CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
é 
a 
® 
il 
SOIL—Gladioli do well on most any soil that will 
grow corn or potatoes. They should be planted in the 
open where there is plenty of sunshine and a reasonable 
amount of moisture; poor soil should be improved with 
a good dressing of well-rotted manure. If manure is 
not available, vou may use commercial fertilizer on the 
surface, along the rows during the growing season. 
Fertilizer should be kept from direct contact with the 
bulbs. Good cultivation will help retain the moisture. 
Watering should be thoroughly once a week, rather 
than sprinkling daily. 
PLANTING—Upon receipt of bulbs, open package 
to permit air and Keep them in a cool dry place until 
time to plant. Plant as soon as the earth is in work- 
able condition, usually when the young leaves start 
growing on the Maple trees in your vicinity and until 
JUulyvs US te If planted at intervals, a succession of 
flowers can be had. Make furrows 2 to 3 feet apart. 
5 inches deep for large bulbs, 4 inches for medium size. 
Pianteine single, double or triple rows; 8 to 6 inches 
apart. You may regulate your distance, depending ou 
space and number of bulbs you have. 
TREATING—Most growers treat the bulbs before 
planting against Thrip and Scab, by using Corrosive 
of Sublimate. We use 1-oz. to 4 gal. of water and soak 
the bulbs for 3 hours, bulbs can be placed in cloth or 
burlap bags. Use wooden, glass or earthen containers 
never use metal. 
SPRAYS—Inasmuch as there is a possibility that 
your neighbor has Thrip in his garden and your plants 
may become infested during the growing season it is 
advisable to spray when plants are eight to ten inches 
high and again just before buds open, with some good 
Insecticide. Mhatiawee HImMelice 1S SOO forme Uhr ps Use 
1-lb. Tartar Ematic, 4 lbs. brown sugar in 20 gallons 
of water. 
FLOWERS—If you cut the flowers, leave about 
four leaves on the plant to mature the bulb. The spike 
should be cut as soon as the first flower opens on the 
stalk, preferable before the dew is off in the morning, 
but never in the heat of the day. Place the cut flowers 
in a deep vase, with at least ten inches of water. Re- 
move the wilted flowers and cut off a small portion of 
the stem, and change the water daily. Treated this 
way, every bud on the stalk will open perfectly in the 
house. They keep best in a cool room. 
HARVESTING—About five weeks after blooming 
time, or when foliage begins to turn brown, is the 
time to dig the bulbs, They must be taken up before 
ground freezes. Cut the tops off close to the bulb and 
place them:in shallow trays to dry thoroughly. ae 
takes about four weeks to cure the bulbs enough to 
take off the old bulb and roots. After cleaning, store 
in trays not over three inches deep—in dry cool, frost 
proof cellar, scatter a little Napthalene flakes over 
them, l-oz. to every 100 large bulbs, cover with paper 
to confine the fumes for about 30 days, then remove 
flakes and store bulbs until planting time. 
