Glory of the Garden : The Modern Gladiolus 
of success, if you follow the simple planting instructions, and see that the plants are kept free 
from weeds and are not allowed to go thirsty. 
Seemingly there is but one kind of soil in which Gladioli will not do well, and this, a stiff, 
heavy clay, is seldom found in the average garden. Even then satisfactory results may be 
obtained by working it thoroughly in the fall and re-working it in the spring, mixing with it a 
liberal amount of sandy loam. I have seen beautiful Gladioli grown in very light, sandy soil, 
and if your soil happens to be of this character, do not hesitate to try at least a few of my bulbs! 
What may be lacking in the soil will be made up in the bulbs themselves, for it is character¬ 
istic of the independence of the Gladiolus 
to draw largely upon itself. Hence the 
necessity of planting only quality bulbs. 
If your garden has the sun all day so 
much the better. Gladioli are great 
lovers of sunshine. Keep free of weeds, 
water during dry weather, stir the soil 
occasionally to keep it from baking hard, 
and great will be your reward. Here at 
Meadowvale I grow them as I would 
grow any farm crop. The soil is just 
suited to their requirements, but if you 
are possessed of the idea that these 
flowers of mine arc pampered garden pets, 
I wish you might see my fields prepared 
for planting. I am sure you would wonder 
where the bulbs can find a bed among the 
stones, for the land here is an ancient 
glacial moraine and, like all such, is very 
stony—as far as possible from the usual 
conception of ideal garden soil. 
All the needed elements for plant- 
growth are here in abundance; but to get 
them the plants must throw out adequate 
root-systems, and in doing this they 
develop strength and vigor. Plants are 
very like human beings. Those whose 
every need is supplied without effort on 
their part become weak, and each suc¬ 
ceeding generation shows still further 
deterioration. On the other hand, those 
who supply all their needs by work become 
strong, vigorous and virile, and these 
qualities are transmitted. So it is with 
my Gladioli. The conditions under which 
my bulbs are grown make vigor and 
strength inherent in them. This is the reason that Cowee bulbs can be depended upon in 
almost any environment and under widely varied conditions. This is the reason why I can so 
unhesitatingly assure you that if you will try them in your garden you will not be disappointed. 
As to varieties, I offer you the very best in the world. I control the productions of Groff, 
the greatest hybridizer of Gladioli who has ever lived—the man who has produced not only the 
most but far and away the best varieties of the modern type of these superb flowers. My list 
is not a long one, but it includes those varieties which have been selected from among thousands 
as most nearly approaching perfection in form and color in the groups which they represent. 
My collections of unnamed Gladioli are second only to these named varieties. There is not 
one among them which is not worthy of a place in any garden. Indeed, I strongly urge you to 
try some of these, even though you may also have the named varieties. My collections of the 
latter are selected with the greatest care to give typical representatives of the different groups 
A group of Gladioli in the garden is within the means of even 
those who have only a little space for their culture 
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