GLADIOLUS 
Gladiolus are among the easiest of all 
flowers to grow. But while they stand 
neglect better than most plants, they 
also respond beautifully to proper 
treatment. So it is well to note these 
brief points: 
Soil should be well drained, sandy loam, 
preferably where no glads have been 
grown for the past 3 years. Cultivation 
to a depth of about 18 inches is highly 
desirable. 
Full sun is best, although they do fairly 
well in partial shade. Glads may be set 
out as soon as frost is out of the ground, 
but extra-early planting gains little. A 
succession of plantings about ten days 
apart gives a long blooming season, 
Depth of planting should be no more 
than 4” in heavy soil and 5 to 6” in 
light, sandy soil. Planting Glad bulbs 
too shallow in light soil will cause them 
to topple over or grow at bad angles. 
Space bulbs 3” apart in rows 18 to 30” 
apart. Be sure to eliminate air pockets 
under the bulbs. 
Place bulbs in a well worked trench in 
staggered or zig-zag row—and cover at 
first with about two inches of loam. 
When shoots begin to appear, work 
balance of loam into the trench. 
Watering is important. Glads need an 
abundance of moisture, especially after 
the plant is well developed. 
Cut the spike when first bud fully 
opens. The other buds will open nicely 
and give you a longer period of bloom. 
Insect Control—It is wise not to delay 
your weekly dusting or spraying pro- 
gram after the sixth leaf has appeared. 
D.D.T. dust or spray is almost uni- 
versally used today. A 5% dust is quite 
effective. Spray should be applied in 
a fine mist under heavy pressure. Ask 
us about our new insecticides. 
DAHLIAS 
Any reasonably careful gardener can 
grow dahlias easily and successfully. 
Soil needs of dahlias are no different 
than those of a good vegetable garden. 
Drainage and porosity are important. 
Fertilizing calls for nothing more than 
a good balanced commercial fertilizer. 
Planting is simple. Set stout stakes first. 
Plant the tuber in a hole 6 inches deep, 
with eye up, and neck near stake. 
Cover with just enough soil to hide the 
tuber. As the eye grows, keep filling in 
soil. 
Culture, Cultivate frequently for about 
the first 10 weeks. Do not cultivate 
when flowers are in bud or bloom. 
Allow only one main stalk to grow 
When stalk is about 10 inches high, 
pinch out the center just above the 2nd 
pair of leaves. When buds appear, pinch 
out all except the central one. Also 
pinch out all new lateral shoots except 
the two nearest the main stalk, This 
helps produce large blooms on low, 
bushy plants with long stems. 
LILIES 
Even the swamp lilies will not tolerate 
wet feet; all must have perfect drainage. 
Yet they like a moist, cool soil. This 
means that liberal quantities of old 
well-decayed compost is essential. 
CANNAS 
While cannas will tolerate cold soil, 
they usually do not start growing until 
hot weather comes. If planted in round 
beds,(18 plants on the outside, 12 in 
the second row, six for the third row 
and one in the center). A 7 foot bed 
A typical example 
of the modern, 
large flowered 
gladiolus. 
will use 119 plants, with 12 plants on 
the outside row, six for the middle row 
and one to be planted in the center. 
FANCY LEAVED 
CALADIUMS 
These spectacular foliage plants are 
particularly valuable because they do 
well in shade. Start them in a mixture 
of half sand and half leaf mould at a 
temperature of over 70 degrees. When 
the roots are well-developed and the 
shoot is beginning to show, pot up in 
rich soil. Set out in the garden when 
weather has become warm and settled. 
PROPER PLANTING DEPTH 
IMPORTANT 
Take care to plant your bulbs the 
right depth (see the chart at the 
left). Shallow planting causes 
much failure in successful bulb 
growth. When preparing the 
planting pocket for your bulbs, 
be sure the bottom is broad 
enough to permit the bulb case 
to rest on the soil. If an air 
pocket is left, the roots may dry 
out before the bulb has started 
its growth. ~. 
