44 
A. E. KUNDERD, GOSHEN, INDIANA 
Planting, Culture, Storage, Etc. 
A LTHOUGH no flower gives more satisfaction than the Gladiolus, with ordinary 
care and culture in average soils, it readily responds to high culture, and the 
superior blooms produced by special attention amply repay for the additional 
care. Only those who have seen the Gladiolus at its best can realize the vast 
difference between those produced by first-class methods, and those less carefully 
grown. We strongly advise our friends to employ only the best cultural methods 
possible under their conditions. 
PLANTING AND CULTURE. It is best, if possible, to use new location, or 
soil, each season, so that bulbs are not planted oftener than every third year in 
the same soil. It is advantageous to spade in a good covering of manure late in 
the fall preceding the plantings to follow. The richer the soil and better the 
care and culture, the better the results will be. In spring, when the soil is in 
proper condition, spade deep and pulverize thoroughly. At planting time, only well 
rotted manure or high grade potato fertilizers should be used. For long blooming 
seasons, plant at intervals of about two weeks from first garden-making time until 
the middle or latter part of June. Bulbs can be planted four inches deep and over 
in mellow soils, and four to eight inches apart in the row. The deeper planting 
will help to keep the plants from falling over at blooming time. Liquid fertilizer 
or prepared sheep manure can be applied to the soil near the rows once every 
week or ten days, care being exercised not to make applications too strong. 
Frequent thorough waterings of the soil in the beds at evenings is a wonderful 
stimulant, and gives the blooms much greater sun resistance and lasting qualities. 
Keep the soil well worked and frequently, especially early the next forenoon after 
being watered the previous evening. Always keep a soil crust from forming in the 
rows among the plants. After blooming spikes begin to show cultivate only about 
two inches deep. Do not work soil when wet. Scotch Soot applied to the soil 
when plants are halt grown, intensifies deep shades. Weak lime water applied to 
soil shortly beiore blooms begin to open is said to clarify the more delicate shades. 
Prepared ground bone, or other high-grade fertilizers, can be sprinkled over the 
soil near the plants, between rows, and raked in to good purpose. Nitrate of Soda 
(about a tablespoonlul to two gallons of water for each dozen plants) applied to 
the soil near the rows once every week or ten days after buds begin to show color, 
is very beneficial. Or: Sprinkle the pulverized Nitrate of Soda over the soil, rake 
in and water. 
IMPORTANT. Varieties vary in different soils and seasons. Some do their 
best only in alternate years. To grow magnificent Gladiolus, have soil fertile and 
mellow. Cultivate thoroughly and often. Water abundantly, and never leave a 
crust to form over the soil between rows or near the plants. 
STAKING. Slender stakes of wood or bamboo painted a light green make 
good support for the spikes at blooming time. Where horizontal lines are used 
they should be fastened to end posts firmly set and the wires tightly stretched. 
A few more stakes should also be placed at intervals along the lines. Use strips 
of cloth instead of cord to tie the blooming spikes to their support. Painted white • 
pine labels, copper wired, are very suitable for marking plants. Any seedsman 
can furnish these. 
BLOOMING. For best results, cut the spikes when the first flowers open, and 
let them bloom in the house. Each morning remove wilted blossoms, cut off a 
little of the stems, cutting them with a long slope (not square across), rinse and 
give fresh water. Placing them in a cool cellar over night greatly refreshes and 
improves them. 
