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UMASS  AMHERST 


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CBMnTmEllT  OF  FUOt^IGTlU-nlftB 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


JANUARY,   1917 


No.  1 


I  GLADIOLUS— 

MYRTLE. 

Awarded     Silver 

Medal    bj-    the 

Massachus  etts 

I  Horticultural  So- 
ciety in  1912.  First 
Class  Certificate  of 
Merit,  1915,  at  show 
of  Newport  Horti- 
cultural Society 
and  IGarden  Club 
of  Newport,  R.  I. 
Has  won  many 
prizes  and  been 
awarded  special 

[mention    in    many 

[different  places. 
With    blooms 

[  grown  from  %  in- 
bulbs,  H.  E.  Mead- 
er  won  second  in 
pink  class  at  Bos- 
ton   in     1916     and 

,  against  strong  com- 
petition. 


DESCRIPTION. 

This  variety  was 
originated  by  A.  E. 
Kunderd  and  isone 
of  his  plain  petaled 
types.  The  flowers 
are  of  good  size  and 
graceful  form  and 
from  four  to  six  are 
open  at  one  time. 
It  is  an  early 
bloomer  and  excel- 
lent for  forcing. 

The  color  is  a 
delicate  rose  pink, 
described  as  the 
most  beautiful  pink 
yet  produced  in  a 
Gladiolus.  The 
throat  is  marked 
with  creamy  white 
and  with  some- 
times a  small  patch 
of  pale  primrose 
yellow  on  the  in- 
ferior petals. 


Page 
2 


t3b<^  Mto6ern  <5la6lolu5  i&rower 


Jan. 
1917 


Classifying  Exhibitors  at  Flower  Shows. 

A  Symposium  on  the  Subject  Contributed  to  by  a  Number 
of  Experienced  Growers. 


THE  following  ideas  on  the  subject  of 
classifying  the  exhibitors  at  flower 
shows,  have,  with  the  exception  of 
the  one  by  H.  F.  Clark,  appeared  in  the 
publications  to  which  due  credit  is  given. 
We  are  pleased  to  print  all  shades  of 
opinion  on  this  subject  and  do  not  wish 
to  confine  the  discussion  to  our  own  edi- 
torial ideas  on  what  is  correct.  What  we 
think  about  it  is  explained  in  our  editorial 
columns  this  month.  It  would  seem  that 
we  are  getting  nearer  to  a  solution  of  the 
matter  and  we  invite  careful  considera- 
tion of  the  arguments  here  set  forth  : 

Classifying  an  amateur,  I  should  say  that  he  or 
she  is  (1;  a  person  who  grows  flowers,  fruit,  etc., 
without  the  help  of  a  gardener,  for  his  own  per- 
sonal use  and  pleasure ;  (2)  one  who  employs  a 
gardener  to  grow  for  exhibition  and  home  pleas- 
ure only  ;  (3)  one  who  employs  a  gardener  and 
grows  in  quantity,  sending  the  surplus  to  market. 
Any  person  growing  in  large  quantities  any  one 
class  of  plants  for  market  cannot  correctly  be 
classed  as  an  amateur,  and  should  not  be  so 
called.     (Samuel  Scott  in  Florist's  Exchange.) 


I  want  to  enter  my  protest  against  the  practice 
or  ruling  that  some  societies  have  made  to  divide 
the  exhibitors  into  two  classes,  namely  ;  Commer- 
cial and  Non-commercial.  The  noncommercial 
to  include  not  only  regular  amateurs,  but  also 
gardeners.  It  is  the  including  of  paid  gardeners 
with  amateurs  that  I  object  to  for  the  reason  that 
these  gardeners  are  usually  employees  of  wealthy 
people  who  not  only  have  large  and  extensive 
gardens,  but  unlimited  means  with  which  to  pur- 
chase new  varieties,  employ  expert  gardeners, 
etc.  If  there  is  any  one  class  that  is  strictly  pro- 
fessional, I  believe  that  the  so-called  gardener,  who 
is  paid  for  his  services,  is  that  one.  Certainly  an 
amateur  has  no  chance  whatever  competing  with 
this  class.  I  believe  that  this  class  of  exhibitors, 
whether  the  exhibit  is  made  in  the  name  of  the 
owner  or  the  gardener,  should  be  classed  with  the 
professionals,  or  what  may  be  better,  especially 
in  large  exhibitions,  placed  in  a  class  by  them- 
selves. H.  F.  Clark. 


This  is  a  question  that  is  being  agitated  just 
now  and  is  deserving  of  the  most  careful  consid- 
eration. 

The  field  covered  by  the  amateur  is  the  grow- 
ing of  an  article  exclusively  for  one's  own  use  and 
not  for  a  remunerative  purpose.  The  amateur 
may  be  of  two  or  three  classes;  viz.,  a  person 
who  plants  and  cares  for  a  crop  with  his  own 
hands,  or  as,  for  example,  John  Brown  may  own 
a  large  estate  and  elect  to  grow  vegetables,  flow- 
ers, or  fruit  for  his  own  consumption  only.  In 
order  to  accomplish  this  he  engages  Chas.  Taylor 
as  a  gardener,  and  perhaps  several  assistants. 
John  Brown  wishes  to  exhibit  flowers  at  the 
flower  show  in  his  name.    He  is  an  amateur,  tech- 


nically, in  every  sense  of  the  word.  Or  John 
Brown  prefers  to  have  his  gardener,  Charles  Tay- 
lor, exhibit  them  under  the  name  of  Charles  Tay- 
lor, gardener  for  John  Brown.  In  this  case  Chas. 
Taylor  is  an  amateur  in  the  same  sense  as  his 
employer. 

In  my  opinion  there  can  be  only  one  dividing 
line  and  that  is  this  :  A  person  who  sells,  or  offers 
for  sale  any  of  his  product  becomes  a  commercial 
grower  and  should  exhibit  in  no  other  class. 

But  in  fairness  to  all  amateurs,  men  who  are 
employed  by  another  person,  and  the  person  who 
employs  them,  should  exhibit  in  a  distinct  class, 
as  'Gardeners  or  Owners." 

Then  the  persons  just  starting  all  stand  on  their 
own  merits.  In  this  way  a  new  beginner  will 
have  an  incentive  to  exhibit  his  goods  and  not  be 
outclassed  by  the  gardener  who  has  experience 
and  unlimited  means  at  his  disposal. 

Again,  to  make  it  positively  plain,  any  person 
who  sells  any  of  his  product  becomes  a  commer- 
cial grower  and  must  be  so  regarded  in  an  exhi- 
bition.   (Geo.  L.  Stillman  in  Florist's  Exchange.) 


This  is  a  hardy  perennial.  Every  horticultural 
society,  the  smallest  as  well  as  the  largest,  has 
had  experience  of  discussing  the  pros  and  cons  of 
the  question. 

It  is  one  of  the  problems  lying  immediately  be- 
fore the  members  of  the  American  Dahlia  Society, 
and  as  it  is  of  general  interest  we  introduce  it 
here,  and  would  be  glad  of  opinions  thereon. 

The  majority  of  people  make  two  chief  groups, 
the  commercial  and  the  amateur.  Many  again 
divide  the  latter,  classifying  professional  garden- 
ers and  their  employers  as  one  section,  and  those 
amateurs  who  do  all  their  own  work  as  a  separate 
section.    This  is  surely  the  fairest  classification. 

In  the  literal  sense  of  the  word  "amateur,"  ev- 
ery one  who  loves  flowers  has  a  right  to  that  des- 
ignation. "Amateur"  simply  means  lover,  and 
using  the  word  in  that  sense  many  societies  allow 
garden  owners  who  have  highly  skilled  profes- 
sional gardeners,  or  numerous  gardeners,  to  ex- 
hibit as  amateurs.  The  small  man  who  has  no 
assistants,  or  only  such  assistants  as  help  him  to 
dig  his  land  or  wheel  manure,  has  to  compete 
with  those  who  have  unlimited  means  and  ample 
help  at  their  disposal. 

Furthermore,  some  societies  do  not  disqualify 
an  amateur  if  he  sells  what  he  regards  simply  as 
surplus;  or  maybe  he  sells  a  novelty  that  he  has 
raised.  How  illogical  this  latter  definition  is  has 
been  well  exemplified  over  and  over  again  in  the 
case  of  professional  and  business  men  who  have 
gardens  and  sell  their  surplus.  It  is  perfectly 
well  known  that  some  of  these  have  actually 
made  a  business  of  raising  and  selling  Roses, 
Daffodils,  Sweet  Peas  and  other  favorite  flowers, 
and  while  not  issuing  any  catalogs  or  lists,  they 
have,  nevertheless,  exacted  the  highest  sum  pos- 
sible for  their  seedlings  or  selections.  Such  men 
are  traders  pure  and  simple,  masquerading  as 
amateurs. 

What  is  wanted  is  a  classification  that  cuts 
clean.  If  a  man  is  not  in  business  he  should  be 
generous  enough  to  give  away  his  surplus;  other- 
wise he  becomes  a  trader  and  must  compete  with 
traders.  A  professional  gardener,  exhibiting  on 
behalf  of  his  employer,  and  using  his  employer's 
resources,  ought  to  compete  with  men  of  like 
standing,  namely,  in  the  professional  gardeners' 
class.   In  some  cases  professional  gardeners  make 


Jan. 

1917 


^b^  Mto6^rtt  <Bla6lolu5  (Brewer 


Page 
3 


a  hobby  of  a  given  flower,  and  care  for  it  largely  or 
chiefly  in  their  own  time  and  by  dint  of  their  own 
means  furnish  the  necessaries  for  the  production 
of  the  finest  blooms  or  produce  as  the  case  may 
he.    These  men  virtually  are  amateurs. 

Thirdly,  there  ought  to  be  a  class  for  amateurs 
who  do  not  employ  ««v  skilled  help.  An  objection 
in  the  latter  case  has  been  raised  as  to  the  defi- 
nition of  what  is  skilled  help,  so  that  it  would  al- 
most seem  as  though  the  small  amateur  would 
have  to  be  one  who  does  every  operation  in  con- 
nection with  the  cultivation  of  his  flowers  solely 
by  himself.  This  whole  question  is  one  well  worth 
discussion.— Editorial  in  Florists'  Exchange. 


One  of  the  chief  disturbing  questions  of  the 
moment  is  not  the  rise  in  the  cost  of  living,  how 
to  get  coal  at  $8  a  ton,  nor  how  long  Villa  will  re- 
main at  large;  no,  it  is,  what  is  an  amateur  gar- 
dener? Men  have  grown  heated  and  red  in  the 
face  arguing  it.  The  long  and  short  of  it  is  that 
everybody  but  the  man  who  grows  for  sale,  is  an 
amateur.  At  the  shows  the  professional  gardener 
who  draws  a  salary  of  $150  a  month,  which  is  a 
lot  more  than  many  a  "commercial"  man  earns,  is 
still  an  amateur,  or  rather  he  comes  under  the 
protective  covering  of  his  employer,  who  exhibits 
as  an  amateur.  The  small  man  or  woman  (and 
there  are  plenty  of  ladies  in  the  rSnks  of  amateur 
gardeners)  who  does  all  the  work  of  the  garden, 
from  the  planting  up  to  the  final  cutting  of  the 
show  bloom,  may  still  hire  an  "odd"  man  to  do 
the  wheeling  in  of  manure  and  the  digging,  so 
what  is  the  difference  between  such  a  one  and  the 
man  or  woman  higher  up  who  gets  a  little  more 
help— the  little  more  in  this  case  running  all  the 
way  to  staking  and  tying  and  pinching  and  syr- 
inging with  some  et  ceteras  thrown  in?  There's 
the  rub.  The  wealthy  owner  of  a  large  estate 
with  a  score  of  trained  gardeners  headed  by  a 
proficient  superintendent  at  $3,000,  a  house,  and  a 
helping  hand  to  everything  on  the  place,  may  still 
be  an  ardent  and  perfectly  legitimate  arnateur. 
For  the  meaning  of  the  word  is  lover,  in  this  case, 
a  lover  of  flowers,  plants,  trees,  gardens. 

Is  not  Mrs.  Francis  King  an  amateur?  Is  not 
Mr.  Hunnewell  an  amateur;  or  Admiral  and  Mrs. 
Aaron  Ward?  Many  others  could  be  mentioned. 
The  fad  in  the  definition  of  amateur  is  simple  and 
direct— one  who  grows  his  plants  for  pleasure 
and  does  not  sell  for  a  living.  That  he  may  occa- 
sionally sell  surplus  stock  should  not  debar  him 
or  her  from  the  title  of  amateur.  Here,,  however, 
a  difficulty  arises,  as  when  this  ruling  is  given  it 
would  allow  a  doctor,  a  clergyman,  a  newspaper 
editor  or  any  one  of  a  different  calling,  but  who 
cared  for  plants  and  grew  a  surplus  to  sell  these 
— how  often?  Well,  as  often  as  he  had  a  surplus  ! 
In  England,  where  there  is  an  enormous  body  of 
experienced  and  intelligent  amateurs,  many  of 
them  ought  rightly  to  be  classed  as  traders,  i.  e., 
commercial  florists.  Take  the  case  of  a  cele- 
brated clergyman  who  raised  so  many  beautiful 
Narcissi.  He  was  decidedly  a  trader,  as  he  sold 
his  novelties  yearly  at  high  prices.  Another  min- 
ister of  the  Gospel  ministered  to  the  people  by 
breeding  beautiful  roses  (which  he  sold  for  a  con- 
sideration, not  always  trifling).  A  third  "ama- 
teur" bought  choice  orchids,  bred  them  with  oth- 
ers equally  select,  raised  seedlings,  flowered 
them,  and  when  they  were  proved  and  the  thor- 
oughbreds selected,  he  would  have  a  big  auction 
sale  in  London. 

The  worst  kind  of  "amateur"  is  the  one  who 
tries  to  keep  within  the  folds  of  the  amateurs,  yet 
who  persistently  sells.  Sometimes  it  is  actual 
surplus,  often  it  is  a  surplus  that  has  been  pa- 
tiently and  patently  planned  for.  These  people 
want  to  make  their  garden  pay  some  of  its  ex- 
penses. I  once  worked  in  a  garden  where  every- 
thing was  sold  that  would  bring  a  cent,  from  rhu- 
barb to  roses.  Yet  at  the  shows  Mr.  H—  was  an 
amateur  right  enough,  and  a  respected  member 
of  the  council  of  the  horticultural  society,  who 


was  backed  by  friends  "in  the  trade"— the  latter 
had  public  nurseries  and  seed  stores  and  couldn't 
very  well  pose  as  other  than  what  they  were. 
"  Heigh  ho,"  said  Anthony  Rowley. 

So  far  I'm  an  amateur.  I'll  tell  you  the  reason : 
I'm  too  poor  to  employ  even  a  wheelbarrow  man. 
(Between  ourselves,  a  boy  with  down  on  his  chin 
isn't  bad  help  if  he's  willing.)  But  this  very  day  I 
have  lifted  quite  a  quantity  of  English  ivy  shoots 
that  had  grown  long  and  rooted,  and  these  I've 
laid  in  trenches  for  the  winter.  Anybody  want  to 
buy  a  stock  next  May?  Same  with  golden  privet, 
which  friend  Manda  gets  a  quarter  and  fifty  cents 
for  a  piece.  Yes,  where  is  the  line  to  be  drawn? 
In  flower  show  schedules  there  might  be  three 
classes    provided  for :     1,   commercial  growers ; 

2,  amateurs  who  employ  professional  gardeners; 

3,  amateurs  who  do  all  their  own  work.  The  lat- 
ter are  termed  "cottagers"  in  the  Old  Country  ; 
while  in  most  schedules  those  in  class  2  are  termed 
"private  growers." — The  Onlooker  in  Gardener's 
Chronicle.  

Your  editorial  under  this  title,  in  the  issue  of 
Nov.  25,  invites  opinions  on  the  subject,  and  as  it 
seems  that  the  writer  was  the  cause  of  starting 
the  discussion,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  for  him 
to  express  himself  somewhat  fully. 

Let  us,  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  matter 
intelligently,  consider  the  reason  why  it  is  neces- 
sary to  define  the  amateur.  It  is,  in  this  case,  for 
the  purpose  of  classifying  exhibitors  at  flower 
shows.  The  amateur  must  be  encouraged.  He 
must  not  be  loaded  with  restrictions  so  that  he 
cannot  exhibit.  Commercial  growers  or  profes- 
sionals depend  on  the  enthusiastic  amateur  to 
boom  their  business,  therefore,  every  encourage- 
ment should  be  given  the  amateur  to  exhibit  at 
the  shows. 

Wherever  rules  have  been  made  restricting 
amateurs  closely,  it  has  resulted  in  reducing  the 
number  of  exhibitors  in  the  amateur  classes  prac- 
tically to  extinction.  This  is  not  the  result  de- 
sired. Of  course  we  might  go  on  discussing  all 
the  little  possibilities  and  details  and  tell  all  the 
little  stories  as  to  how  this  one,  that  one  and  the 
other  one  exhibited  in  the  amateur  class  when  he 
was  really  a  professional,  and  so  on,  but  this  does 
not  get  us  anywhere  except  into  deep  water,  from 
which  a  clear  view  of  the  situation  cannot  be  had. 

Exhibitors  at  flower  shows  should  be  classified 
as  follows : 

First,  professional  or  commercial  growers ; 
those  who  engage  in  the  business  to  make  a  profit 
out  of  it ;  who  issue  printed  matter,  advertise 
their  stock,  etc. 

Second,  private  gardeners  and  advanced  ama- 
teurs employing  professional  assistants.  (This 
class  would  clearly  be  among  growers  who  have 
sufficient  means  to  employ  skilled  help  and  pur- 
chase rare  and  expensive  varieties  as  desired.) 

Third,  advanced  amateurs,  composed  of  grow- 
ers who  are  their  own  gardeners,  employing  no 
skilled  help,  but  who  employ  common  or  un- 
skilled labor. 

Fourth,  small  amateurs,  those  who  not  only  do 
their  own  gardening  but  also  all  the  work  in  con- 
nection therewith,  employing  no  help  of  any  kind 
whatever. 

The  last  class  would  be  so  small  in  number,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  writer,  that  they  would  make 
no  considerable  showing  at  flower  shows.  Few 
growers  indeed,  are  there  who  do  not  employ  a 
man  to  plow  their  garden,  haul  manure  and  per- 
haps cultivate  and  dig  their  stock  at  harvest  time. 
It  would  seem,  therefore,  that  the  fourth  class 
would  have  so  few  entries  that  it  would  not  be 
worth  while  to  consider  them. 

A  better  way  than  to  separate  classes  three  and 
four  doubtless  would  be  to  have  classes  of  say 
three  or  five  and  ten  or  fifteen  bloorns,  not  allow- 
ing those  amateurs  who  compete  with  the  larger 
number  of  blooms  to  compete  in  the  classes  for 
the  smaller  number.  This  would  automatically 
separate  the  two  classes  of  amateurs. 


Page 

4 


^b*  Mto6ern  <Bla6lolu5  (Brower 


Jan. 
1917 


The  private  gardener  class,  consisting  of  ama- 
teurs who  employ  skilled  help,  are  plainly  profes- 
sionals because  they  employ  professional  labor 
and  this  class  might  be  combined  with  class  one 
for  this  reason. 

It  seems  that  at  this  time  few  are  disposed  to 
criticize  the  amateur  for  selling  his  product  when 
opportunity  offers,  providing  he  does  so  in  a  non- 
professional way,  incidentally,  and  not  through 
advertising,  printed  matter,  etc. 

The  dividing  line  between  the  amateur  and  the 
professional  is  necessarily  not  a  clear  one,  as 
many  of  our  representative  professionals  started 
originally  as  amateurs,  and  naturally  there  was 
no  exact  time  in  their  experience  when  they 
changed  from  amateur  to  professional.  The  sug- 
gestion, therefore,  that  the  dividing  line  should 
be  in  the  use  of  printed  matter  and  in  the  adver- 
tising of  stock  seems  correct.  Clearly,  anyone 
who  does  this,  is  a  professional,  and  conversely, 
those  who  do  not  use  printed  matter  and  adver- 
tise are,  at  least  on  the  face  of  it,  amateurs.  When 
the  amateur  is  far  enough  advanced  to  engage  in 
the  business  as  a  business,  surely  he  would  em- 
ploy printed  stationery,  advertise  in  the  trade  pa- 
pers and  issue  a  catalog.  That  there  may  be 
exceptions  and  abuses  in  connection  with  a  matter 
of  this  kind  there  is  no  doubt,  but  let  us  be  reason- 
able and  not  technical.  It  is  surely  poor  en- 
couragement to  the  enthusiastic  amateur  to 
disqualify  him  in  a  class  in  which  he  is  reasonably 
entitled  to  compete,  on  a  technicality  that  he  sells 
some  of  his  surplus  stock. 

Summarizing,  we  may  say  that  professionals,  or 
commercial  growers,  are  clearly  those  who  en- 
gage in  the  business  for  a  livelihood,  who  adver- 
tise their  stock  and  who  are  in  the  business  for 
profit :  amateurs  are  those  who  engage  in  grow- 
ing for  a  love  of  the  work  primarily  ;  if  the  latter 
sell,  it  does  not  affect  their  amateur  status,  pro- 
viding they  do  so  incidentally  and  do  not  advertise 
their  stock  for  sale  and  use  printed  matter. 

With  the  amount  of  discussion  which  has  taken 
place  on  this  subject  during  the  past  two  years, 
it  would  seem  that  any  exhibition  committee 
could  formulate  a  set  of  rules  which  should  be 
satisfactory  to  the  great  majority  of  exhibitors 
and  not  do  an  injustice  to  any  of  them.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  make  rules  so  rigid  that  the  exhibitor 
who  is  really  dishonest  and  unfair  cannot  evade 
them.  Such  an  exhibitor  can  safely  be  ignored. 
He  will  eliminate  himself  in  a  very  short  time. 
The  successful  exhibitor  at  flower  shows  must  be 
a  good  sportsman,  and  good  sportsmanship  means 
above  everything  else  fair  play.  Exhibitors  may 
be  allowed  to  choose  their  own  class  in  99  cases 
out  of  100,  and  certainly  the  hundredth  man  can 
safely  be  forgotten.— Madison  Cooper  in  Florists' 
Exchange. 

What  Kind  of  Soil  for  Dahlias. 

A  question  often  asked,  not  only  by 
amateurs  but  by  professionals  as  well,  is 
what  kind  of  soil  is  required  to  grow 
Dahlias  ?  We  would  answer,  we  do  not 
know  of  any  decent  kind  of  soil  that  will 
not  grow  exhibition  flowers,  although 
undoubtedly  the  best  soil  is  a  deep  loam 
with  good  drainage,  one  that,  while  it  will 
retain  a  good  portion  of  the  rain  that  falls 
will  not  hold  the  water  to  the  extent  of 
drowning  the  plants. 

The  soil  should  have  a  good  depth  so 
as  to  allow  the  roots  to  penetrate  deep 
enough  to  reach  the  moist,  cool  earth.  It 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  Dahlias  are 
supposed  to  make  their  growth  during 
hottest  part  of  Summer.     It  is  necessary 


that  the  soil  should  be  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation,  as  Dahlias  grow  luxuriantly 
and  are  necessarily  heavy  feeders.  If 
the  ground  is  over-rich  it  has  a  tendency 
to  cause  too  much  growth  of  foliage. 
We  rather  prefer  having  it  in  good  condi- 
tion than  trying  to  enrich  it  at  the  time 
the  crop  is  planted  or  during  the  growing 
period. 

We  should  advise  that  the  ground  on 
which  Dahlias  are  to  be  grown  the 
next  Summer  be  selected  in  the  fall,  and 
if  not  in  good  condition,  that  it  be  worked 
up  and  sufficiently  enriched  to  grow  the 
crop.  Plow  it  deeply  and  give  a  dressing 
of  bonemeal,  the  amount  depending  on 
the  condition  the  ground  is  in.  Anyway, 
from  500  pounds  to  a  ton  per  acre  won't 
be  too  much  ;  this  should  be  harrowed  in 
and  not  allowed  to  lie  upon  the  top.  If 
available,  stable  manure  will  do  to  put 
on  in  the  Fall  in  place  of  bone;  if  the 
ground  cannot  be  got  ready  in  the  Fall 
then  plow  it  as  early  in  the  Spring  as 
possible  and  give  it  a  dressing  of  bone- 
meal,  not  manure.  In  preparing  the 
ground  it  will  need  to  be  plowed,  har- 
rowed, and  rolled  as  often  as  necessary 
to  get  it  in  good  order,  as  it  will  be  found 
almost  useless  to  try  to  grow  Dahlias  in 
rough  ground.  The  amateur  can  follow 
out  his  plan,  using  spade  or  fork. — R.  A. 
Vincent  in  Southern  Florist. 

Propagating  Monthly  Roses. 

Cuttings  made  from  monthly  Roses 
during  the  summer  set  in  sandy  soil  in  a 
shady  situation  would  do  well.  Some 
cover  them  with  a  glass  jar.  The  soil 
should  be  kept  moist  until  the  cuttings 
are  rooted  when  they  may  be  taken  up 
and  set  where  desired.  It  is  important 
that  the  ground  should  not  be  kept  too 
wet  when  starting  the  cuttings.  When 
setting  the  cuttings  simply  let  the  top  bud 
protrude  above  the  surface.  About  three- 
quarters  sand  and  one-quarter  leaf  mold 
or  black  earth  makes  a  good  mixture  for 
starting  cuttings. 

One  of  our  subscribers  in  sending  in  his 
renewal  has  this  to  say  about  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower  : 

"To  do  without  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower  would  be  little  less  than  a 
calamity.  I  take  some  twenty-five  periodi- 
cals and  a  single  reading  does  for  all  of 
them  except  the  one  about  our  favorite 
flower.  I  have  read  each  number  which 
has  appeared  in  the  three  years  of  its  ex- 
istence, three  or  four  times,  and  more 
readings  await  them." 


Jan. 

1917 


X3^e  Mlod^rn  <Bla6lolu5  (Brower 


Page 

5 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


JANUARY  PLANS— THE  WINTER  PORCH  BOX. 

January  is  one  of  the  most  enjoyable 
months  of  the  year.  I  call  it  my  planning 
month.  The  holidays  are  over  and  in  the 
lull  of  festivities  there  is  a  quiet  time  for 
thought.  For  many  years  my  January 
thoughts  and  plans  have  been  of  plant- 
ings of  Gladioli  for  wholesaling  and  with 
the  commercial  end  ever  in  view,  but  now 
I  find  myself  in  a  beginners  class  and 
the  purpose  in  view  is  the  pleasure  and 
happiness  to  be  derived  from  the  cultiva- 
tion and  study  not  only  of  Gladioli,  but 
of  various  flowers,  plants  and  shrubs  that 
help  to  change  houses  and  lots  into  homes 
and  gardens  and  I  believe  there  are  oth- 
ers who  will  enjoy  this  study  with  me. 

With  the  falling  of  the  last  leaves  of 
autumn,  the  porch  boxes  were  emptied 
of  the  plants  and  vines  that  had  delighted 
us  during  the  summer,  but  why  should 
those  boxes  be  empty  and  the  porch  with- 
out its  decoration  through  the  winter  ? 
With  those  boxes  filled  with  evergreens 
the  porch  will  then  present  an  inviting 
and  cheerful  appearance,  and  it  is  not  too 
late  to  do  this  now. 

