1954 PREMIUM VARIETIES 
For many years our customers ae Ae ea eR SOU eae wae ete 
as premiums with orders. Among the Premium Varieties of past years nave 
Been such grand glads as PAINTED LADY, BERMUDA, SEASHELL, LAR- 
GO, COLOGNE, PRESTO, YULETIDE, and WHITE CLOUD. We believe 
that our 1954 premium glads, WELCOME and ABLAZE, are of equally high 
quality. Remember, these two new varieties are not for sale this year at any 
price, but WILL BE GIVEN FREE WITH ORDERS, as noted below. 
WELCOME 
The best extra-early scarlet we know of, blooming at least a week or 
ten days earlier than Red Cherry, usually within 60 or 62 days from planting. 
The only other good red we know that blooms as early is Knight’s new Early 
Red, and it is an entirely different shade. Welcome is a bright medium scarlet 
with no markings. Its florescence is remarkable when 9 to 11 of its large 
flowers are open at once. Blue ribbons would look good on this new red, and we 
predict that it will win plenty of them at the early shows, or if planted late 
to hit the August shows. A fine cutter, opening and holding up exceptionally 
well in water to the very tip. Our florist customers gave this new scarlet a 
royal “welcome” at the beginning of the 1953 cut flower season. Seedling 
1515-1. J.S. Bach x Myrna Fay. 486 class. 
Not for sale this year, but one bulb of WELCOME will be given FREE OF 
EXTRA COST WITH AN ORDER OF $10.00 OR MORE. Only one bulb to a 
customer. 
ABLAZE 
One of the most striking varieties we have seen, a very brilliant though 
not bizarre or gaudy combination of red and yellow. An exceptionally bright 
red with a glowing yellow throat. Much more intensely colored than the 
older Beacon, with which it will probably be compared. It opens six medium- 
large florets on fairly tall spikes. We are not certain whether it should be 
classed 351 or 451; florets measure close to 4% inches in diameter. An average 
propagator of large bulblets. ABLAZE should be a show winner if its size 
can be kept down to 300, and it is sure to be an object of admiration in your 
garden. In effect a larger edition of Flashlight, the small variety that has 
made such a hit with everyone. Seedling 1420-2. Parentage: (Incense x 
Beacon) x (Beacon x Del Rosa). 
Not for sale this year, but one bulb of ABLAZE will be given FREE OF 
EXTRA COST WITH AN ORDER OF $20.00 OR MORE. Only one bulb to 
a customer. Note: This size order also entitles you to a bulb of WELCOME. 
ALL-AMERICA GLADIOLUS SELECTIONS 
For a good many years experts in their respective fields have 
chosen the best new Roses and Annual flowers as “All-America” selec- 
tions. In January, 19538, a group of leading Gladiolus growers and 
judges organized the All-America Gladiolus Selections, to choose and 
publicize the best new Glads among each season’s prospective intro- 
ductions. 
In 1953 twenty-nine gladiolus seedlings were submitted for test- 
ing by hybridizers from all parts of the United States and Canada. 
These seedlings were grown under code numbers in 25 trial grounds 
with wide geographical distribution. 
The winning seedlings will be selected in January, 1954, but their 
names will not be announced until 1955 because of the need to propa- 
gate an additional supply of bulbs of the winning varieties. The first 
All-America winners will be pictured and described in our 1955 catalog 
and in leading garden magazines. Watch for them! 
