GLADIOLUS 
In order to avoid damage by thrips, Gladiolus should be planted early. In the north 
this means as soon as the ground can be worked and there is no more danger of its 
freezing to the depth of planted bulbs. : 
In California, southern Arizona to southern Texas, Florida, where winters are mild, 
they may be planted between November 15 to March 1. There is usually no difference 
in the time of blooming if planted between these dates. 
There is still time to plant Glads in the south and if planted during Feb., depending 
somewhat on spring weather, one is likely to have flowers for Decoration Day. We 
usually plant in succession from Jan. 1 to Apr. 1 and our flowers escape thrip damage. 
In northern Calif. and the coastal region one can safely plant later. . 
Thrips are very small insects that suck the juices from the plant. This causes the 
flowers to dry and curl on edges and appear “burned,” probably as a result of the 
depletion of moisture and food in the plant. To avoid thrips damage, three measures 
are effective: Plant early, in order that plants flower before hot weather and _ thrips 
arrive; plant clean treated bulbs; keep Glads always moist by overhead sprinkling. A 
half hour every evening is usually enough. 
Treating bulbs. Mix 4 teaspoonsful of Lysol in one gallon of water. Soak the bulbs 
6 hours in this solution. It may be used several times but not after standing over one 
week. This is an acid solution and encourages root growth instead of delaying it. Do 
not treat bulbs bought from us. We treat before selling. We do not advise use of 
mercurial solutions as they injure the bulbs and delay root formation. If naphthalene 
flakes be sprinkled among bulbs in a bag and top of bag kept closed for about 3 weeks, 
thrips are killed. This will also kill Aphis that sometimes attack sprouting bulbs of 
any sort. Use flakes about as freely as you would in packing away woolens, but too 
much or too long will result in injury of bulbs. 
Plant 4” deep; small 3”; bulblets 2”. Twice their diameter apart. One can plant 
two rows, staggered in a 4” wide furrow or closer in a single row. Rows about 20” 
apart. Alkaline soils produce poor Glads. Soil should be neutral to mildly acid. Leaf 
mould or peat added is useful. Use no fresh manure, but well rotted manure is fine. 
Top mulch of leaf mould or imported peat is good. 
Keep Glads growing with plenty of water and best culture for at least two months 
after flowering. Longer is better for this is the period when new bulbs for next season 
are developing. It is best to dig bulbs in the south, and necessary in the north. 
Sizes and Prices. L. means “large,” size 1 and 2, 144” -1'%” (or more) in diameter. 
M. is “medium” and includes No. 3 and 4 sizes, 34” to 14%” diam. S. means “small,” 
under #4” diam. Large and medium bulbs give good long spikes. Small bulbs usually 
bloom in most varieties and when planted early, given good culture and plenty of water 
they usually make fairly long spikes. Early planted bulblets often flower. Large bulbs 
bloom earlier and throw more spikes. Prices are for one bulb as elsewhere in this catalog. 
A dozen, all of one sort, costs ten times the price of one unless otherwise stated. Six are 
sold at dozen rate. Unless priced by the 100, we will sell 100 for the price of 8 doz. 
and 50 for price of 4 doz. Where a 1000 rate is given, do not order less than 1000 at 
this rate. We offer no wholesale reductions to any one on Glad Bulbs. Don’t forget 
Sales Tax in Calif. 
Substitution. If you order early there is likely to be no substitution, but when out 
of a variety we send another as nearly like it as possible and of equal or greater value. 
If you do not approve this, request no substitution. 
PLEASE NOTE. We are listing several of the newest and best Gladiolus, this spring. 
These represent the highest improvements in Gladiolus and are naturally more expensive. 
To offset the higher cost we are offering these in medium but good blooming sizes. 
Being bulblet grown, high crowned they should give better flowers than those from 
large, old bulbs, 
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