The  nurseryman  will  make  suitable 
selections  or  one  can  do  his  own  choosing 
for  almost  any  of  the  pines  or  firs  in 
small  sizes  may  be  used.  Some  good 
ones  are  Austrian  Pine,  Norway  Spruce, 
White  Pine,  American  Arborvitae,  Box- 
wood, and  Dwarf  Pine.  Those  in  various 
sizes  ranging  in  height  from  eight  to 
eighteen  inches  with  Suffruticosia  four  to 
six  inches  for  edging  will  make  a  fine 
display.  The  little  trees  are  dug  with 
a  ball  of  soil  which  holds  the  small  feed- 
ing roots  intact.  Put  a  little  garden  soil 
in  the  bottoms  of  the  boxes,  remove  the 
root  wrappings  carefully,  set  the  trees  in 
place,  adding  the  edging,  then  fill  in  with 
soil,  packing  it  firmly.  There  is  no  end 
of  pleasure  in  a  winter  box  of  this  kind 
and  in  early  spring  the  little  trees  may  be 
planted  permanently  in  that  bare  spot 
you  have  long  thought  of  brightening. 

The  catalogues  are  coming  well  now, 
and  as  the  high  price  of  paper  has  pretty 
well  weeded  out  the  worthless  ones,  we 
may  be  quite  sure  that  the  catalogue  man 
has  something  worth  while  to  offer.  First, 
select  the  space  for  planting  and  do  not 
forget  that  flowers  are  no  longer  a  luxury 
but  a  necessity.  So  plant  as  many  as 
you  can  well  care  for.  One  should  plant 
largely  of  Gladioli  for  cutting,  because 
they  are  unequalled  in  variety  of  coloring 


and  as  an  all  around  flower  for  decorative 
use.  In  order  to  have  them  in  quantity, 
one  should  arrange  to  do  the  work  in  the 
easiest  and  most  effective  manner.  Have 
your  tools  ready  and  remember  that  the 
cultivator  and  weeder  are  two  tools  that 
will  be  in  use  a  good  share  of  the  season. 
If  your  plot  is  to  be  large  enough  to  ad- 
mit of  horse  power,  you  should  have  a 
horse  cultivator  and  weeder  and  if  a 
small  plot,  a  hand  garden  cultivator,  and 
garden  rake.  Whether  a  large  or  small 
plot  for  best  results  from  least  labor, 
plan  to  plant  the  bulbs  (any  size)  in  rows 
so  that  the  system  of  alternate  ridging 
and  leveling  may  be  followed.  Plan  for 
a  test  plot  where  you  can  test  out  novel- 
ties and  make  comparisons.  Select  your 
varieties  now  and  plan  to  plant  them  so 
the  colors  will  harmonize  when  in  bloom. 
Get  some  seed  from  choice  varieties  and 
try  growing  a  few  seedlings  next  summer. 
You  will  find  it  most  interesting  and  you 
might  have  a  winner  among  them.  Of 
course  you  want  flowers  the  season 
through  and  for  the  first  planting  procure 
large  bulbs  of  early  blooming  varieties. 
Plant  in  soft,  mellow  soil.  It  is  better  for 
the  very  early  ones  to  plant  somewhat 
shallow  as  the  surface  soil  is  warmed  and 
the  bulbs  start  into  growth  quickly.  They 
can  be  ridged  as  they  grow,  thus  giving 
good  root  protection  and  support  for  the 
plant. 

Mrs.  A.  H.  Austin. 

This  issue  takes  the  nature  of  a  special 
number  discussing  the  status  of  the  ama- 
teur at  fiower  shows.  We  have  already 
printed  quite  a  little  along  this  line  and 
doubtless  some  of  our  readers  are  either 
tired  of  the  subject  or  not  interested,  but 
as  the  matter  still  remains  unsettled,  we 
are  pleased  to  give  an  expression  of  opin- 
ions on  the  subject  and  will  continue  to 
do  so  as  long  as  anything  remains  to  be 
said.  This  matter  will  doubtless  be 
worked  out  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  con- 
cerned and  the  way  to  get  this  accom- 
plished is  for  every  one  to  have  his  say 
and  at  the  same  time  consider  the  other 
fellow's  viewpoint. 

"  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving 
your  magazine  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  for  eleven  months  and  I  have 
enjoyed  every  one  of  them.  So  much  so 
that  I  am  enclosing  money  order  for 
four  dollars  for  volumes  1  and  2,  and 
three  years'  subscription  to  your  magazine. 
I  don't  want  to  miss  one  of  them.  With 
my  best  wishes  I  am, 

Chas.  E.  Young"  (Connecticut.) 


Page 
6 


Ol)(i  ^tlo6ern  (Bladlolus  <5rower 


Jan. 
1917 


The  Dahlia. 


THE  DAHLIA  has  passed  through  three 
hundred  years  of  improvement  from 
the  time  the  Spaniards  found  the  in- 
significant  wild  species  growing  on    the 
cool  plateaus  of  Mexico.     Varieties  up  in 
the  thousands  have  been  introduced,  the 


By  Joe  Coleman. 

enthusiasm  for  this  flower.     For  brilliancy 
and    beauty   during   the   fall,   name    the 


flower  that  can  take  the  place  of  the  New 
Dahlia.  Briefly,  the  various  forms  are 
here  described  and  the  names  given  of 
certain  varieties  that  are  so  good  that  no 


This  illustration  represents  the  various  forms 'of  Dahlias.  Starting  at  the  top  on  a 
straight  line  to  the  bottom  are  "Show,"  "Peony-Flowered"  and  "Decorative"  blooms.  The 
two  at  the  left  are  "Cactus"  forms  while  the  upper  one  at  the  right  is  a  "Decorative"  and 
lower  a  "F"rench.Collarette."i:  (Note  thelcollar  around  the  center.) 


Dahlia  being  one  of  the  most  variable 
of  all  flowers,  yet  attend  a  fair  or  exhibi- 
tion and  note  how  unacquainted  the  aver- 
age person  is  with  the  modern  forms. 
Yet  it  is  easy  to  convert  one  to  a  liinitless 


mistake  could  be  made  in  growing  them. 
However,  it  is  not  our  purpose  to  attempt 
to  give  a  coinplete  list  of  the  good  varie- 
ties for  upwards  of  three  hundred  are 
considered  worthy  of  growing. 


[  Continued  on  page  10.  ] 


Jan. 

1917 


Ol)(i  Mlo6ern  <Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Page 

7 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF  THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
75c.  per  year, 
3  years  for  $1.50. 


OUR  MOTTO: 
Special  favort  to  none,  and  a  square  deal  to  all. 


Canadian  and  Foreign 
Subscription  Price 

$1.00  per  year 


Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

Tht  contents  of  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROH'ER  are  covered  by  genera/  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  editors  tt 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  proper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  follows  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROlfER.  Calcium.  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations, 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


January,  1917 


No.  1 


The  Amateur  Exhibitor 

at  Flower  Shows. 

In  our  "  Wayside  Ramblings  Depart- 
ment" this  month,  Mr.  H.  F.  Clark  in  a 
few  words  tells  the  result  of  the  discus- 
sion which  has  taken  place  during  the  past 
two  years  concerning  the  status  of  the 
amateur  at  flower  shows.  While  we  feel 
like  apologizing  for  extending  the  dis- 
cussion of  this  subject,  yet  it  is  perhaps 
no  more  than  fair  to  all  concerned  to 
summarize  at  this  time  just  what  brought 
the  discussion  about  and  the  present  trend 
of  opinion  regarding  it. 

The  original  controversy  was  started 
by  an  arbitrary  ruling  by  the  Exhibition 
Committee  of  the  American  Gladiolus 
Society  at  the  Boston  Show  in  1914 
disqualifying  the  editor  as  an  amateur 
because  he  frankly  admitted  that  he  had 
sold  some  of  his  product.  The  editor 
suggested  that  the  question  be  taken  up 
at  the  next  meeting  for  discussion,  but 
he  was  curtly  informed  that  there  was 
no  use  wasting  time  discussing  a  subject 
which  was  so  plain.  Naturally,  this  sort 
of  a  reply  would  arouse  the  fighting  spirit 
of  most  any  one  and  the  editor  willingly 
takes  full  responsibility  for  the  discussion 
which  has  ensued  on  this  subject. 

Following  his  disqualification  at  the 
Boston  flower  show  as  above  stated,  the 


editor  wrote  letters  to  various  horticul- 
tural and  floricultural  societies  for  the 
purpose  of  getting  their  opinions  on  the 
subject.  Various  opinions  were  expressed 
and  they  were  about  evenly  divided  as  to 
whether  the  amateur  should  be  allowed  to 
sell  his  product  or  not.  Where  rules  have 
been  made  entirely  by  professional  florists 
they  have  been  inclined  to  favor  stringent 
regulations  in  classifying  the  amateur. 
Some  professional  florists  have  suffered 
from  rather  reckless  competition  in  prices 
made  by  amateurs,  and  the  bitter  feeling 
which  has  been  engendered  has  caused 
them  to  retaliate  on  the  amateur  where 
they  had  a  chance,  by  putting  strict  limits 
on  him  when  he  comes  to  exhibit  his  prod- 
uct in  competition  at  flower  shows.  The 
result  of  this  has  been  to  make  it  practically 
impossible  for  the  amateur  to  show  at  all, 
and  this  is  well  expressed  by  Mr.  Clark  in 
his  letter  above  referred  to. 

Practically  the  same  effect  has  resulted 
at  the  flower  shows  of  the  American 
Gladiolus  Society.  This  year  in  making 
the  schedule  of  prizes,  amateurs  were 
divided  into  two  classes ;  a  class  which 
may  be  called  the  advanced  amateurs, 
those  growing  1000  bulbs  or  more,  and 
another  class  which  might  be  called  the 
small  amateurs,  growing  less  than  1000 
bulbs.  What  was  the  result  ?  There  was 
just   one    person    entered    in    the    small 


Page 


Ob^  !^o6erR  (&la6lolu5  (Brower 


Jan. 

1917 


amateur  classes.  This  person  competed 
for  only  a  few  of  the  long  list  of  36  sep- 
arate prizes  which  were  offered  in  these 
classes.  This  demonstrates  conclusively 
that  the  experience  of  the  New  Haven 
County  Horticultural  Society,  as  related 
by  Mr.  Clark,  has  been  duplicated  by  the 
American  Gladiolus  Society  and  it  is  likely 
to  be  still  further  duplicated  by  other  so- 
cieties who  adopt  stringent  regulations 
for  amateurs  who  exhibit  at  flower  shows 
The  question  resolves  itself  into  a  prob- 
lem of  how  to  encourage  the  amateur  to 
exhibit.  He  cannot  be  encouraged  by 
loading  him  with  restrictions  which  are 
impossible  or  impracticable  of  fulfillment. 
Note  what  Mr.  Clark  says  about  the  en- 
tries of  the  amateurs  this  year.  He  says 
he  believes  they  were  all  amateurs  in  the 
true  sense  of  the  word.  Generally  speak- 
ing, it  is  safe  to  allow  an  exhibitor  to 
classify  himself,  and  yet  some  rules  are 
necessary.  But  few  people  are  dishonest 
enough  to  enter  in  a  class  they  are  not 
entitled  to  show  in.  The  result  desired  is 
to  give  some  protection  to  the  small 
amateur  who  is  growing  but  a  compara- 
tively few  flowers,  as  against  the  advanced 
amateur  who  is  growing  them  in  large 
numbers.  Those  who  have  any  sugges- 
tions along  this  line  will  confer  a  favor 
on  the  editor  by  expressing  them  for  pub- 
lication. The  enthusiastic  amateur  (big 
or  little)  is  really  the  most  important 
factor  in  the  flower  business  and  it  is  to 
him  that  the  commercial  grower  must 
look  for  increasing  the  popularity  of  his 
specialty.  The  amateur  must  be  encour- 
aged.    How  to  do  it  is  the  question. 

Madison  Cooper. 


Amateur  growers  are  often  offered  real 
bargains  in  the  shape  of  collections  of 
single  bulbs  at  a  reduced  rate.  The  large 
growers  combine  some  of  their  very  best 
varieties  in  collections  in  this  way  to  in- 
troduce them  and  amateurs  will  do  well 
to  take  advantage  of  such  opportunities. 
Label  each  one  carefully  in  planting  so  it 
may  be  kept  separate  at  digging  time. 


"  Double-Decker  " 

Gladiolus  Corms. 

A  friend  of  ours  in  the  West  where  the  ^ 
hot  weather  and  drought  was  unusually  ^ 
severe,  has  sent  us  three  corms  which  he 
calls  "  double-deckers."  They  show  a 
mature  new  corm  on  top  of  the  old  corm 
and  then  on  top  of  the  first  new  corm 
there  has  formed  one  or  two  additional 
new  corms.  Our  friend  suggests  that 
this  may  be  caused  by  deep  planting  as 
he  states  that  they  were  down  about  seven 
inches.  We  hardly  think  that  this  would- 
be  the  cause.  It  is  our  impression  that 
these  "double-decker"  corms  have  re- 
sulted from  the  two  months  or  more  hot 
weather,  practically  without  rain.  The 
first  corm  has  probably  formed  on  the 
old  one  in  the  regular  way  and  this  corm 
during  the  long  hot  dry  period  has  cured 
to  some  extent  which  has  caused  it  to 
sprout  when  the  fall  rains  came  on,  re- 
sulting in  a  second  growth  of  new  corms 
in  one  year.  Thus  do  these  corms  show 
two  ordinary  season's  growth  on  one 
root.  If  any  one  has  a  different  theory  ^ 
to  suggest,  would  be  glad  to  hear  from  ^ 
them. 

Mrs.  Austin  gives  this  month  a  useful 
hint  for  planting  for  early  bloom.  Shallow 
planting  is  the  thing  if  you  want  quick 
bloom  as  the  surface  soil  is  warmer  and 
the  heat  from  the  sun  will  reach  the  corm 
and  make  it  grow  more  rapidly  if  near 
the  surface.  It  is  also  suggested  that 
opening  trenches  several  days  or  even  a 
week  or  more  prior  to  planting  is  helpful 
to  warm  up  the  soil. 


We  must  say  that  subscribers  have  been 
very  prompt  with  their  renewals  and  as 
there  was  an  extra  large  bunch  of  them 
expiring  with  December,  we  are  naturally 
very  much  pleased.  There  are  still  a 
few  stragglers  who  have  neglected  to  send 
their  renewals  and  we  hope  that  any  such 
will  attend  to  it  promptly  and  not  lose 
the  complete  file. 


Jan. 
1917 


Ol)<2^  Mlo6<trn  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Page 

9 


Much  has  been  said  on  the  subject  of 
mixtures,  both  for  and  against,  but  we 
think  that  most  people,  even  though  long 
experienced  in  growing  the  Gladiolus,  are 
well  pleased  with  the  mixtures  if  they  are 
good.  Dislike  of  the  mixtures  has  doubt- 
less come  from  the  old-fashioned  mix- 
tures wherein  the  very  poor  seedlings 
predominate.  A  modern  mixture  con- 
taining largely  named  varieties,  is  cer- 
certainly  worthy  of  any  one's  time  and  we 
recommend  mixtures  even  to  the  ex- 
perienced grower.  There  are  always 
surprises  to  be  had  from  mixtures  and 
should  a  part  of  the  bloom  be  inferior, 
we  can  overlook  this.  Those  growing 
but  few  Gladioli  should  grow  largely  of 
mixtures.  

The  National  Gladiolus 

Society,  England. 

The  annual  meeting  of  this  Society  was 
held  in  London  on  the  9th  November 
last,  Mr.  P.  R.  Barr  in  the  chair.  The 
accounts  for  the  year  1915  were  sub- 
mitted and  passed,  the  balance  carried 
forward  being  £24  15  5. 

The  officers  were  re-elected. 

Several  slight  modifications  in  the  Rules 
were  made.  The  annual  meeting  is,  in 
future,  to  be  held  on  the  date  of  the 
R.  H.  S.  March  Bulb  Show ;  this  will  be 
March  6th,  1917. 

The  Honorable  Secretary,  Mrs.  G.  H. 
Atkinson,  The  Flagstaff,  Locksheath, 
Southampton,  England,  stated  that  al- 
though there  had  been  no  show  this  year, 
and  that  the  bulbs  sent  for  trial  had  been 
few,  she  hoped  to  include  in  the  Society's 
Annual  a  good  deal  of  useful  information. 
An  endeavor  will  be  made  to  hold  a  show 
in  1917,  full  particulars  will  be  published 
in  due  course. 

A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman 
brought  the  meeting  to  a  close. 


Geo.  A.  Whitney,  of  Auburn,  Maine,  is 
President  of  the  "Maine  Bulb  and  Flower 
Growers,"  a  new  corporation  composed  of 
Mr.  Whitney,  together  with  Geo.  W. 
Home,  of  Lewiston,  and  Willard  A.  Noyes, 
of  Auburn,  Maine.  The  members  of  the 
new  company  are  all  keenly  interested  in 
floriculture  and  belong  to  the  gardeners' 
union.  Interest  in  the  Gladiolus  is  in- 
creasing very  rapidly  in  Maine  of  late 
years  and  the  new  company  starts  busi- 
ness with  the  best  of  prospects. 


Delphiniums. 

This  class  of  plants  is  coming  into  great 
popularity  in  the  Pacific  Northwest.  Ac- 
cording to  W.  Saville,  in  Southern  Florist, 
there  are  in  cultivation  many  species, 
both  annual  and  perennial,  but  the  most 
important  are  the  tall  hybrid  perennials. 
They  are  valuable  for  their  wonderful 
range  of  lovely  color  and  great  variety 
in  height,  from  one  to  ten  feet.  The 
colors  range  from  almost  scarlet  to  pure 
white,  from  the  palest  lavender  up  through 
every  shade  of  blue  to  deep  indigo ;  and 
for  the  variety  and  size  of  their  individual 
blooms,  some  of  which  are  single,  some 
semi-double  and  some  perfectly  double, 
and  all  set  on  spikes  ranging  from  one  to 
six  feet  in  height.  About  a  dozen  species 
have  given  rise  to  the  cultivated  forms. 

The  combinations  in  which  they  can  be 
placed  are  numerous.  They  may  be  used 
in  the  mixed  border,  in  masses  of  groups, 
in  one  or  several  colors,  or  associated 
with  flowering  plants  or  shrubs.  Planted 
against  a  mass  of  evergreens  they  form  a 
beautiful  picture. 

Delphiniums  can  be  made  to  bloom  for 
several  months  by  continually  cutting  off 
the  spikes  after  they  have  done  flowering. 
If  the  central  spike  be  removed  the  side 
shoots  will  flower  and  by  thus  cutting  off 
the  old  flowers  before  they  can  form  the 
base  and  keep  up  a  succession  of  bloom. 
Another  plan  is  to  let  the  shoots  remain 
intact  until  all  have  nearly  done  flower- 
ing, and  then  to  cut  the  entire  plant  to 
the  ground,  when  in  about  three  weeks 
there  will  be  fresh  bloom.  In  this  case, 
however,  to  keep  the  plants  from  becom- 
ing exhausted  they  must  have  a  heavy 
dressing  of  manure,  or  applications  of 
fluid  manure. 


Gladiolus— Myr^/e. 

[  Subject  of  illustratim  on   our  front  coner  paee.  J 

This  month  we  are  illustrating  the 
Gladiolus,  Myrtle,  on  our  front  cover 
page.  As  Myrtle  has  now  been  in  com- 
merce for  several  years  and  bulbs  may  be 
had  at  reasonable  cost,  we  recommend 
that  those  who  are  not  growing  it  should 
try  a  few  this  year.  Myrtle  is  almost  in 
a  class  by  itself  and,  although  not  a  rank 
grower,  yet  it  is  vigorous  and  healthy  and 
florists  especially  should  be  greatly  in- 
terested in  it. 

One  of  our  subscribers  asks  for  a  light 
blue  Gladiolus,  something  like  Queen  of 
Blues  in  Hyacinths.  Can  any  of  our 
readers  tell  him  of  anything  that  would 
come  nearer  to  it  than  Blue  Jay? 


Page 
10 


O^e  Mlo6ern   (Gladiolus  (Brower 


Jan. 
1917 


The  Dahlia. 

Continued  from  page  6. 

The  true  form  of  the  Cactus  Dahha  has 
narrow  incurved  or  twisted  petals  and 
has  been  brought  to  almost  perfection  in 
the  hands  of  the  English  grower.  No 
Chrysanthemum  can  compare  in  coloring 
and  but  one  fault  may  be  said  of  certain 
varieties  of  the  English  Cactus,  and  that, 
the  immense  blooms  are  inclined  to  a 
weak  stem,  causing  the  flower  to  look 
down,  as  it  were. 

Among  the  worthy  varieties  of  this  type 
are  Crystal,  Mrs.  Douglas  Fleming,  John 
Riding,  F.  W.  Fellows,  Miss  Strdivick  and 
Rev.  T.  W.  Jamieson.  The  Hybrid  Cactus 
type  has  broader  petalage,  the  rays  more 
blunt  and  not  so  long.  Some  excellent 
varieties  of  American  origin  of  this  type 
are  being  introduced.  Countess  of  Lons- 
dale, Kalif,  J.  H.  Jackson,  Golden  Gate, 
Marguerite  Bouchon  and  Rene  Cayeux  stand 
out  as  worthy  examples  of  this  form. 

Decorative  Dahlias  are  large,  flat, 
double  flowers  full  to  the  center,  and 
widely  grown.  The  French  have  pro- 
duced some  of  the  very  finest  sorts :  D. 
M.  Moore,  Jean  Charmet,  Delice,  Princess 
Juliana,  he  Grand  Manitou,  Hortulanus 
Fiet,  Breezelawn,  Lucero  and  Minnie  Burgle 
are  all  good. 

Show  Dahlias  are  the  ball  shaped  forms 
of  mother's  time  and  how  popular  along 
the  years.  A  few  of  the  best  are  W.  W. 
Rawson,  A.  D  Livoni,  Arabella,  Yellow 
Duke,  Caleb  Powers  and  Dreer's  White. 

Now  comes  the  Peony  flowered  Dahlias, 
so  called  from  resemblance  to  the  semi- 
double  Japanese  Peonies.  This  type  shows 
an  open  center  usually  partially  covered 
by  the  inner  rays  in  a  twisted  form.  Hol- 
land is  the  home  of  the  Peony-flowered 
Dahlia  and  the  Dutch  must  be  thanked 
for  giving  us  such  a  valuable  acquisition. 
Geisha,  Bertha  von  Suttner,  Dr.  Peary, 
Gloire  de  Baarn,  Queen  Wilhelmina, 
South  Pole,  Caecilia,  Mme.  A.  Coissard 
and  Hampton  Court  are  all  so  good  that 
not  one  is  unworthy  of  any  collection. 

Collarette  Dahlias  are  of  French  origin 
and  so  named  from  having  a  small  dis- 
tinct collar  usually  of  a  different  color 
around  the  disk.  The  flower  is  single  in 
form.  Maurice  Revoire  and  Souvenir  de 
Chabanne  are  among  the  best. 

Single  Dahlias  are  not  so  popular  as  the 
others,  but  the  Century  type  is  taking  the 
lead  over  the  older  and  smaller  forms. 

Pompons  are  miniature  show  Dahlias. 
Klein  Domitea,  Nerissa,  Little  Herman, 
Snowclad  and  Abewine  are  excellent  ex- 
amples of  this  type. 

{To  be  continued.] 


Kunderd  Defends  the  Iris. 

I  always  read  The  Review  with  both 
interest  and  profit,  but  the  comment 
on  C.  S.  Harrison's  article  on  the  iris 
as  the  national  flower,  by  John  J.  Hitz  A 
and  my  good  friend  B.  C.  Auten,  in  a  re-  ^ 
cent  issue,  were  of  special  interest  to 
me.  While  I  am  a  great  admirer  of  the 
Goldenrod,  I  must  differ  with  Mr.  Auten 
on  his  severe  criticism  of  the  Iris.  Last 
spring  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Bert- 
rand  H.  Farr's  wonderful  collection  of 
Iris  in  bloom  at  Wyomissing,  Pa.,  and  I 
believe  if  Mr.  Auten  had  been  with  me 
he  would  have  been  as  enthusiastic  over 
the  marvelous  beauty  of  the  newer  Iris 
as  I  am.  Both  Mr.  Auten  and  myself  are 
great  lovers  of  the  Gladiolus,  but  if  there 
is  any  other  one  flower  I  should  select  it 
would  probably  be  the  Iris.  Last  season 
I  had  a  choice  collection  of  Mr.  Fryer's 
new  Iris  seedlings  in  bloom.  I  certainly 
believe  in  the  newer  Iris,  as  well  as  in  the 
better  standard  kinds,  and  believe  if  the 
general  public  could  see  them  in  bloom 
their  variety  and  beauty  would  take  the 
country  by  storm  and  there  would  not  be 
stock  enough  in  existence  to  half  supply 
the  enormous  demand. 

While  writing  my  "  opinion "  it  might 
be  helpful  to  some  of  your  readers  to 
relate  my  method  of  handling  the  cut 
blooms  of  the  Iris.  As  is  well  known,  A 
this  flower  when  in  bloom  is  fragile  and  " 
is  therefore  susceptible  to  damage  from 
breakage  in  transportation  and  handling. 
I  have  found  a  good  way  to  get  the  best 
results  from  the  Iris  as  a  cut  flower, 
especially  where  it  is  to  be  packed  for 
shipment.  It  is  to  cut  the  spikes  with  the 
best  unopened  buds  and  not  the  spikes 
which  show  the  finest  blooms  at  the  time 
of  cutting.  When  wanted  for  the  day 
following  the  cutting  of  spikes,  I  aim  to 
cut  with  as  many  large  buds  as  possible. 
I  certainly  believe  the  Iris  will  become 
popular  as  soon  as  the  wonderful  newer 
varieties  become  better  known  and  better 
methods  of  packing  and  transportation 
are  devised.  I  have  no  flower  to  suggest 
to  be  adopted  as  our  national  flower,  but 
cannot  see  how  a  more  beautiful  flower 
than  the  Iris  can  be  found,  nor  one  which 
is  so  adapted  to  universal  culture  and  at 
so  little  expense. — A.  E.  Kunderd  in  Flor- 
ists' Review. 

Early  purchase  of  Gladiolus  corms  is 
desirable  this  year  if  it  ever  was.    Those 
who  are  slow  in  buying  are  likely  to  get         a 
left  on  the  varieties  they   want.     Some         ▼ 
dealers  report   certain  varieties  sold  out 
already. 


Jan. 
1917 


Ol)<2^  Mto6ern  (Bladiolus  (Brower 


Page 

11 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


FORCING  GLADIOLI  IN  COLD  FRAMES. 
To  THE  Editor  :— 

My  experience  in  an  experimental  way 
this  last  spring  may  prove  useful  to  some 
of  your  readers.  About  March  25th  we 
prepared  the  bed  in  the  usual  way  and 
planted  Halley,  Mrs.  Francis  King  and 
Early  Amethyst.  April  14th  the  Halley 
appeared  above  ground  and  Early  Am- 
ethyst about  four  days  later  with  Mrs. 
Francis  King  about  a  week  later.  On 
June  21st  I  cut  the  first  Halley  and  shortly 
afterwards  Verify  Amethyst  a.n6.  Mrs.  Fran- 


possible  to  plant  earlier  than  March  25th 
earlier  bloom  from  the  same  varieties 
could  doubtless  have  been  secured.  An- 
other point  would  be  to  plant  bulbs  al- 
ready well  sprouted. 


DEFINING  THE  AMATEUR. 

