INFORMATION 
Relative to the 
CULTURE of GLADIOLUS 
— Prepared For the Amateur By — 
H. KE. MORROW 
WINTHROP, IOWA 

Open the bulbs in this package as soon as received for 
ventilation, and also that they will not become damp 
and mold or mildew. 
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While the growing of gladiolus is a simple matter, as simple as 
the growing of any worth-while flower, there are numerous items of 
culture which one will do well to keep in mind. Let us begin with the 
spring-time and follow the gladiolus through a twelve month period. 
1. SOIL. The glad (please excuse the abbreviated form of the 
word) is not choosey in this matter. Any kind of soil will produce 
beautiful flowers and high class ao aks if it has fertility sufficient to 
produce good vegetables. 
2. LOCATION OF THE PLANTING. Be insistent about stay- 
ing away from buildings, fences, hedges, trees and shade. Glads want 
open garden, full sunshine. Don’t plant in low, mucky places. 
3. SOIL PREPARATION. Let it be just the same as that for 
garden vegetables. 
4, PREPARATION OF BULBS FOR PLANTING. They need 
not be peeled of their husks. Do not plant bulbs showing disease. 
Treat all bulbs with a chemical solution. Suggestions later on. 
5. PLANTING. In light soil it is good to plant six inches deep. 
Plant shallower in heavy soils, as clay and heavy loam. The advan- 
tage of deep planting is to enable the plant to stand erect when the 
spike becomes heavy, and also to be able to withstand drought. Large 
bulbs may be planted as close as four or five inches. Space between 
rows to be governed by convenience in cultivation. Bulblets should be 
planted in shallow trenches, two inches deep, and. sown thickly, 
touching each other, or more so. 
6. FERTILIZING. Be careful not to fertilize too much. Any 
ground which produces abundant vegetable growth will produce first 
class glads. Barnyard manure is a splendid fertilizer, but should be 
well rotted if applied the same season that glads are grown in it. 
Otherwise, fertilize a year in advance of planting. Commercial fertil- 
izers are also good. For general garden purposes Vigoro is as good as 
any. This may be applied in the bottom of the trench, and covered 
with an inch of earth before placing the bulbs, or the bulbs may be 
