4 
DO GLADIOLUS VARIETIES RUN OUT? 
This question is asked perhaps more than any other regarding gladiolus 
culture. If you started with a mixture and continued to plant that mixture you 
no doubt are asking the same question. We have touched .upon this subject in 
former bulletins but will again discuss it for the benefit of new customers. 
No variety discontinues reproduction entirely unless it is not adaptable to cer¬ 
tain soils or climatic conditions or is affected by disease or insects. However, 
some varieties multiply much more rapidly than others and soon are in a great 
majority. The primulinus type or those varieties-which-contain primulinus blood 
are great propagators and will multiply much faster than some other varieties. 
This because of the hardiness of the parentage from which they sprang. Primu¬ 
linus varieties are usually of the softer colors and you will find that after 
years of planting a mixture these soft shades will predominate. 
Five years ago in one plot we planted a high grade mixture of bulblets 
which seemed to do well. The season was favorable and all of the varieties of 
bulblets seemed to sprout and grow (of course they did not). We continued to 
plant this mixture for cut flowers only but it has now become dominated by 
a few of the stronger growing varieties. Thus it will be seen that in order to 
keep an even run of color in gladiolus it is necessary to plant named varieties 
and keep them separated as most assuredly the stronger growers will outrun and 
soon greatly outnumber the weaker ones. 
DO FLOWERS CHANGE COLOR? Aside from the foregoing, the color of- flowers 
may be greatly modified by varying soil conditions. Among the several compo¬ 
sitions of soil in which our flowers are grown we find that a well fertilized 
black soil will produce the darkest foliage and blooms v/hile red or gypsum soil 
of lighter texture unfertilized produces, flowers and foliage of a much lighter 
shade. For instance the bloom of Jersey’s Beauty dahlia will be a shade darker 
pink if grown in the former than if grown in the latter. In glads the differ¬ 
ence is more noticeable. . \ Minuet produces a much lighter lavender flower 
grown in red soil and the same is true of all the softer colors. The difference 
is hardly noticeable in the real dark shades and of course no change could be 
effected in the whites. 
SPRING PLANTING OF PEONIES NOT ADVISA3LE 
The peony is a perennial plant which begins its new years growth in the 
fall. At this time it begins a new growth of fine, hair-like roots and new 
eyes or sprouts. To disturb and transplant it in the spring is not advisable 
as that is contrary to its natural habit of development. However, if the peony 
has been dug in the fall and held in proper cold storage so that its natural 
growth is held in check (which is not possible with ordinary storage facilities) 
it will suffer no serious set back when planted in the spring. Under ordinary 
circumstances no advantage in growth is gained by spring planting as against 
planting the. following fall. Peonies, to do their best, should be as well 
cared for as any other garden flower as regards cultivation, fertilization, water¬ 
ing and so forth. 
OUR FALL BULLETIN 
Our fall bulletin listing all kinds of bulbs for fall planting will be 
sent you about September 15 th. Not only will it include more than 100 of the 
better varieties of peonies, tulips, iris and other bulbs but it will carry de¬ 
tailed information and suggestions pertaining to all phases of their care and 
culture. WAIT FOR ITi IT IS FREE! 
