1954 BUMPER CROP 
On July 29th we harvested our first 
and finest 1954 crop. These two identi- 
cal seedlings will not be for sale. We are 
going to keep them for further develop- 
ing. To them everything is fun. They 
even enjoy going to bed. They get up 
smiling although often times near the 
5 A.M. hour. They do have their little 
sessions devoted to lung development 
though. Their plumbing 1s in fine work- 
ing condition so we have to keep chang- 
ing seat covers. You mothers who just 
have one baby can have several hours 
a day just to rest and read in. My wife 
never wishes that there was only one of 
them but often that there were two of 
her—I don’t though, one wife is suffi- 
cient for me. 
JIMMIE JOHNNIE 
Foreword... 
Greetings from Golden West Gladiolus and Tidy Didy Service. Since the arrival of Johnnie and 
Jimmie on July 29th, the diaper business has almost outstripped the glad business. It looks like we 
will be in the diaper business for another year at least. To date all the little fellows have had out of 
a bottle is water and orange juice. Esther—that’s the babies’ mother and, incidentally, my wife—says 
that she is part Holstein. I wouldn’t dare say anything like that but as long as she said it I am safe 
repeating it (I hope). 
Twins are a lot of fun and take a lot of loving and a lot of work, but the result is contented 
babies. I guess we are lucky to be able to put them to bed at 10 P.M. and not hear a word out of them 
until time to get up in the morning. I hope this keeps up. (Sometimes we get up early.) 
Inasmuch as the babies are NOT FOR SALE it might be well if I would devote part of this 
catalog to glads. 
Oh, yes, if you happen to write me and do not get an answer as soon as you think you should, 
it might be because I do take time out from my work to live and play with my family. I am a firm 
believer in “A family that prays together and plays together stays together.” 
Smokies and novelty colors lead the field in popularity as far as home gardeners are concerneaA— 
the very colors that you can’t find in your local nursery are the glads you like the best. I guess that 1s 
the main reason I am in business. 
As usual this year I have dropped quite a few varieties and added others. I have also increased 
my miniature collection and have listed it by itself this year. You should try a few miniatures for cut 
flowers, corsages, etc. 1 am sure you would enjoy them. 
People are always asking me which are the most beautiful glads. That is a matter of opinion. To 
me Green Light and Uhu are actually homely but I have heard, during the past few years at the 
Los Angeles County Fair, literally thousands of people say how beautiful these two glads are. However, 
I have my own opinion as to the most beautiful and here they are—take them for what they are 
worth—C. D. Fortnam, Columbia, Burma, Copper Luster, Crimson Glow, Dieppe, Edgewood, 
Elizabeth The Queen, Gold, King David, Lila Wallace, Ruffled Ebony, Vanisle and White Symphony. 
If I were to make another list next year, 1 am sure there would be some changes as at least half of 
these glads have been out less than four years. If you were to make out a list 1 am sure it would be 
different than mine. 
In glad growing you will find more pleasure and less work out of a few outstanding glads than 
you will out of a whole lot of something common. 
Send in your orders as early as possible and list a few second choices as we are always run- 
ning out of some varieties although this year we really have more of most everything. 
Good luck with your 1955 Glad Garden. 
ert As ever, 
W.I. MASON 
