Third, plant bulbs of all sizes, Large, Medium and Small. There are 
a number of days difference between the flowering periods of these three 
sizes. Of course the medium and small are not likely to produce large 
spikes like the large bulbs, but they will be lovely, and come later in the 
season. 
4. What ails all my glads? The florets are dried up, do not open. Probability 
is that thrips have done the mischief. Thrips (Take notice—the word is al- 
ways spelled with an ‘‘s’” for both singular and plural), is a tiny insect said 
to be 1-25th of an inch in length, and blackish in color, in the adult stage. It 
is very quick on the wing, and thus very difficult to see with the naked eye. 
There are numerous species of Thrips, but one specie particularly does the 
damage to glads which tends to take the joy out of glad growing. This insect 
lives in the folds of the leaves where they overlap. Here they multiply, and 
when the spike begins formation within the stocky stem of the plant they 
find their way into the new flower buds which are forming. They suck the 
juice out of. the tender young petals, causing them to have the appearance of 
having dried up by heat or sunshine. If the pests are not too numerous they 
may affect only the margin of the petals, in which case the florets will open 
about full size, but will have a slightly dried out edging. If very numerous 
the buds may not open at all — appear from their first appearance to have 
been dried up by heat. Sometimes their damage shows as small whitish 
patches or specklings on the petals. 
Before they begin action on the buds, they are at work on the new leaves 
which are forming within the plant. Their work will appear as silvery patches 
on the leaves. For control of thrips see my remarks under the heading, Cul- 
tural Suggestions. 
There are many other gladiolus pests — grasshoppers, various kind of lar- 
vae, and beetles which do some damage, but are not considered in these parts 
of the country as dangerous or difficult to control. 
More troublesome than insects, even including the thrips, are the fungus 
diseases, and viruses which have made themselves at home on the gladiolus. 
Among these is one fungus which causes gladiolus foliage to turn yellow, re- 
sulting in the decay of the plant, and often the decay of the bulb. I am asked 
many times every year what to do about this trouble. My advice is to pull up 
the plant and get it out of the field. I do not know of any field treatment 
that will handle this trouble. Precautionary measures are our most available 
resorts. Plant only clean, healthy bulbs. Dip them in some well recommend- 
ed chemical antiseptic. (See my Cultural Suggestions). 
JOIN A GLADIOLUS SOCIETY 
1. Every glad lover ought to be a member of their State Gladiolus Society. 
2. Every grower will find it well worth the cost to belong to The North . 
American Gladiolus Council, the only national gladiolus society in the coun- 
try. This society puts out a Quarterly Magazine which keeps the glad fan 
abreast of all that is good and progressive in hte realm of gladiolus. It fur- 
nishes much information on the growing and showing of glads, and the control 
of disease. Membership in this national society is $1.00 per year, which en- 
titles the member to the magazine. In it one also learns a great deal about 
new varieties, and thru the advertisements, become acquainted with the lead- 
ing growers and cataloguers of the nation. Address your communications 
concerning membership to: 
Mr. Alfons Bazdorf, Lincoln Park, New Jersey. 
3. The New England Gladiolus Society, while a regional society centered 
in Massachusetts, is a very strong organization, and issues a Yearbook, and 
a Magazine six times yearly, for a membership fee of $2.00. This Society also 
devotes much attention to the growing and showing of gladiolus, disease 
control, and advertisers. Address membership communications to: 
N. E. G. S. Secretary, Horticultural Hall, Boston 15, Mass. 

“The bulbs arrived today in fine shape—so clean and nice. And were you 
ever generous with extras. Thank you so much.” (Iowa) 
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