SOIL—Gladioti do well-on most any soil that will grow 
corn or potatoes. They should be pianted in the open where 
there is plenty of sunshine and a reasonable amount of mois- 
ture; poor soil should be improved with a good dressing of 
well-rotted manure. If manure is not available, you may use __ 
commercial fertilizer on the surface, along the rows during the 
growing season. Fertilizer should be kept from direct contact 
Ae the bulbs. Good cultivation will help retain the mois- 
re. Watering should be thoroughly ence week, rather than 
sprinkling daily. 
PLANTING—Upon receipt of bulbs, open package to per- 
mit air and-store in a cool dry place until planting time, usual- 
ly when the Maple trees begin to leaf out in your vicinity. 
Make furrows 5 to 6 inches deep for large size bulbs. 4 to 5 
inches deep for medium size. Plant buibs 6 inches @part, or 
regulate distance depending « on space ‘and number of bulbs” 
you have. 
TREATING—Most growers treat Se tlcs before Bees 
against Thrip and Scab, by using Corrosive of . ‘Sublimate or 
Lysol. We use | oz. Corrosive of Sublimate to 4 gal. of water 
and soak the bulbs for 3 hours. For most amateur growers 
Lysol is probably the easiest and most satisfactory dip. 
4 tablespoons Lysol to 3 gal. of water. Soak pubes 5 hours, 
then plant immediately. 
SPRAYS—Inasmuch < gs there is a Poco that Thrip gets 
into your garden and your plants may become infested dur- 
ing the growing season, it is advisable to spray when plants 
cre eight to tan inches high, with some good insecticide. Tar- 
tar Emetic, or DDT, are recommended. Thrip is a small insect 
that feeds on the sap of the Pig sans later Haets up into. the 
buds. ae “44 
FLOWERS—If you cut the ere leave aneUr er iseves 
on the plant to mature the bulb. Place the cut flowers in a 
deep vase, with at least ten inches of water, cut off a small 
portion of the stem and change the water daily. Treated this 
way, every bud on the stalk will open lay) in the. house. 
They keep best in a cool + room. . . 
HARVESTING—Eorly are bulbs can be ddgt 30 days 
after blooming time. All must be taken up before ground 
freezes. Cut the tops off close to the bulb. Pruning shears are 
best for this job. Place bulbs in shallow trays so they dry 
thoroughly. It takes about four weeks to cure the bulbs 
enough to take off the old bulb and roots. After cleaning, 
store in trays not over 3 inches deep—in dry, cool, frost 
proof place. Scatter a little 5% D.D.T. Dust over them, one 
tablespoonful per 100 bulbs. 
