FOR THE HOME BEAUTIFUL 111 



ment that the price was one thousand dollars. I 

 wonder how many of us mortals would turn down 

 an offer of five hundred dollars for a Gladiolus 

 bulb if we had the bulb. 



The colors to be had in the gladiolus range all 

 through the scale from white to crimson, many of 

 then wondrously variegated, and even a single 

 spike of bloom is a bouquet in itself. 



The flowers make a gorgeous display in the field, 

 they are exquisite for long-lasting bouquets, and 

 make charming decorations. 



The spikes should be cut when the first flower 

 has opened, and the rest of the buds will gradu- 

 ally open until the one at the very tip of the 

 spike has bloomed as beautifully as the first, pre- 

 senting a charming display for all of a week or 

 ten days. For shipping the spikes are cut when 

 the first bud shows color, and before a flower has 

 actually opened. 



Gladioli bulbs, if planted a few every ten days 

 or two weeks from mid- April to July tenth, may be 

 had continuously in bloom from July to late Oc- 

 tober. An excellent plan to utilize garden space, 

 and get the most out of it, is to have a supply of 

 Gladioli bulbs, and stick them in the garden as the 

 early crops come out. Another excellent plan is 

 to plant the bulbs amongst the Roses in our Rose 

 beds. 



Gladioli like moisture, sunlight and rich soil, in 



