A Brief Summary of our 1947 Season’s Activities 
Bulbs herewith listed for sale are all young stock, having been grown from small sizes and 
bulblets during the 1947 season that were treated before planting on ground new to gladiolus. These 
were all treated in turn during their growth for possible insect infestation, the first time by dusting 
with a 5% DDT powder at the rate of 50 lbs. per acre. Shortly after this they were given a spraying 
with the recommended Tartar Emetic-brown sugar formula solution applied at the rate of 100 gal- 
lons per acre power spray. This was followed by another like spraying shortly after and then in turn 
with a formula containing a commercial weliable 50% DDT powder to which a portion of “sticker- 
spreader” was added to the water solution made and applied at the rate of 100 gallons each acre, All 
stock—larger and bulblet were treated at the same periods of time. This resulted in there being 
a very negligible evidence of any Thrip injury or infestation. Despite a season of extreme changes 
which contrasted snow and freezing weather during the latter part of the month of May, flooding rains 
during June to be followed by extreme heat accompanied by hot searing winds during 60 days of July 
and August, causing many of the spikes to be a trifle shorter than in normal seasons, still the flower 
head and bloom in most of our varieties were up to normal development with no watering ner spe- 
cial pampering. Such very unfavorable crowing conditions for most vegetation such as we have ex- 
perienced the past season and with our “olads” coming through as they did certainly prove the worth 
of the Gladiolus as a flower capable of withstanding severely adverse conditions. During digging 
time we loosen the bulb stock underneath by power machinery but all lifting and cutting is done by 
hand and no bulbs are gathered at this time of such that from apparent condition of foliage might 
indicate possibility of any disease. After proper curing these are hand cleaned at which time they are 
again inspected for appearance of disease, any such suspected are discarded and the cleaned bulbs 
are then given a light dusting of 5% DDT powder before storage. Contained within this season’s 
crop there seemed to be an unusual small emount of those which might be suspected of any diseased 
condition and within my memory of 22 years’ time of having grown gladiolus, nature has never 
produced a nicer looking cron of pew buths than these of the past season. Besides our own inspec- 
tions, this stock has received two inspections by the Towa State Entomologist — one in field while 
growing and one of bulbs alone after digsing. We cordially invite all who might haye the opportu- 
rity and wish to do so to inspect our bulbs while in storage or during the growing season at any time. 
We trv the best within our abilitv to keep our bulbs in proper condition during storage — to give 
them the proper culture during their growing season, free from weeds and insect pests but no special 
pampering and offer for resale to Customers those varieties only which we ourself have found 
throuch our exnerience in srowing to be dependable to the extent of what one might expect from 
such that rightfully should be “Our Favorite Flow (c) i 

Gladiolus for Cut Flowers 
The GLADIOLUS is most ouistanding for use as a cut flower, its lasting qualities after being 
cut and ability to stay fresh makes it one without a rival for this purpose. It may be used for any 
floral event, being equally beautiful when used alone for boquets in vase or basket and many other 
designs, or when intermixed together with numerous other varieties of flowers. Gladiolus raising 
for use as cut flowers is increasing rapidly as people in the different localities learn of its great pos- 
sibilities for all floral purposes, this fact is timited only to the extent as to where and when they 
might not be obtained from some one who might grow them for this purpose. In order to be sure of 
obtaining first class blooms, spray your gladiolus weekly after they are up about four inches until 
just before blooming period to control thrip and other insect infestation. The TARTAR EMETIC — 
brown sugar spray is very effective for this purpose, use two tablespoons of Tartar Emetic, four 
tablespoons of brown sugar to each three gallons of water. Gladiolus flower spikes may be kept fresh 
for a long period of time if cut when the lower florlet is just opening up, then placed in a cool base- 
ment for a day or so before using them for display. They should be cut at a slanting angle to permit 
free absorption of water, making additional cut and change water each day, if this rule is followed 
through they will bloom continually over a period of several days up to the very tip end of the flower 
spike. If you might wish them to open faster, this may be brought about by placing them in a warm- 
er room. In cutting, leave at least four leaves on the bulb end of the stalk in order to properly ma- 
ture the bulb for the following year, even should you not wish to use your gladiolus for cut flowers, 
all flower heads should be removed from the stalk before the bloom fades entirely as by allowing 
nae to remain and grow seed takes strength from the bulbs needed to properly mature them for 
uture use. 
