The modern gladiolus has won such acceptance that more bulbs of tho different 
varieties arc planted and more space devoted to its culture than to any other 
flowering bulb. Long supreme as a summer cut flower the improved varieties of this 
race now offer material for the garden picture too gorgeous for description. The 
forerunners of the modern gladiolus, the kinds that our grandmothers grew, were 
small in comparison to those new varieties which are now offered so cheaply and are 
to be seen growing wherever beautiful flowers are produced. These new creations 
with their towering spikes covered with giant flowers which last fr.om ten days to 
two weeks provide that indescribable thrill which is the very essence of flower 
growing. The gladiolus is our most versatile flower. It will do better under ad¬ 
verse conditions than any other. Nothing can prevent a production of bloom except 
total destruction. Very seldom does a glad bulb of blooming size disappoint you 
even though climatic and soil conditions bo the most unfavorable. 
PLANTING DIRECTIONS. Select a spot of ample sunshine. Plant not closer than 6 
inches apart and to a depth according to size of bulb. Largo bulbs may be planted 
as deep as 6 inches which will afford greater resistance against spikes being blown 
over by the wind. Plant small bulbs 2 to 4 inches deep. Before planting bulblets 
mix them with an equal amount of rotten sawdust and soak for a week or ten 'days. 
Plant sawdust right along with the bulblets. 
CAUTION. Never use fresh manure in close proximity to bulbs. 
C.iRE AND CULTIVATION. Select a spot of ample sunshine in any good garden soil 
having first thoroughly worked tho soil to a good depth. Plant 5 to 4 inches apart 
in tho row and rows 12 inches apart and to a depth of 2 to 4 inches depending upon 
the size of the bulb. Large bulbs may successfully be planted to a depth of 6 
inches which will afford greater resistance against spikes being blown over by the 
wind. Glads may be planted as early in the spring as the ground may be worked, 
provided of course, that the ground does not freeze down to the bulbs. For success¬ 
ful blooms planting should be done from April 25 to July 1 with good results in tho 
latitude of Chicago. Another good way for succession of blooms is to plant bulbs 
of various 3izcs in the same row even though they range in size from the smallest 
to the largest. 
Glads require plenty of cultivation and when spikes begin to bud they should 
be well watered at regular intervals... The soil should then be stirred as soon as 
dry enough to prevent the surface crusting. There is very little danger of too 
much cultivation especially shallow stirring of the soil. Avoid fresh manure of 
any kind in grov/ing glads. Well rotted manure or commercial fertilizer can be used 
to good advantage if kept away from tho bulbs or plants.' If tho soil is too heavily 
enriched the glad all goes to plant and flower but at the sacrifice of the bulb. 
A judicious use of fertilizers will assure fine flowers as well as healthy bulbs. 
Bone meal is a good all around fertilizer for glads as well as most other bulbous 
flowers. 
STANDARD SITES FOR GRADING BULBS. No. 1; ly inch and up in diameter. No. 2; In¬ 
to ly in. No. 3; 1 to ly in. No. 4; 3/4 to 1 in. No. 5 y to 3/4 in. No. 6; -§• 
inch and under. 