To  THE  Editor:— 

Referring  to  the  definition  of  the  ama- 
teur floral  exhibitor  as  given  by  the  New 
Haven  County  Horticultural  Society  which 
was  printed  and  commented  on  on  page 
129  of  the  September  issue  of  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower:  This  was  adopted 
after  some  of  our  members  met  with  a 


Cold  frames  for  forcing  Gladioli  used  by  "H.  K."      (See  desciiptiun. ) 


cis  King.  Next  year  I  will  try  the  plan 
on  a  larger  scale  and  plant  earlier.  The 
size  of  my  cold  frame  (which  is  here  il- 
lustrated) was  6x12  ft.  and  14"  at  one 
side  and  27"  at  the  other  side,  giving  a 
good  slant  for  the  drainage  of  rainwater. 
After  freezing  weather  is  past  all  sash 
were  removed  leaving  the  Gladioli  in 
rows  same  as  those  planted  in  the  field. 
With  cold  frames  there  is  no  expense  for 
heating  on  cold  nights,  the  sash  are  simply 
closed  down.  During  the  day  the  sash 
may  be  taken  off  entirely  or  only  opened 
for  ventilating,  but  preferably  folded  or 
laid  to  one  side  if  the  day  is  sunny  and 
warm.  This  plan  is  worth  trying  by 
those  who  desire  earlier  bloom.  H.  K. 
Note  by  the  Editor : 

If  "H.  K."  had  used  Pink  Beauty  he 
would  doubtless  have  had  bloom  even 
earlier  than  June  21st.     Also,   if  it  were 


change  of  heart.  You  may  remember 
having  corresponded  with  me  on  this 
subject  and  that  I  did  not  at  first  favor 
having  the  amateur  sell  at  all.  We  stuck 
to  this  idea  until  the  exhibits  by  amateurs 
at  our  flower  shows  fell  off  to  a  mere 
nothing.  This  year  changing  the  defini- 
tion we  had  a  good  number  of  entries 
from  the  amateurs  and  I  do  not  believe 
that  there  was  a  single  one  of  them  but 
what  was  an  amateur  in  the  true  sense 
of  the  word.  So  you  see  that  by  a  good 
wholesome  discussion  of  a  subject  we 
moved  forward  and  good  comes  from  it. 
H.  F.  Clark. 


GLADIOLUS—"  incontestable." 

On  page  144  (October,  1916,  issue)  you 
ask  :  "  Can  anyone  tell  us  who  originated 
it,  and  more  about  it  ?"  It  was  awarded 
an  Award  of  Merit  by  the  National  Gladi- 


Page 

12 


O^e  Modern.  (Blailolus  (Brower 


Jan. 

1917 


olus  Society,  London,  in  July,  1913,  and 
also  by  the  General  Bulb  Growers'  So- 
ciety of  Haarlem,  Holland,  in  the  same 
year. 

The  following  particulars  appear  on 
page  42  of  the  National  Gladiolus  So- 
ciety's Autumn  Handbook,  1913  : 

"Gladiolus  Lemoineii  Incontestable,  pure 
white,  in  the  centre  spotted  orange  and 
carmine ;  originated  from  Guernsey,  ex- 
hibited by  Alkemade&Co.,  atNoordwijk." 

In  the  same  Society's  Annual  for  1915, 
it  is  noted  as  having  been  placed  on  the 
Society's  Register,  that  the  date  of  flower- 
ing was  July  11th,  its  height  3  ft.  9  in., 
and  that  the  flowers  were  very  large,  and 
it  was  a  fine  show  variety. 

I  may  add  that  I  have  grown  it  for  the 
last  two  or  three  years  and  it  never  fails 
to  attract  attention  as  'one  of  the  best.' 

G.  C. 


WAS  IT  AN  OMEN  ? 

Through  my  "  Glad  Gardens "  runs  a 
grass  path  on  each  side  of  which  I  always 
plant  named  varieties,  in  small  lots,  so 
that  visitors  may  see  and  know  the  many 
sorts. 

Here  I  planted,  last  spring.  General 
Joffre,  and  the  next  that  came,  at  random, 
from  my  basket  was  Hohenzollern.  I  hesi- 
tated, decided  these  two  should  not  be 
permitted  to  come  together,  and  in  select- 
ing another  there  came  forth,  appropri- 
ately. War,  to  go  and  be  between  them. 
Then,  with  intent,  I  let  Peace  follow  these, 
but  to  complete  the  story  I  must  add, 
with  truthfulness,  that  Peace  never  came 
to  fulfilment.  And  the  greatest  of  them 
was  General  Joffre.    Was  it  an  omen  ? 

C.  R.  H. 


NATURAL  ELIMINATION  OF   DISEASE  IN 


To  THE  Editor  :— 

Some  time  ago  we  had  correspondence 
regarding  scab  disease.  Some  of  my 
stock  was  quite  badly  infected.  It  may 
interest  you  to  know  that  I  have  not 
found  a  single  bulb  this  fall  which  showed 
presence  of  this  disease.  This  would 
seem  to  indicate  that  the  disease  is  not 
necessarily  infectious  from  year  to  year 
or  from  bulb  to  bulb. 

As  a  test  I  planted  a  dozen  diseased 
corms  in  with  the  healthy  ones  last  spring. 
They  were  so  badly  diseased  that  only 
one  of  them  survived,  but  the  new  corm 
appears  altogether  free  from  disease  al- 
though of  small  size,  and  no  disease  ap- 
pears in  the  vicinity  where  the  diseased 
corms  were  planted.  H.  M.  G. 


Gladiolus  Bulbs  in  California. 

Many  years'  close  observation,  coupled 
with  some  costly  experience,  leads  me  to 
advise  digging  Gladiolus  bulbs  each  year. 
It  cannot  be  good  for  the  new  bulbs  to  set 
for  months,  during  our  rainy  months,  on 
top  of  an  old  decaying  bulb  that  is  a  wet, 
putrid  mass,  until  dissolved  by  the  pro- 
cess of  decay.  How  much  better  to  dig 
in  October,  dry  thoroughly,  and  replant 
in  January,  cutting  off  old  top  and  re- 
moving old  bulb  at  time  of  digging.  The 
rotting,  spent  bulbs,  as  well  as  the  newly- 
formed  one,  are  eaten  into  by  sow-bugs, 
earwigs,  millipedes,  earth  worms  and 
other  pests,  and  as  these  attack  the  root 
crown  it  is  best  to  have  them  out  of  the 
soil,  and  early,  too.  Also  early  in  again, 
and  never  in  the  same  soil  they  were 
grown  in  last  year. — Ernest  Braunton  in 
California  Cultivator. 


CLEVELAND  FLORISTS'  CLUB  CUP. 

Won  by  Joe  Coleman,  Lexington,  Ohio,  at  the 
Cleveland  Show  of  The  Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio, 
September,  1916. 

The  photograph  hardly  does  justice  to  the 
beauty  of  Mr.  Coleman's  seedlings  which  were 
at  their  prime  on  the  first  day  of  the  show  and 
drew  forth  many  favorable  comments. 


•^-^  DEPARTMENT  ^^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.]— Editor. 


Trouble  in  Keeping  Gladiolus  Corms. 

To  THE  Editor:— 

I  have  had  trouble  in  keeping  Gladiolus  corms 
owing  to  drying  out.  I  keep  them  in  a  basement 
room  which  is  cool,  but  it  seems  to  be  too  dry  and 
this  winter  I  am  trying  a  closet  in  an  attic  room 
and  if  it  will  do  no  harm  I  am  thinking  of  putting 
a  dish  of  water  in  the  closet  to  lessen  the  dryness. 

What  would  happen  if  I  packed  the  young 
bulbs  (one  year  old  and  two  year  old)  in  sand  as 
I  do  the  cormels  ?  The  mortality  among  the 
young  bulbs  has  been  much  greater  than  among 
the  larger  ones  and  last  winter  I  lost  a  third  of  my 
one-year  old  corms.  Those  that  lived  did  well 
enough,  though  few  of  them  bloomed.  The 
cormels  keep  well  in  sand ;  why  not  the  young 
bulbs?  B.  W.  S. 

Answer: — It  would  seem  that  a  base- 
ment room  which  you  can  keep  cool,  and 
if  you  can  keep  it  closed  up  tightly,  should 
make  a  good  storage  space.  If  it  is 
necessary  to  open  it  to  the  outer  air  dur- 
ing cold  weather  to  maintain  temperature, 
this  results  in  a  very  dry  condition  of  the 
room  as  raising  the  temperature  of  the 
incoming  air  to  storage  temperature 
means  drying  it  excessively.  Whether  a 
closet  in  a  room  on  an  upper  floor  will  an- 
swer or  not  is  a  grave  question.  There 
would  certainly  be  a  great  variation  in 
temperature  and  humidity  as  well.  It  is 
doubtful  if  you  can  regulate  the  humidity 
properly  by  putting  an  open  dish  of  water 
in  the  room  although  this  would  help  to 
keep  it  moist  during  a  very  cold  time  and 
also  it  would  serve  as  an  indicator  of 
danger  of  freezing.  There  is  really  no 
suitable  place  for  storage  of  Gladiolus 
corms  except  such  a  place  as  will  keep 
potatoes  in  good  shape.  It  would  prob- 
ably be  advisable  for  you  to  construct  a 
specially  built  room  in  the  basement  for 
this  purpose.  This  could  be  on  one  side 
or  one  corner  with  a  window  opening 
outdoors  for  ventilating  the  room.  This 
could  be  constructed  of  2"x4"  studs  faced 
each  side  with  matched  lumber  and  the 
studs  filled  with  mill  shavings.  A  reason- 
ably tight  fitting  door  should  be  provided 
and  the  ceiling  of  the  room  should  be  filled 
with  mill  shavings  as  well. 

Your  suggestion  to  store  planting  size 
corms  in  sand  is  noted  and  there  can  be 
no  objection  to  this  if  the  sand    is   dry 


and  the  corms  well  cured  before  packing 
them.  Would  recommend  that  you  ex- 
amine them  from  time  to  time  to  see  how 
they  are  keeping.  One  of  the  most  ex- 
perienced growers  recommends  the  prac- 
tice of  storing  in  dry  sand. 


Root  Lice  on  Asters. 

To  THE  Editor:— 

I  have  1,600  Aster  plants  in  a  field  that  was  in 
corn  for  several  years.  We  find  that  the  roots  are 
infected  with  the  corn  root  aphis.  Is  there  any 
remedy  for  the  trouble  ?  Would  a  dressing  of 
nitrate  help  any  ?  They  have  made  little  growth 
since  they  were  transplanted  six  weeks  ago. 

C.  S.  C,  Illinois. 

Answer  .-—The  only  remedy  for  the  root 
aphis  that  I  can  suggest  is  to  soak  the 
ground  around  the  plants  with  a  strong 
solution  of  tobacco  made  by  boiling  to- 
bacco stems.  There  are  also  a  number 
of  preparations  of  the  sulphate  of  nico- 
tine which  can  be  diluted  and  used.  One 
of  these  is  Black  Leaf  40.  Another  is 
Aphine,  made  by  the  Aphine  Co.,  Madi- 
son, N.  J.  One  pint  of  the  last  will  make 
96  pints.  I  have  used  this  successfully. 
I  would  draw  the  soil  back  and  make  a 
sort  of  basin  around  the  plants  and  soak 
them  with  this.  The  tobacco  will  help 
the  plants  too.— W.  F.  Massey  in  Market 
Growers'  Journal. 


American  Gladiolus  Society. 

We  learn  from  Secretary  Youell  of  the 
American  Gladiolus  Society  that  the  vote 
of  the  membership  was  strongly  in  favor 
of  the  next  annual  meeting  and  flower 
show  being  held  in  New  York  City  next 
August.  It  is  hoped  that  the  date  of  the 
flower  show  can  be  made  to  coincide  with 
the  annual  meeting  and  flower  show  of 
the  Society  of  American  Florists  and  O. 
H.  We  understand  that  the  Museum 
Building  in  the  New  York  Botanical 
Gardens,  Bronx  Park,  has  been  secured 
for  the  flower  show  and  meeting.  More 
specific  announcement  of  the  show  and 
meeting  will  be  made  later. 


Page 

14 


Ob<i  Mlo6<trn  i&la6lolu5  (Grower 


Jan. 
1917 


An  Ideal  Flower  Garden 

for  a  Country  Home. 

In  laying  out  grounds  for  country  homes 
or  remodeling  them,  space  should  be  of 
the  first  importance,  and  where  space 
permits  there  is  no  better  arrangement 
than  a  fine  border  on  one  side  of  the 
lawn  with  a  driveway  between  the  lawn 
and  the  border,  leading  from  the  street 
'to  the  house  and  barns.  The  border 
should  be  wide  enough  to  have  a  nice 
variety  of  shrubs  for  a  background,  and 
there  should  be  space  for  the  hardy 
perennials  and  bulbs,  which  should  not 
be  planted  solidly  but  placed  in  clumps 
and  arranged  according  to  height  and 
blooming  season  and  as  to  color  effect. 

I  will  mention  a  few  of  the  hardy  shrubs 
and  plants  that  we  can  all  grow  with  suc- 
cess. While  the  catalogues  are  filled 
with  a  large  list  of  so-called  hardy  stock, 
we  must  remember  that  we  live  in  a  good 
sized  country  and  what  would  be  hardy 
in  Southern  Iowa,  Missouri  and  Illinois, 
would  not  stand  the  winters  of  Northern 
Iowa  or  of  Minnesota  or  other  localities 
of  the  same  latitude.  In  shrubs  we  can 
be  sure  of  a  variety  of  lilacs,  snowballs 
and  hydrangea  paniculata.  Some  of  the 
newer  varieties  are  fine  and  bloom  in 
August,  when  few  other  shrubs  are  flow- 
ering. Spirea  Van  Houttii,  best  known 
as  Bridal  Wreath,  we  might  include  and 
a  few  of  the  hardy  vines  if  a  trellis  or  other 
support  was  given  for  them,  such  as 
clematis  paniculata,  coccinea  and  jack- 
mani,  the  large  purple  and  white  honey- 
suckle, Chinese  matrimony  vine,  etc. 

Among  hardy  roses,  which  are  called 
the  queen  of  all  flowers,  are  the  Rugosa 
type,  which  will  stand  the  winters  with 
no  protection  and  continue  to  flower  all 
summer.  While  the  flowers  of  that  type 
are  single  or  semi-double,  the  bushes 
would  be  handsome  without  any  flowers. 
This  type  also  produces  hips,  which  adds 
to  their  attractiveness,  and  these  may  be 
made  into  jelly  in  the  fall  if  so  desired. 
I  would  advise  to  plant  some  of  the  most 
hardy  of  the  hybrid  perpetual  roses,  such 
as  General  Jacqueminot,  Magna  Charta, 
Mrs.  Chas.  Wood,  Mrs.  John  Lang,  Mad. 
Plantier,  with  some  of  the  climbers,  such 
as  the  Rambler  in  variety,  Prairie  Queen, 
Baltimore  Belle  and,  perhaps,  some  others, 
with  the  understanding  that  the  hybrids 
and  climbers  should  have  protection  in 
some  form  for  the  winter  months. 

Then  in  hardy  perennials  there  is  such 
a  variety  to  select  from  that  one  hardly 
knows  where  to  begin  or  when  to  stop. 
Of  course  everyone  wants  a  few  peonies. 


and  some  of  the  hardy  phlox,  in  such  a 
variety  of  color.  Then  the  delphinium,  or 
hardy  larkspurs,  are  fine  bloomers.  The 
blue  and  white  platycodon  are  sure  to 
flower,  while  the  German  iris  are  good 
and  the  Japan  iris  are  fine  flowers,  but 
have  to  have  good  protection  to  stand 
our  winters.  For  fine  white  flowers  we 
have  the  showy  achilleas  in  variety  and 
gypsophila  paniculata,  called  baby  breath 
as  a  common  name.  Then  we  must  have 
plenty  of  space  for  a  variety  of  annuals, 
such  as  sweet  peas,  cosmos,  pansies, 
verbenas,  etc.  Also,  we  would  grow  gera- 
niums in  variety,  a  few  summer  carna- 
tions, and  the  selection  can  be  large  or 
small,  but  almost  every  one  will  want 
some  dahlia  and  Gladiolus  bulbs.  Those 
that  like  yellow,  or  lemon  lilies,  can  plant 
them  and  have  a  mass  of  flowers  during 
June.  The  Japan  lilies,  especially  the 
rubrum  variety,  are  good  bloomers  and 
quite  hardy.— M.  H.  Wetherbee  before 
Minnesota  State  Horticultural  Society. 


The  variety,  Mary  Fennell  which  is 
advertised  on  our  inside  back  cover  page 
this  month,  and  of  which  a  beautiful  col- 
ored illustration  is  shown,  is  worthy  of  a 
place  in  any  garden.  Those  who  are  not 
growing  Marv  Fennell  should  try  a  few 
for  1917. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  itill  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


CEND  your  name  for  a  copy  of  our  surplus  list  of 
^  the  best  Gladioli  and  Dahlias.  We  grow  for 
the  wholesale  cut  flower  trade  and  have  few 
varieties  but  they  are  the  best  of  their  color. 
Here  is  your  opportunity  to  secure  good  stock  for 
cut  flowers  at  a  low  price.  Delivery  now  or  in 
spring.  Oakland  Gardens  Nursery,  Walled  Lake, 
Oakland  County,  Michigan. 

W  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO.,  Pembroke,  N.  Y., 
'"  •  growers  of  the  finest  Gladioli,  such  as 
Pendleton,  Panama,  Niagara,  Pink  Perfection, 
Europa,  Mrs.  Fryer,  War,  Peace,  etc.  Corres- 
pondence solicited. 

WANTED— 200.000  Gladiolus  Bulbs.  These 
'  '  must  be  of  first  class  mixture  and  of  a  size 
approximately  I  inch  diameter.  No  objection  to 
a  moderate  percentage  of  bulbs  as  small  as  U  in. 
Explain  fully  what  varieties  and  colors  the  mix- 
ture is  composed  of  and  send  samples  and  quote 
prices  to  Henry  Field  Seed  Co.,  Shenandoah,  la. 

CPECIAL  BARGAIN— 100  plump,  sure-flowering 
^  Gladiolus  Bulbs,  mixed  varieties  and  colors, 
for  only  $1.25;  50  for  75c.  Sample  dozen,  post- 
paid far  as  fifth  zone,  25c.  A  surplus  enables  me 
to  make  these  bargain  prices.  How.'VRdGillet, 
Lebanon  Springs,  N.  Y. 


One  of  our  subscribers  wants  to  know 
what  proportion  of  formaldehyde  should 
be  used  in  water  for  treating  diseased 
Gladiolus  corms.  This  information  was 
contained  in  the  March,  1914,  issue  of 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 

The  same  correspondent  wants  to  know 
about  the  use  of  corrosive  sublimate  for 
the  purpose.  Have  any  of  our  readers 
had  any  experience  with  this  material? 
It  is  a  deadly  poison  and  dangerous  to 
have  about  and  we  personally  would  pre- 
fer to  use  the  formaldehyde,  although 
this  too,  is  classed  as  a  poison. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 


brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture — 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


Some  of  the  Best,  try  'em  out 

One  each  of  Rochester  White,  Pendleton, 
Schwaben,War,  Europa,  Panama,  Ida  Van, 
Golden  King,  Glory  of  Holland,  Niagara, 
Lily  Lehman,  Pink  Perfection,  1st  size, 
named  and  postpaid  for  $L00. 

Some  mighty  good  ones— 

One  each  of  Halley,  Scarsdale,  Meadow- 
vale,  Pink  Beauty,  Chicago  White,  Jesse, 
America,  Independence,  Jane  Dieulafoy, 
Mrs.  Francis  King,  Yellow  Bird,  Arizona, 
named  and  postpaid  for  75c. 

H.  T.  Taplin,  Newfields,  N.  H. 


Published  monthly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York,  N.Y. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD  YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerfied  L.  I. 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

EACH  DOZ. 

America       -        -    $  .05  $  .50 

Brenchleyensis  .04  .30 

Isaac  Buchanan  .08  .75 

Channel  Is.  Hybrids  .  06  .60 

Columbia        -        -  .06  .60 

May      -        -        -  .06  .60 

Maize       -        -        -  .25  2.50 

Mrs.  H.  W.  Beecher  .08  .75 

Pacha      -        -        -  .08  .75 

Primulinus  Hybrids  .06  .60 

Princeps          -        -  .06  .60 

Mixed  Hybrids    -  .05  .50 

and  other  kinds  on  my  list  sent 
prepaid  by  parcels  post  to  any  zone. 
One  of  each  of  above  list,  prepaid, 
75c.  One  dozen  of  each,  $5.00,  by 
express  collect. 

Descriptive  list  on  application,  also  wholesale 
list  for  growers  and  dealers. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 

R.  F.  D. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in  the 
curious  facts  about  our  native  wildfiowers. 

$1.00  A  YEAR.     SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  111. 


U.  Cemoinc  ^  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy,  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


We  Grow  Gladiolus  Bulbs. 

Send  us  your  address  lor  our 
wholesale  price  list. 

Cushman  Gladiolus  Co. 

Sylvania,  Ohio 


Our  1917  Catalogue 

contains  40~pages,  ( 1 6  more  than  191 6); 

is  full  of  illustrations 
and  valuable  informa- 
tion. 

In  it  you  will  find  an 
entirely  new  race  now 
cataloged  for  the  first 
time. 

We  catalog  this  season 
over  50  new  varieties, 
231  in  all,  and  all  of 
them  our  own  produc- 
tions. Among  them 
you  will  find  the  peer- 
less Mrs.  Frank  Pen- 
dleton and  the  grand 
new  varieties  Mrs.  Dr. 
Norton,  Mona  Lisa  and 
other  superb  new  kinds. 

For  Free  Catalog  address 
the  Originator 


KUNDERDI  GLORY" 


A.  E.  KUNDERD 

Goshen,        -        .        -     Ind.,  U.  S.  A, 


I   WANT  YOUR  NAME  FOR  MY  MAILING  LIST  FOR  THEN 
YOU  WILL  WANT 

CEDAR  ACRES  GLADIOLI 

"Bulbs  that  Bloom" 

SEND  FOR  BEAUTIFUL  ILLUSTRATED   BOOKLET,  DESCRIBING  MANY  VARIETIES 
AND  GIVING   THE   REAL  TRUTH   ABOUT   EACH. 

B.  HAMMOND  TRACY 

CEDAR  ACRES  Box  K  WENHAM,  MASS. 


HEADQUARTERS  FOR 

"MRS.  WATT" 

The  Gladiolus  of 
DISTINCTION-  REFINEMENT 

DEEP  BRILLIANT  WINE 

one  color. 

HOMER  F.  CHASE. 

Grower  of  Gladioli 


Wilton 


New  Hampshire 


Wisconsin  grown  Gladiolus 
Bulbs  better  than  ever. 

With  abundance  of  water  and  sum- 
mer heat  we  harvested  the  best 
bulbs  we  have  ever  grown.  FIFTY 
STANDARD     AND     NOVELTY 

VARIETIES. 
Write  us  for  circular  and  prices. 

Lincoln  Gardens,  Eau  Claire,  Wis. 


GLADIOLI--]Vamed  Sorts 


Per  doz.  Per  100 
post  paid  f.o.b.  here 

Loveliness,  cream  apricot $L00  $5.00 

Mrs.  F.  Pendleton,  Jr 1.50  7.00 

Panama,  deep  pink 1.00  5.00 

Peace,  white,  red  blotch 1.00  5.00 

Pink  Perfection,  fine  pink 1.50  7.00 

Rochester  White,  pure  white..  1.50  7.00 

Schwaben,  pale  yellow 1.50  7.00 

Brunswick  Mixture 40  1.00 

Groffs  Hybrid  Mixture 50  1.50 


Per  doz.    Per  100 
postpaid  f.o.b.  here 

America,  soft  pink    $  .50         $1.50 

Augusta,  white  sh'd  heliotrope    .50  1.50 

Baron  Hulot,  dark  violet 50  1.50 

Brenchleyensis,  verm'l  scarlet    .50  1.50 

Chicago,  white  early 60  2.00 

Empress  of  India,  dark  maroon    .75  2.50 

Europa,  snow  white 1.00  5.00 

Glory  of  Holland,  white 1.00  5.00 

Halley,  large  salmon 50  1.50 

Lily  Lehman,  white  rosy  tinge  1.00  5.00 

At  Dozen  price,  POST  PAID.    At  Hundred  price,  F.  O.  B.  HERE.  Twenty-five  (25)  Bulbs  of 
a  kind  at  the  hundred  rate  where  not  less  than  100  bulbs  are  ordered  6  Bulbs  at  dozen  rate. 
SPECIAL  OFFER— To  introduce  my  Gladioli  I  will  send  one  each  of  the  17  named  varieties 
as  above  and  3  Groffs  Hybrids,  20  bulbs  in  all,  blooming  size,  the  lot  for  only  $1.00,  post  paid. 

SWEET  PEA  SEED-Very  Choice  mixtures 

Winter  Orchid,  mixed  per  oz 35c.        All  Kinds  Fine,  Mixed  per  oz. 15c. 

Early  Winter,  Mixed  per  oz.  15c. 

Spencer  Extra  Choice  Mixed  peroz 25c. 

AMARYLLIS  (Hippeastrum)— The  most  beautiful  and  gorgeous  of  all  the  bulbous  plants. 
With  their  brilliant  colors,  gigantic  size,  there  is  no  other  flower  that  will  make  a  grander 
show  than  the  Amaryllis.  With  their  three  to  five  large  six  to  nine  inch  flowers  on  each 
scape.  My  stock  has  been  crossbred  until  it  is  now  beyond  doubt  as  fine  as  can  be  pro- 
duced. Bulbs  50c.  each,  $5.00  per  dozen;  for  Mixed  Unbloomed  Seedlings.  Bloomed  and 
Selected  Fancy  Stock  $1.00  each,  $10.00  per  dozen. 

PANSY  PL  ANTS- Large  flowering.  None  better.  12  for  40c;  36  for  50c;  100  for  $2.00;  300 
for  $5.00,  postpaid.    One  ounce  of  choice  Sweet  Pea  seed  free  with  each  dollar's  worth. 


Zvolanek's  Gold  Medal.  Mixed  per  pkt.  25c. 
The  Five  (5)  Papers  for  $1  post  paid. 


■    C.  S.TAIT 


Brunswick,  Georgia  i 


From  New  Zealand: 

Mr.  Willis  E.  Fryer, 

Mantorville,  Minn.,  U.  S.  A. 
Dear  Sir:— Referring  to  yours  of  March 
16th  last,  we  have  this  to  state  that  we 
have  flowered  your  Gladiolus  novelty  Mrs. 
W.  E.  Fryer,  and  are  very  much  pleased 
with  its  pure,  bright  color,  and  would  ask 
you  to  be  so  good  as  to  send  us  fifty  as 
early  in  the  fail,  as  possible. 

We  are  yours  faithfully, 

Orr  Brothers, 
Lower  Hutt,  New  Zealand. 


I  have  a  large  supply  of  this  variety  and 
have  reduced  the  price  as  follows: 

No-  1 -Bulbs  11/2  in.  and  up  $1.50  per  doz., 

$10.00  per  100. 
No.  2-Bulbs  1  to  11/2  in.    $1.25  per  doz., 

$8.50  per  100. 
No.  3— Bulbs  J4  to  1  in.,  $1.00  per  doz., 

$7.00  per  100. 

By  the  dozen  they  will  be  sent  prepaid. 
Both  wholesale  and  retail. 

Willis  E,  Fryer 

Mantorville      -        -       Minn. 


Did  you  get  it? 

Our  new  catalogs  were  mailed  Dec. 
10th.  If  you  did  not  get  one  send 
us  your  address  and  we  will  be  glad 
to  send  you  one.  We  list  and  price  119 
varieties  including  some  new  ones. 

Special 

MONGOLIAN,  MRS.  O.  W.  HALLADAY 

and  A.  W.  CLIFFORD, 

One  bulb  of  each  for  trial  $1.75 

Primulinus    Hybrids 

These  are  a  cross  of  Species  Primulinus 
with  Kunderd's  Ruffled  Glory  and  many 
of  them  show  more  or  less  ruffles.  All 
sizes  and  forms.  The  colors  are  well 
blended  although  all  colors  and  shades  are 
represented,  as  yellow,  salmon,  rose,  pink, 
terra  cotta,  apricot,  etc. 

Per  dozen,  postpaid  -  -  $  .50 
Per  100  by  express  -  -  -  2.25 
Planting  stock  ;'3  to  54  per  100  1.00 
Bulblets,  postpaid,  per  1000  1.00 

C.  W.  Brown  &  Son 

Ashland,   Mass. 


