from leaves. Very often new bulbs do not give us typical flowers the first year, whereas the second year 
we secure spikes that are criterions of what that variety will do for us here in Oregon. We do not believe 
that this is entirely or even largely an adaptation to climatic differences. Rather we believe that a bulb 
produced in a soil that is rich in natural humus, and in which proper bacterial action does take place, will 
in the next season produce optimum spikes, if it is given proper care and cultivation, and adequate moisture. 
When we use uncomposted natural manure, until the manure has been incorporated into the soil for 
a full year we find that there is a tendency for bulb-scab to develop. Consequently we prefer not to use 
ground for gladiolus until the second year after such an application. 
We suggest that you try a portion of your gladiolus garden, using peat and leaf mould or vegetable 
compost worked liberally and thoroughly into the soil of the trench area, and predict that you will find 
the results very satisfying as compared with the areas on which you use the commercial chemical fertilizers. 
We should be glad to have reports from you if you attempt this experiment. 
GROWING GLADS FROM BULBLETS 
A great many of our customers order bulblets and apparently have good success as 
we have had few complaints. We do not guarantee the germination of bulblets, and they 
need good care after germination. A 75% germination is fine — some varieties are so 
difficult that 25% is good. They are cheap in comparison with the price of bulbs because 
they are uncertain, and given even fair germination is an economical way to get a start 
in new and expensive introductions. With expensive varieties it increases your percent- 
age of germination if the hard hull is cracked or, even better, entirely removed. With 
these sorts it pays to give each bulblet ample room to develop. Given 2 to 3 inch spac- 
ing, with ample water they can easily make a large bulb and even bloom the first year 
if they germinate quickly. We plant as early in the spring as we can get into the ground, 
covering the bulblets about 12 to 2 inches deep. Sizes vary greatly with different vari- 
eties, but the bulblets yoy will receive on your order are the largest we have on hand. 
GROWING GLADS FROM SEED 
At some point in the progress of the Glad grower comes first the idea of growing them from seed. 
This is indeed a fascinating garden adventure. The results are guaranteed to relieve boredom, and if you 
have never tried this experiment — by all means plant 
some this year. (We can furnish seed packets, open 
pollenated seed from select female parents at 25c for 
25 seeds.) The planting and culture are quite simple — 
plant just as early in the spring as weather permits work- 
ing the ground. The soil must be friable and mellow; | 
by mixing leaf mold or finely ground peat in the soil 
trench, it can be put in good condition even if quite stiff 
and hard. The seeds are covered with about 2 inch of light © 
mellow soil (pressed lightly to firm the ground about the seed) | 
and spaced about 2 inches apart so that the new bulb will 
have room to grow to good size. Germination requires 3 to 5 
weeks, when first blades will appear looking almost fike a 
single blade of grass. Keep bed well watered, not of course 
until the ground is soggy, but well moist at all times. If 
ever the ground is allowed to become quite dry at root 
level the growth of the bulb is stopped, and later watering 


will not start it into growth again. The bulbs are dug in | 
late summer or fall and if they have attained a growth of 
Y2 inch diameter or more they should bloom the next year. 
Most of them, if seed is from the finer modern varieties 
will be better than the old-fashioned kinds (which for some 
unexplainable reason most local seed stores still: offer), a 
few may be as good as the parent, but of course not like 
it—and once in 10,000 hi i 2 3 
ee Sf 8S | YOUL Pay Nea Meve 2 muse The genial W. S. Andrews with his seedling | 
Grand Finale. Mr. Andrews edits the fine 
actly alike. Maine Gladiolus Society Yearbook. 
28 
Regardless of the quantity you grow no two will be ex- 
