THE GLADIOLUS 



satisfactory than tying them to stakes, as we 

 often see done. Some kind of a support must 

 be given if we would guard against injury caused 

 by strong winds. When the flower-stalk is once 

 prostrated it is a difficult matter to get it back in 

 place without breaking it. 



If netting is used it need not be placed over 

 the bed before the middle of July. By that time 

 most of the weeds which require attention during 

 the early part of the season will have been dis- 

 posed of. Putting on the netting at an earlier 

 period would greatly interfere with the proper 

 cultivation of the bed. The soil should be kept 

 light and open until the flower-stalks begin to 

 show their buds. 



The flowering-period covers several weeks, be- 

 ginning in August, and lasting all through Sep- 

 tember. 



The Gladiolus is extremely effective for in- 

 terior decorative work. It lasts for days after 

 being cut. Indeed, if cut when the first flowers 

 at the base of the spike open, it will continue to 

 develop the buds above until all have become 

 flowers, if the water in which the stalks are placed 

 is changed daily, and a bit of the end of the stalk 

 is cut off each time. For church use no flower 

 excels it except the Lily, and that we can have 



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