SOIL—Gladioli do well on most any soil that will grow 
corn or potatoes. They should be planted 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 
with the bulbs. Good cultivation will help retain the mois- 
ture. Watering should be thoroughly once a 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 bulbs 6 inches apart, or 
regulate distance depending on space and number of bulbs 
you have. 
TREATING—Most growers treat the bulbs before planting 
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 bulbs 5 hours, 
then plant immediately. 
SPRAYS—Inasmuch as there is a possibility that Thrip gets 
into your garden and your plants may become infested dur- 
ing the growing season, it is advisable to spray when plants 
are eight to ten 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 plant, and later gets up into the 
buds. 
FLOWERS—If you cut the flowers, leave about four leaves 
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 perfectly in the house. 
They keep best in a cool room. 
HARVESTING—Early planted bulbs can be dug 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. 
