We have asked a number of Gladiolus specialists to select for 
this Spring Edition of "Beauty from Bulbs", a list of varieties 
that should be in every garden. This selection is reflected in 
these pages. It has also been my good fortune to observe in 
late summer last year, the best varieties that Europe has to 
offer. My selections made at that time are also included. I can 
conscientiously state, that the varieties of Gladiolus presented 
in these pages are the very finest offerings of the Gladiolus 
world today. 
—JOHN T. SCHEEPERS 
N O flowers are more valuable in the mid¬ 
summer and autumn gardens than the 
Gladioli. Their uses are unlimited. The great 
range of colors, with their myriad shadings, 
enables them to play a part in all garden pic¬ 
tures, and by careful selection of varieties and 
a little thought when planting, they will lend 
themselves to a continuous decorative back¬ 
ground until late in the fall. 
Gladioli will give satisfactory results in any 
good garden soil. The "bulb" of a Gladiolus is 
called a corm. The depth of planting for the 
corms differs with the character of the soil. The 
lighter the soil the deeper the corms should be 
set, and in dry seasons this deep planting is of 
great advantage, as it insures a cool and more 
or less moist environment for the roots. Deep 
planting has the further advantage of very 
largely doing away with the necessity of stak¬ 
ing. In heavy, moist soils, however, there is 
danger in too deep planting, as the soil may 
become too wet and cause the young shoots, 
and even the corms, to decay. 
For the cutting garden the general method is 
to plant from the earliest days in spring until 
late June, according to the dates you wish them 
to bloom, in rows from 11/ 2 to 4 feet apart de¬ 
pending upon the method of cultivation to be 
employed. Dig a trench 5 inches deep and 2 
inches wide at the bottom. Place the corms on 
the bottom of the trench 3 to 5 inches apart 
and then fill with soil. They will bloom within 
2l/ 2 to 3 months after planting. 
For flower borders they can be used in 
clumps of five or ten amongst other flowers and 
plants. 
Gladioli like plenty of air and sunshine, con¬ 
ditions under which they will grow to perfection. 
In dry seasons they should be thoroughly wa¬ 
tered; a little sprinkling in the evening is of 
only slight benefit. Give them a thorough soak¬ 
ing so that the soil is wet 5 inches deep and 
then leave them alone for a week. 
Cultivate after every rain or watering; keep¬ 
ing the surface of the soil loose and open and 
giving the nitrogen a chance to get into the soil. 
Do not plant Gladioli in the same ground 
many years in succession. New ground each 
year is best. Do not use horse manure as fer¬ 
tilizer. Ground fertilized with decomposed cow 
manure the previous year is best. 
Unpack the bulbs as soon as received and 
give them a thorough airing. Keep in a good dry 
cellar until ready to plant. 
Our Gladiolus Corms Reach You Absolutely Free From Thrips 
While our Gladioli are grown absolutely free shipping, and caution buyers to keep new 
from thrips and disease, for positive insurance corms away from old stock as thrips are easily 
we subject them to special treatment before transmitted from old corms, tools, clothing, etc. 
How To Treat the Growing Plants 
For the control of thrips in the field, the De- Spraying should be started as soon as top- 
partment of Agriculture recommends the follow- growth appears and continued weekly until the 
ing formula for the preparation of a spray: appearance of the first flowers. 
Paris green—1 rounded tablespoonful, Brown 
sugar—2 pounds, Water—3 gallons. For best results use "Scheepers' Bulb Food." 
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