GLADIOLUS CULTURE 
First of all have good bulbs to start with. 
Gladiolus can be planted as early in the spring 
as the ground can be worked and up to the last 
of June. By planting at intervals the blooming 
season can be continuous from June until freez- 
ing weather. 
FERTILIZING—While glads will respond fine 
on a good rich garden soil they should not be 
fertilized heavily. A heavy application of fer- 
tilizer not only doesn’t seem to help them, it 
sometimes actually seems to harm them. If you 
think something should be put on, give them 
a light application of commercial fertilizer or 
a little manure, but do not allow any of either 
to come in contact with the bulbs. 
SOIL—Any kind of soil will do. They do not 
like wet feet, so it should be well drained. A 
little water will help and on well drained soil 
give them a lot of water as they come into bloom 
and you will be amply rewarded with lots of 
fine long spikes. 
Do not plant near strong growing plants or 
trees. They will rob the soil of moisture and 
plant food. 
SPRAY OR DUST when the glads are about ten 
inches high and repeat every week or ten days 
until just before they bloom. 5% DDT is about 
the simplest and best. 
CUT THE FLOWERS if you want to, but leave 
four leaves to produce the bulb. 
DIG a month or so after blooming or later if 
they are still green. Do not pile bulbs more than 
four inches deep. Dust with DDT lightly. 
DRY in an airy place. Heat will help to remove 
the moisture. When dry (two or three weeks) 
remove the roots and dust again with DDT. 
After another two or three weeks of drying 
store for the winter in a cool airy place. Keep 
from freezing. 
BEFORE planting it is well, though not essen- 
tial, to dip the bulbs in a solution of Lysol, one 
tablespoonful per gallon of water, for three 
hours. 
GLADIOLUS CLASSIFICATION 
Originator’s name in parenthesis. 
Miniature Glads 100—Florets under 21 inches. 
Small Glads 200—2' through 3%4 inches. 
Medium Glads 300—Over 3% through 4°%% in. 
Large Glads 400—4'% through 5% inches. 
Giant Glads 500—5'% inches and larger. 
00 White 40 Light pink 
01 White with marking 42 Deep pink 
06 Cream 50 Light red 
10 Light yellow 52 Deep red 
12 Deep yellow 54 Black red 
16 Buff 60 Rose 
20 Orange (light) 66 Lavender 
22 Orange (deep) 70 Purple 
24 Orange red 76 Violet 
30 Salmon (light) 80 Smoky 
32 Salmon (deep) 90 Any other color 
36 Scarlet 
Thus 440 is a large light pink, 566 is a giant 
lavender, etc. 
ABU HASSAN 
