4. Iam often asked how to lengthen the flowering season. 
The following suggestions will all tend to do that: 
First—Divide your bulbs into two or more batches, and plant 
these at intervals of at least two weeks. 
Second—Purchase varieties with different lengths of flowering 
periods. A few varieties bloom some sixty days after planting, and 
others planted at the same time require about 110 days. I have indi- 
cated these flowering periods for most of the varieties herein listed. 
They are not accurate, as such matters are subject to soil condition, 
climate, the seasonal weather conditions, the cultivation given - them, 
and the age and vitality of the bulbs. However,.they do give a rela- 
tive idea of the time required, and by attention to these numbers one 
may be able to lengthen their gladiolus season. 
Third—Plant various sizes of bulbs. Large and Jumbo sizes 
bloom sooner than medium and small sizes. 
5. Do not be misled by prices, and think that the cheaper the 
prices the better the bargain. There are bulbs offered on the market, 
some at bargain prices, and some at high prices, which are not high 
class and cannot produce a good spike. There is a great variance in 
the quality of bulbs that are offered to the public. In considering the 
prices listed, if they seem high, remember that by saving the bulb- 
lets one can recover the initial price within a year or two, thus re- 
ducing the cost of the original bulb stock to a very insignificant fig- 
ure. Sometimes bargains, low prices, cheap mixtures prove to be very 
expensive purchases. 
G6. As to my prices, I am not trying to undercut other growers. 
I produce quality bulbs, and price them on the basis of quality and 
quantity. Iam sure that you get your full money’s worth when you 
purchase from me. My business is growing on the basis of repeat or- 
ders, and the commendations of customers to their friends. That’s 
the kind of business I want to build up. 
4. Bulblets furnish the most economical method of getting 
started. Plant them about 2 inches deep, in trenches, as you would 
peas; give them good cultivation, and at. digging time you will be 
thrilled with what you have gotten for your investment and labors. 
8. There are many other questions asked of me, and problems 
of concern to all gladiolus growers which I deal with in a leaflet that 
accompanies all my shipments, and may be had by anyone else for 
the asking and the enclosure of a three cent stamp. It will tell you 
all that I know about the control of thrips and disease, and the ques- 
tion whether glads change color or revert to some ancestral trait. 
9. Mixtures. “What’s in a name,’ say some people when pur- 
chasing glads, and ask for mixtures. Well, there may not be much in 
a name for some, but I believe that were these same people to grow 
named varieties, they would find the personalizing of their glads so 
much more interesting than a mixture, that they would never more 
ask for a mixture. A name on a glad tells as much as does a name 
attached to a person. What cdo we know about a person when he is 
referred to as a person? When his name is given, we know exactly 
who is meant, and what he is like. So with glads. It is so much more 
interesting to tell what: your glad is like by calling it by name, and 
also others know which one you are talking about when the name is 
mentioned. A nameé‘is both an’ exact identification and description, 
and makes gladiolus chat more interesting. 

“T must write and tell you how pleased 1 am with, the glad bulbs 
I received from you this spring. They bloomed beautifully. I want to 
purchase some more of you this coming spring, so. “blease send me 
your 1947 catalogue.” Wesley, Iowa, Oct. 1946. - 
