IN THE FRONT YARD. 247 



SUCCESSION OF BLOOM. 



This can be regulated both by varieties and also by 

 the time of planting. In a bed of several hundred 

 some will bloom very early and others late. I have had 

 them bloom in November while others of the same 

 planting will blossom early in July. For a succession 

 plant about the first of May. Plant another lot the 

 first of June and you can plant again in July. In fact 

 late blossoms are the best because they come on after 

 the intense heat of summer has passed. If you wish 

 the best results while they are blooming in the hottest 

 part of the season and it is very dry, shelter them with 

 burlap or muslin. 



FORCING THEM. 



Having had no experience in this line I quote from 

 an expert, C. L. Allen, of Floral Park, N. Y. : "The 

 gladiolus for decorative purposes during the winter 

 season has of late been considerably used ; many gi'ow- 

 ers having been very successful in bringing it in at the 

 proper time, making it a profitable branch of their in- 

 dustry. This had the tendency to induce others who 

 had not sufiicient knowledge of its requirements to 

 make a success of the enterprise, to plant on a large 

 scale. Like all other undertakings, with hope, rather 

 than experience as a guide, it has not been as profitable 

 as might be desired." But a few men have been suc- 

 cessful, among them John Thorp of Peal Kiver, N. Y., 

 who knows the o-ladiolus well and acts accordingly. 