Catalogue  Trade 

To  SEEDSMF.N  and  FLORISTS 

We  are  growers  and  jobbers  in 

Gladiolus 

and  all  other  BULBS 

REMEMBER  we  can  supply  b  crictly  first  size  bulbs  for  counter 
trade  and,  where  wanted,  medium  sized  bulbs  for  mail  trade. 

Vaughan's  Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31-33  W.  Randolph  St.     NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  Si. 


MYRTLE 

The  Most  Beautiful  Pink 
yet  produced  in  aGladioIus 


Clearest  dainty  rose-pink,  softly 
dissolving  into  a  throat  of  clear 
creamy  white,  its  cool  angelic 
beauty  is  most  entrancing. 

Early  flowering;  in  perfect  alignment 
on  straight  spikes,  the  opening  buds 
very  closely  resemble  creamy-pink  tint- 
ed rosebuds  with  slightly  flaring  petals. 

Distinctive  in  form  and  color  and  of 
good  size,  "MYRTLE"  stands  among 
the  very  elite  of  "Wizard"  Kunderd's 
many  exquisite  productions. 

This  variety  is  one  of  the  "must  haves"  and  you  will  be  glad  to  know  that,  for 

a  limited  time  the  price  will  be  only  20c  each  $2.00  per  doz.,  for  strong 

bulbs.     Order  early  to  avoid  disappointment. 

A  FEW  PACKETS  OF  SELECT  SEED  LEFT  AT  25c  AND  50c  PER  PACKET. 
My  artistic  booklet  is  "different !"  A  copy  is  waiting  for  yon. 

H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 

Dover        -        -        -        -      New  Hampshire 


iuiijij^yjuutt^^ 


WE  GROW 

ALL  OF  THE   STANDARD 
VARIETIES  OF  THE 

Gladiolus 

and  assure  you  that  every  thing  that 

we  offer  is  grown  right  here  on  our 

own  place,  and  guarantee  all  bulbs 

to  be  free  from  disease. 

In  Addition 

to  Gladioli  we  grow  a  very  com- 
plete line  of  Dahlias,  Cannas,  Tigri- 
dias,  Montbretias,  and  other  bulbs 
and  plants  for  the  spring  season. 

Ask  Us 

before  placing   your  spring  order. 
You'll  not  regret  it. 

The  Grinnell  Nursery 

Grinnell    -    -    -    -    Iowa 


GLADIOLI.  PEONIES. 

Dutch  Bulbs.  French  Bulbs. 

For  1917  Delivery. 


C.  J.Speelman&Sons 

Sassenheim,  Holland 


Lagarde  &  Speelman 

Olliouies.  Var.  France 


SEND  FOR  PRICES  TO  OUR  BRANCH  OFFICE 

P.O.  Box  124,    Hoboken,  N.J. 


Gladiolus— Crystal  White 

The  best  white  seedhng  to  date  for  florists' 
use.  A  variety  which  everybody  can  grow. 
Good,  healthy,  vigorous  and  prolific. 

Price  for  1st  size  bulbs  25c.  each,  $2.50 
per  dozen  and  $15  per  hundred. 

Give  it  a  trial. 

Herman  H.  Baer 

New  Hyde  Park.  L.  I..     -    -     N.Y. 


Dn 


iD 


GIANT  NEW  GLADIOLI 

TT  IS  NEEDLESS  to  comment  on  the  success  of  the  Austin  origi- 
J-  nations.  These  varieties  have  been  developed  with  the  firmbehef 
that  the  tallest  and  most  graceful  Gladiolus  in  existence  has  been  pro- 
duced. You  will  not  have  the  best  in  Gladioli  until  you  grow  them. 
A  magnificent  collection  of  eight  sorts  is  now  offered  the  public. 


EVELYN  K I RTL AND— Strong  substance, 
beautiful  shade  of  rosy  pink,  darker  at 
the  edges,  fading  to  shell  pink;  brilliant 
scarlet  blotches  on  lower  petals.  Entire 
flower  showing  glistening,  sparkling 
luster. 

GRETCHEN  ZANG- Most  beautiful  soft, 
melting  shade  of  pink  blending  into 
scarlet  on  lower  petals. 

HERADA— Immense  size  on  tall  spikes.  A 
startling  novelty  of  pure  mauve,  glisten- 
ing and  clear. 

WAMBA— Enormous  blooms  of  deep  sal- 
mon.  No  collection  complete  without  it. 

CARDISUN  -A  large  bloom,  dark  velvety 
red  witli  nearly  black  throat. 

BERTREX— A  sterling  white  of  great  sub- 
stance; winner  silver  cup  for  best  seed- 
ling. 

ROSE  WELLS-Large,  wide  open  blooms; 
light  rose,  clear  color,  small  attractive 
blotch  of  lilac  rose  and  yellowish  green. 

ORIOLE— A  sterling  light  yellow  with 
deeper  throat. 

This  collection  has  won  12  prizes 
including  Silver  Cups. 


One  bulb  each  entire  collection 
$2.50 ;  3  collections  $7.  Pre- 
paid.   Orders  filled  in  rotation. 


EVELYN  KIRTLAND 

Note  Illustration  measuring  length  of 

spike  with  yardstick. 


"America  has  recently  added  to  pur 
wealth  in  important  Gladiolus  two  pink 
beauties  that  have  been  named  Evelyn 
Kirtland  and  Gretchen  Zang.  *  *  *  A 
new  touch  of  color  was  added  to  our  gardens  last  summer  by  the  introduction  of  Herada, 
a  brilliant  mauve  that  is  sure  to  become  popular."  Montague  Chamberlain,  in  August  issue 
The  Garden  Magazine. 

"Evelyn  Kirtland  is  the  most  magnificent  Gladiolus  I  have  ever  seen  and  I  have  seen  most 
all  there  are." — Wilbur  A.  Christy,  Secretary-Treasurer  Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio. 

Send  for  WHOLESALE  or  RETAIL  List. 

Have  Schwaben,  Mrs.  Pendleton,  Pink  Perfection,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer, 
Golden  King  and  all  the  rest. 

"Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 

Austin-Coleman  Co. 

Wayland        -        -        -        -  Ohio 


na 


MURIELL,    YELLOW  HAMMER,    HILDA 

p.  Hopman  &  Sons?  Gladiolus  Specialists,  Hillegom,  Holland 

Largest  stockholders  in  Holland  of  MURIELL,  a  fine  combination  of  lilac 
and  porcelain,  colour  just  like  a  cattleya.  received  the  most  attention  at 
the  Boston  Show,   per  dozen,  $12- ;  per  hundred  $80-  for  cash  with  order. 

Further  we  grow  large  quantities  of  War,  Pink  Perfection,  Panama  Niagara, 
Blue  Jay,  Hilda,  best  red;  Badenia,  Electra,  Yellow  Hammer,  Red  Em- 
peror, Schwaben,    Loveliness,   and  all  other  rare  and   standard   varieties. 

Price  List  ivith  full  descriptions  on  application. 


MRS.  FRANK  PENDLETON 

The  most  popular  Gladiolus  grown. 

Planting  sizes,  1"  to  Ij",  $4  per  hundred ;  f"  to  1",  $3  per  hundred; 
I"  to  f ",  $2  per  hundred. 

The  well  known  varieties  ROSE  BUD,  IDA  VAN,  SUMMER  BEAUTY  and  MISS  LUCILLE. 
WRITE  FOR  QUOTATIONS. 

M.  F.  WRIGHT,  Gladiolus  Grower 

1906  Smith  St.  FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


K.  Velthuys 

Hill^om, 
HoHand 


Our  representative  Mr.  Th. 

de  Groot,  care  R.  F.  Lang, 

8-10  Bridge  St.,  New  York 

City,  will  be  in  the  States  till  May,  1917. 

Please  drop  him  a  line  for  quotations  and 

when  possible  he  will  call  on  you. 


Three  Great  Novelties — 

Mrs.  Dr.  Norton 

Mrs.  Emma  Tucker 

Willnetta  Curtis 

My  catalog  also  offers  the  following: — 

Florence,  Schwaben,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Moulton,  Enchantress,  Mrs.  L. 
Merton  Gage.  Goliath,  Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton,  Dora  Krais,  Aristo- 
phane.  Dawn,  Mary  Fennell,  Le  Triomphe,  War,  Loveliness,  Sulphur 
King,  Negerfurst,  Parure,  Peace,  I.  S.  Hendrickson,  Wm.  Steinhausen, 
Norma  Dee  Childs,  Desdemone,  Gaiety,  Liebesfeuer,  Halley,  Niagara, 
Wellesley,  Etc.,  Etc. 

Send  for  my  Catalog  at  once,  it  will  tell  you  the  story. 

Sunnyside  Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Prop.  Natick,  MaSS. 


Metzner  s  Gladioli 

p.  p.  I.  E.  Grand  Prize  Strain 

Extra  choice  bulbs,  blooming  size, 
graded  to  quality.     Limited  quan- 
tity in  sets. 

Set  1  of  12  bulbs,  our  selection, 
Set  2   "  12       " 
Set  3   "  12      " 
Set  4   "  12       " 
Set  5   "  12      " 


$L50 

2.50 

3.50 

5.00 

10.00 


1  Set  each  (60  bulbs)  $20.00 

This  original  strain  is  in  a  class  by 

itself.     If  you  want  the  World's  Best 

Gladioli  in  color,  form  and  size  do  not 

delay  your  order. 

Descriptive  circular  of  our  named 
varieties  ready  in  January. 

Metzner  Floral  Co. 

Mountain  View    -     California 


lYOUELL'Sl 

I  Nc  Plus  Ultra  | 
I  Mixture  | 

M.  is  made  up  from  named  varieties  of  ^ 

%  various  colors  (except  blue)  and  is  p 

=  recommended  with  the  greatest  con-  ^ 

^  fidence.    It  will  especially  appeal  to  = 

^  those  who  want  a   variety    of   the  ^ 

M  choice  flowers  without  the  trouble  ^ 

^  of  making  a  selection.  = 

M  Price,  per  doz.,  postpaid,  60c  g 
M  per  hundred,  by  express  % 
=  collect,  $4.00  = 

M  Mixture  of  all  blue  shades,  same  W 
M.  as  above.  ^ 

^  A  short  and  interesting  history  of  = 

=  the    Gladiolus,   with  full  cultural  = 

=  directions,  will    accompany    each  ^ 

=  order.  = 

I  H.  YoucU  I 

1   538  Cedar  St.,  Syracuse,  N.Y.    1 


Special  Offer- 

2nd  size  bulbs  I'to  1 J '.pre- 
paid 1  Oc  ea.,  $  1  per  doz. 

Hazel  Harvey 

Dawn  (Tracy) 

Electra 

Empress  of  India 

Europa 

Lily  Lehmann 

Mrs.  Frank  J.  Pendleton 

Pride  of  Goshen 

Golden  King 

Pink  Perfection 

Schwaben 

Loveliness 

King  White 

Be^  Violet 

Red  Canna 

If  you  want  any  other  variety,  or 
size,  write  us. 

Munsell  &  Harvey- 
Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula     -    -    -      Ohio 


E.  E.  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


5    1 


Riverbank    Gardens 
GLADIOLI 

arc  grown  right,  flower  right  and  the  price  is 
right.    The  following  postpaid : 


Electra 

Empress  of  India 
Europa 
Glory 
Halley 

LlEBESFEUER 


Per  Doz. 
$  .75 
.25 
.75 
.50 
.25 

-      2.00 


Loveliness    - 
Niagara    - 
Peace    - 
Pink  Perfection 
scarsdale     - 
Schwaben 


Per  Doz. 
$L00 
.50 
.75 
.75 
.35 

-       L50 


Or  one  bulb  of  each  separately  labelled  sent  post  paid  = 

For  One  Dollar.  = 

SEND  YOUR  NAME  FOR  A  CATALOG.  S 

Raymond  W.  Swett  | 

Saxonville Mass.  I 


Westerbeek  &  Klyn 

Sassenheim  -  Holland 


m 


Our  Large  Descriptive  Catalogue 

which  contains  about  300  varieties  of  Gladioli  and  200  va- 
rieties of  Dahlias,  also  a  complete  list  of  Hardy  Peren- 
nials, has  been  sent  from  Holland  to  our  customers  and  to 
our  friends  who  are  on  our  mailing  list.  If  you  have  not 
yet  received  a  copy,  write  us  for  catalog  or  special  whole- 
sale trade  list,  which  is  just  as  complete  as  our  catalog. 

C  Last  season  we  shipped  Gladioli  to  over  600  customers 
who  were  well  pleased  with  our  goods.  Orders  entrusted 
to  us  are  in  good  hands.  We  guarantee  all  goods  sent  out 
by  us  to  be  true  to  name  or  money  refunded. 

C  We  will  establish  in  December  at  New  York  our  branch 
office  in  order  to  give 

Better  Satisfaction 

thus  having  better  shipping  facilities,  better  service  and 
quicker  communication  with  our  many  customers. 


WE  HAVE: 

Be^  Quality. 
Moderate  Prices. 
Millions  of  Gladioli. 
Thousands  of  Dahlias. 
150,000  Paeonies. 
Perennials,  all  kinds. 


WE  OFFER: 

All  Goods  f.o.b.  NewYork. 
Guaranteed  true  to  name. 
Guaranteed    to    arrive    in 

good  condition. 
All  you  wish  at  the  right 

price. 


Order  Now^  while  Early  Delivery  is  Possible. 


Write  to 

Westerbeek  &  Klyn 


14  Stone  St. 


New  York 


(Until  further  notice.) 


B 


a 


•) 


Pvmdtunmd  Gardens  Glaaioli 


Doz.    Hundred 

Doz.    Hundred 

America    -    - 

$  .50  $2.50 

Panama    -    -    $  .75  $6.00 

Augusta  -    - 

-    .50    2.50 

Pendleton  -    -    1.25  12.00 

Glory     -    -    - 

.60    4.00 

Princeps  -    -        .50    2.50 

Golden  King 

-   .75    6.00 

Pink  Perfection  1.00 

Lily  Lehmann 

-    .60    5.00 

Peace    -    -    -     1.00 

Niagara    -    - 

-   .75    6.00 

Prim.  Hybrids    1.00 

Mrs.  F.  King  - 

.50    2.50 

Schwaben     -      1.00 

We  will  not  issue  a  retail  Catalog  this  season. 

BidWell  $f  ?ObC$t    Kinsman,  Ohio 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

P  1  f  p  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
iiAl.r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
t^iiuu    ^f  y^ig    J  gj^j  jj_  ^^jfj^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
400  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $2.50  for  the  two. 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y, 


Geo.  S.  Woodruff 

GLADIOLUS     GROWER. 

Best    Sorts    and   Mixtures 

Instructive  Catalogue  of  over  150 
Named  Varieties   and    Collections. 

POPULAR  PRICES. 

Ii\depeivdei\ce,  lowaL 


5   I 


COLD   STORAGE 

for    Nurserymen,    Florists,    Seedsmen    and    Fruit  Growers. 

The    Cooper    Brine    System 

Write  for  particulars,  stating  goods  interested  in  and  capacity  desired. 

MADISON  COOPER  COMPANY 


=    132  Court  St. 


Refrigerating  Engineers  and 
Architects 


Calcium,  N.Y.    = 


Tirma  R  Uo$  lllz, 

Sassenbeim,  liolland 


OUR  ILLUSTRATED  CATALOGUE  OF 

Gladioli 

AND    OUR    CATALOGUE    OF 

Spritid  Bulbs  and  Plants 

are  now  ready.  Drop  a  few  lines  and 
ask  for  copies  which  will  be  mailed 
directly  after  receipt  of  application.  Our 
Gladiolus  Catalogue  contains  20  new  va- 
rieties of  our  own  hybridization  of  1911 
and  another  list  of  23  new  varieties  of 
recent  introduction  which  we  bought 
stock  of  other  specialist  here. 


Our  Catalogue  of  Spring  Bulbs  and  Plants 
contains  a  complete  list  of  DaMias,  6tc. 


GLADIOLI 

By  the  Million         For  the  Million 

My  new  catalogue  describing  96  distinct  varieties  and  illustra- 
ting some  in  full  colors,  "  is  now  ready  for  mailing- 
free.  Some  excel-  lent  mixtures  and  three 
special  offers  make  the  book  well  worth 
having.      Please  send  for  it  today. 


The  above  picture 
is  a  true  repro- 
duction of 

Mary  Fennel 

The  most  beautiful  lavender  Gladiolus  on  the  market  today. 
Price,  Each  20 els.;  Per  Dozen,  $2.00;  Per  Hundred,  $15.00 

Securely  Packed— Postpaid. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  to  Commercial  Growers  on  planting  size. 

Why  not  place  your  order  RIGHT  NOW— for  either  immediate  or  future  deUvery? 
Satisfactory  service  guaranteed.    Planting  instructions  with  each  order. 

BE  SURE  TO  SEND  FOR  MY  CATALOG  TO-DAY.  IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Department  D  Milton,  MaSS. 


CATALOG  for  1 9 1 7 

is  ready.    Send  for  a  copy. 
Bulbs  listed  at : 

50c  per  doz.,  $2.50  per  100:  75c  per  doz.,  $5  per  100 : 

AMERICA,    HULOT,    HALLEY,  NIAGARA,  PANAMA. 
KING,  TACONIC. 

$1  per  doz.,  $7  per  100 : 

60c  per  doz.,  $3  per  100:  GOLDEN     KING,       IDA   VAN, 

CRACKERJACK,  EMPRESS  OF  KING  ARTHUR,  PEACE,  PINK 

INDIA,  LILY  LEHMAN,    PRIN-  PERFECTION,        SCARSDALE, 

CEPINE.  ROSELLA,  ZAIDEE. 

Trade  Price  List  for  Growers  and  Dealers  only.     Write  for  it. 

Brookland  Gardens 

S.  E.  Spencer,  Proprietor 

Woburn  -        -        -  Mass. 


GOLDEN  KING 

AWARDED  FIRST  CLASS  CERTIFICATE 

Price  of  Golden  Kins  has  been  reduced  so  as  to  put  it  within  the  reach 
of  all  growers.    Retail  price  1  Oc.  each,  $  1  .OO  per  doz. 

Send  for  our   retail   list   describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  and  new  varieties. 
All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.     Wholesale  list  for  dealers  and  large  growers. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  furnishing  planting  stock  of 
the  best  new  and  standard  varieties  to  other  Gladiolus 
Growers,  Florists,  Market  Gardeners,  Nurserymen 
and  all  others  who  grow  Gladioli  commercially. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  on  a  list  of  your  wants  if  you  will 
state  size  and  number  of  bulbs  of  each  variety  wanted. 

OUR  NEW  ADDRESS  IS 

G.  r>.  BLACK 

Gladiolus   SPECiAiiisT 
Albert  Lea        _        -        _        -        Minn. 


-ifii    yjir"  i-'uui^iuuuii  ut^ja 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


FEBRUARY,   1917 


No.  2 


'^ 


GLADIOLUS-Z,/Z,y  WHITE. 

[  For  description  see  pane  20.  ] 


Page 

18 


Ob<i  Modern  (Bladlolus  (Grower 


Feb. 
1917 


A  Description  of  New  Varieties  of  Phlox  and  other  Flowers 
Developed  by  Willis  E.  Fryer  of  Mantorville,  Minn. 


By  Clarence  Wedge  in  The  Farmer. 


SOME  time  last  June  we  told  the  read- 
ers of  The  Farmer  about  our  visit  to 
Mr.  Willis  E.  Fryer's  place  at  Man- 
torville, Minnesota,  in  the  iris  season. 
In  August  we  yielded  to  the  temptation  to 
make  another  trip  to  see  his  large  col- 
lection of  Phlox  and  Gladioli  in  full 
bloom.  At  the  time  we  made  the  visit, 
August  19th,  everything  in  Southern  Min- 


size.  Dr.  Christopcr  Graham  is  a  deep 
pink,  somewhat  later  than  Amelia  and 
seemed  to  stand  the  heat  remarkably 
well.  Dr.  A.  L.  Baker  is  a  fine  plant  of 
very  even  height — magenta  color. 

About  the  nearest  approach  to  blue 
that  we  have  ever  seen  in  a  Phlox  is  one 
that  he  has  named  Mrs.  K.  Andrist. 
While  the  dark  shades  in  the  Phlox  are 


L> 


Showing  the  Ornamental  Plantings  About  the  Home  of  WiUis  E.  Fryer. 


nesota  was  suffering  from  the  extreme 
heat  and  drought  which  had  prevailed  for 
several  weeks,  and  flowers  of  all  kinds 
were  withering  almost  as  fast  as  they 
opened.  But  even  under  such  unfavor- 
able circumstances,  the  fields  of  Phlox 
and  Gladioli  were  among  the  most  bril- 
liant and  interesting  that  we  have  ever 
seen,  a  display  well  worth  the  50  mile  trip. 

Among  the  varieties  of  Phlox  produced 
by  Mr.  Fryer,  the  Amelia  impresses  me 
as  not  only  one  of  his  best,  but  one  that 
should  take  a  high  place  among  standard 
varieties.  It  has  a  deep,  pink  eye,  shad- 
ing out  to  a  pale  lavender-white.  I  have 
had  this  on  my  own  grounds  for  some 
time  and  have  found  it  very  healthy  and 
satisfactory  in  blooming  and  would  place 
it  easily  among  my  best  ten  varieties. 

Mrs.  Mellinger,  another  one  of  Mr. 
Fryer's  own  Phloxes,  is  a  fine,  rosy  red 
of  solid  color  and  florets  of  the  largest 


not  generally  so  attractive,  they  furnish 
an  interesting  variation  and  one  variety 
will  be  an  acceptable  addition  to  any  col- 
lection. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  things  in 
Phlox  that  we  have  ever  seen  was  the 
Curiosity,  which  produces  blooms  from 
the  same  plant  in  all  shades  from  pure 
white  through  all  variations  in  marking 
to  nearly  pure  red.  Its  name  is  certainly 
appropriate.  From  this  variety,  Mr.  Fryer 
has  made  a  selection  of  a  pure  white  seed- 
ling that  comes  very  true  to  color  and 
forms  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  of  all 
the  whites.  This  he  has  named  in  honor  of 
his  wife,  Mrs.  Fryer.  I  saw  this  variety  in 
several  places  on  his  grounds  and  it 
seemed  everywhere  to  be  one  of  the 
rugged  kinds  that  make  good  in  unfavor- 
able seasons.  If  I  remember  rightly,  Mr. 
Fryer  regards  this  as  one  of  his  best  all- 
purpose  whites  he  has  ever  tried. 


Feb. 
1917 


^^<t  Modern  <Bla6lolu5  <&rower 


Page 

19 


Among  the  Gladioli  I  was  again  greatly 
impressed  with  the  variety  that  he  has 
named  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer.  It  is  certainly 
one  of  the  most  robust  and  dependable 
of  the  red  varieties  and  seems  especially 
adapted  to  landscape  effects.  Unlike 
Mrs.  Francis  King,  which  has  enjoyed 
great  popularity,  it  requires  no  staking 
but  stands  with  a  stiff,  strong  stem,  per- 
fectly erect  and  sending  out  several 
branches,  making  as  full  and  rich  a  show 
of  color  on  the  lawn  as  any  variety  that 
I  have  ever  seen.  The  color  is  particu- 
larly rich  and  satisfying.  It  is  a  good 
propagator,    full    of  life  and    vigor,    and 


so  much  popularity.  If  it  is  really  better 
than  the  Panama,  Mr.  Fryer  ought  to  be  a 
judge.  It  deserves  a  large  place  with  Gladi- 
olus growers,  for  varieties  of  this  soft 
pink  shade  seem  to  be  more  popular  with 
the  public  than  any  other. 

Mr.  Fryer  is  having  good  success  with 
the  yellow  variety  of  Gladioli  originated 
by  Mr.  Black,  the  Golden  King,  and  re- 
gards it  the  best  of  the  yellows  with 
blotch  of  red  in  the  throat. 

Among  the  ruffled  varieties  of  Gladi- 
oli, the  Mantorville  is  one  of  Mr.  Fryer's 
naming,  a  fine  yellow,  sometimes  tinted 
with  pink.     It   is  proving  a  good  propa- 


One  of  Mr.  Fryer's  Phlox  Beds,  all  new  Seedlings.    The  row  in  the  center  is  the 
variety  which  is  known  as  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer. 


should  succeed  wherever  the  Gladiolus 
can  be  grown. 

I  have  seen  a  good  deal  of  the  Niagara 
this  season  and  find  it  everywhere  making 
a  good  account  of  itself.  It  is  clearly 
one  of  the  best  of  the  yellow  varieties, 
and  deserves  a  place  in  every  collection. 
I  thought  it  stood  the  heat  particularly 
well  during  the  trying  days  of  August. 

As  an  extra  early  variety  of  Gladioli, 
Mr.  Fryer  favors  the  Halley  rather  than 
the  Pink  Beauty,  which  is  commonly  used 
for  first  early.  This  is  also  the  judgment 
of  Mr.  Ralph  Huntington  and  we  think  it 
may  safely  be  set  down  as  one  of  the 
best,  if  not  the  best,  for  first  early  in  the 
North. 

Mr.  Fryer  prefers  the  Arizona  Gladi- 
olus to  the  Panama  which  has  lately  had 


gator  and  may  turn  out  to  be  one  of  the 
best  of  the  yellows. 

There  was  nothing  at  Mr.  Fryer's  place 
that  I  enjoyed  more  than  his  wonderful 
Larkspurs.  I  wish  I  could  say  something 
that  would  give  the  Larkspur  a  boom  all 
over  the  North.  It  has  every  quality  re- 
quired in  a  popular  flower.  There  are 
few  perennials  that  do  not  suffer  winter 
injury  in  some  peculiar  seasons,  but  I  do  not 
remember  of  ever  losing  a  Larkspur  in  the 
worst  winters  we  have  ever  had.  It  may 
now  be  enjoyed  in  all  shades  from  pure 
white  to  the  darkest  blue  with  an  infinite 
variation  in  shape,  size  and  distribution 
of  color.  There  is  certainly  no  other 
blue  fiower  to  compare  with  it.  It  is  not 
only  one  of  the  stateliest  of  border  plants, 
but  when  cut  and  brought  into  the  house 


Page 

20 


Ol)e  ^o6ertt  (Bla6lolu5  (Brower 


Feb. 

1917 


it  is  as  graceful  and  enduring  as  anything 
that  grows.  If  given  an  occasional  prun- 
ing and  not  allowed  to  go  to  seed,  it  will 
go  on  blooming  all  summer.  With  us  it 
is  generally  among  the  few  perennial 
flowers  that  are  destroyed  by  the  freezes 
of  late  October.  Mr.  Fryer  has  a  number 
of  sorts  that  he  has  selected  and  may 
send  out  under  names  in  the  near  future. 
We  have  never  seen  a  finer  collection 
and  have  no  doubt  that  it  is  among  the 
best  in  the  country. 

Gladiolus— L//y  White. 

L  Subject  of  iltustration  on   our  front  cover  face.  ] 

f   I  Originated  by  A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen, 

V  I  Indiana.  It  is  of  the  same  family  as 
Chicago  White  and  partakes  of  the  same 
valuable  features  of  that  variety  as  to 
earliness,  forcing  qualities  and  rapid  in- 
crease. This  new  all  white  variety  is 
offered  for  the  first  time  by  Mr.  Kunderd, 
the  originator,  in  his  1916  catalogue. 

Lily  White  is  considerably  taller  than 
Myrtle  and  the  flowers  are  of  good  size 
and  fine  form,  especially  adapted  to  flor- 
I  ists  purposes.  The  spike  is  tall  and  grace- 
(  l^  ful  and  there  are  from  five  to  seven  flow- 
ers open  at  a  time.  The  color  is  as  its 
name  indicates,  white,  with  a  faint  scarcely 
visible  sulphurous  tint  in  the  throat. 
This  tint  entirely  fades  out  when  the 
spikes  are  placed  in  water.  It  is  one  of 
the  very  earliest,  and  when  forced,  starts 
quickly ;  and  from  fully  matured  corms 
grows  as  many  as  three  and  sometimes 
four  fine  flower  spikes. 

