26 
treated. The finest crop of all to turn under is a big 
stand of clover, but it takes longer to get it. 
Gladioli are like potatoes in their soil requirements. 
They like plenty of humus and do best on new soil. 
They should be grown on new soil each year for several 
reasons: they are less liable to become diseased; new 
soil contains the best proportion of food elements; and 
above all, they must be grown on new soil to prevent 
mixing with the bulblets remaining in the soil after 
digging. 
At the time of growing the cover crop a good dress¬ 
ing of dehydrated lime should be applied. This sweet¬ 
ens the soil and lasts for several years. It should not 
be applied at the same time that other fertilizer is put 
on for it causes a too-rapid release of ammonia. 
It is well to apply a heavy top dressing of well- 
rotted cow manure the fall before planting. 
With such cover crops, fertilizers, deep plowing and 
thorough working of the soil we should have the beds 
in such fine condition before planting that they would 
satisfy even the most exacting Scotch rose grower. 
A 
And then we will go him one better. After the last 
deep plowing early in the spring, as soon as the soil 
is dry enough to work without injury, we will go over 
the surface to a depth of about six inches with a rake 
about sixteen inches wide with teeth only slightly bent, 
and rake out every bit of sod and trash of all kinds, 
leaving this surface soil fine and loose. If this is thor¬ 
oughly done the remainder of our cultivation for the 
season will be easy, and we are ready to mark off and 
stake the beds. 
