reeling: fo Glad ei Everywhere 
The 1951 growing season in central lowa was the best we have seen for Gladiolus. 
While spring came late the summer was relatively cool with rainfall well distributed. 
Growth and bloom was remarkably fine and the shows something we will long remember. 
October was relatively dry and favorable for harvesting bulbs, but due to a shortage of 
help we were unable to dig several varieties before the early freeze up on November Ist. 
For this reason our bulb list is shorter this year. 
To arrive at the proper price for bulbs of many varieties is always a problem, We 
try to use the lowest quotations found in the better catalogues issued; if still too high 
we will meet the prices of reliable growers, so long as our stock lasts. Beyond this 
the differences in values received may be found in quality of bulbs, in overcount and 
extras. Perhaps the best way to find out is to place a trial order. 
CLASSIFICATION NOTE 
The North American Gladiolus Council classification places Glads in size divisions 
as follows: Miniature, 100 series; Small Glads, 200 series; Medium, 300 series; Large, 
400 series; Giant, 500 series. The color class is indicated by the last two digits. For ex- 
plantation see classified list published by the North American Gladiolus Council. Every 
Glad grower should have this list which is a key to information on the size and color 
classes of varieties. 
JOIN THE NORTH AMERICAN GLADIOLUS COUNCIL 
An international organization sending to its members quarterly size Bulletins with 
much information of interest; also the Annual Classification of Gladiolus Varieties. 
Subscription: member <tc. sscetcke euee esis ane ee. Gas ost ni eee eer stom te $2.00 per year 
Send to membership Secretary, Alfons Bazdorf, Lincoln Park, N. J. Join the lowa 
Gladiolus Society and receive “‘Glad Tidings.’” Send $2.50 to Sec. Wm. H. Collins, State 
House, Des Moines, Iowa, and receive Glad Tidings, Bulletin of the N. Am. Gladiolus 
Council and Classification of Varieties. 
THRIPS CONTROL MADE EASY 
During the 1946 season we carried out experiments in the control of Thrips on 
bulbs and plants, using DDT in dust form. The first publication on results of controlling 
thrips in field plantings appeared in our article “Hello Dust, Good-bye Spray” in the 
Sept. (1946) Bulletin of the North American Gladiolus Council. We are now completely 
sold on the use of dust for its effectiveness, convenience and ease of application. We 
recommend using 5% strength of DDT dust, compounded from “‘Deenate,”” a 50% wet- 
table DDT powder, using a fine grade of talc as the diluent base. 5% DDT dust is now 
on the market in many places. 
Treat the bulbs soon after harvest while drying by blowing the dust over and 
through the trays of bulbs er other containers. A small hand gun holding a pint or less 
of dust is most convenient for the purpose. Small lots of bulbs may be treated by placing 
bulbs and dust in large paper bags and shaking gently. Bulbs so treated will be protected 
against roving thrips since the insects will be killed as fast as they contact the dust. DDT 
residue will not injure the bulbs. Protecting the growing plants is best done by using the 
same 5% DDT dust, blowing it on the plants with a dust gun at weekly intervals. Keep it 
up until September if you want good late blooms. We have checked enough results to 
find this program is more efficient than tartar emetic sprays or other insecticides used 
in the past. DDT liquid sprays are also effective but the labor saving advantages of 
using dust will eventually result in most growers discarding the sprayers in favor of dust- 
ing machines. We have used a Root hand gun duster of a size holding about four pounds 
of dust, shoulder strap supported and with hand crank, covering one acre of Glads with 
dust in two hours. Warning: If you do much dusting you should provide yourself with 
a respirator or gas mask. Breathing much dust will cause headaches and possibly more 
serious troubles. 
DISEASE CONTROL 
We use and recommend ‘“‘New Improved Ceresan’”’ as a dip at planting time. If 
you grow many Glads or expect to continue growing them it is necessary to dip the 
bulbs in a disinfectant just before planting. Use | oz. of N. I. C. in 3 gals. of water and 