As  a  forcing  variety,  Lily  White  has 
been  tested  and  found  to  be  reliable  and 
the  originator  confidently  believes  that  it 
will  prove  to  be  the  long  desired  florists' 
all  white  Gladiolus. 

The  cormels  are  of  good  size,  numerous 
and  germinate  readily  and  by  reason  of 
its  good  propagating  qualities  it  will  soon 
be  in  fair  supply. 

Two  spikes  of  Lily  White  were  awarded 
honorable  mention  at  the  1916  Gladiolus 
show  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society.  Too  small  a  number  of  spikes 
were  shown  for  a  higher  award. 

Lime  on  Lawn  and  Gardens. 

The  use  of  thoroughly  slaked  lime  as  a 
top  dressing  on  lawns  and  gardens  during 
the  fall  or  winter  is  beneficial.  Spread 
very  thinly  and  at  different  times  it  gives 
the  best  results,  and  a  half  pound  should 
cover  from  30  to  50  square  feet.  There 
are  few  soils  but  what  are  benefited  by 
judicious  liming  and,  except  perhaps  for 
potatoes,  there  has  been  no  objection 
made  to  lime  in  moderate  quantities. 


Varieties  of  Gladioli  which  Have 
Been  Illustrated  in  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower.  ( 

From  time  to  time  we  have  asked  for 
good  photographs  suitable  for  illustrating 
single  varieties  of  Gladioli  on  the  front 
page  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 
It  has  been  suggested  that  it  would  be  a 
help  to  those  who  desire  to  assist  us  in 
this  matter,  if  we  would  publish  a  list  of 
those  varieties  which  have  already  ap- 
peared in  our  first  three  volumes.  We 
readily  adopt  the  suggestion  and  the  fol- 
lowing alphabetically  arranged  list  may 
prove  useful  for  reference  : 

Vol.       Page 

America 1  1 

Baron  Joseph  Hulot 1  33 

Brenchleyensis 3  123 

Chicago  White 2  119 

Cardinal 3  59 

Charlemagne 3  109 

Europa 2  151 

Golden  King 1  143 

Golden  Measure 2  133 

Helen  Sill 3  91 

Hyde  Park 2  57 

Independence 2  1 

Intensity 2  103 

Isabel 3  75 

I.  S.  Hendrickson 2  87 

Jane  Dieulafoy 1  171 

Klondyke 1  97 

La  Luna 2  25 

Lily  Lehmann 3  15 

Lily  White 4  17           V 

May -  1  49 

Minnesota 2  43 

Mrs.  Dr.  Norton 3  165 

Mrs.  Beecher 3  31 

Mrs.  Francis  King 1  17,22 

Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton 1  113 

Myrtle 4  1 

Nanus 1  131 

Niagara 2  71 

Panama 1  157 

Peace 1  81 

Pink  Beauty 3  137 

Pink  Perfection 2  165 

Princeps  ^ 1  65 

Schwaben 2  13 

Scribe 3  45 

War 3  1 

Yellow  Hammer 3  151 

Those  having  photographs  of  other  of 
the  better  known  varieties  suitable  for 
illustration  will  confer  a  favor  if  they  will 
lend  them  to  us.  We  want  especially  the 
older  and  better  known  sorts  but  can 
always  use  some  of  the  more  recent  in- 
troductions providing  they  are  meritori- 
ous and  have  proved  to  be  prize  winners. 
If  a  sufiicient  number  of  photographs 
were  available  we  certainly  would  not 
stop  with  illustrating  one  variety  and 
only  on  the  front  cover  page.  We  would 
be  glad  to  illustrate  as  many  as  suitable 
photographs  can  be  obtained  for.  To  re-  V 
produce  in  good  shape  photographs  must 
be  clear  and  preferably  with  a  glazed  or 
smooth  finish. 


Feb. 
1917 


Obe  !5llo6ern,  <Bla6iolus  (Grower 


Page 

21 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


HARDY  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Like  children  sometimes  decide  their 
momentous  questions,  I  determined  that 
the  first  flower  to  meet  my  gaze  from  the 
first  catalogue  received  in  1917  should  be 
the  first  plant,  if  suitable,  to  be  planted 
in  my  new  garden.  And  I  enjoyed  slip- 
ping the  catalogue  from  its  envelope, 
closing  my  eyes  and  opening  the  book  at 
random.  Was  it  a  guiding  spirit  or  just 
plain  luck  that  two  full  pages  of  listed 
Chrysanthemums  were  before  me.  Ah, 
I  closed  my  eyes  for  the  second  time,  the 
years  rolled  backward  and  I  again  had  a 
collection  of  choice  mums  that  I  was  grow- 
ing and  training  with  the  best  skill  that 
my  limited  knowledge  and  facilities  could 
furnish.  The  Chrysanthemum  shows  of 
ten  consecutive  years  were,  briefly  re- 
viewed, and  old  friends  such  as  Uncle 
Sam,  Black  Hawk,  Major  Bonnafon,  Tim- 
othy Eaton,  Merza  and  others  again  greeted 
me.  We  called  them  the  "  tender  large- 
flowering  varieties,"  and  how  ruthlessly 
we  pinched  and  pruned  to  obtain  those 
large  blooms  as  well  as  to  give  symmetry 
of  form  to  the  plant.  Then  after  all  our 
trouble  perhaps  a  bunch  of  Hardy  ones, 
which  had  received  no  attention  to  speak 
of,  would  carry  off  the  prize  for  Best 
Red  or  Best  Pink,  or  Yellow  regardless  of 
class.  For  it  is  true  that  the  Hardy 
Chrysanthemum  can  be  grown  to  perfec- 
tion with  comparatively  little  cultivation. 
At  the  time  of  the  Chrysanthemum  shows 
I  have  mentioned,  most  of  the  hardy  ones 
were  rather  small  and  not  considered  of 
much  value,  but  with  them  as  with  the 
Gladiolus,  the  hybridist  waved  his  wand 
and  a  wonderful  development  followed. 
From  a  few  ordinary  ones  have  come 
hundreds  of  distinct  new  varieties  that 
are  beautiful  in  both  form  and  color. 
These  are  divided  into  four  classes  called, 
The  Large-flowering  or  Aster  Varieties, 
Small  Button  Varieties,  The  Anemone, 
and  Single-flowered.  While  not  of  the 
size  of  the  Greenhouse  varieties  that  we 
see  at  the  great  fall  shows,  many  of  the 
Hardy  ones  mav  be  grown  to  very  good 
size,  if  side  buds  are  pinched  out  and 
only  one  flower  allowed  to  each  branch 
and,  of  course,  given  good  cultivation. 
Lillian  Doty  is  one  that  will  respond  to 
extra  care  and  pruning  by  producing 
large  globe-shaped  blooms.  The  Large- 
flowered  Hardy  ones  are  often  spoken  of 
as  the  Aster  varieties  because  of  their  re- 
semblance to  the  aster  in  form,  but  the 


quilled  and  incurved  ones  are  equally 
beautiful.  Their  greatest  attraction,  how- 
ever, is  in  their  sprays  which  are  charm- 
ing, and  it  is  hard  to  say  which  of  the  four 
classes  are  the  most  beautiful.  The  little 
Buttons  are  so  bright,  while  the  Anemones 
are  unequaled  in  gracefulness. 

A  few  of  the  very  pretty  ones  are  : 
Large-flowering — Bradshaw,  large  flowers 
of  silver  pink.  Queen  of  Whites,  long  stems. 
Windless,  orange  yellow,  large.  Julia  La- 
gravere,  crimson  maroon. 

Button  varieties— Ce?7se  Queen.  Doris, 
pure   bronze.     Alice   Carey,   pure  yellow. 

Anemone-flowered — Earl,  pearl  white 
with  silver  rose  center.  Barney,  golden 
bronze.     Garza,  white  with  quilled  petals. 

They  begin  to  blossom   in  September  \ 

and  continue  loaded  with   flowers  until  * 

severe  freezing  weather,  are  entirely 
hardy,  living  over  winter  without  pro- 
tection. Their  uses  are  many  and  are 
fast  becoming  a  necessity.  They  fit  in 
nicely  planted  beside  Paeonies  as  a  border 
for  drives,  the  bright  green  cut  foliage 
making  a  rich  background  for  the  Paeony 
blooms,  the  plants  of  which  in  turn  serve 
a  good  foil  for  the  mums  in  their  flower- 
ing season.  Nothing  will  brighten  the  /^ 
hardy   border  equal  to   the   Chrysanthe-  / 

mum  as  it  is  the  most  brilliant  autumn 
flower,  and  they  are  especially  beautiful 
dotting  the  shrubbery  of  the  foundation 
plantings  of  the  house.  Every  garden 
should  have  at  least  a  few  of  these  Au- 
tumn Beauties. 

In  order  to  be  able  to  appreciate  the 
skill  and  patience  of  the  professional 
grower  who  yearly  treats  us  to  a  feast  of 
beauty  at  the  great  November  Chrysan- 
themum shows,  it  is  well  to  try  growing 
a  few  of  the  tender  greenhouse  varieties 
for  self  educators,  and  even  if  they  do 
not  become  winners  they  will  brighten 
the  sun  room  anyway.  Get  ready  for 
them  now  by  starting  a  compost  heap. 
Using  one-third  good  stable  manure  to 
two-thirds  fresh  sod  and  a  generous  sprink- 
ling of  raw  bonemeal.  Shovel  it  over 
occasionally  so  that  it  will  become  evenly 
mixed,  and  when  well  rotted  will  be  an 
ideal  soil  for  Chrysanthemums  that  are 
to  be  grown  in  pots.  Select  a  few  good 
varieties  and  let  us  try  growing  them 
together.  Mrs.  A.  H.  Austin. 


Good  Roads,  Flowers,  Parks, 
Better  Schools,  Trees,  Pure  Water, 
Fresh  Air,  Sunshine  and  Work 
for  Everybody— these  things,  to  me, 
are  Religion. ^Robert  Collyer. 


Page 

22 


Ol)<t  Modern    (Gladiolus   (Brow(ir 


Feb. 

1917 


GARDEN  OF  S.  A.  STEVENS,  GREAT  DIAMOND  ISLAND,  PORTLAND,  MAINE. 

This  photograph  taken  late  in  the  season,  illustrating  method  of  supporting 

the  tall  flower  spikes  with  cord.    Planted  with  Mr.  Stevens'  bulb  planter 

illustrated  in  our  advertising  pages  this  month. 


Clay  vs.  Sand  in  Rose  Soil. 

My  roses  did  not  bloom  well  two  years 
ago  ;  the  buds  blasted,  the  new  growths 
were  not  as  strong  as  they  should  have 
been,  and  this  in  spite  of  plenty  of  water- 
ing and  preventive  treatment  for  black 
spot  and  other  diseases.  My  soil  was  a 
rich,  sandy  loam  and  from  the  way  that 
the  weeds  flourished  upon  adjoining  plots, 
it  was  apparent  that  1  could  not  attribute 
the  cause  of  my  failure  to  an  improper 
location.  As  I  had  only  a  few  plants, 
mostly  Hybrid  Teas  and  Marechal  Niels, 
I  decided  to  give  them  an  entirely  new 
soil  so  that  I  could  determine  whether  or 
not  it  affected  the  quality  of  the  bloom. 

About  that  time  I  chanced  to  read  an 
article  in  The  Garden  Magazine  advising 
a  clayey  loam  as  a  suitable  soil  for  all 
Roses.  I  knew  that  the  soil  in  which  my 
Roses  had  been  growing  was  deficient  in 
clay,  so  hunting  around  in  my  garden  I 
soon  located  the  proper  soil  in  a  weed 
patch.  This  I  cleared  about  the  middle 
of  January  and  scattered  over  it  a  small 
quantity  of  well  rotted  manure,  after 
which  the  soil  was  pulverized  to  a  depth 
of  two  feet,  the  manure  being  incorpor- 
ated with  it.  The  plants  were  then  moved. 


I  had  no  trouble  in  transplanting  the 
two-year  old  plants  ;  the  roots  were  taken 
up  with  a  spadeful  of  soil  and  they  hardly 
knew  that  they  had  been  moved  until  the 
roots  found  the  new  soil,  when  they  fairly 
jumped  into  active  growth. 

Last  April  the  first  blossom  appeared, 
not  the  small  half-opened  blighted  blos- 
som of  the  previous  spring,  but  a  bud 
that  formed  a  great  brilliant,  fragrant 
blossom.  The  size  and  color  of  all  my 
Roses  has  been  much  better  this  past 
summer  than  ever  before.  Especially  is 
this  true  of  the  Marechal  Niels  ;  they  have 
never  bloomed  so  freely  nor  has  their 
color  ever  been  more  intense.  All  of 
which  I  attribute  to  a  clay  soil. — Buford 
Reid  in  The  Garden  Magazine. 


We  would  call  attention  to  the  fact 
that  some  of  our  advertisers  this  month 
are,  for  introductory  purposes,  advertis- 
ing some  exceptionally  low  prices  on  some 
of  the  very  best  varieties  by  the  dozen 
and  by  the  hundred.  It  is  wise  to  take 
advantage  of  it  before  the  stock  is  all 
sold  out.  The  collections  advertised  also 
are  exceptionally  good  value  at  the  prices 
quoted. 


Feb. 

1917 


Ol)e  Mlo6errt  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Page 

23 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF  THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price: 
75c.  per  year, 
3  years  for  $1.50. 


OUR  MOTTO: 
Special  favort  to  none,  and  a  square  deal  to  all. 


Canadian  and  Foreign 

Subscription   Price 

$1.00  per  year 


Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 


Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

Tht  contents  of  THE  MODERN  GLjiDIOLUS  GROIVER  are  covered  by  ieneral  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  edittri  to 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  proper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  foilovus  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROff^ER.  Calcium.  N.Y.''  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations, 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


February,  1917 


No.  2 


Proper  Time  for 

Harvesting  Gladiolus  Corms. 

The  article  by  "  G.  C."  on  page  30  this 
month  is  a  very  interesting  and  vital  one 
to  Gladiolus  growers  and  it  is  hoped  that 
the  suggestions  made  in  this  article  will 
bring  out  further  comments  and  the  ex- 
perience of  other  growers. 

The  time  of  digging  necessarily  de- 
pends on  weather  conditions,  time  of 
planting,  size  of  the  crop,  etc.  Usually 
cormels  are  planted  first  in  the  spring 
and  are  dug  first  in  the  fall.  Many 
growers  begin  digging  their  cormel  or 
bulblet  grown  stock  in  early  September 
and  try  to  get  this  out  of  the  way  before 
their  general  digging  commences  in 
October.  It  is  a  tedious  and  laborious 
job  to  dig  this  small  stock  and  by  begin- 
ning in  September  it  avoids  the  dis- 
agreeable weather  which  is  likely  to  be 
encountered  later  on.  There  is  another 
reason  why  cormel  grown  stock  should 
be  dug  early.  The  foliage  or  tops  in 
September  is  usually  quite  strong  and 
can  be  used  for  lifting  the  corms.  Later 
in  the  fall  it  withers  and  is  easily  de- 
tached from  the  corms. 

Those  who  practice  planting  in  succes- 
sion to  get  a  long  period  of  bloom,  should, 
of  course,  figure  on    digging   the    latest 


planted  stock  the  last  in  the  fall.  We 
believe  it  is  not  good  practice  to  dig 
corms  immediately  after  blooming.  The 
corms  are  not  fully  developed  and  ma-  ( 
tured  at  that  time  and  cormels  are  com- 
paratively few  and  immature. 

Experienced  growers  have  noticed  that 
the  stock  which  is  dug  last  in  the  fall- 
say  about  November  1st,  has  more  and 
larger  cormels  than  the  stock  dug  earlier. 
It  seems  that  the  cormels  do  not  cease 
growing  when  the  foliage  is  killed  by 
frost.  Cormels  from  very  late  dug  stock, 
are  not  only  larger  but  more  mature  and 
have  greater  vitality  for  germination 
when  planted. 

We  have  never  experienced  the  root 
growth  on  new  corms  as  mentioned  by 
"  G.  C."  This  must  be  an  unusual  result 
caused  by  extraordinary  weather  condi- 
tions or  unusual  cultural  conditions.  Cer- 
tainly any  root  growth  from  the  new 
corms  which  must  be  lost,  weakens  them 
to  that  extent,  although  not  necessarily  a 
damage  which  may  be  readily  apparent. 

The  suggestion  of  "  G.  C,"  which  has 
been  made  by  other  growers,  to  wait  until 
the  foliage  shows  ripening  is  not  a  good 
guide.  Some  varieties  mature  their  foli- 
age much  earlier  than  others  and  some 
varieties  retain  green  foliage  until  very 
severe  frost.  So  far  as  we  can  see  whether 


Page 

24 


Obe  Mlodern  <Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Feb. 

1917 


a^ 


the  plant  bears  seed  or  not  has  little  in- 
fluence on  the  time  at  which  the  corm 
should  be  dug. 

Practical  considerations  have  more  in- 
fluence on  the  time  of  harvesting  the 
Gladiolus  corm  crop  than  anything  else. 
The  little  fellows  are  dug  first  because 
they  are  planted  first  and  ripen  first,  and 
because  the  job  is  a  difficult  one.  (By 
the  way,  an  invention  for  digging  cormel 
grown  stock  would  find  ready  sale.)  More 
mature  corms  are  dug  late  as  this  work 
may  be  rushed  and  it  is  not  so  difficult 
in  wet  or  cold  weather.  Generally  speak- 
ing, the  month  of  October  is  the  month 
for  digging  Gladioli  in  the  latitude  of 
New  York  and  New  England.  Some 
growers  are  still  digging  in  November, 
but  frozen  ground  may  be  encountered 
most  any  time  after  November  1st.  Sep- 
tember in  average  seasons  is  too  early  to 
begin  digging  the  general  crop  as  the 
corms  are  not  sufficiently  mature. 

Madison  Cooper. 

Price  Variation  for 

Gladiolus  Corms. 

The  question  of  variation  in  prices 
made  by  different  growers  continually 
comes  up.  Correspondents  write  in  and 
want  to  know  why  one  grower  asks  twice 
as  much  for  the  same  variety  as  another. 
We  beg  to  explain  again  that  this  does 
not  necessarily  follow  that  the  high  priced 
man  is  trying  to  get  more  than  the  article 
is  worth.  His  supply  may  be  small  and 
he  values  it  accordingly,  or  perhaps  the 
low  priced  man  has  a  surplus  stock  and 
he  is  for  this  reason  more  anxious  to  sell. 
Furthermore,  low  prices  sometimes  mean 
inferior  quality.  There  is  nothing  very 
fixed  about  this  matter  as  a  Gladiolus 
grower  will  readily  find  out  for  himself  if 
he  buys  the  corms  from  various  sources. 
Not  only  is  the  price  not  very  well  fixed 
but  the  quality  is  even  more  variable. 

Give  the  high  priced  man  credit  for 
good  intentions  until  you  have  proven 
differently.  His  stock  may  be  worth  all 
that  he  asks  for  it  as  compared  with  the 
low  priced  man. 


An  Example  of  Helpfulness. 

We  are  printing  in  another  column  an 
article  on  growing  Peonies  from  seed, 
written  by  a  man  88  years  of  age.  Here 
is  an  example  for  some  of  our  younger 
and  more  active  flower  lovers.  When  a 
man  of  this  age  can  find  time  and  has 
the  disposition  to  write  articles  for  publi- 
cation to  help  other  people,  certainly 
younger  men,  who  perhaps  plead  lack  of 
time  and  pressure  of  other  matters,  can 
do  something  if  they  will.  We  have  al- 
ready called  attention  to  the  fact  that 
those  who  have  information  and  facts 
which  will  be  helpful  to  other  people  and 
do  not  write  them  for  publication  are 
neglecting  a  positive  duty  to  their  fellow 
men.  Just  think  this  over  and  see  what 
you  can  do  for  the  benefit  of  others.  Those 
who  are  a  little  timid  about  having  their 
name  attached  to  a  published  article  may 
do  as  our  friend  of  88  years  has  done, 
simply  use  his  initial  letter.  Helping  the 
other  fellow  is  the  main  idea. 


One  of  our  subscribers  offers  a  sug- 
gestion about  the  use  of  a  typewriter  by 
Gladiolus  growers.  He  says  he  is  sur- 
prised to  note  the  shabby  appearance  of 
the  majority  of  their  letters  and  that  some 
of  the  largest  growers  write  on  common 
paper  without  letterhead,  and  that  some 
of  them  use  a  lead  pencil.  He  suggests 
that  Gladiolus  growers  should  provide 
themselves  with  a  typewriter  and  send 
out  creditable  letters.  We  have  already 
had  this  suggestion  in  the  columns  of 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  and 
certainly  it  should  not  need  repeating. 

Our  subscriber  has  the  further  sug- 
gestion to  offer  that  those  who  use  type- 
writers should  keep  the  type  clean  and 
not  let  it  clog  up.  Certainly  typewriting 
from  a  machine  that  is  balking,  out  of 
order,  and  dirty  is  pretty  nearly  as  bad  as 
handwriting,  sometimes  worse.  Those 
who  are  careless  about  such  matters  will 
perhaps  plead  lack  of  time,  but  really 
there  is  no  excuse  for  not  sending  a  good 
appearing  letter  to  a  stranger. 


Feb. 

1917 


O^e  Mlo6ern  (Gladiolus  (Browcr 


Page 

25 


An  Eminent  Gladiolus  Grower 

Passes  to  His  Great  Reward. 


WITH  the  passing  of  Frank  Smart 
Morton  the  Gladiolus  industry 
loses  one  of  its  most  valuable  as- 
sets. Mr.  Morton  died  at  his  home  in 
Portland,  Maine,  on  January  1,  1917.  He 
had  been  confined  to  the  house  for  a 
number  of  days  and  while  his  condition 
had  been  serious  his  immediate  death  was 
not  expected.  His 
death  was  due  to 
pneumonia  which 
was  unusually  severe 
because  of  a  nervous 
breakdown  from 
which  he  had  been 
suffering  for  some 
time.  He  was,  how- 
ever, able  to  con- 
tinue his  duties  as 
Assistant  Business 
Manager  of  the  Port- 
land Evening  Express 
up  to  within  a  short 


time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Morton  was 
born  June  9,  1860,  at 
Winthrop,  Maine. 
After  graduating 
from  High  School  in 
his  native  town  he 
devoted  his  spare 
time  to  writing  for 
publication,  much  of 
his  material  appear- 
ing in  the  Portland 
Daily  Press.  His  work 
in  this  line  was  of  a 
high  order  and  at- 
tracted the  attention 
of  the  publishers  of 
the  Press  who  induced  him  to  locate  in 
Portland. 

On  reaching  Portland  Mr.  Morton  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Portland  Daily 
Press  and  undertook  to  learn  the  printers' 
trade,  but  after  serving  a  time  at  the 
printers'  case  the  confining  work  under- 
mined his  health  and  he  was  transferred 
to  the  counting  room.  The  outdoor  work 
in  connection  with  collecting  restored  his 
health  and  from  time  to  time  he  was 
given  more  responsible  duties  and  finally 
became  business  manager,  having  full 
charge  of  the  paper,  and  not  only  the 
mechanical  departments,  but  the  business 
department  as  well. 

Mr.  Morton  was  continuously  in  the 
employ  of  the  Portland  Daily  Press  for 
nearly  30  years,  during  which  time  he 
made  many    improvements  and  he    con- 


The  Late  Frank  S.  Morton. 


tinned  with  the  paper  until  it  took  over 
the  Portland  Daily  Advertiser  when  he 
continued  as  manager  until  it  was  ab- 
sorbed by  the  Portland  Evening  Express 
in  1909.  Mr.  Morton  was  Assistant  Busi- 
ness Manager  of  the  Portland  Evening 
Express  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

As  a  student  of  nature,  Mr.  Morton  was 
prominent  in  local 
circles  and  he  was 
particularly  inter- 
ested  in  natural  his- 
tory and  an  active 
member  of  the  Port- 
land Society  of  Nat- 
ural History,  being 
Vice  President  of  this 
organization  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 
With  the  microscope 
he  had  reached  a  high 
point  of  efficiency, 
becoming  expert  on 
marine  zoology.  He 
had  made  a  close 
study  of  birds  and 
small  animals  and 
was  a  student  of 
their  life  and  habits. 
But  it  was  as  a 
fancier  of  flowers 
that  our  readers 
chiefly  knew  Mr. 
Morton.  Not  only 
was  he  a  very  pro- 
ficient judge  of  Gladi- 
oli, but  he  had  ac- 
cumulated a  collec- 
tion of  several  hun- 
dred of  the  most 
meritorious  varieties  in  commerce  and 
had  produced  some  unusual  seedlings  of 
his  own  hybridizing.  None  of  these  have 
as  yet  been  placed  on  the  market.  Al- 
though only  an  amateur  grower,  few  men 
were  better  posted  on  nomenclature  and 
varieties  than  Mr.  Morton.  He  was 
especially  familiar  with  the  French  varie- 
ties. As  one  of  the  judges  at  the  last 
flower  show  of  the  American  Gladiolus 
Society,  the  work  of  Mr.  Morton  was 
most  satisfactory.  We  believe  that  we 
are  not  exaggerating  in  saying  that  no 
single  member  of  the  American  Gladiolus 
Society  has  done  as  much  for  its  welfare 
as  Mr.  Morton.  He  had  been  on  impor- 
tant committees  and  his  name  had  been 
mentioned  for  president  of  the  society. 

Readers  of  The   Modern   Gladiolus 
Grower  are  familiar  with  the  writings  of 


Page 

26 


Ob<i  ^tto6^r^^  (Gladiolus   (Grower 


Feb. 

1917 


Mr.  Morton  on  the  Gladiolus.  His  writings 
were  always  concise,  entertaining  and 
helpful.  The  Editor  feels  the  loss  of  Mr. 
Morton  as  a  personal  one  as  he  had  been 
a  staunch  and  consistent  friend  in  every 
possible  way.  From  the  very  start  he 
took  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  and 
has  assisted  it  and  its  Editor  in  a  most 
unselfish  and  efficient  manner  and  for  no 
other  reason  than  natural  goodness  of 
heart,  the  accomplishing  of  useful  work, 
and  a  disposition  to  assist  a  worthy 
cause. 

Resolutions  of  respect  and  sympathy 
were  adopted  by  the  Maine  Daily  News- 
I  paper  Association  and  by  the  Portland 
(  Society  of  Natural  History  as  well  as  by 
other  organizations  with  which  Mr.  Mor- 
ton was  connected. 

Mr.  Morton  is  survived  by  one  daughter, 
Margaret.  Mrs.  Morton  died  less  than  a 
year  ago.  The  daughter  has  the  heart- 
felt sympathy  of  Mr.  Morton's  associates 
and  all  who  know  her. 

Peonies  from  Seed. 

[l  Peony  seeds  should  not  be  allowed  to 

become  dry  after  ripening,  but  be  planted 
at  once  in  rich  mellow  soil.  The  seed 
bed  should  be  mulched  with  light  litter 
to  prevent  drying  of  the  seed  during 
winter,  and  also  especially  as  protection 
from  early  spring  frosts,  as  the  plants 
begin  to  come  through  during  the  first 
warm  days  in  spring,  and  then  are  almost 
as  tender  as  young  tomato  plants.  Under 
careful  management  seedlings  should  be- 
gin to  bloom  the  third  year  from  seed. 
Peony  seeds  that  drop  from  blooming 
plants  falling  to  the  ground,  protected  by 
the  foliage  and  litter  come  up  freely  the 
following  spring. 

Few  of  the  finer  Peonies  produce  seed. 
I  have  grown  Peony  officinalis  Rubra 
Plena  more  than  75  years,  and  although 
the  plants  produce  seed  pods  freely,  I 
have  never  been  able  to  find  a  single 
seed.  This  is  the  "piney"  of  our  grand- 
mothers' gardens,  a  native  of  Switzer- 
land. Has  been  in  cultivation  in  English 
and  American  gardens  more  than  100 
years  and  still  one  of  the  best  early  flow- 
ering varieties.  In  bloom,  in  the  central 
west  about  Decoration  Day.  P.  Karl 
Rosenfield,  one  of  the  new  candidates  for 
favor,  a  large  very  dark  red  one,  seeds 
freely. 

