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 de- 
sirable. 
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 succes- 
sion 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. 
When cutting gladioli, it is very important to leave 
two or three of the broadest leaves at the base of the 
stalk. 
Insect Control—It is wise not to delay your weekly dust- 
ing or spraying program after the sixth leaf has ap- 
peared. D.D.T. dust or spray is almost universally 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. 
40 
6@rdeR 
MV CXSTNCUAIES 
There are few flowers which give as gen- 
erously of their bloom and beauty as do the 
bulbs since they demand little in the way of 
care and cultivation. 
The majority of bulbs will thrive under widely 
varying conditions of soil and climate, and 
many of them when they have once become 
well established will increase in beauty from 
year to year. 
Growing flowers from bulbs and roots is also 
one of the most rewarding of hobbies. Because 
bulbs multiply each year and return additional 
bulbs and bulblets to the grower, it is like a 
bank account returning interest on your deposit. 
That's true of dahlia roots, too. 
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 im- 
portant. 
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 pro- 
duce large blooms on Jow, 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 will use 119 plants, with 12 plants on the out- 
side row, six for the middle row and one to be planted 
in the center. 
Fancy Leaved Caladiums 
These spectacular foliage plants are particularly valu- 
able because they do well in shade. Start them in a mix- 
ture 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 when weather has become warm and settled. 
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