GLADIOLUS CULTURE 
Gladiolus may be planted any time from early spring to June; planting at intervals 
will prolong the blooming season. 
KIND OF SOIL—Any good garden soil is satisfactory but must be well drained. 
Plant 5 to 6 inches deep. 
FERTILIZING—If commercial! fertilizer is used it should be well mixed with the 
soil. If manure is used it should not come in contact with the bulb. A light top dress- 
ing of fish meal tankage or sheep guano will be very beneficial when the flower buds 
begin to show. 
WHEN CUTTING flowers, always leave at least four leaves on the plant to mature 
the bulb. 
DIGGING may be done any time from a month to six weeks after blooming, longer 
if they were planted early. Should foliage begin to turn brown, dig at once. Cut 
the tops close to the bulb and dry in any partial sunny place for a few days. Burn all 
tops immediately after digging. Then store for two or three weeks in a dry place until 
the old bulb and roots can be easily removed. The husks should be left on the bulb 
for added protection. 
STORAGE—Store for the winter in frost-proof, cool, dry place, preferably at a 
temperature as near 45 to 50 degrees as possible. 

TREATMENT OF BULBS IN STORAGE—Before the final winter storage, bulbs 
should be treated to insure their being free of thrips at planting time. An old method 
is to use refined Napthalene Flakes sprinkled through the bulbs at the rate of 1 oz. to 
200 large bulbs. While treating, bulbs should be at a 70 degree temperature and well 
dried. After four weeks, shake out the flakes, air and store for the winter in a cool, dry, 
frost-proof place, preferably 45 to 50 degrees. 

The latest method is to dust with 5% DDT powder. Bulbs may be thoroughly coated 
by shaking in a paper bag with a small quantity of dust. 
TREATMENT OF BULBS AT PLANTING TIME—To make doubly sure that no eggs 
have survived the winter and to help eliminate diseases from your bulbs, we recommend 
that all the bulbs you plant—no matter from what source obtained—be treated at plant- 
ing time as follows: 
LYSOL—1 pint to 25 gallons of water, or 3% tablespoonfuls Lysol to three 
gallons of water. Soak three hours. 
SPRAYING GROWING PLANTS—If thrips are prevalent in your community and 
some of your neighbors may not have treated their bulbs, it will be wise to start spray- 
ing your plants when they are about six to eight inches high, using either of the 
following formulas: 
1—WATER SOLUBLE DD'T—Spray as per instructions on the package. 
2—TARTER EMETIC—Tarter Emetic............... 4% tablespoonfuls 
BEO Wi Sas eevee ee ane % pound 
WiSUGT iter. ase... hae Se eae 8 gallons 
Spray about once a week until buds begin to show color, at which time it 
can be discontinued. Do not use spray left over from previous sprayings. Mix 
a new batch each time. 