Single  peonies  produce  seeds  more 
freely  than  double  flowering  sorts,  and  by 
some  are  considered  more  highly.  The 
blooms  stand  out  more  boldly,  and  at 
least  add  variety.  E. 


Who  Are  Amateurs  ? 

Editor  Florists '  Exchange : 

Nathan  A.  Miller  writes  under  this  title 
in   The  Exchaiige  of  Dec.   23.     His  letter       / 
contains  three  outstanding  points  as  fol-       ^ 
lows: 

First :  An  amateur  should  not  sell  his 
product.  This  point  has  already  been 
covered  so  fully  that  it  really  does  not 
need  further  explanation,  but  it  has  been 
demonstrated,  and  doubtless  will  be  dem- 
onstrated again,  that  if  floral  societies 
make  rules  debarring  exhibitors  from  the 
amateur  class  if  they  sell  any  of  their 
product,  or  products,  there  will  be  so  few 
entries  as  to  make  this  class  of  no  con- 
sequence. This  was  demonstrated  at  the 
last  show  of  the  American  Gladiolus  So- 
ciety. There  were  36  separate  prizes 
offered  in  the  "small  amateur"  class  — 
those  growing  less  than  1000  bulbs.  There 
was  just  exactly  one  person  entered  and 
only  for  a  few  of  the  different  prizes. 

Second :  Amateur  athletes  are  not  al- 
lowed to  compete  for  cash.  Athletics  and 
flower  growing  are  two  different  proposi- 
tions and  cannot  be  compared  at  all. 
This  is  easily  understood  when  it  is  noted 
that  a  large  portion  of  the  prizes  offered 
to  amateurs  in  floriculture  consists  of 
cash,  whereas  no  cash  is  allowed  in  any 
form  or  shape  in  connection  with  ama-  y 
teur  athletics.  v 

Third :  The  small  amateur  should  be 
considered.  He  is  certainly  entitled  to 
consideration,  but  just  how  to  give  him 
consideration  is  the  problem.  The  only 
possible  way  it  can  be  done,  so  far  as  the 
writer  can  figure  out,  is  to  make  a  class 
for  a  very  limited  number  of  blooms  and 
not  allow  those  who  compete  in  this  class 
to  compete  in  any  of  the  other  classes. 
In  other  words,  those  who  compete  in  the 
open,  professional,  gardener  or  advanced 
amateur  classes  or  in  the  regular  ama- 
teur class,  should  not  be  allowed  to  com- 
pete for  the  limited  number  of  spikes, 
which  are  properly  the  field  of  the  small 
amateur. 

It  may  be  suggested  that  expression  of 
opinion  on  this  subject  should  be  made 
with  a  prize  schedule  in  hand.  Abstract 
suggestions,  without  applying  them  spe- 
cifically to  classification  and  prize  list, 
are  not  essentially  helpful.— Madison 
Cooper  in  Florists'  Exchange. 


From  reports  received  it  seems  that 
first  size  corms  and  possibly  second  size 
corms  of  the  standard  varieties  will  be  ( 
sold  out  before  planting  season.  It  is 
probable  that  there  will  be  a  shortage 
this  year. 


Feb. 

1917 


Ol)(i  Mtodern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Page 

27 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


■  )  STORING  GLADIOLUS  CORMS. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

I  notice  in  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  just  received,  that  a  writer  in 
Wallace's  Farmer  advises  storing  Gladi- 
olus bulbs  in  barrels.  I  would  strongly 
advise  not  to  do  this  as  they  are  ex- 
tremely likely  to  heat,  sweat  and  grow  if 
stored  in  bulk  in  any  deep  receptacle. 
The  ordinary  California  half-bushel  box 
or  an  apple  box  cut  in  two,  is  about  deep 
enough  and  somewhat  open,  which  is  de- 
sirable. These  boxes  can  be  set  a  little 
distance  apart  lengthwise  and  the  next 
tier  set  so  as  to  bridge  over  the  spaces, 
leaving  a  similar  space  over  the  middle 
of  the  first  tier.  This  not  only  gives  air 
but  also  gives  a  chance  to  reach  into  each 
and  every  box  without  moving  the  one 
above.  Berry  crates,  though  deeper,  will 
do  very  well,  owing  to  their  open  con- 
struction. For  storing  quantities  I  use  a 
lath  bottom  crate  about  four  inches  wide 
on  one  side  and  two  on  the  other,  five 
inches  high  at  the  ends.  This  gives  good 
space  between  when  piled  and  I  can  reach 
into  the  crates.  A  board  four  inches  wide 
crosswise  in  the  middle  gives  stiffness  to 

Wj      the  bottom.  Geo.  S.  Woodruff. 

DATE  OF  BLOOMING. 
To  THE  Editor  :— 

The  article  under  the  above  caption, 
signed  "G.  C."  which  appeared  in  the 
December  issue,  is  very  interesting,  but 
would  have  been  of  greater  value  had  the 
writer  given  us  the  number  of  days  that 
expired  between  the  date  of  planting  and 
the  date  of  blossoming,  of  the  varieties 
cited.    Will  he  not  publish  such  a  list  ? 

All  growers  will  agree  with  Mr.  D'om- 
brian,  quoted  by  "G.  C.,"  that  it  is  much 
better  to  defer  planting  if  the  ground  is 
sodden— he  might  have  said  also,  if  the 
ground  is  cold.  I  do  not,  however,  un- 
derstand Mr.  D'ombrian's  statement  that 
it  does  not  "  make  much  difference  as  to 
their  time  of  flowering  whether  you  plant 
early  or  late."  He,  of  course,  cannot 
mean  just  what  his  words  imply,  and  I 
am  asking  myself,  what  does  he  mean  ? 

It  is  quite  true  that  under  the  average 
conditions  the  bulbs  planted  on  May  5th, 
for  an    example,    will    bloom    about    the 

Dsame  date  as  those  which  were  planted 
on  April  15th.  That  is  a  mere  coinci- 
dence, however,  and  should  not  be  ac- 
cepted as  evidence  that  the  date  of  bloom- 
ing depends  upon    anything  inherent    in 


the  bulbs,  for  if  you  defer  planting  the 
late  group  until  June  5th,  the  blossoms 
will  appear  correspondingly  late. 

The  size  of  the  bulb  influences  the  time 
of  blooming  somewhat,  for,  as  a  rule,  the 
first  size  bulbs  will  bloom  earlier  than 
will  those  of  the  smaller  sizes.  The  prin- 
cipal influences,  I  think,  in  determining  the 
date  of  blooming,  is  the  condition  of  the 
soil  at  the  time  the  bulbs  are  planted,  and 
secondary  to  this  is  the  weather  condi- 
tions. If  the  bulbs  are  put  into  soil  that 
is  cold  their  growth  will  be  retarded  and 
they  will  receive  a  check  from  which  it 
will  take  them  some  time  to  recover, 
though  the  blossoms  will  be  hastened  if 
during  their  growth  the  plants  are  favored  '  x 
with    an  abundance  of  strong   sunshine  } 

and  an  abundance  of  moisture. 

To  put  the  matter  in  other  words :  The 
bulbs  planted  late  in  the  season  are  sure 
to  bloom  in  a  fewer  number  of  days  by 
having  a  warm  bed  to  lie  in  at  the  start 
and  will  be  helped  along  by  suitable 
weather  conditions. 

Another  factor  which  should  have  rec- 
ognition here  is  the  condition  of  the  bulbs 
at  the  time  they  are  planted.  If  they  ,-^ 
are  allowed  to  become  very  dry — to  lose  '  ^ 
all  their  moisture— they  will  not  germi- 
nate quickly,  and  will  mature  slowly,  and 
if  extremely  shrivelled  they  will  never 
germinate. 

Montague  Chamberlain. 


NATIONAL  flower— ABOUT  THE  IRIS. 

I  have  read  with  interest  what  Mr. 
Kunderd  has  to  say  in  your  January  is- 
sue about  the  iris.  He  gives  it  no  more 
than  its  due  and  I  believe  every  word  he 
says  of  its  beauty  and  its  coming  popu- 
larity. 

As  for  a  National  Flower,  however,  I 
would  not  even  consider  it.  In  the  first 
place  while  it  is  found  "wild"  or  native  in 
this  country  I  do  not  believe  it  is  as  well 
known  nor  as  widely  distributed  as  the 
Goldenrod,  or  even  the  Wild  Rose,  or  a 
number  of  other  flowers  that  I  might 
name. 

Possibly  I  have  the  wrong  view  of  what 
is  most  appropriate  for  a  national  flower 
but  I  feel  very  strongly  that  it  should  be 
one  that  flourishes  in  the  "wild"  state  and 
is  most  universally  distributed  through- 
out the  country ;  one  that  is  vigorous, 
hardy,  beautiful  and  that  makes  the  most 
of  all  conditions  and  circumstances  and 
needs  no  petting  or  artificial  surroundings 
to  set  forth  its  beauty. 

Let's  develop  the  Iris;  let's  make  it  as 
near  perfect  and  as  universally  admired  as 
the  Gladiolus;  but  for  the  National  Flow- 


Page 

28 


X3l)e  ^o6ern  (Bladlolus  ©rower 


Feb. 
1917 


er,  can  we  not  retain  a  really  "wildflower" 
such  as  every  one  may  know  in  its  native 
surroundings  ?  Geo.  A.  Whitney. 

American  Use  of  Cut  Flowers. 

We  do  not  see  many  advertisements  of 
flowers  in  the  daily  papers  or  magazines 
at  this  time,  although  we  do  see  plenty  of 
advertisements  calling  attention  to  the 
merits  of  certain  brands  of  apples  and 
oranges;  while  chocolates  and  other 
things  as  gifts  for  this  Christmas  season 
are  also  liberally  advertised.  There  is 
no  superabundance  of  flowers  or  plants 
this  year,  which  would  account  for  the 
lack  of  advertising,  as  all  are  expected  to 

(\)        be  sold  in  the  ordinary  course. 

'  Flowers  have  become  a  prominent  fea- 

ture in  the  homes  of  all  the  well-to-do,  and 
in  the  first-class  hotels.  This  fact  has 
been  remarked  many  times  by  writers 
visiting  this  country  from  abroad.  An 
English  journalist,  Stanley  Brooks,  dis- 
cussing Washington,  D.  C,  in  the  New 
York  Times  last  Sunday,  laid  special  stress 
on  the  prodigality  of  rare  flowers  that  are 
used  on  the  dining  tables  of  Washington 

/^ll        society  and    in  the    houses   of    the    rich 

^'-  people  of  the  capitol.  That  a  writer, 
looking  through  a  stranger's  eyes,  should 
make  special  mention  of  this  fact  in  a 
discussion  of  the  outstanding  features  of 
Washington  and  of  the  life  of  that  city, 
struck  us  as  being  very  noteworthy. 

Writing  up  the  life  of  the  late  Charles 
Boldt,  the  famous  hotel  man  who  died  in 
New  York  very  recently,  one  writer  men- 
tioned that  Mr.  Boldt  was  the  first  to 
use  flowers  on  a  large  scale  in  hotel  dec- 
orations. Certainly  floral  decorations  in 
the  halls  and  rooms  of  hotels,  and  ex- 
terior decorations  of  flowering  or  ever- 
green plants,  are  a  part  of  the  scheme  of 
things.  The  floral  decorating  extends 
also  to  our  railroad  trains,  automobiles 
and  steamships,  not  forgetting  the  part 
that  flowers  play  in  personal  adornment, 
of  the  women  folks  particularly.— /^/or- 
ists'  Exchange. 

American  Gladiolus  Society. 

The  variety  Prosperity  is  offered  for 
registration  by  Arthur  Cowee,  Berlin,  N.Y. 
If  no  objections  are  filed  with  the  com- 
mittee requiring  the  withdrawal  of  the 
name,  the  registration  will  become  com- 
plete January  30,  1917.  The  following  is 
a  description: 

The  plant  is  tall,  most  striking,  and  at- 
tractive. Its  massive  proportions,  broad, 
heavy  foliage  of  a  rich  green,  erect  and 
vigorous  habit  of  growth,  give  evidence 
of    a   strong   constitution.      Flowers  are 


large.  Color  is  a  bright  rose  shading  to 
madder-lake,  except  the  last  segment, 
which  has  a  chamois-yellow  base.  An- 
thers violet,  styles  white.  Unsurpassed 
as  a  keeper.  A.  C.  Beal,  Chairman. 


■ 

i 

■ 

^^^Dfl^^^l 

F^\i  1     1 

i^^^BvQu^^l 

P^l 

A.            ^ 

^yLt-i^JI 

HH^'  ' 

h'b'  ^.^ 

^^9^^ 

3^  ?  ^_ 

iM 

1 

jtgy^Bi 

H 

Gladiolus — Europa. 

Grown  in  1916  by  A.  M.  Snyder,  Belle- 
fontaine,  Ohio,  from  %"  corms. 

Europa  is  quite  notional  as  to  its  en- 
vironment and  many  growers  claim  they 
can  do  nothing  with  it  and  have  discarded 
it  for  this  reason.  That  it  is  subject  to 
disease,  there  is  no  question,  but  its  ex- 
treme purity  of  color  makes  it  very  de- 
sirable where  it  can  be  successfully 
grown.  The  editor  has  made  the  state- 
ment that  if  it  were  necessary  to  plant 
one  hundred  corms  of  Europa  to  get  one 
good  bloom,  he  would  still  be  willing  to 
do  it. 

Mr.  Snyder  reports  with  reference  to 
Europa  as  follows : 

"  I  tested  it  with  three  other  white 
ones.  Glory  of  Holland,  Lily  Lehmann  and 
Rochester  White,  and  it  far  surpassed 
either  of  them  in  growth  of  plant  and 
spike  of  bloom.  With  me  it  is  a  strong 
grower  and  the  best  white  I  have  ever 
tried.  I  had  Rochester  White  in  1915  and 
it  then  showed  a  decided  weakness  and 
this  year  it  did  not  show  a  single  bloom 
with  same  care  of  the  others." 


Jelle  Roos  promises  to  have  Daisy  Rand 
in  color  in  the  March  issue. 


Feb. 
1917 


Ob&  Mlo6ern  (Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Page 
29 


The  Dahlia. 

By  Joe  Coleman. 
[Continued  from  January  issue,  page  10.] 


SOME  seasons  are  more  favorable  for 
success  in  growing  and  flowering 
Dahlias  than  others.  The  past  sea- 
son (1916)  was  particularly  bad  due  to 
the  extreme  heat  and  dry  conditions.  But 
it  would  take  several  disastrous  seasons 
to  lessen  the  ardor  of  the  Dahlia  enthusi- 
ast ;  and  the  many  are  now  planning  and 
hoping  for  a  gorgeous  show  that  only  the 
"  King  of  Autumn  "  can  give. 

Would  that  it  could  be  impressed  upon 
the  beginner,  or,  for  that  matter,  the  dear 
old  lady  who  has  had  her  "  old-fashioned 
show  Dahlias"  for  the  past  fifty  years,  that 
this  plant  is  a  cool  weather  flower  and 
should  not  be  planted  early.  With  the 
thrills  and  inspiration  of  the  few  first 
warm  days,  out  come  the  Dahlia  clumps 
and  in  the  ground  they  go,  oftentimes  a 
whole  clump  of  a  dozen  tubers  planted  in 
one  place.  Throughout  the  middle  states 
May  10-20,  or  even  June  1,  is  ample  time 
for  the  plants  to  make  their  quick  growth 
and  flower  by  the  first  of  September.  If 
planted  early  the  Dahlia  has  a  long  period 
of  growth,  the  wood  becomes  hard,  and 
only  inferior  blooms,  if  any,  are  the  re- 
sult. As  the  Dahlia  must  bloom  on  soft 
wood,  and  should  the  mistake  have  been 
made  of  early  planting,  about  the  first  of 
July  cut  away  or  prune  severely,  leaving 
about  a  third  of  the  plant  up  from  the 
ground.  By  so  doing  new,  soft  growth 
starts  that  in  most  cases  will  give  good 
flowers  at  the  proper  time. 

Only  plant  a  single  tuber  in  a  place  ; 
this  rule  should  be  strictly  adhered  to, 
and  if  more  than  one  eye  starts  from  the 
tuber,  after  the  sprouts  are  several  inches 
high  cut  away  all  but  the  strongest.  Decid- 
edly one  of  the  best  methods  of  growing 
the  choicest  blooms  is  using  green  plants. 
To  our  mind  a  plant  is  better  than  a 
tuber,  provided  when  the  slip  is  taken 
that  a  small  portion  of  the  base  meat  of 
the  tuber  is  attached  to  the  sprout.  Other- 
wise if  a  slip  is  taken  at  a  joint  and  not 
at  the  base,  the  plant  would  succeed 
equally  well,  but  many  times  only  a  fibrous 
growth  would  result  and  no  tuber  forma- 
tion to  be  kept  over  for  another  season's 
stock. 

A  sunny  location  is  essential.  If  one 
is  fortunate  enough  to  have  a  piece  of 
high  ground  that  is  nojt  subject  to  the 
early  frosts,  so  much  the  better.  The  re- 
mark is  often  heard  that  Dahlias  succeed 


best  on  poor  soil,  but  such  an  assertion  is 
erroneous.  It  is  true  that  the  Dahlia,  so 
far  as  soil  conditions  are  concerned,  is 
less  particular  than  many  other  plants. 
If  the  soil  should  be  too  rich  the  plant 
makes  a  rank  growth  and  few  flowers  are 
the  result.  The  average  garden  soil  of 
good  fertility  is  about  proper.  While  not 
absolutely  necessary  a  grower  is  repaid  in 
larger  and  better  blooms  by  feeding  the  x 

plants  at  blooming   time   liquid   manure  ./ 

once  a  week.  It  is  our  purpose  to  give 
just  the  A  B  C  of  Dahlia  culture,  and  not 
go  into  the  details  of  the  processes  of  the 
professional  exhibitor  who  feeds  his  plants 
bone  flour,  expensive  fertilizers,  &c.,  for  the 
production  of  mammoth  exhibition  blooms. 
The  writer  has  had  excellent  results  by 
incorporating  into  the  soil  where  each 
plant  or  tuber  is  to  be  set  a  shovelful  of 
coal  ashes.  The  Dahlia  seems  to  take  /-^ 
kindly  to  the  moisture  retaining  qualities  '  J 
of  the  ashes. 

[To  be  continued.] 


American  Dahlia  Society. 

The  December  Bulletin  of  the  Society, 
Vol.  I,  No.  5,  published  for  the  Society  by 
J.  Harrison  Dick,  Sec'y,  at  1426  Seventy- 
third  street,  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,  has  just  been 
received.  It  is  a  bright,  interesting  Bulletin. 
It  gives,  in  its  compact  eight  pages,  an 
account  of  the  second  annual  exhibition  of 
the  society,  a  copy  of  the  society's  consti- 
tution and  by-laws,  society  news,  cultural 
notes  and  other  information  of  interest  to 
Dahlia  growers.  There  is  also  shown  a 
facsimile  of  the  new  attractively  engraved 
certificate  of  merit,  awarded  only  to  the 
best  seedling  novelties  of  the  year.  The 
actual  size  of  the  certificate  is  ISxlOJ 
inches,  and  in  its  border  are  illustrated 
the  various  types  of  Dahlias. 


The  variety  Willy  Wigman  which  was 
criticised  in  the  December  issue,  is  re- 
ported by  W.  E.  Fryer,  Mantorville,  Minn., 
as  standing  the  heat  of  the  summer  of 
1916  as  well  as  any  white  variety.  He 
also  reports  the  foliage  healthy  and  the 
bulbs  large  and  clean  when  dug. 


Don't  forget  to  plant  some  seed  this 
year.  It  can  be  had  from  most  of  our 
advertisers. 


Page 

30 


T5\)t  ytiobtrn  <Bla6lolu5  (Brower 


Feb. 
1917 


Time  for  Digging  Gladioli. 

"  After  the  flowering  season  they  begin  to  dry 
off,  and  towards  the  end  of  October  or  beginning 
of  November  many  of  them  will  be  fit  to  take  up." 
-Rev.  H.  H.  D'Ombrian,  25th  Aug.  1891. 

"  Bulbs  should  be  dug  before  the  plants  are  too 
ripe.  In  the  fall  before  hard  frosts,  dig  the  bulbs 
and  cut  off  the  tops."— A.  E.  Kunderd. 

"  All  bulbs  should  be  lifted  on  the  approach  of 
autumn  frosts.  It  is  not  necessary  to  wait  till 
the  foliage  dies  down."— Mrs.  G.  H.  Atkinson, 
1914. 

"  Dig  the  bulbs  in  October,  and  immediately 
cut  off  the  stalks  a  half  inch  from  the  bulb." — 
L.  Merton  Gage,  1916. 

"  In  November,  before  the  approach  of  frost. 
Gladioli  should  be  lifted."— Barr  &  Sons,  1916. 

"  The  time    of  lifting   the    corms    should    be 

/T~         carefully  attended  to,  as  it  is  a  point  of  great  im- 

(I  I        portance  in  preventing    their  decay.    No  harm 

'  will  arise  from  early  lifting,  even  if  it  is  done  as 

soon  as  the  spikes  of  bloom  are  cut."— J.  Kelway, 

9th  September,  1890. 

On  September  23rd,  I  proceeded  to  act 
on  the  last  mentioned  advice.  The  ground 
was  dry  and  the  corms  came  up  quite 
clean  and  very  plump ;  but  some  of  the 
new  corms  had  considerable  new  root 
growth.  I  do  not  remember  noticing 
this  in  previous  years,  even  when  the 
/Ik  corms  have  been  left  in  the  ground  until 
'I-  a  much  later  date.  I  have,  as  will  be 
gathered  from  the  above  quotations, 
looked  up  a  good  many  authorities,  but 
can  find  no  mention  of  roots  being  thrown 
out  by  the  new  corm. 

The    Rev.    D'Ombrian   goes  on  to  say  : 

"As  I  do  not  care  to  save  seed,  I  cut 
off  the  flower  stems  as  soon  as  they  have 
bloomed,  take  away  the  stakes,  and  then, 
as  they  show  symptoms  of  ripening,  take 
them  up." 

Some  of  the  corms  I  lifted  had  borne 
seed,  but  were  still  gross  and  green,  and 
it  was  chiefly  on  account  of  the  dry 
weather  that  I  started  lifting  the  crop. 
Now  the  question  arises :  "  What  effect, 
if  any,  will  the  premature  rooting  have  on 
next  year's  flowers  ?" 

This  year  has  been  peculiar  in  weather 
conditions,  so  far  as  my  recollection  goes, 
in  relation  to  the  Gladiolus.  The  corms 
were  planted  in  dry  weather,  and  growth 
was  slow  over  a  very  long  period,  and  the 
foliage,  what  there  was,  had  more  the 
appearance  of  autumn  than  spring. 
Watering  had  to  be  taken  in  hand,  which 
was  followed,  very  fortunately,  by  warm 
showers  which  soon  put  a  new  appear- 
ance on  the  plants,  and  they  grew  and 
bloomed,  with  one  or  two  exceptions, 
profusely.  So  far  as  appearance  goes 
the  foliage  is  still  gross  and  green,  but 
evidently  the  time  has  arrived  when  all 
of,'them  should  be  taken  out  of  the  ground. 

It  would  appear  that  the  appearance  of 


the  foliage  is  not  always  a  sure  guide  for 
lifting,  and  it  would  be  better  to  leave  a 
spike  or  two  to  seed  and  lift  as  soon  after 
the  seed  is  ripe  as  is  convenient.        G.  C. 


The  Cheering  Effect  of  Flowers. 

Physicians  at  the  Battle  Creek  Sani- 
tarium, Michigan,  prescribe  flowers  for 
their  patients  just  the  same  as  they  would 
order  a  massage  or  an  application  of 
electricity.  The  influence  of  flowers  in 
lightening  sorrow  and  suffering  has  al- 
ways been  recognized,  but  their  employ- 
ment as  an  actual  remedy  is  recent. 

When  a  patient  is  feeling  depressed, 
the  physician  orders  a  vase  of  flowers  or 
a  blooming  plant,  and  the  effect  is  pro- 
nounced. When  a  person  is  confined  to 
his  bed  for  a  long  time  it  often  diverts 
his  mind  to  have  a  plant  near  the  bed 
which  he  can  watch  as  the  buds  grow  in- 
to flowers. 

A  rich  man  who  had  had  an  operation 
at  the  Sanitarium,  and  was  preparing  to 
go  home,  asked  the  florist  of  the  institu- 
tion if  he  might  take  with  him  a  little 
Asparagus  plant  which  was  in  his  room. 
■'  Of  course,  you're  welcome  to  it,"  was 
the  answer,  "  but  it  will  be  a  bother  to 
carry  it  so  far.  You  can  buy  one  like  it 
at  home  for  a  few  cents." 

"  It  isn't  a  question  of  money,"  said  the 
patient.  "I  want  to  have  it  properly 
packed  and  shipped  by  express.  I  have 
watched  that  plant  for  eight  long  weeks 
when  I  lay  in  bed  and  I  have  come  to 
love  it."  It  is  doubtful  whether  any  other 
institution  in  the  country  pursues  such  a 
liberal  and  intelligent  policy  in  regard  to 
flowers  as  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium, 
and  a  similar  policy  on  the  part  of  hotels 
and  sanitariums  generally  would  be  not 
only  a  boon  to  the  florist  trade  but  to 
humanity  as  well. — Florists'  Exchange. 


Gladiolus. 

If  you  wish  a  flower  that  is  sure  to 
satisfy,  plant  the  Gladiolus.  Last  sum- 
mer we  had  drouth,  and  almost  cloud- 
bursts, long  rainy  seasons  when  other 
plants  just  succumbed,  but  the  glorious 
Gladioli  braved  it  through  and  at  the 
end  of  August  were  just  one  gorgeous 
plot  of  color,  the  plants  standing  almost 
four  feet  high  in  some  instances.  When 
I  try  to  describe  the  immense  blossoms, 
so  rich  in  their  orchid  coloring,  I  have 
to  admit  that  no  words  can  rightly  convey  S 
their  beauty.  One  just  has  to  grow  them  ^ 
to  know.— Mrs.  E.  C.  Torrey,  in  Parks 
Floral  Magazine. 


"*.^  DEPARTMENT  =^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.] — Editor. 


Growing  Gladioli  from  Bulblets. 

To  THE  Editor:  — 

Is  it  any  secret  how  to  plant  and  raise  bulblets  ? 
This  season  I  had  quite  a  few  and  gave  them  to  a 
friend.  The  little  bulblets  did  not  do  well.  In 
fact,  they  all  rotted  in  the  ground.  I  am  inclined 
to  try  my  luck  next  spring  on  a  few.  I  believe 
very  early  planting  advisable,  about  the  time  you 
put  out  onion  sets.  We  new  beginners  have  it 
all  to  learn.  W.  L.  T. 

Answer  .-—There  is  a  vast  difference  in 
the  vitality  of  cormels  of  different  varie- 
ties and  where  some  varieties  will  stand 
almost  any  treatment  and  pretty  nearly 
all  of  them  germinate,  others  are  difficult 
to  make  grow  in  reasonable  percentage 
even  with  the  most  careful  handling. 

Failure  to  germinate  is  more  often  owing 
to  the  fact  that  the  cormels  are  allowed 
to  dry  out  than  to  any  other  one  reason. 
After  digging,  if  cormels  are  properly 
aired  and  exposed  to  the  sun,  they  may 
be  packed  in  reasonably  dry  sand  or  soil 
in  tubs,  boxes  or  barrels  and  kept  in  good 
condition  throughout  the  winter  in  an 
ordinary  cellar.  They  should  be  examined 
from  time  to  time  to  see  that  they  are  not 
molding. 

