THE TUBEROSE AND GLADIOLUS 245 



superb coloring and delicacy of texture. For there 

 is nothing coarse about the Gladiolus. It has all the 

 delicacy of the Lily combined with the magnificence 

 of color peculiar to the most brilliant and showy 

 tropical plants. 



Nothing is finer for cutting for vases. The flow- 

 ers last for days, and buds develop into blossoms after 

 being cut. 



After frost comes take up the bulbs and lay them 

 in the sun till the earth is dry enough to be shaken 

 from them. Then cut off the flower stalk, leaving 

 about six inches of it attached to the bulb. If cut closer 

 the bulb may rot before it becomes dry enough to go 

 into winter quarters. In December put in the cellar 

 if it is a dry one, if not, store in some room free from 

 frost and moisture. 



This bulb increases rapidly. If you invest a dollar 

 or two in bulbs this season you will have quite a stock 

 of them in fall, when you come to dig them, and from 

 these, planted next spring, you will obtain all you care 

 to use, and very likely more. If so, it will afford 

 you a great deal of pleasure, doubtless, to share them 

 with your flower loving friends who may not be so 

 fortunate as you are. Fig 63 shows flower spikes of 

 some of the best types. 



