GLADIOLUS. 



117 



although they will bloom earlier than the smaller ones 

 if planted at the same time. Although the Gladiolus is 

 a desirable flower at all seasons, and can be had in the 

 open border from June until November in the latitude 

 of New York, it appears to the best advantage late in 

 the season, when the weather is cool, and the atmosphere 

 moist. During August and the early part of September 

 the hot sun and drying winds seriously affect the flowers. 

 The spikes are short, the individual blooms small and 

 withered, and, moreover, they do not endure nearly so 

 long. It does not matter so 

 much about the heat, if they 

 can have proportionate 

 moisture. For small plats, 

 where the flowers are wanted 

 in midsummer, plantings 

 should be made, so that when 

 the flower stalks appear they 

 can have protection from the 

 sun during the hottest part 

 of the day. This can easily 

 be done with a light screen, 

 white paper or very thin 

 muslin answering very well. 



For succession of bloom 

 frequent plantings are desira- 

 ble. This can be accom- 

 plished in the same bed, by 

 planting, first, the corms in 

 rows, say one foot apart, two inches apart in the rows, 

 and two weeks later planting another row between the 

 first two, which will allow plenty of room for growth. 

 Later plantings can be made wherever there is a vacant 

 spot, always bearing in mind the importance of giving 

 them an open, airy situation. For late planting small 

 bulbs will not answer, as they are liable to get so dried 



HALE GROWN GLADIOLUS 

 CORM WITH THE OLD 

 CORM ATTACHED. 