Your  suggestion  that  the  cormels  rotted 
in  the  ground  is  probably  not  correct  un- 
less they  were  already  rotted  before 
planting.  Instead  of  rotting  as  a  general 
thing  the  little  fellows  remain  dormant 
and  are  just  as  likely  to  grow  the  second 
year.  Some  people  claim  they  are  more 
likely  to  grow  the  second  year. 

In  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
you  will  find  information  on  this  subject 
as  follows : 

Page    62,  April,  1914,  issue. 

68,  May, 
"      128,  Aug.,       •' 
"      180,  Dec, 

50,  April,  1915, 

94,  July, 
"       95,  July, 
"       29,  Feb.,    1916, 
"      156,  Nov., 

Very  early  planting  is  advisable,  not 
only  to  get  the  advantage  of  a  thorough 
soaking  during  the  spring  rains,  but  also 
a  longer  period  of  growth  with  resulting 
greater    increase.    Just    as    soon    as    the 


frost  is  out  of  the  ground  cormels  may  be 
planted  to  good  advantage. 

As  you  have  a  complete  file  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  you  can 
easily  refer  to  the  above  mentioned  num- 
bers. The  storage  of  cormels  is  quite  a 
problem  and  all  growers  complain  of  poor 
germination,  especially  some  varieties. 


Bulbs  in  Cold  Storage. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

Will  you  be  good  enough  to  give  us  some  infor- 
mation as  to  handling  in  storage  the  various  bulbs 
such  as  Gladioli,  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Cannas,  etc.? 
We  have  quite  a  lot  of  each  of  these  various  bulbs 
to  put  into  cold  storage  and  any  information  you 
may  be  able  to  give  us  will  be  greatly  appreci- 
ated. S.  I.  Co. 

Answer: — Lily  of  the  Valley  are  com- 
monly carried  at  26  to  28°F.  In  other 
words,  they  are  carried  in  a  frozen  state. 
Such  bulbs  as  Gladioli,  Hyacinths,  Tulips 
and  Cannas  should  be  stored  at  a  some- 
what higher  temperature,  and  in  case  of 
Gladioli  especially,  we  should  recommend 
a  temperature  not  lower  than  34  or  35°F. 
Any  of  these  products  should  not  be  stored 
in  too  large  a  bulk  as  they  are  inclined  to 
collect  moisture,  causing  mold  and  decay. 
Some  sort  of  racks  or  trays  are  desirable. 
—From  Cold,  Calcium,  N.Y. 


Gladioli  Blighting. 

Please  let  me  know  what  is  the  matter  with  this 
Gladiolus  foliage,  a  sample  of  which  is  enclosed. 
A  few  acres  of  Gladioli  got  spotted  in  this  manner, 
and  then  turned  yellow  and  died  away.  What  is 
the  cause  of  this  trouble,  and  what  is  its  best 
remedy?  A.  A.  R.,  N.Y. 

Anstver: — It  would  appear  that  the 
trouble  with  the  Gladioli  is  attributable 
to  some  one  or  more  causes:  Firstly, 
the  bulbs  themselves  which  were  planted 
may  have  been  diseased ;  secondly,  they 
may  have  suffered  from  a  drought  follow- 
ing very  wet  weather;  thirdly,  they  may 
have  been  attacked  with  some  fungus  dis- 
ease. In  the  last  named  case  they  might 
have  been  helped  if  taken  in  time  by 
spraying  with  Bordeaux  mixture. — Florists' 
Exchange. 


Page 
32 


Obe  Modern  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Feb. 

i9i; 


Price  Lists,  Catalogues,  Etc. 

Vaughan's  Seed  Store,  Chicago  and  New  York. 
Spring  1917  price  list  of  Gladioli,  illustrated.  A 
very  complete  four  page  list  with  prices,  singly, 
by  the  dozen  and  by  the  hundred. 

Richard  Diener  Co.,  Kentfield,  Calif.,  1917  cata- 
logue of  Gladioli.  Sixteen  pages  and  cover,  illus- 
trated with  photographs.  The  Diener  productions 
are  listed,  described  and  priced-  Also,  Carna- 
tions, Pansies  and  Petunias. 

G.  D.  Black,  Albert  Lea,  Minn.,  1917  wholesale 
price  list  of  Gladiolus  corms.  four  pages,  listing 
the  standard  varieties  and  Mr.  Black's  specialties. 
Prices  on  wholesale  quantities,  also  bulblets. 

Sunnvside  Gladiolus  Gardens,  L.  Merton  Gage, 
Prop.,  Natick,  Mass.  Retail  price  list  for  1917.  8 
pages  with  cover,  containing  the  usual  choice 
selection  grown  by  Mr.  Gage. 

W.  E.  Fryer,  Mantorville,  Minn.  List  of  change 
in  prices  and  additions  to  Mr.  Fryer's  catalogue. 


K.  Velthuys,  Hillegom,  Holland.  Wholesale 
trade  list  of  Dutch  bulbs  and  plants.  Also  listing 
Gladioli,  consisting  of  46  pages  and  cover,  well 
illustrated  and  classified. 


Austin-Coleman  Co.,  Wayland,  Ohio.  Whole- 
sale list  of  standard  sorts  and  with  good  descrip- 
tions of  the  Austin  productions. 

H.  E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.  H.  Wholesale  price 
list  of  planting  stock  of  best  florists'  mixtures  for 
the  trade  only, 

K.  Velthuys,  of  Hillegom,  Holland,  have  kindly 
sent  us  a  set  of  colored  photographs  of  Gladioli 
and  Darwin  tulips.  These  are  on  large  sheets 
about  8y2  X  15  in.  and  they  illustrate  some  of  the 
more  popular  varieties  like  America.  Panama, 
Niagara  and  Baron  Hulot,  as  well  as  some  of  the 
best  new  ones.  The  New  York  representative  of 
this  firm  will  quote  prices  on  same. 

G.  D.  Black,  Albert  Lea,  Minn.  Special  cata- 
logue of  Gladioli  divided  into  classes  and  mixtures, 
with  detailed  cultural  suggestions,  16  pages  and 
cover. 


C.  Keur  &  Sons,  Hillegom,  Holland.  Colored 
calendar  with  illustration  of  Queen  Wilhelmina 
of  Holland,  with  very  complete  list  of  Gladiolus 
corms. 

V.  Lemoine  &  Son,  Nancy,  France.  Catalogue 
-  printed  in  English  of  greenhouse  plants,  hardy 
1^  shrubs,  etc.  The  catalogue  includes  the  Lemoineii 
V"—       varieties  of  Gladioli. 

Riverbank  Gardens,  Raymond  W.  Swett,  Prop., 
Saxonville,  Mass.  Retail  price  list  of  sixteen 
pages  and  cover.  Mostly  Gladioli,  but  also  listing 
Montbretias. 

C.  W.  Brown  &  Son,  Ashland,  Mass.  Retail 
catalogue  and  price  list  for  1917  of  Gladiolus 
corms.  Some  useful  information  and  cultural 
directions  are  given.    Eight  pages  and  cover. 

Munsell  &  Harvey,  Ashtabula,  Ohio.  Whole- 
sale price  list  of  Gladiolus  corms  in  first  and 
second  sizes. 


Firma  P.  Vos.  Mz.,  Sassenheim,  Holland.  Cata- 
logue for  fall  of  1916  and  spring  of  1917.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  standard  American  varieties,  the  new 
Vos  specialties  are  listed.  Twenty-four  pages 
and  cover,  illustrated. 


John  Lewis  Childs,  Flowerfield,  L.  L,  N.  Y. 
Wholesale  trade  catalogue,  24  pages,  listing  in  ad- 
dition to  the  usual  Childsii  varieties  of  Gladioli  and 
the  standard  sorts,  miscellaneous  bulbs,  Cannas, 
hardy  perennials  and  Iris. 

P.  Hopman  &  Sons,  Hillegom,  Holland.  List  of 
Gladioli.  Illustrated  and  consisting  of  8  pages 
and  cover. 


Geo.  J.  Joerg,  New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I.,  N.  Y.,  in 
his  wholesale  list  for  1916—1917  quotes  on  the 
standard  varieties  and  mixtures  by  the  hundred 
and  thousand  and  some  new  special  varieties  by 
the  dozen  only.  Gladiolus  seed,  hand  pollenated. 
is  also  listed. 

Westerbeek  &  Klyn,  Sassenheim,  Holland.  List 
of  Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Iris,  Peonies,  etc.;  36  pages 
with  index  and  cover. 


E.  E.  Stewart,  Brooklyn,  Mich.  Wholesale 
price  list  of  Gladioli,  about  100  different  varieties 
priced  by  the  hundred  and  by  the  thousand  ;  also 
in  color  sections  and  in  mixtures. 


The  Most  Popular  Dahlias. 

Last  year  the  Florists'  Exchange  took  a 
vote  from  thirty  of  the  leading  growers 
and  dahlia  experts  to  secure  their  opinion 
on  favorite  varieties  and  the  list  which 
they  secured  is  as  follows: 

Votes — 14,  Geisha;  12,  Kalif;  11,  Hortidanus 
Viet;  10,  Countess  of  Lonsdale ;  9,  Souvenir  de 
Gustav  Douzon,  and  Wodatt ;  8,  Delice ;  7,  Mar- 
guerite Bouchon,  Perle  de  Lyon,  Rev.  T.  W.  Jamie- 
son,  and  W.  W.  Raivson  ;  6,  A.  D.  Livoni,  Mrs. 
Roosevelt,  and  Wolfgang  von  Goethe ;  5,  F.  W.  Fel. 
loives.  Golden  Gate,  John  Riding.  Le  Grand  Mani- 
tou,  and  Rene  Cayeux ;  4,  Etendard  de  Lyon, 
Golden  West,  Lawine,  Souvenir  de  Chabanne,  and 
Thuringia ;  3,  Arabella,  Dorothy  Peacock,  Dreer's 
White,  D.  M.  Moore,  Jack  Rose,  Jeanne  Charmet, 
Caleb  Powers,  Master  Carl,  Minnie  McCitllough, 
and  Sylvia;  Z,  Aurora  August e  Nonin,  Brcczclaivn, 
Chas.  Clayton,  Duchess  of  Brunswick,  Dr.  Peary, 
Mondschiebe,  Mrs.  Nath.  Slocombe,  Niebelunge- 
nort.  Miss  Wilmott,  Mrs.  Kentwcll.  Prof.  Mans- 
field, Queen  Esther,  Robt.  Broomfteld,  T.  G.  Baker, 
Walkitre,  Hampton  Court,  Rheinkonig,  and  Yel- 
loiv  Colosse.  ^^___ 

Those  searching  for  a  Gladiolus  of  dis- 
tinctive color  will  be  interested  in  Mrs. 
Watt  which  Mr.  Chase  in  our  advertising 
columns  describes  as  a  brilliant  wine 
color.  Some  call  it  a  dark  American 
Beauty  rose  color.  Anyway  Mrs.  Watt 
never  fails  to  attract  attention. 


Our  advertisers  offer  a  wealth  of  price 
lists  and  catalogues  which  Gladiolus  grow- 
ers, even  the  small  amateurs,  should  not 
overlook.  A  careful  perusal  of  the  de- 
scriptive matter,  illustrations  and  infor- 
mation which  is  contained  therein  is  a 
liberal  floral  education  in  itself. 


Feb. 

1917 


^b^  Mlo6<tnt  (Bla6iolus  (Grower 


Page 

33 


Gladiolus  America  for  Forcing. 

America  is  still  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lar and  best  Gladioli  we  have  today. 
There  are  others  coming  along  which 
promise  to  be  so  far  ahead  of  America 
as  this  sort  proved  to  be  over  older  sorts 
and  some  of  them  we  noticed  at  the  San 
Francisco  Convention,  but  for  the  present, 
America  is  still  the  main  standby,  and  can 
be  bought  at  a  low  figure.  We  all  know 
that  there  is  but  little  in  growing  Gladioli 
for  summer  cutting.  Too  many  are  in  it. 
As  long  as  you  just  plant  enough  for  your 
own  use  it  is  all  right,  but  to  grow  them 
for  the  wholesale  market  isn't  always 
satisfactory.  It  would  seem  that  the 
average  florist,  instead  of  finding  fault 
with  the  Gladiolus  market  during  August 
and  September,  when  every  yard  is  full 
of  them,  would  try  and  get  his  Gladioli 
in  at  a  time  when  there  is  not  only  a  de- 
mand for  them  but  a  limited  supply,  by 
planting  bulbs  from  now  on,  indoors,  up 
to  next  March.  Flowers  can  be  had  from 
March  until  the  time  the  first  flowers 
open  out  of  doors.  This  is  not  only  a 
very  simple  matter  but  can  be  made  to 
pay  well.  The  retail  grower  has  always 
stock  on  hand  ready  to  leave  the  benches, 
or  crops  which  didn't  turn  out  as  well 
as  expected,  and  which  have  to  be 
replaced.  Why  not  use  the  space,  at 
least  some  of  it,  for  Gladioli  ?  Get  a  good 
supply  of  bulbs  now  and  keep  on  planting 
them.  For  the  small  grower  I  would 
suggest  putting  the  bulbs  into  4  in.  pots 
and  plant  out  later ;  this  is  better  than 
having  the  bulbs,  and  later  on  the  small 
plants,  occupying  valuable  bench  space 
for  many  weeks.  The  plants  can  remain 
in  the  pots  until  a  foot  high,  and  after 
that  be  planted  out  either  between  other 
crops  or  by  themselves  on  a  bench.  For 
a  succession  of  flowers  plant  a  few  bulbs 
every  two  weeks.  It  is  nothing  unusual 
to  obtain  $1.50  per  doz.,  even  more,  for 
extra  good  America  Gladioli  during  the 
early  spring  months.  The  bulbs  cost  you 
about  l^c.  each,  and  if  handled  right,  90 
per  cent,  will  flower.  What  could  pay 
better  in  a  Carnation  house  temperature  ? 
— Fritz  Bahr  in  Florists'  Exchange. 


I  want  to  add  my  appreciation  to  the  list  of 
those  who  have  told  you  what  a  fine  magazine 
you  have  produced  for  the  "Twentieth  Century 
Flower."  I  have  been  in  the  business  as  one  of 
the  largest  growers  in  this  state,  but  since  1915 
have  sold  out.  Whilst  in  the  business  I  kept 
posted  on  all  conditions  through  the  trade  maga- 
zines, but  your  magazine  had  them  all  beaten  in 
every  way  and  I  want  you  to  know  that  your 
efforts  have  been  noticed  even  in  Wisconsin. 

E.  J.  Brown. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 

pLADIOLUS  BULBS  FOR  SALE-Good.  clean 
^-J  young  stock.— Finest  varieties:  Mrs.  Pendle- 
ton, Grace  Henry,  Margaret,  Schwaben,  Peace, 
War,  Princeps,  and  many  others.  Also  Cannas, 
Dahlias,  Aster  Plants,  Cal-Privet  and  Grape 
Vines.    Send  for  price  list. 

F.  O.  GoDOWN,  Flemington,  N.  J. 

pUGET  SOUND  grown  Dahlias,  Peonies.  Gladi- 
^  oli,  Roses  and  Perennial  Plants  are  the  best  in 
the  land,  owing  to  the  ideal  climatic  and  soil  con- 
ditions. A  genial,  moist  temperate  climate  makes 
them  thrive  and  bloom  here  as  nowhere.  A  trial 
order  will  convince  you  of  this  fact.  Write  for 
catalog.    The  Pudor  Farms,  Puyallup,  Wash. 

"DULBS — Hyacinths,  Tulips,  (early  and  late), 
•'-'  Narcissi,  Daffodils,  Paeonies,  Gladioli.  Also 
Spireas  and  hardy  plants.  New  list  now  ready. 
Write  us  today  for  your  contracts  for  fall  delivery. 
Van-til  Hartman,  Bulb  Growers,  Hillegom,  Hol- 
land. Care  P.  C.  Kuyper,  10  Broadway,  New 
York  City. 


"  That  Modest  Price  List  "— 

For  your  address  on  a  Postal. 

F.  M.  Hine,  Waverly,  N.  Y. 

WANTED— 200,000  Gladiolus  Bulbs.  These 
''must  be  of  first  class  mixture  and  of  a  size 
approximately  1  inch  diameter.  No  objection  to 
a  moderate  percentage  of  bulbs  as  small  as  -^  in. 
Explain  fully  what  varieties  and  colors  the  mix- 
ture is  composed  of  and  send  samples  and  quote 
prices  to  Henry  Field  Seed  Co.,  Shenandoah,  la. 

CPECIAL  BARGAIN— 100  plump,  sure-flowering 
^  Gladiolus  Bulbs,  mixed  varieties  and  colors, 
for  only  $125;  50  for  75c.  Sample  dozen,  post- 
paid far  as  fifth  zone,  25c.  A  surplus  enables  me 
to  make  these  bargain  prices.  Howard  Gillet. 
Lebanon  Springs,  N.  Y. 

T^O  INTRODUCE  in  your  vicinity  my  fifty  choice, 
-'■  named  Gladioli,  such  as  Panama,  Pendleton, 
Niagara,  Dawn.  Peace,  War,  Pink  Perfection,  etc., 
I  am  offering  unusually  low  prices.  Send  for  de- 
scriptive price  list.  T.  H.  Fuller,  Grower,  649 
Marshall  St.,  Battle  Creek,  Mich. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in   the 
curious  fact8  about  our  native  wildflowers. 

%\.2%  A  YEAR.    SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  III. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.      Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercia],  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture- 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  oflScial  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 

Published  monthly  Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 

THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave..  New  York,N.Y. 


(l» 


We  Grow  Gladiolus  Bulbs. 

Send  us  your  address  lor  our 
wholesale  price  list. 

Cushman  Gladiolus  Co. 

Sylvania,  Ohio 


GLADIOLI.  PEONIES. 

Dutch  Bulbs.  French  Bulbs. 

For  1917  Delivery. 

C.  J.  Speelman  &  Sons    Lagarde  &.  Speelman 

Sassenheim,  Holland  Ollioules.  Var.  France 

SEND  FOR  PRICES  TO  OUR  BRANCH  OFFICE 

P.O.  Box  124,    Hoboken,N.J. 


U.  Cemoine  $(  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy,  france 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD  YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerfied  L.  I. 


Vaughan's  Specials 

Gladioli 


in 


I^ar^ai'6't    Beautiful  Carmine  with  white  throat. 

^  Per  doz..  $1.30:  per  lOO,  $9 


Primulinus  Type. 


distinct    of    all    the 
Per  doz..  $2  ;  per  1 OO.  $  1  5 


C\\lCSk.S.€y  Whit©    ^^^  ^^^^  white  for  forcing. 

*  Perdoz.,  35c.;  per  lOO.  $2.25 

REMEMBER  we  can  supply  strictly  first  size  bulbs  for  counter 

trade  and,  where  wanted,  medium  sized  bulbs  for  mail  trade 

on  the  above  and  all  other  Gladioli. 

Write  for  our  1917  Catalog  (out  this  month)-  some  Grand  Novelties 
in  Gladioli  and  Cannas. 

Vaughan  s  Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31-33  W.  Randolph  Si.     NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  Si. 


WILLIS  E.  FRYER 

Hardy  Plant  and  Gladiolus  Specialist. 

PHLOX  OF  MY  OWN  PRODUCTION : 

AMELIA,  crimson  center  fading  to  nearly  white  on  outside  of  petals.  ANNA,  large  white  with 
red  eye.  CURIOSITY,  in  one  dozen  plants  there  are  no  two  just  alike.  MRS.  MELLINGER, 
rosy  red,  the  best  drouth  resister  in  my  collection.  MRS.  W.  E.  FRYER,  one  of  the  best  white 
phlox  that  I  have  ever  tested.  MRS.  K.  ANDRIST,  the  nearest  approach  to  blue  that  I  have 
ever  seen.  REV.  N.  E.  SPICER,  the  ideal  pink.  Many  who  have  seen  it  in  bloom  pronounce  it 
one  of  the  best  pink  phlox  that  they  have  ever  seen. 

Strong  plants  of  the  above  30e.  each. 
GLADIOLI.   Words  of  praise  for  the  Gladiolus  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer : 

Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Dear  Mr.  Fryer:— The  bulbs  of  the  gladiolus,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer,  about  which  you 
wrote  me,  were  a  surprise  to  me  when  in  bloom.  I  think  it  one  of  the  finest  varieties 
yet  produced  in  the  gladiolus  line.  Yours  very  truly,  W.  J.  Colcleugh. 

Prices— No.  1,  $1.50  per  doz.;  No.  2,  $1.25  per  doz  ;  No.  3,  $1  (10  per  doz. 
KATHRYN  FRYER,  dark  velvety  maroon.    The  darkest  that  I  have  ever  seen,  $L00  each. 
MANTORVILLE,  a  yellow  ruffled  gladiolus.    Some  of  the  flowers  are  pure  yellow  while  others 

are  tinted  pink,  25c.  each.    Gladiolus  bulbs  sent  prepaid. 
DELPeiNIUM-My  hybrids;  hardly  two  alike.      $L50  per  doz.     Strong  plants,  $2.50  per  doz. 
SIBERIAN  IRIS— GRANDIS,    violet;    reticulated    white.    20c.    ea.,   $2.00  per  doz.     LADY 
GODIVA,  blush-white,  flushed  rose.    One  of  the  earliest;  distinct,  25c.  ea.,  $2.50  per  doz. 
SUPERBA,  large,  violet-blue;  handsome  foliage  reaching  almost  to  the  flowers.    20c.  ea., 
$2.00  per  doz.    SNOW  QUEEN,  large  ivory-white  flowers.    Extra.    20c.  ea.,  $2.00  per  doz. 
BEARDLESS  IRIS-LORD  WOLSELEY.    One  of  the  best.    25c.  ea.     SEEDLING  BEARD- 
LESS, $L00  per  doz.    All  Iris  are  strong  plants. 


BOTH  WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL— WRITE  FOR  CATALOG. 


Mantorville 


Minn. 


WOODRUFF'S  GLADIOLI 

Hardly  need  introduction  to  most  of  you.  They  took  first  premium 
at  the  great  Iowa  State  Fair  and  "Independence"  Gladioli  have  taken 
first  and  second  premiums  and  many  specials  every  year  since  1907. 
Satisfied  customers  all  over  the  country  testify  to  their  excellence 
and  fair  price.     Here  are  some  offers:  — 

One  each  for  SOc— 

America,  Mrs.  Francis  King,  Burrell,  Princeps.  Scarsdale,  Velvet  King, 
Queenly,  Peace,  Pink  Perfection,  Glory  of  Holland,  Annie  Wigman. 

One  each  for  $  1  .OO— 

Golden  King,  Baron  Hulot,  Eldorado,  Independence.  Liebesfeuer, 
Halley,  Loveliness,  Niagara,  Mrs.  Beecher,  Mrs.  Pendleton,  Lily  Leh- 
man, Schwaben,  Pink  Beauty,  Princepine,  Queen  Wilhelmina,  Willy 
Wigman;  two  each  Primulinus  Hybrids  and  Blue  Seedlings. 

These  will  be  all  good  flowering  size  and  postpaid,  each  sort  labeled. 

One  hundred  Oakwood  Mixture,  finest  sorts  for  $L00  postpaid  except 
in  6th  and  7th  Zones,  for  which  add  20c.  and  25c. 

Send  for  catalogue  now  in  preparation.     It  will  interest  you. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff,  Independence,  Iowa 


"CRINKLES" 
'KuNDERDi"  Type 


GIANT 
GLADIOLUS 

You  have  all  often  read  of 
Giant  Gladiolus  with  flowers 
7  inches,  and  more,  across 
and  spikes  from  5  to  8  feet 
tall. 

While  not  all  varieties  can 
be  grown  to  very  great  size, 
it  is  nevertheless  surprising 
to  what  extent  many  kinds 
can  be  developed  by  follow- 
ing certain  special  forcing 
cultural  methods.  In  our 
1917  catalog  we  have  given 
special  cultural  instructions, 
such  as  are  not  often  avail- 
able to  the  general  public, 
and  which,  if  carefully  fol- 
lowed, will  give  surprising 
results. 

We  will  gladly  send  you  a  free  copy 
of  our  catalog  for  a  postal  card  request, 
and  we  don't  want  you  to  feel  in  the 
least  obligated  on  that  account  to  give 
us  any  order  whatever. 

Address 

A.E.  Kunderd 

Goshen,  Ind,  U.  S.  A. 


I   WANT  YOUR  NAME  FOR  MY  MAILING  LIST  FOR  THEN 
YOU  WILL  WANT 

CEDAR  ACRES  GLADIOLI 

"Bulbs  that  Bloom" 

SEND  FOR  BEAUTIFUL  ILLUSTRATED   BOOKLET,  DESCRIBING  MANY  VARIETIES 
AND   GIVING   THE   REAL  TRUTH   ABOUT   EACH. 

B.  HAMMOND  TRACY 

CEDAR  ACRES  Box  K  WENHAM,  MASS. 


Gladiolus— Crystal  White 

The  best  white  seedling  to  date  for  florists' 
use.  A  variety  which  everybody  can  grow. 
Good,  healthy,  vigorous  and  prolific. 

Price  for  1st  size  bulbs  25c.  each,  $2.50 
per  dozen  and  $15  per  hundred. 

Give  it  a  trial: 

Herman  H.  Baer 

New  Hyde  Park.  L.  I..     -    -     N.Y. 


Wisconsin  Grown  Gladiolus  Bulbs 

Better  Than  Ever. 

Good  mixture,  named  varieties,  35c.  doz.;  per 
100,  $2.00  postpaid. 

50c.  Doz.,  $2.50  per  100— 
America,    Halley,   Mrs.   F.  King, 
Minnesota,  Baron  Hulot. 

$1.00  Doz.,  $5.00  per  100— 
War,  Peace,  Niagara,  Golden  King. 

Dozen,  postpaid.    Per  100,  express  collect. 

Lincoln  Gardens,  Eau  Claire,  Wis. 


1 


1 


) 


GLADIOLI-Named  Sorts 


Per  doz.  Per  100 
post  paid  f.o.b.  here 

Loveliness,  cream  apricot $1.00  $5.00 

Mrs.  F.  Pendleton,  Jr 1.50  7.00 

Panama,  deep  pink.  75  5.00 

Peace,  white,  red  blotch 1.00  5.00 

Pink  Perfection,  fine  pink  1.00  6.00 

Rochester  White,  pure  white..  1.00  6.00 

Schwaben.  pale  yellow 1.00  6.00 

Brunswick  Mixture 40  1.00 

Groffs  Hybrid  Mixture 50  1.50 


Per  doz.    Per  100 
postpaid  f.o.b. here 

America,  soft  pink $  .50         $1.50 

Augusta,  white  sh'd  heliotrope    .50  1.50 

Baron  Hulot,  dark  violet 50  1.50 

Brenchleyensis,  verm'l  scarlet    .50  1.50 

Chicago,  white  early 60  2.00 

Empress  of  India,  dark  maroon    .75  2.50 

Europa,  snow  white 1.00  5.00 

Glory  of  Holland,  white 75  5.00 

Halley,  large  salmon 50  1.50 

Lily  Lehman,  white  rosy  tinge    .75  5.00 

At  Dozen  price,  POST  PAID.    At  Hundred  price,  F.  O.  B.  HERE.  Twenty-five  (25)  Bulbs  of 
a  kind  at  the  hundred  rate  where  not  less  than  100  bulbs  are  ordered  6  Bulbs  at  dozen  rate. 
SPECIAL  OFFER— To  introduce  my  Gladioli  I  will  send  one  each  of  the  17  named  varieties 
as  above  and  3  Groffs  Hybrids,  20  bulbs  in  all,  blooming  size,  the  lot  for  only  $1.00,  post  paid. 

SWEET  PEA  SEED- Very  Choice  mixtures 

Winter  Orchid,  mixed  per  oz 35c.        All  Kinds  Fine,  Mixed  per  oz... 15c. 

