THE GLADIOLUS. 
A search, be it ever so painstaking and complete, of the floral king- 
dom, will discover no flower of such easy culture, embracing the great 
range of color with endless combinations and variety, to equal the 
Gladiolus. Although called the people's flower, it to-day is practically 
unknown to both the amateur and average grower, and I claim for the 
newer hybrids greater beauty and more exquisite coloring than in any 
other garden ornament. Even the orchids failed to equal it, excepting 
in durability as a cut flower, and here the Gladiolus excels all others. 
For the best results, cut the spike when the first flower opens and 
bloom in the house. This treatment is also beneficial to the bulb. 
Varieties of the Gladiolus are now numbered by thousands, but com- 
paratively few possess sufficient vitality to reproduce characteristic 
flowers; the same may be said of self-fertilized seedlings. This makes 
my selected collections of special value and advantage to the buyer, and 
not afiforded by any other grower. The process of selection also assures 
the best possible results in the hybridized seedlings listed herein. 
In this catalogue is presented to the progressive amateur, as well as 
the scientist, the most valuable varieties, collections and mixtures offered 
in the world. They are selected with the view of giving the critical 
grower unequalled value and satisfaction. 
The only bulbs, blooming size, sent out are first quality old, and 
strong bulblet grown. The latter are the best value and produce the 
finest flowers this season and next. These and smaller sizes are kept 
for my own growing, in preference to the largest matured corms. No 
second size or cull old bulbs are sent out at any price — they never give 
satisfaction. 
The brief cultural instructions condensed herein are sufficient for 
general use. Special conditions of soil and climate should be made the 
subject of correspondence. 
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