine, King David, The Rajah, make up a 
trio of beautiful purples. It is hard to choose between 
them. King David seems to open the most while 
Grapewine and The Rajah send up longer spikes. 
The latter two are practically a self color. All three 
are tops. 
Lavender Blue is a pleasing pale blue. It is a vigor- 
ous grower, producing beautiful spikes that will 
gatner more than its share of awards. Blue Devil 
is very striking and will take its place as a top show 
winner when stock is more plentiful. 
Smoky shades are very popular with show fans. 
Prince, a brilliant red smoky with beautifully ruffled 
florets, will be something to look forward to. Persian 
Rug is an unusual blend of colors; its name justly 
describes it. In the A. O.°C. class we have Embers 
and Gay Nineties; two excellent Glads that can 
win with ease. 
The best show spikes in our garden this past sum- 
mer, excluding 1954 introductions were: Athene, 
Boise Belle, Burma Rose, Catherine Beath, C. D. 
Fortnam, La Valle, King David, Mother Fischer, 
Patrol, Shallimar, Grapewine, Spic and Span, Tyrone, 
White Symphony, Lavender Blue, Snowclad, Princess, 
Columbia, Elmer’s Rose, Ivoree, Poinsettia, Howard 
V. Wright, A. B. Coutts, King Size, The Rajah, 
Francesca. 
