reclings fo Glad eis Everywhere 
The 1953 growing season in central Iowa was very good until the middle of 
September when dry conditions developed. We received about 3 inches of railfall during 
the first week of August, but that was all until late November. While fall flowers were 
cut short, dry conditions proved fine to finish off a high quality bulb crop. 
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. 
THRIPS CONTROL MADE EASY 
Treat the bulbs soon after harvest while drying by blowing 5% DDT 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. 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 
add 3 teaspoons of Dreft as a wetting agent, or a brand of Spread-Sticker. Do not use 
bare hands to mix concentrated N. J. C. First make a paste of the powder then add larger 
volume of water. Soak bulbs and bulblets for 30 minutes, then drain off the liquid and 
plant while still damp. On large bulbs one may break the husks to help penetration but 
do not remove as the husks act like a sponge to hold and carry the disinfectant for many 
days, and so better protect the new bulb and rootlets. One batch of N. I. C. mix may be 
used four or five times without losing too much strength, but then it is time to discard 
or add fresh mix of N. |. C.. We have shown in earlier publication that N. I. C. will kill 
thrips on the bulbs at time of dipping, provided the husk is wet through in the soaking 
process. You should not have the thrips to worry about provided you treated the bulbs 
with DDT dust in storage. To be sure one may add some DDT to the above dip. 
If more convenient for the small grower, use Lysol which may be obtained at 
most drug stores. Soak bulbs and bulblets for 3 hours, just before planting in a solution 
prepared at the rate of | teaspoonful of Lysol to | quart of water. Allow to drain for 30 
minutes and plant bulbs and bulblets while still wet. 
EARLY RED (Knight, 1953) 
(Red Gold X Red Gold) 
Class 450. Glowing pure red, no orange tone evident, only a slender pale line on 
throat petals. A red of high color value; its beauty bears close inspection, a smooth, 
saturated heavy substance red. Plants range 50-60 inches in height, strong and willowy, 
flowerhead 26-29 inches with 21 buds, holds 7 open with 6 buds in color; 5 inch florets 
of heavy substance, firmly attached, in perfect placement; never burns in the sunshine. 
Tall healthy plants, deep green foliage, disease resistant, fine quality bulbs that are 
easy to handle; prolific of bulblets that germinate readily. An ideal florists red. Bloomed 
66 days after planting in three states. Bloomed in the seed bed, in sixth month from a seed. 
