SEO 
Se 
BIRCHVILLE GARDENS) —_ PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT 
CULTURAL HINTS 
Packages of bulbs must be opened as soon as received and the bulbs stored in a cool, dry place until planting time. 
PLANTING DATES. Any time from early Spring until the first of July. The blooming season can be prolonged until 
frost if planted at intervals of three weeks. 
WHERE TO PLANT. Glads should be planted in open, sunny places, away from buildings and trees. They are pri- 
marily cut-flowers and should be planted in rows such as a vegetable garden. 
SOIL. Glads will grow in any kind of soil but do best in a sandy loam. The soil must be well drained. It pays 
to spade deeply. 
FERTILIZING. The amount to use will depend upon the fertility of your soil. Any good commercial fertilizer will give 
good results or you can ask your dealer for the fertilizer commonly used on potatoes in your locality. Most growers 
prefer the fertilizer in the bottom of the trench as the bulbs are planted. Care must be taken to see that the fertilizer 
is mixed with the soil and then about 2 inches of soil placed over the mixture. The bulbs should then be set in the 
row, leaving the 2 inches of soil between them and the fertilizer. 
DISINFECTING. All bulbs and bulblets should be dipped in disinfectant in order to kill Thrip and to prevent possible 
disease infection on the bulbs. Nothing will cure bulbs affected with any of the rots. Bulbs showing rot should be 
discarded at once. (See formulas for Dips and Sprays.) 
PLANTING. Plant from 3 to 6 inches deep. Small bulbs should be planted about 3 inches deep and larger sizes up 
to 6 inches deep. If you have a heavy clay soil 4 to 5 inches will be deep enough. The bulbs should be set not 
closer than 4 inches apart in the rows and the soil must be firmed well after planting. 
WATERING. Glads need plenty of moisture. To produce top bloom they should have 1% to 2 inches of water per 
week. Whenever the natural rainfall fails to supply this quantity be sure to put it on in the form of irrigation. It is 
kest to water just once or twice a week, soaking the soil well, so that the roots are not pushing upward to the surface 
of the ground. 
DIGGING. Bulbs should not be dug until about 6 weeks after blooming, in order to mature the bulbs. A good sign 
is to watch the foilage and when it begins to turn brown, dig at once. After the tops are cut off, close to the bulb, 
dry the bulbs in the air in trays or boxes. It is best not to allow the sun to shine directly on them while drying. After 
2 or 3 weeks of drying the old bulb and roots can then be removed. DO NOT remove the husks as this protects 
bulb during storage. 
STORAGE. After drying, the bulbs must not be exposed to freezing temperatures. The ideal storage temperature is 
38 to 45 degrees. Bulbs should not be placed too deeply in the boxes as they need air while in storage. 
When you get ready to store your bulbs, be sure to give them a light dusting of 5% D.D.T. This will eliminate 
any danger of thrip feeding on your bulbs during storage period. Glads are easy to grow and anyone, even a be- 
ginner can grow the finest show flowers! 
FORMULAS FOR DIPS AND SPRAYS 
LYSOL DIP 
4 tablespoons of Lysol or 1 Pint Lysol 
3 gallons of water 25 gallons of water 
Soak bulbs in the Lysol solution for at least 3 hours and no longer than 6 hours; soak bulblets overnight or 12 
to 14 hours. After bulbs or bulblets are removed from the solution, allow to drain for 30 minutes and plant same day 
as treated, preferably while still wet. 
BICHLORIDE OF MERCURY 
1 oz. Bichloride of Mercury 7 gallons of water 
Soak 10 to 12 hours immediately preceding planting. Plant wet. Must be used in an earthen or wooden container. 
THRIP SPRAY 
2 ounces Tartar Emetic 2 ounces brown sugar 3 gallons water 
Mix well and spray weekly after foilage is in third leaf. 
or 
V2" |beeD Det e5 026) Y%2 pint liquid soap (Germicidal) 25 gallons of water 
For small plantings the following D.D.T. spray is reported as giving good results: 
1 rounded teaspoonful D.D.T. (50%) Y teaspoonful Dreft 1 gallon water 
DUSTING—The easiest and most efficient means of controlling Thrip is to dust the foliage of the plants with 5% D.D.T. 
Many types of dusters are available and one can be obtained to suit your size planting. Begin dusting when plants 
are in third leaf and continue about every two weeks. If this is done you can say goodbye to Thrip! 
CAUTION: Bichloride of Mercury, Lysol, New Improved Ceresan, Tartar Emetic, and D.D.T. are Poisonous and care 
should be taken in handling and storing these. 
40 
