PLANTS FOR OUTSIDE PLANTING 435 



is moisture-loving, and in deep planting, its roots are in 

 the cooler, moist soil ; secondly, the soil acts as a support, 

 no other support being necessary ordinarily. Commer- 

 cially, the conns are usually planted in rows, often two 

 rows, about six inches apart, in the furrow. If the 

 conns are over one inch in diameter, they are placed right 

 side up ; if less than one inch, they are scattered promis- 

 cuously. 



Upon the approach of frost, the corms are dug, and the 

 tops left on the corms. They are then stored in an airy 

 place to dry thoroughly. After several weeks, the last 

 year's exhausted corms and the old stems may be re- 

 moved and the stock cleaned. The best storage temper- 

 ature is from 40 to 45, and in a rather dry atmosphere. 

 If the corms become heated, they dry, and this causes 

 them to start prematurely. If too humid, the corms rot 

 or start growth. A shallow tray three or four inches deep 

 insures the corms against heating. 



Each year finds new uses for the gladiolus, which now 

 holds first place among the summer blooming corms: 

 first, because of the great range of color ; secondly, because 

 of wonderful keeping qualities, each spike keeping over a 

 week ; thirdly, because of their ease of culture, primarily 

 the same as that for potatoes ; and fourthly, by the proper 

 choice of established varieties, they can be commended 

 because of their cheapness. This flower is extensively 

 utilized for all kinds of decorative work. Large vases 

 or baskets of this stately flower fill a place quite distinct 

 from any other flower. 



As a garden subject, the gladiolus is unexcelled for fur- 

 nishing a long season of bloom, extending from mid-July 

 until frosts, either in a bed, in which case the plants should 

 be very close, or in clumps in the herbaceous border. 



