65 
for there is much less dirt to be handled and not so 
many bulblets will be lost in it. 
A small shovel with narrow blade is convenient in 
the digging of bulbs. For bulblets, a hand trowel of 
fair size, with sharpened blade, is useful. 
DISEASES 
Gladioli are very free from disease and if properly 
grown and stored it is unlikely that any trouble will be 
experienced. 
If grown too often on the same soil without rota¬ 
tion of other crops, or if fertilizers too hot are used, or 
if grown on soil not well drained, or if improperly 
stored, a scab may develop. This may soon render the 
bulb worthless. 
If only partially affected with scab, the bulbs may 
be soaked just before planting. For this purpose some 
growers use a solution consisting of a pound of blue- 
stone in 100 pounds of water, soaking the bulbs in this 
for from two to five minutes; others use a half ounce 
of 40 per cent formaldehyde to each two gallons of 
water, soaking the bulbs in this from a quarter of an 
hour to an hour. Best to peel the bulbs before treating. 
The best remedy of all is perfect care. Then they 
will not become diseased. 
MOLES AND OTHER ENEMIES 
A fine, moist, mellow soil is a certain attraction for 
moles, and they are not at all particular as to the way 
they may wander about just beneath the surface. They 
will soon heave up whole rows of bulbs and bulblets. 
Many so-called remedies have been offered from 
time to time and we have tried about all of them. 
