HYBRIDIZATION 
The next step in progress is hybridiz- 
ation. Mechanically this is simple; just 
brush the ripe pollen on to a receptive 
stigma — and presto -- a seed pod. We 
print a photograph (through the courtesy 
of Al Bork) which clearly shows you ex- 
actly how to do this. We will not attempt 
to discuss gladiolus genetics, but there 
are plenty of articles and books dealing 
with scientific plant breeding. Health, 
vigor, and disease resistance should be 
your goal, plus, of course, flower spike 
perfection. Pick parents always of known 
disease resistance qualities. 
GROWING GLADS FROM SEED 
At some point in the progress of the 
G.ad grower comes first the idea of 
growing them from seed. This is indeed 
a fascinating garden adventure. The re- 
sults are guaranteed to relieve boredom, 
and if you have never tried this experi- 
ment — by all means plant some this year. The planting and culture are quite simple — 
plant just as early in the spring as weather permits working 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 ¥% 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 like 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 its growth again. 
The bulbs are dug in late summer or fall and if they have attained a growth of % 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 unex- 
plainable 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 or so you may achieve a miracle. Regardless 
of the quantity you grow no two will be exactly alike. 
GLADIOLUS SEED — This season we saved only seed from spikes in our test garden 
—all are open pollenated—and all are from new varieties introduced in the past 3 years. 
Most are from 1946 or 1947 introductions or from trial seedlings grown for test. No 
record of parentage was kept—but all seed when picked was thrown into one grand 
mixture. Price per packet of 15 seeds — 25c. 

GLADIOLUS SEEDLINGS — This past summer we planted some seed saved from 
some of the most outstanding varieties. Planted quite late, they made mostly size 5 
bulbs. We offer these unbloomed size 5 seedling bulbs @ 5 for $1.00. They could be 
something very special, but probably most of them will prove to be just good, interesting 
varieties. If you want the fun of seeing them bloom for the first time, you will certainly 
get your money’s worth. As an investment, however, that is almost certain to pay big 
cash dividends—we can say frankly that the odds are very much against you. Of course 
they will all be different, but if, like us, you thrill to the anticipation of the unknown, 
you will not regret this purchase. 
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