NOTES FOR 1919 CATALOG 
We are offering our customers three very select New Collections for 1919 
gardens. There are now so many Gladiolus sold that only exceedingly choice 
varieties were allowed to go into these lists. 
Our mixtures are further improved by the, addition of many fine varieties 
each season. 
All named varieties in this catalog are each clearly distinct from any others. 
Our bulbs are all grown from young cormlet grown the previous year, on sandy 
loam soil, under ordinary farm crop conditions. This and our frequent culti¬ 
vation, careful handling and packing, assures our customers of very best quality 
bulbs. 
All the gladiolus we offer are of our own production, originated by us, and 
undoubtedly the finest in the world. 
The past season has been favorable to our crop, and our stock has never 
been better than we have grown this year. 
Over a quarter of a century of scientific research work in breeding (or 
Hybridizing), along advanced scientific lines, and the collection and growing of 
almost endless numbers of varieties, and the best of the species from all over 
the world, has laid the foundation for the best possible productions. 
Many thousands of all new seedlings of our own advanced breedings are 
bloomed each season, and our patrons and friends can therefore depend upon us 
to supply them each year with new and choice varieties of a quality and variety 
unequaled anywhere else in the world, regardless of prices. 
HOW TO GROW PRIZE WINNING GLADIOLUS BLOOMS 
W E often receive inquires as to how to grow giant flowers and plants of 
gladiolus, such as are some times seen at exhibitions and described in 
catalogs. Gladiolus may be grown to extremely large sizes if forced by unnatural 
methods, if soil and culture is of the best. If possible, the place where the bulbs are 
to grow should be heavily enriched the preceding year, by a liberal application 
of the richest barn manures, well forked in, in the fall. In addition, a good coat 
of same materials should be spread over the spaded surface, in order that its 
strength may be well leached into the soil during the winter and early spring. 
Some growers also add pulverized sheep manure by scattering along the trenches, 
before placing the bulbs, then cover the bulbs (or corms), an inch or two and 
give an additional application, over which the remaining soil is placed. (10 to 
25 per cent of powdered wood charcoal added to the shredded sheep manure is 
a valuable addition.) Complete fertilizers with a good per cent of potash may be 
used to additional advantage. Do not set bulbs too thickly. If largest plants 
and flowers are desired, rows should be two feet or more apart and bulbs a foot, 
or over, apart in the rows. After the plants are well grown, about the time the 
“spikes begin to shoot”, and the soil is well warmed by the sun, a mulch of well 
prepared stable manures should be spread over the bed between the rows. At all 
times, water abundantly over this mulch to get the benefit of the fertility and 
hold plenty of moisture. Never allow soil to become the least bit dry. By care¬ 
fully making application of these methods, and the cultural notes on the preceding 
page, you can learn to grow “Giant Gladiolus” with blooms “6 to 7 inches across 
and spikes 5 to 8 feet tall”, see testimonial of Mr. C. M. Scrace, Los Angeles, 
Cal., on page 42. 
