UPJOHN’S GLADIOLUS 
FEBRUARY, 1934 
WORD FROM CUSTOMER 
We print below an excerpt from a letter we received under date of October 17, 1933, from Mr. David McH. Forbes, 
one of our valued customers in Hawaii. It tells something of our business methods, bulbs and results attained from our 
product. It tells in a nutshell what hundreds of other customers have written us from all over the nation: 
“I wish at this time to tell you a few facts about your Glad bulbs sent me on several occasions. At same time I wish 
to say that you method of doing business is the most satisfactory to the customer of any I have experienced. Your 
price list is not an elaborate description in paint and color of what you have to sell, but your goods are of the best quality 
obtainable, free from disease, true to name (if sold under name), strong, vigorous bulbs which, with fair treatment in 
cultivation, will give the maximum results. Not satisfied with giving only what you have promised you are more than 
generous in gratis bulbs. Most people, it seems only human, like to get something for nothing. It does not always mean 
that such gratis goods are really a present but that inferior goods make up the order and the gratis is a sort of lubricant. 
In your case, however, such is not so. I have compared your prices as well as your goods with other Glad merchants 
and found that your prices are right and your bulbs reliable, so much so, that I am a satisfied and appreciative customer 
and feel if it does no other good to your business it will make you feel better that your endeavors are being appreciated 
in these far off isles of the Pacific.” (Mr. Forbes gave permission to use this excex*pt from his letter. His address in 
Hawaii available on request.) 
Similar letters from Maine to Texas, from Florida to California, and from every state in the Union, testify to the 
ract that our bulbs do equally well whether in the soft mild climate of the Hawaiian isles, or in the short seasons of the 
Dakotas. 
A FEW TIPS 
We have no thrips in our Gladiolus. Repeated inspections have insured us of that. But wherever you grow Glads we 
suggest precaution. We treat our bulbs. We suggest you treat yours. A bath of lye solution, 25 gallons of water to one 
13-ounce can of concentrated lye available at any grocery store, is considered a good dip. Soak bulbs for six or seven 
hours. Soak before planting, and it is even better if they can be soaked after cleaning. Our department of agriculture 
also suggests use of napthalene flakes in storage. This material intermixed at a rate of 1 ounce to 100 corms in a paper 
bag, box or barrel, the department states, has given complete control of thrips at all stages of the insect, including the 
eggs. Precaution is noted, however, to avoid use of too tight a container such as a tin can which will prevent free 
evaporation of moisture and thereby induce sprouting. 
Unless it cannot be avoided do not grow Gladious in the same ground year after year—it is conducive to disease. 
We never grow twice in the same ground unless only after many years of rotation of other crops. Growing twice in the 
same soil also has a tendency to mix varieties because of cormeis left in the ground. 
Plant your Glads in a sunny place, use plenty of water, cultivate, and be very careful in use of fertilizers. By all 
means avoid using manures unless with great care and then not only too heavily at least a year before planting. It is 
our opinion manure of any kind is a decided promoter of disease and scab in Gladiolus bulbs. It will make good flowers 
if not used too freely but the health of the succeeding bulb is apt to be a different matter. 
Enjoy Your Gladiolus 
As this catalogue is being mailed to you in mid-November our private backyard garden at home is a riot of color 
from late planted Gladiolus. Many people fail to derive the greatest enjoyment possible from their bulbs because they 
do not plant them along from time to time, some days apart, and thus have a succession of bloom from early until late 
season. In a normal season here we can have Gladious in bloom from early July until late November. Of course, this 
cannot be done in all climates. But in most any climate succession plantings will give you Gladiolus enjoyment much of 
the entire summer and fall. Practically all other flowers have a set blooming period when they bloom and are gone for 
the year. The Gladiolus will continue blooming, when properly planted, during nearly the entire season when frost do 
es not mar or kill its beauty. 
At the extremely low prices in our list Gladious bulbs should be bought by the hundreds. Then planted for succession 
of bloom and there will be a wilderness of flowers both for the garden and to cut for the home. And as cut flowers they 
are supreme, blooming from the first bud to the last tip when cut and taken into the house. Being odorless they are most 
valuable for the sick room. 
Smaller Size Bloom 
The largest No. 1 sized bulbs are not needed always for fine bloom. Of course, for exhibition top sized blooms, 
perhaps the No. 1 size is preferable in many instances. But Nos. 2, 3 or 4 sized bulbs will give wonderful blooms in 
most any climate when properly cared for, and proper care should be given to any flower for best results. In climates 
with longer seasons many of the Nos. 5 and 6 size bulbs will give excellent blooms. Some varieties like Mrs. Leon 
Douglas will give massive spikes and wonderful blooms from No. 5 sized bulbs. Soil, water, cultivation all make a 
difference in the final result. But we doubt very much if any flower will give the same excellent results as the Gladiolus, 
even under neglect. But if you wish the best results, treat your flowers right — they will repay you. 
BUY NOW 
This is the slogan over the United States. It is particularly applicable to the Gladiolus business. We were forced to 
plant late last spring and while every attention was paid to our planting our largest sizes bulbs may not be as numerous 
as usual. We are still digging as this catalogue is issued and expect a good crop of larger sized bulbs but suggest you 
buy now for spring delivery Prices are going up. We cannot always sell at these prices which do not give us a fair 
return on all of our labor and investment. In fact such prices may not be available again for many years to come on 
quality bulbs such as we produce. The Gladiolus business has not been profitable to growers the past two years. But this 
year we would like to make up in volume of sales what we ha e been compelled to shave off in price and with aid of our 
thousands of old customers can do so. Our bulbs are fine this year and the planting stock the best looking, we believe, 
ve have ever produced. Delivery will be made in spring as it takes considerable time after digging to get bulbs in shape 
for shipment. 
STOCK PRICED F.O.B. SALEM—IF PREPAID ADD 75 PER CENT TO AMOUNT OF ORDER 
