Glad-i-o-lus :— SNe. 4 
Please pronounce this wonderful flower “right. The accent on 
the O. ka Oe 
GLAD-I-O-LUS and use the same form for both singular and 
plural. It hurts to hear one say GLADIOLA or GLADIOLIS! 
DO GLADS CHANGE COLOR? GLADIOLUS do NOT Change Color. 
We have been asked this question hundreds of times. So many 
varieties divide or split. Suppose you plant twelve mixed bulbs, when 
you dig them you find you have about thirty bulbs. That is the rea- 
son you have more of one color than others. Many varieties do not. 
divide, so you dig only one new bulb on the one you planted. And 
some not quite so strong just die out in the ground. 
Of course glads grow older each year, you dig a new bulb not a 
young one. So it is best to keep adding more bulbs to your collection 
each year. 
Napthalene Flakes 
We highly recommend this simple and economical treatment. If 
you allow thrips to feel upon your bulbs they will suck the juices, 
injure the eyes and rootlets and growth will be retarded and inferior 
flowers produced, even if you eventually kill them off at planting 
time by some treatment. Avoid crude napthalene or camphor or para- 
dichlorcbenzene as they may contain creosote or other injurious 
chemicals. The best time to use it, is as soon as the roots are com- 
pletely dry. Do not apply to bulbs from which the old 
bulb has just been removed, as the severed area is moist for 
a while and the napthalene might soak into the _ bulb. 
It is safe both to the user and to the bulbs, during their dor- 
mant period of storage, even when an overdosage is used, provided 
the bulbs are fairly well dried. One ounce (4 level tablespoons) 
sprinkled on each 100 large bulbs or equivalent in bulk of smaller 
sizes, is sufficient if bulbs are stored in closed bottom container. If 
screen bottom or onion sacks, double the amount. Will kill insects 
promptly and gases will continue for several weeks killing the 
larvae as soon as hatched. Allow to remain at least 3 weeks. But 
note they will not hatch under 50 degrees. Do not completely cover 
the bulbs as evaporation takes place constantly and to prevent it 
will make the bulbs first damp, then mouldy, then susceptible to rot 
and diseases. Applying the flakes in a closed paper bag is safe for 
a few weeks if bulbs be dry, since Some moisture can escape. Avoid 
wax or oil bags since moisture could not escape. If roots and old 
bulbs are removed several weeks after application, any napthalene 
rcmain.ing may be removed. 
Thrip 
The adult” Gladiolus Thrip is a very small black insect about 
one-sixteé?ith ‘of: an inch long. The injury they do causes bleaching 
of the’foliage and’drying up of the buds so they do not open. There 
have been volumes written about Mr. Thrip and it would seem that 
‘further information is superflous. 
The facts, however, tend to disprove this. Dozens of the people 
who visit our gardens remark on the absence of any signs of Thr'p, 
then tell me a tale of woe on what Thrip d’d to their Glads. In nearly 
every case, not a single precaution was taken to guard against this 
pest. 
Spray your Glads early and often. Start spraying when the 
plants are up 6 or 7 inches high and spray every week or 10 days. 
The Government experts of the United States and Canada recom- 
mend 3 level tablespoons of tartar emetic (purchase at any drug 
stere), 1 lb. brown sugar, 5 gals. of water. Keep this concoction well 
stirred while using as a spray. And remember this poison is deadly 
to an-mals and humans and must be handled with extreme care. 
