16 
THE FOSS HEATON GLAD GARDENS, CRESTON, IOWA 
colors hold up the public interest in them. Their bright and varied colors are one of 
the biggest reasons for their increasing popularity. . 
Another big reason is their great adaptability to so many uses. The straight 
strong stem of convenient length holds the flower right where you want it in any 
conceivable position your fancy may dictate, lasting for days in fine condition in all 
sorts of weather 
The third big reason is their cheapness. Easy to raise and low in price, it is 
the poor man’s flower. Perfect in their regal beauty, the rich man does not disdain 
them. In spite of their plentifulness, their color beauty and charm will never allow 
them to become common. 
IMPRESSIVENESS 
Beauty of form in a Glad spike may be judged by its effect upon the eye. The 
easy movement of line in a harmonious arrangement is said to be pleasing. Proper 
proportions are interesting, rather than dull and disagreeable. Rhythmic movement 
of line is restful to the eye. Where there is proper balance there is dignity. When 
there is unity of purpose in the presentation of the color beauty to the best advantage 
as the culmination of the entire spike ensemble, the effect is impressive. The first 
four of these five attributes in a Glad spike lead to the most important of them all, 
Is the spike impressive? This would make an easy and safe rule for judging Glads 
in a show. 
THE GLAD IS A CUT FLOWER 
For landscaping’ Glads are too scraggly. In a bed of Glads we have tall spikes, 
short spikes, leaning spikes, crooked spikes* open blooms, wilted blooms, seed pods, 
bud ribbons, and blooms facing every which way. Glads do not like to be in among 
other plants, or next to buildings and bushes. They do not like to be crowded by any¬ 
thing. Plant your Glads out in the open away from things, or where vegetables 
would do well, and gather your crop of spikes as you would gather any other crop to 
1)6 U1 G?ads are particularly suited for cutting, because they keep right on blooming 
if they are cut with the first flower open, lasting a week or more, by opening up two 
or three new buds each morning until the entire supply of buds on the spike is used 
up. And they do this without much loss in the quality of the individual biooms. lne 
thick heavy spike has a big supply of food, enough to develop every bud into a fine 
flower. Let your spikes do their blooming indoors where you can enjoy them. Be¬ 
sides the hot sun and the weather are hard on them outdoors. Most of us are too 
busy to spend much time admiring them out in the garden. Take them to wheie you 
spend your time, the office, the kitchen, and shop, also church, hospital, and sick 
room. Do not confine their uses to special occasions only, but enjoy them while do¬ 
ing your daily tasks as far as possible. 
CARE OF CUT SPIKES 
In cutting leave four or five leaves to develop the new bulb, if you care to save 
it Change the water once a day, because cool water has a freshening effect, lhe 
pores in the end of the spike become clogged, so cut off slantwise a thin slic.e each 
day, and keep the water clear. Remove the wilted blooms, and keep out of warm air 
currents^ w m place your spikes in cold water in a cool cellar, the wilting of the op¬ 
ened blooms may be retarded. In this way, with the opening of the later buds, spikes 
may be had with a larger number open at one time, with greater chances of success 
in the show room. Spikes may also be kept for several days in a refrigerator that 
does not freeze them. 
SUBSTANCE OF A PETAL 
Substance in reference to a Glad petal means its ability to resist the effects of 
the heat, dry air, air currents, rough handling, and so forth. The petals of some 
varieties are somewhat thin, as in Mr. W. H. Phipps, for example, while o era aie 
very heavy, as in Purple Glory. But the thickness of the petal has little to do witn 
its substance. In these two examples Phipps far surpasses Purple Glory m ability to 
hold up under adverse conditions. The advantage of a thick petal lies m the tact that 
the floret is better able to maintain its form. Curling of petal edges on account ot 
the heat and dry air, tendency to wilt easily, and fading, show lack of substance. Va¬ 
rieties differ greatly in petal substance. 
