CHAPTER XLIII 



THE TUBEROSE AND GLADIOLUS 



The Tuberose is a lovely fall-blooming plant, 

 but it is seldom seen growing in the garden, for 

 the idea prevails that it cannot be grown there suc- 

 cessfully, at least by the amateur. This is not true. It 

 can easily be grown there if given proper culture. 



It is a plant which requires a longer season than 

 most other plants of its class. If planted out in June, 

 or at the coming of really warm weather, it will not 

 mature its flowers before late in September, and by 

 that time we are pretty sure to have frosts which will 

 kill it, as it is very tender. The proper thing to do, 

 then, to bring it to perfection, is to give it an early start 

 in spring, thus extending the season and giving it all 

 the time it needs. 



Get your bulbs as early as possible, and as soon 

 as received plant them in small pots, in a light, sandy 

 compost. Water well at planting, and keep in a 

 warm place till they begin to grow. Then remove to 

 a sunny window, and be careful about giving too much 

 water. In June turn them out of their pots without 

 disturbing the roots, and plant in a rich, light, sandy 

 soil having a warm, sunny exposure. Treated in this 

 manner Tuberoses will come into bloom early in 

 September, if your bulbs are strong and sound. As 

 a bulb blooms but once, be sure that you get good, 

 blooming bulbs. Of course you can't tell about this 

 by the looks of the bulb, but if you buy of a reliable 

 dealer — and you should patronize no other — you can 

 safely trust to his honesty to send you what you want. 



Before planting your Tuberoses take a sharp knife 

 and cut off the mass of old, dried roots at the base 



