if Gladiolus: “Diminutive of Latin gladius, a sword, from 
ca A LO Us the shape of the leaves of the first described species.” 
Varieties selected by our experts and verified as such by the Leading Gladiolus Societies both here and 
abroad. Finest Quality Stock that has been selected by carefully trained employees a then especially 
treated in storage during the winter months to assure you the finest disease and insect free bulbs. 
Treated with D D T powder as we are packing your order. It is our aim and to our interest that you 
received the finest quality that will produce exhibition blooms in your garden. 
FOR THE GARDEN AND FOR INDOOR DECORATION 
Few flowers have so richly profited from the skill and taste of the hybridists’ continued ambitions as the Gladioli. 
Through variation, selection and breeding, the comparatively inconspicuous flowers brought from Cape Colony some 
hundred and fifty years ago, have been re-furbished, elaborated, glorified, until memory of their simple early state is 
quite lost in the wonder of newly acquired colors, markings, bewitching ruffles and widely flaring chalices. The color 
range of the Gladiolus of today includes every tint and shade possible. 
No blooms are more valuable in the midsummer and autumn garden than Gladioli. Their use is almost without limita- 
tion. The range of color available today enables them to share in any scheme. If the planting be properly timed they 
may be brought into bloom any time from June to November (and under glass, from November to June). The flowering 
season may be advanced or prolonged by planting in berry baskets or pans, keeping them in a protected frame until 
ready to set outdoors into the garden where a vacancy invites it. 
They are invaluable for cut flowers, and it is well to have a few hundred bulbs planted in some out-of-the-way place, 
for a cutting patch for indoor and porch decoration. It is interesting in this connection to choose varieties whose colors 
will harmonize with the decorations of the various rooms of your home. In cutting the blooms four or more leaves 
should always be left upon the plant; this helps to restore nourishment to the parent corms. 
Gladioli will give satisfactory results in any good garden soil. The depth of planting for the corms differs with the 
character of the soil. The lighter the soil, the deeper the corms should be set, and in dry seasons this deep planting is 
of great advantage, as it insures a cool and desirable environment for the roots. Deep planting has the further advan- 
tage of very largely doing away with the necessity of staking. In heavy, moist soils, however, there is danger in deep 
planting, as the soil may become too wet and cause the young shoots and even the corms to decay. 
The general method is to plant in rows from 11% to 4 feet apart, depending upon the method of cultivation to be 
employed. Dig a trench 5 inches deep and 2 inches wide at the bottom. Place the corms on the bottom of the trench 
3 inches to 5 inches apart and then fill the trench with soil. 
They like plenty of air and sunshine under which condition they will grow to perfection. In dry seasons they should 
be thoroughly watered; a little sprinkling in the evening is of only slight benefit; give them a thorough soaking so that 
the soil is wet 5 inches deep and then leave them alone for a week. ; 
Cultivate after every rain or watering; keep the surface of the soil loose and open; give the oxygen a chance to get into 
the soil where things are growing. 
Do not use fresh manure at planting time. Apply barnyard manure the previous fall or use bone meal in the spring. 
Scheepers’ Bulb Food is best. (See page 17.) 
Unpack the bulbs as soon as received and give them a thorough airing; keep in a good dry cellar until ready to plant. 
YOU MAY HAVE BLOOMS IN YOUR GARDEN 
FROM JUNE UNTIL FROST 
(We have ideal storage facilities and will be happy to keep the bulbs 
for you, making shipments at intervals during the growing season.) 
Plant some Gladioli every week commencing as soon as all danger of frost is over. By keeping the bulbs in a cool, 
dry place, about forty degrees, they will keep and remain dormant as late as August. This will give you flowers from 
late June until frost. 
Plant a few of the bulbs in berry baskets in early March, placing them in a frost-proof cellar or frame where they can 
make roots; when all danger of frost is over, plunge them, basket and all, into the places in the garden where they are 
wanted, and you will have fine blooms in late May and early June. 
It is always well to have a quantity of Gladioli planted at various times in such baskets or in pots and pans growing 
in frames so that from time to time you may be able to fill vacant spaces in your borders by plunging these in for quick 
or immediate effect, very early or very late in the season. 
ENTIRE CONTENTS COPYRIGHT 1955, BY JOHN SCHEEPERS,INC. 
