SUMMER FLOWERING BULBS 



207 



The gladiolus is one of the best summer flowering bulbs 

 for planting in the border garden or in unoccupied corners 

 along a fence or hedge row. The bulbs, which in their 

 structure are like those of the crocus, and so are called corms, 

 are inexpensive, and the plants thrive 

 with the simplest treatment. The bulbs 

 can be planted as early in spring as the 

 ground is in good condition to work. 

 They should be set three or four inches 

 deep and will do better in loamy rather 

 than clayey soil. There should be a 

 succession of plantings every two weeks 

 until the first of July; this will give a 

 long period of flowering and will enable 

 one to have a splendid display of blos- 

 soms from early in summer until late in 

 autumn. 



The large attractive blossoms of the 

 gladiolus are borne closely crowded in 

 long spikes and the lowest flowers develop 

 first. If the spikes are cut when they are 

 just coming into blossom and placed in 

 water in-doors, the flowers will continue 

 to come out for many days, yielding a lasting and very 

 interesting display. 



The tuberose is one of those plants which were formerly 

 much more popular than they are to-day; but it is well worth 

 while to grow a few specimens in order to become familiar 

 with the attractive blossoms. The bulbs require a rather 

 warm temperature for their development, so that it is not 

 worth while to plant them until the ground is warm and the 



Gladiolus. 



