Cua 
WEST CHICAGO 
HLUNOIS 
The firm remained in the Glen Ellyn location until 1927, when 
several greenhouses and an office building were erected at West 
Chicago, ten miles away. Also, it was during this period that 
he wrote “Better Sweet Peas”, describing the culture of this crop. 
This book was widely circulated among commercial Sweet Pea 
growers of that day. 
In spite of the great depression, good sales gains were made in 
the seed business in the 1930’s. George K., oldest son of Mr. Ball 
and now Company President, joined the staff in 1931. To help his 
grower customers keep informed about the latest and best grow- 
ing practices, George J. Ball began publication of the magazine, 
“Grower Talks”, in 1937. This grower magazine has been pub- 
lished each month continuously since that date and is being 
carried on under the editorship of son Victor Ball, who became 
affiliated with the firm after completing the curriculum in floricul- 
ture at the University of Illinois in 1936. Vic is also manager of 
the company greenhouses, and is especially interested in the latest 
developments in Mum growing. One year later, Robert Ball, third 
son of George J., came to work. He is now in charge of Bulb and 
Supply Warehouse and Shipping. 
Apart from writing, travel provided George Ball considerable 
recreation. He made several trips to Europe and one to Japan in 
the thirties, establishing valuable contacts with seed suppliers. 
Column Stocks were introduced to this country as a result of 
travels in the early thirties in Germany, where they were being 
grown commercially. 
A modern, fireproof, two-story, air-conditioned office and seed 
warehouse was constructed at West Chicago in 1933, An addition 
was added in 1938 and another in 1950 to accommodate an in- 
creased volume of business in seeds. Also, additional space was 
needed during the late thirties and forties for new lines of 
merchandise, including rooted Mum cuttings, plants, bulbs, and 
certain supplies. 
Certainly one af the high points of George J’s career was 
reached when at Toronto, Canada, in 1938, he was elected presi- 
dent of the Society of American Florists. ; 
Of recent years we need add little. An I.B.M. system was in- 
stalled after the war in the firm’s order-writing and billing opera- 
tions, making for more rapid processing of orders, even improving 
the “same day service” on seed orders which had become a policy 
of the firm at its inception. Carl, youngest son of George Ball, 
joined the firm in 1947 after completion of a war-interrupted col- 
lege course at the University of Illinois, and is now in charge of 
the firm’s seed business. 
While attempting to realize a long-time ambition to circle the 
globe a second time (first during the Spanish-American War), 
George Ball suffered a heart attack while crossing the Pacific. He 
returned home, and several months later in September, 1949, 
passed away at the age of 75. 
The Ball Brothers and the entire Ball organization wish to take 
this opportunity to thank the trade for their generous support of 
their efforts to serve the florist industry. To be able to look back 
upon several decades of a cordial and mutually profitable relation- 
ship with many firms throughout the country is, indeed, one of the 
real pleasures of doing business. And in these times of important 
developments in our industry, we regard the future as a challenge 
and an opportunity to carry on the Ball reputation for “All the 
Best—Nothing Else”. THE BALL BROTHERS 
This modern 21/-acre range of glass plus office buildings has been the place of business of the Ball Company since the move from Glen Ellyn in 1927. 
a 
GROWER TALKS 
For the latest information on new varieties 
from Ball Flowering Trials, cultural tech- 
niques, growing schedules, insect and disease 
controls, and many other grower problems, 
subscribe to GROWER TALKS. An up-to- 
the-minute monthly digest of what’s new and 
interesting in the business of growing flowers. 
Price: 
90c for 1 year; 3 years for $2.50. 
Binder for 24 issues, $1.50. 
New Varieties for 55 
We couldn’t get them all on the next page, so we put a few new 
varieties here. 
MARIGOLD 
Cupid Gold. Rich golden shade, between yellow and orange. 
Very distinct. 
Tr, pkt., 50¢; % 0z., 900; 1%4 oz., $1.75; 1 oz., $5.00. 
Lemon Drop. Excellent new dwarf yellow. 
Tr. pkt., 40¢; %4 0z., $1.25; 1 oz., $3.75. 
SAINTPAULIA (African Violet) 
White. 90% true; variable foliage. 300 seeds, $2.50. 
Double Mixed. 50% double. 300 seeds, $3.00. 
VERBENA 
Crystal. Dwarf spreading. Pure white. 
Tr. pkt., 50e; %4 oz., $1.50; 1 0z., $4.50. 
Firelight. Clear, bright red. Bush type. 
Tr. pkt., 55¢; %4 oz., $1.30; 1 oz, $4.00. 
2 “Flower Seeds for Florists’”’ is more than a slogan, it is our No. 1 responsibility. 
