Gladiolus Studies — II 207 



twine to which the plants are tied. C. Zeestraten uses stout stakes, 

 with a string around the plants at a height of twelve inches. J. L. 

 Moore prefers a " heavy cord both sides of the row every ten feet, and 

 cross twining." For individual plants slender bamboo stakes are best, 

 the plants being tied to them with rafha or green string. 



The value of deep planting in holding the plants erect has already 

 been considered, and it has been stated that close setting of the conns 

 will help to maintain a good, strong, self-supporting row. " Many growers 

 throw up the soil on both sides of the row. This is only done after the 

 plants have reached a good height, and it helps to keep the blooming 

 spikes from the mud. 



An excellent method for the amateur is described by Rexford (1910). 

 He advocates the use of green-painted barrel hoops, across which coarse 

 binder twine is laced. This support is placed at the height of eighteen 

 inches above the ground. In early growth the shoots can be properly 

 directed into the meshes. 



The majority of growers agree that the modem gladiolus should stand 

 alone without support. But many varieties that are excellent in flower, 

 color, and form do not possess a good upright habit. They must therefore 

 be encouraged. 



W. W. WiLmore, jr., of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, grows his gladioli under 

 irrigation. This he feels to be necessary, since the early spring rains 

 start the crop into good vigorous growth, which is checked by the heat 

 and drouth of July and August, the only resource left being the nourish- 

 ment stored up for the next season. This makes weaker corms, which 

 in turn may be expected to produce smaller flower stalks. By the use 

 of irrigation the plants are kept in continual growth. Wilmore (1914 a) 

 describes his system of irrigation as follows: 



For irrigation the streams are tapped by canals, which carry water into adjoining 

 sections. The canals are tapped at intervals by sub-canals, and these in turn spread 

 out into laterals which distribute the water directly to the fields or into reservoirs 

 which are generally located on the highest point of the farms in order that the water 

 may have a natural flow to all parts of the premises. It is sometimes necessary to 

 build dikes or flumes to convey the water to these points, and in cases of long distance 

 the water is piped in ordinary* sewer pipe which is carefully cemented. 



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At the blooming season cultivation ceases, so well defined ditches may be made 

 to carry water for the balance of the season. At the lower extremities of the rows, 

 waste ditches are made to catch and carry off the surplus water as it passes out at 

 the end of the rows. The waste is conveyed by this means to other plots of land or 

 in some cases to the main lateral where it is again used. 



Irrigation water is measured by inches and feet. One inch of water is that amount 

 which will continually flow through a hole one inch square under a five inch water 

 pressure. Ten inches of water is generally allotted to a ten acre tract of land or an 

 appro.Kimate number of inches to each acre in a tract of larger or smaller proportions. 



In extremely dry seasons irrigation is carried on b}' means of pumping from wells. 

 These wells vary in size according to the amount of water needed. One of the best 