Early  Winter,  Mixed  per  oz 15c.        Zvolanek's  Gold  Medal.  Mixed  per  pkt.  25c. 

Spencer  Extra  Choice  Mixed  peroz 25c.  The  Five  (5)  Papers  for  $1  postpaid. 

AMARYLLIS  (Hippeastrum)— The  most  beautiful  and  gorgeous  of  all  the  bulbous  plants. 
With  their  brilliant  colors,  gigantic  size,  there  is  no  other  flower  that  will  make  a  grander 
show  than  the  Amaryllis.  With  their  three  to  five  large  six  to  nine  inch  flowers  on  each 
scape.  My  stock  has  been  crossbred  until  it  is  now  beyond  doubt  as  fine  as  can  be  pro- 
duced. Bulbs  50c.  each,  $5.00  per  dozen;  for  Mixed  Unbloomed  Seedlings.  Bloomed  and 
Selected  Fancy  Stock  $1.00  each,  $10.00  per  dozen. 

PANSY  PLANTS- Large  flowering.  None  better.  12  for  40c;  36  for  50c;  100  for  $2.00;  300 
for  $5.00,  postpaid.    One  ounce  of  choice  Sweet  Pea  seed  free  with  each  dollar's  worth. 


-/  HAVE  NO  CATALOG- 


C.  S.  TAIT 


Brunswick,  Georgia 


Headquarters  for 


Gladiolus  "Mrs.  Watt" 

The  Gladiolus  that  is  DIFFERENT.  Not  only 
beautiful  but  DISTINCT.  Seedling  by  Matthew 
Crawford.  Strong  grower — always  erect  with 
straight  spike.    BRILLIANT  WINE-one  color. 

Price  strong  blooming  bulbs,  15c  ea.,  $1  per  doz. 


Letter  from  a  Boston  florist  who  has  used  "Mrs.  Watt" 
for  three  seasons : 

Boston,  January  9th,  1917. 
To  Mr.  Homer  F.  Chase,  Wilton,  N.H. 

Dear  Sir: — Just  a  word  of  appreciation  of  Gladiolus  "Mrs.  Watt," 
with  which  we  had  such  success  last  season. 

My  reason  for  writing  you  is  because  I  think  it  would  be  advisable 
for  you  to  plant  a  greater  quantity  of  bulbs  of  this  particular  variety 
for  next  season  as  they  have  proven  one  of  the  best  sellers  with  us. 

It  has  a  wonderful  color,  and  lasts,  it  seems  to  us,  much  longer 
than  some  of  the  other  so-called  good  keeping  varieties,  and  will  un- 
doubtedly be  in  greater  demand  next  season. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 
(Signed)  Penn  The  Florist,  by  Henry  Penn. 


Each       Doz. 

Each       Doz. 

Mrs.O.W.Hal'day35c  $3.00 

Peace 

-     lOc  $  .75 

Dawn      -      -      -    10c    LOO 

War    -      - 

15c    1.00 

Schwaben  -      -      15c    1.25 

Ida  Van  - 

10c      .75 

Pink  Perfection      15c    LOO 

Princepine 

8c      .50 

Niagara      -      -      10c      .75 

Panama 

-    8c      .50 

Prophetesse    -     -  10c      .75 

One-half  dozen  eacti  of  the  following  for  $3.00: 

"Mrs.  Watt,"  Loveliness,  Myrtle,  Rouge  Torch,  Sulphur 
Queen.    Single  bulbs  or  by  the  dozen  post  paid. 

I  ISSUE  NO  RETAIL  CATALOGUE. 

List  planting  stock  "Mrs.  Watt"  and  commercial   sorts  to  the  whole- 
sale trade. 

Homer  F.  Chase 

Grower  of  Gladioli  * 

Wilton        -        -        -      New  Hampshire 


w    ^«  YY71     •  The  long  desired  SPOTLESS  WHITE 

I         I  ■At  Ia     Rm  Gladioli    that  will  bloom  well  without 

I  IIYT  ■/■ff  1^1  H*^^  special  care,  vigorous  in  growth  and 
III  W  WW  I  1 1 1  W^  extremely  early  (flowering  a  full  week 
^^MM  W  f  f    MMA^\/       ahead  of  all  other  white  varieties    in 

w  our  gardens).    "Lily  White"  is  an  ideal 

^^^^^^— ^^"^'^^— *— '^— '      forcing   variety  and  a  sure  blooming 

garden  sort. 
With  a  stronger  constitution  than  any  other  pure 
white  Gladiolus,  absolutely  healthy,  a  profuse  yielder 
of  bulblets,  and,  rare  quality,  multiplying  heavily  by 
division  (5  bulbs  in  trial  bed  produced  16)  "Lily 
White"  stands  in  a  class  by  itself. 
The  blossoms  (see  front  cover  page)  are  of  lovely  form,  placed  nicely  on 
straight,  tall  spikes  and  are  of  good  size  and  perfect  purity  of  color. 

If  not  delighted,  your  money  will  be  cheerfully  refunded.      Send  your 


Pure  as  the  Lily. 
White  as  Snow. 


order  now. 


Strong  bulbs  50c  each,  $5.00  per  dozen. 

Not  more  than  one  dozen  to  a  customer  this  season. 


Try  "Myrtle"  the  perfect  pink  Gladiolus.  See  Jan.  number  for  description. 
20c  each,  $2.00  per  doz.     Select  seed  25c  and  50c  per  packet. 

Have  you  received  my  booklet  ?    It's  different. 

H.  E.  MEADER,  Gladiolus  Specialist. 
Dover        -        -        -        -      New  Hampshire 


WE  GROW 

ALL  OF  THE    STANDARD 
VARIETIES  OF  THE 

Gladiolus 

and  assure  you  that  every  thing  that 

we  offer  is  grown  right  here  on  our 

own  place,  and  guarantee  all  bulbs 

to  be  free  from  disease. 

In  Addition 

to  Gladioli  we  grow  a  very  com- 
plete line  of  Dahlias,  Cannas,  Tigri- 
dias,  Montbretias,  and  other  bulbs 
and  plants  for  the  spring  season. 

Ask  Us 

before  placing   your  spring  order. 
You'll  not  regret  it. 

The  Grinnell  Nursery 

Grinnell    -    -    -    -    Iowa 


Gladioli 

all  sold  but  we  have  left  a  small 

surplus  of  the  best  cut  flower 

varieties  of 

DAHLIAS 

only  a  few  varieties  but  each  the 

best  of  its  color  for  cutting.     List 

free  for  your  name  on  postal. 

SPECIAL : 

A  surplus  of  strong,  bushy,  field  grown 
plants  of  Shasta  Daisy  "Alaska."  These 
plants  will  give  a  mass  of  fine  flowers  for 
cutting  and  under  good  cultivation  will 
produce  flowers  four  to  five  inches  wide, 
blooming  for  three  months.  While  they 
last  60c.  a  dozen,  $4.00  per  100.  Strong 
seedlings  of  above  that  will  bloom  this 
summer,  $1.50  per  100.  Fresh  seed  of 
above  $1.00  per  oz.  (One-half  what  you 
will  pay  elsewhere). 

Oakland  Gardens  Nursery 

Gladioli,  Dahlias  and  Hardy  Plant  Specialties 

Walled  Lake,  Oakland  Co.,  -  Mich. 


D* 


ID 


GIANT  NEW  GLADIOLI 

TT  IS  NEEDLESS  to  comment  on  the  success  of  the  Austin  origi- 
^  nations.  These  varieties  have  been  developed  with  the  firm  behef 
that  the  tallest  and  most  graceful  Gladiolus  in  existence  has  been  pro- 
duced. You  will  not  have  the  best  in  Gladioli  until  you  grow  them. 
A  magnificent  collection  of  eight  sorts  is  now  offered  the  public. 


EVELYN  KIRTLAND— Strong  substance, 
beautiful  shade  of  rosy  pink,  darker  at 
the  edges,  fading  to  shell  pink;  brilliant 
scarlet  blotches  on  lower  petals.  Entire 
flower  showing  glistening,  sparkling 
luster. 

GRETCHEN  ZANG- Most  beautiful  soft, 
melting  shade  of  pink  blending  into 
scarlet  on  lower  petals. 

HERADA— Immense  size  on  tall  spikes.  A 
startling  novelty  of  pure  mauve,  glisten- 
ing and  clear. 

WAMBA— Enormous  blooms  of  deep  sal- 
mon.   No  collection  complete  without  it. 

C  ARDISUN  -  A  large  bloom,  dark  velvety 
red  with  nearly  black  throat. 

BERTREX— A  sterling  white  of  great  sub- 
stance; winner  silver  cup  for  best  seed- 
ling. 

ROSE  WELLS— Large,  wide  open  bloorns; 
light  rose,  clear  color,  small  attractive 
blotch  of  lilac  rose  and  yellowish  green. 

ORIOLE— A  sterling  light  yellow  with 
deeper  throat. 

This  collection  has  won  12  prizes 
including  Silver  Cups. 


One  bulb  each  entire  collection 
$2.50 ;  3  collections  $7.  Pre- 
paid.   Orders  filled  in  rotation. 


EVELYN  KIRTLAND 

Note  Illustration  measuring  length  of 

spike  with  yardstick. 


"America  has  recently  added  to  our 
wealth  in  important  Gladiolus  two  pink 
beauties  that  have  been  named  Evelyn 
Kirtland  and  Gretchen  Zang.  *  *  *  A 
new  touch  of  color  was  added  to  our  gardens  last  summer  by  the  introduction  of  Herada, 
a  brilliant  mauve  that  is  sure  to  become  popular."  Montague  Chamberlain,  in  August  issue 
The  Garden  Magazine. 

"Evelyn  Kirtland  is  the  most  magnificent  Gladiolus  I  have  ever  seen  and  I  have  seen  most 
all  there  are." — Wilbur  A.  Christy,  Secretary-Treasurer  Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio, 

Send  for  WHOLESALE  or  RETAIL  List 

Have  Schwaben,  Mrs.  Pendleton.  Pink  Perfection,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer, 
Golden  King  and  all  the  rest. 

"Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 

Austin- Coleman  Co. 

Wayland        -        -        -        -  Ohio 


B! 


MURIELL>    YELLOW  HAMMER,    HILDA 

p.  Hopmaii  &  Sons^  Gladiolus  Specialists,  Hillegom,  Holland 

Largest  stockholders  in  Holland  of  MURIELL,  a  fine  combination  of  lilac 
and  porcelain,  colour  just  like  a  cattleya.  received  the  most  attention  at 
the  Boston  Show,   per  dozen,  $12- ;  per  hundred  $80-  for  cash  with  order. 

Further  we  grow  large  quantities  of  War,  Pink  Perfection,  Panama  Niagara, 
Blue  Jay,  Hilda,  best  red;  Badenia,  Electra,  Yellow  Hammer,  Red  Em- 
peror, Schwaben,    Loveliness,   and  all  other  rare  and   standard   varieties. 

Price  List  with  full  descriptions  on  application. 


MRS.  FRANK  PENDLETON 

The  most  popular  Gladiolus  grown. 

Planting  sizes,  1"  to  \\\  $4  per  hundred ;  f"  to  1",  $3  per  hundred; 
I"  to  I",  $2  per  hundred. 

The  well  known  varieties  ROSE  BUD,  IDA  VAN,  SUMMER  BEAUTY  and  MISS  LUCILLE. 
WRITE  FOR  QUOTATIONS. 

M.  F.  WRIGHT,  Gladiolus  Grower 

1906  Smith  St.  FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


0  You  want  something 
NEW  and  FINE  ? 

ask  then  quotations  for  our 


new^  (special  blue) 

GLADIOLI 

WHOLESALE  PRICE  LIST  FOR  1917  FREE    ON  APPLICATION. 

APPLY  TO  OUR  AMERICAN  REPRESENTATIVE 

MR.  TH.  A.  de  GROOT, 

c/o  R.  F.  Lang,    8/10  Bridge  Street 

NEW  YORK 

K.  VELTHUYS, 

Hillegom        -         -         -         Holland 


Three  Great  Novelties — 

Mrs.  Dr.  Norton 

Mrs.  Emma  Tucker 

Willnetta  Curtis 

My  catalog  also  offers  the  following: — 

Florence,  Schwaben,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Moulton,  Enchantress,  Mrs.  L. 
Merton  Gage,  Goliath,  Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton,  Dora  Krais,  Aristo- 
phane,  Dawn,  Mary  Fennell,  Le  Triomphe,  War,  Loveliness,  Sulphur 
King,  Negerfurst,  Parure.  Peace,  I.  S.  Hendrickson,  Wm.  Steinhausen, 
Norma  Dee  Cbilds,  Desdemone,  Gaiety,  Liebesfeuer,  Halley,  Niagara, 
Wellesley,  Etc.,  Etc. 

Send  for  my  Catalog  at  once,  it  ivill  tell  you  the  story. 

Sunnyside  Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Prop.  Natlck,  MaSS. 


METZNER'S 

Grand  Prize  Strain 

Gladioli 

Three  Prize  Winners  at  the  Panama- 
Pacific  International  Exposition, 
San  Francisco,  Cal.,  1915 

"Capt.  Asher  Carter  Baker" 

Flowers  4''3  in.  diam.    Spikes  4  ft.  tall. 
Bright  Scarlet.  Strong  bulbs.  $1.00  each. 

"Dr.  Frederick  J.  V. Skiff" 

Flowers  51/2  in.  diam.  Spikes  5  to  6  ft.  tall. 
Delicate  Rose  Pink.  Strong  bulbs  $1.50  ea. 

"Polar  Star" 

Flowers  5  in.  diam.   Spikes  5  to  6  ft.  tall. 
Milk  White.    Strong  bulbs  $2.00  each. 

WE  PREPAY  CHARGES  IN  U.  S. 

Write  or  our  191 7  Catalogue. 

Metzner  Floral  Co. 

Mountain  View    -    California 


1 

lYOUELUSl 

I  Nc  Plus  Ultra  | 
I  Mixture  | 

^  is  made  up  from  named  varieties  of  = 

^  various  colors  (except  blue)  and  is  = 

^  recommended  with  the  greatest  con-  ^ 

^  fidence.    It  will  especially  appeal  to  ^ 

^  those  who  want  a   variety    of  the  ^ 

=  choice  flowers  without  the  trouble  ^ 

^  of  making  a  selection.  ^ 

%  Price,  per  doz.,  postpaid,  60c  % 
M.  per  hundred,  by  express  M 
§  collect,  $4.00  1 

%.  Mixture  of  all  blue  shades,  same  ^ 
^  as  above.  ^ 

=  A  short  and  interesting  history  of  = 

^  the    Gladiolus,   with  full  cultural  ^ 

^  directions,  will    accompany    each  = 

■=  order-  = 

I  H.  Youell  I 

1    538  Cedar  St.,  Syracuse,  N.Y.    1 


Special  Offer- 

2nd  size  bulbs  1 "  to  1  i",  pre- 
paid 5c.  ea.,  50c.  per  doz. 


Mrs.  Watt 

Velvet  King 

Grenadier 

Halley 

Grace  Henry 

Crackerjack 

Niagara 

Independence 

Panama 

Klondyke 

Peace 

Meadow'vale 

Baltimore 

Minnesota 

Prophetesse 

Beecher 

Lily  Lehman 

Ida  Van 

Alice  Carey 

George  Paul 

Chicago  White 

Rouge  Torch 

Empress 

of  India 

If  you  want  any  other  variety,  or 
size,  write  us. 

Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula     -    -    -      Ohio 


L  E.  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin 

I   Riverbank    Gardens  I 

I  GLADIOLI  I 

i      are  grown  right,  flower  right  and  the  price  is  | 

i  right.    The  following  postpaid :  1 


Per  Doz. 

Per  Doz. 

Electra 

$  .75 

Loveliness   - 

$L00 

Empress  of  India 

.25 

Niagara    - 

.50 

EUROPA 

.75 

Peace    - 

.75 

Glory 

.50 

Pink  Perfection 

.75 

Halley 

.25 

Scarsdale     - 

.35 

LlEBESFEUER 

-      2.00 

Schwaben 

-       L50 

Or  one  bulb  of  each  separately  labelled  sent  post  paid  ^ 

For  One  Dollar.  p 

SEND  YOUR  NAME  FOR  A  CATALOG.  = 

Raymond  W.  Swett  | 

Saxon  ville        -----        Mass.  1 


Wanted  to  Buy 
Gladioli 

25,000  America  U  inch. 
25,000  Augusta  U  inch. 
50,000  Mrs.    Francis  King 

I5  inch. 
25,000  Mrs.   Francis   King 

I5  inch. 
50,000  Mixed  U  inch. 
50,000       "       U  inch. 
50,000       "      1    inch. 

Also  want  prices  on  all  leading 
varieties  in  all  sizes. 

Address  ''Buyer" 

Care,  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
Calcium,  N.Y. 


Ideal  Bulb  Planter 

&  Transplanting  Tool 

(Pa lent  applied  for. ) 

Capacity  about  2000 
bulbs  per  day. 


Works    equally   well   in    solid 
turf,  rocky  soil,  or  clear  gar-  — — 
den  soil. 

A  GREAT  LABOR 

SAVER. 

Price  $2.00  each. 

By  parcel  post  25  cents  extra. 

Ideal  Bulb  Planter  Co. 

P.O. Box 373       Portland,  Maine 

Write  for  Particulars. 


7 


RICHARD    DIENER     COMPANY 

(incorporated) 
KENTFIELD,  CALIFORNIA,  U.  S.  A. 

Originators  and  Growers  of  the  Largest  and  Finest  Gladioli  in  the  World 

SEND  FOR  OUR  ILLUSTRATED  1917  CATALOGUE— IT  IS  FREE. 

GLADIOLI 

1  Doz.  Richard  Dicncr's  Mixed  Hybrids,   large  size  bulbs,  $5.00 

1  Doz.  Richard  Diener's  Mixed  Hybrids,  small  size   bulbs,  $2.50 

GRAND  PRIZE  P.  P.  I.  E. 

Dr.  Frederick  T.  V.   Skill    (Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  P.  P.  I.  E.,  1915) 
Light  flesh  pink  like  "Panama"  but  larger;  produces  up  to  130  flowers  to  the  bulb. 
Flowers  6  inches  in  diameter;  stems  6  feet  high.     All  bulblets  or  corms  will  produce 
flower  spikes  five  months  after  planting.  Very  rapid  propagator.  (Our  Own  produc- 
tion.)    Large  bulbs,  $3.00  each.  Small  bulbs.  $t.50  each. 

Captain  Asher  Carter  Baker    (Awarded  Silver  Medal  at  P.  P.  I.E.) 

Rich,  velvety  red  with  darker  center.    Flowers  5  inches  in   diameter;  stems  4  to   5 
feet  high.    Best  red  shown  at  the  San  Francisco  World's  Fair. 

Large  bulbs,  $3.00  each.  Small  bulbs,  $1.50  each. 

GLADIOLUS   SEED 

We  have  selected  seed  from  all  our  new  varieties  as  well  as  from  our  50,000  1916 
seedlings.  All  the  seed  is  evenly  mi.xed.  The  sizes  of  the  flowers  range  from  4  to  9  inches 
in  diameter,  and  the  height  of  the  stems  is  from  5  to  8  feet.  The  seedlings  from  this  seed  will 
flower  in  from  5  to  6  months  after  sowing,  and  many  will  have  three  or  four  side  shoots, 
aside  from  the  main  shoot,  in  the  first  year.  They  will  range  in  all  colors  imaginable,  but 
salmon,  white,  lilac,  pink  and  rose  pink  are  the  leading  colors.  There  is  no  other  firm  in  the 
world  that  can  put  anything  like  these  on  the  market. 

Seeds  per  package,  $1.00.      Seeds  per  dozen  packages.  $10.00 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

EACH  DOZ. 

America       -        -    $  .05  $  .50 

Brenchleyensis           .04  .30 

Isaac  Buchanan         .08  .75 

Channel  Is.  Hybrids  .  06  .60 

Columbia        -        -    .06  .60 

May     -        -        -        .06  .60 

Maize       -        -        -    .25  2.50 

Mrs.  H.  W.  Beecher  .08  .75 

Pacha      -        -        -    .08  .75 

Primulinus  Hybrids  .06  .60 

Princeps          -        -     .06  .60 

Mixed  Hybrids    -        .05  .50 

and  other  kinds  on  my  list  sent 
prepaid  by  parcels  post  to  any  zone. 
One  of  each  of  above  list,  prepaid, 
75c.  One  dozen  of  each,  $5.00,  by 
express  collect. 

Descriptive  list  on  application,  also  wholesale 
list  for  growers  and  dealers. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 

R.  F.  D. 


Did  you  get  it? 

Our  new  catalogs  were  mailed  Dec. 
10th.  If  you  did  not  get  one  send 
us  your  address  and  we  will  be  glad 
to  send  you  one.  We  list  and  price  119 
varieties  including  some  new  ones. 

Special 

MONGOLIAN,  MRS.  O.  W.  HALLADAY 

and  A.  W.  CLIFFORD, 

One  bulb  of  each  for  trial  $L75 


Primulinus    Hybrids 

These  are  a  cross  of  Species  Primulinus 
with  Kunderd's  Ruffled  Glory  and  many 
of  them  show  more  or  less  ruffles.  All 
sizes  and  forms.  The  colors  are  well 
blended  although  all  colors  and  shades  are 
represented,  as  yellow,  salmon,  rose,  pink, 
terra  cotta,  apricot,  etc. 

Per  dozen,  postpaid  -  -  $  .50 
Per  100  by  express  -  -  -  2.25 
Planting  stock  h  to  ?+  per  100  1.00 
Bulblets,  postpaid,  per  1000  1.00 

C.  W.  Brown  &  Son 

Ashland,  Mass. 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

r|  i  I  P  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
■  lAl.r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  cf 
k/iiuu  y^jg  j_  jj  g^^  jjj^  .^^jjj^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three- 

MADISON  COOPER.  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


$1 


AA    we  will  send  postpaid, 
III!    a  set  of  12  color  plates. 


For  «/x  1/1/ - 

»  V*  tYX,v\i  gjj^jj  gy^  ^  jg  inches,  of 
the  following  varieties: 

Panama,  Niagara,  Lily  Lehman,  Glory 
of  Holland,  Empress  of  India,  Pink 
Beauty,  Halley,  Baron  Hulot,  Willy 
Wigman,  Elecftra,  America  and  Princeps. 

These  are  all  finished  off  in  natural  colors 
and  are  suitable  for  framing. 

W.  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO. 

PEMBROKE,  N.Y. 


[COLD  STORAGE  I 

I  for    Nurserymen,    Florists,    Seedsmen   and   Fruit  Growers,  i 

I  The    Cooper    Brine    System  | 

^  Write  for  particulars,  stating  goods  interested  in  and  capacity  desired.  = 

1  MADISON  COOPER  COMPANY  1 


=    132  Court  St. 


Refrigerating  Engineers  and 
Architects 


Calcium,  N.Y.    = 


Pvmatuning  6arden$ 
Gladioli 


Dozen 

America           -        -        -        -  $   .50 

Augusta        -        -        -        -        -  .50 

Blanche             .        _        .        -  .75 

Candidum 1.50 

Chicago  White        -        -        -  .50 

Dawn  (Groff)       -        -        -        -  2.00 

Dawn  (Tracy)          -        -        -  1.25 

Empress  of  India          -        -        -  .75 

Glory .60 

Glory  of  Holland         -        .        .  .75 

Golden  King             .        -        _  .75 

Loveliness            .        _        _        .  2.OO 

Mrs.  Francis  King    -        .        -  .50 

Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer        -        -        -  1.50 

Myrtle               ....  2.00 

Niagara .75 

Panama              -        -        -        -  .75 

Princeps .50 

Pink  Perfection        -        -        -  2.00 

Peace            .75 

Prim.  Hybrids          ...  .50 

Rose  Wells          ....  I.OO 

Schwaben         -        -        -        -  1.00 

Taconic .50 

Willy  Wigman         .        -        .  .50 


Hundred 

$2.00 
2.00 
5.00 

2.00 


3.50 
5.00 
5.00 

2.00 

12.00 
5.00 
5.00 
2.00 


2.00 


2.00 
2.00 


Bidwell  $f  Tobes 

Kinsman    -    .    ■    •    -    Obio 


GLADIOLI 

By  the  Million         For  the  Million 

My  new  catalogue  describing  96  distinct  varieties  and  illustra- 
ting some  in  full  colors,  is  now  ready  for  mailing — free.     Some 
excellent  mixtures  and  three  special  offers  make  the  book  well 
worth  having.     Please  send  for  it  today. 

Mary  Fennell 

The  most  beautiful  lavender  Gladiolus  on  the  market  today. 
A  true  colored  reproduction  of  this  variety  appeared  in  the 
January  issue  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 

First  size  bulbs.— Each,  20c.;  Per  dozen,  $2.00;  Per  hundred,  $15.00 
Second  size  bulbs. — Each,  15c.;  Per  dozen,  $1.50;  Per  hundred,  $12.00 
Third  size  bulbs.— Each,  12c.;  Per  dozen,  $1.15;  Per  hundred,  $  9.00 

Daisy  Rand 

Soft  rose  pink,  flaked  with  a  darker  tone.    Very  handsome. 

First  size  bulbs. — Each,  20c.;  Per  dozen,  $1.75;  Per  hundred,  $12.50 
Second  size  bulbs. — Each,  15c.;  Per  dozen,  $1.25;  Per  hundred,  $10.00 
Third  size  bulbs. — Each,  lOc;  Per  dozen,  $1.00;  Per  hundred,  $  8.00 

Six  bulbs  will  be  sold  at  the  rate  of  a  dozen;  Twenty-five  will  be  sold  at 
the  hundred  rate.     No  orders  for  less  than  fifty-cents  will  be  accepted. 

Securely  Packed — Postpaid. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  to  Commercial  Growers  on  planting  size. 

Why  not  place  your  order  RIGHT  NOW — for  either  immediate  or  future  delivery? 
Satisfactory  service  guaranteed.      Planting  instructions  free  w^ith  each  order. 

BE  SURE  TO  SEND  FOR  MY  CATALOG  TO-DAY.  IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Department  D  Milton,  MasS. 


ill 


CATALOG  for  1 9 1 7 

is  ready.    Send  for  a  copy. 
Bulbs  listed  at : 


50c  per  doz.,  $2.50  per  100: 

AMERICA,  HULOT,  HALLEY, 
KING,  TACONIC. 

60c  per  doz.,  $3  per  100: 

CRACKERJACK,  EMPRESS  OF 
INDIA,  LILY  LEHMAN,  PRIN- 
CEPINE. 


75c  per  doz.,  $5  per  100 : 

NIAGARA,  PANAMA. 

$1  per  doz.,  $7  per  100 : 

GOLDEN  KING,  IDA  VAN, 
KING  ARTHUR,  PEACE,  PINK 
PERFECTION,  SCARSDALE, 
ROSELLA,  ZAIDEE. 


Trade  Price  List  for  Growers  and  Dealers  only.     Write  for  it. 

Brookland  Gardens 


Woburn 


S.  E.  Spencer,  Proprietor 


Mass. 


GOLDEN  KING 


A>\  ARr>KI>  FIRST  CLASS  CKRTIFICATK 

Price  of  Golden  King  has  been  reduced  so  as  to  put  it  within  the  reach 
of  all  grov«rers.    Retail.price  1  Oc.  each.  $  1  .OO  per  doz.'i 

Send  for  our   retail   list   describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  and  new  varieties. 
All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.     Wholesale  list  for  dealers  and  large  growers. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  furnishing  planting  stock  of 
the  best  new  and  standard  varieties  to  other  Gladiolus 
Growers,  Florists,  Market  Gardeners,  Nurserymen 
and  all  others  who  grow  Gladioli  commercially. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  on  a  list  of  your  wants  if  you  will 
state  size  and  number  of  bulbs  of  each  variety  wanted. 

OUR  NEW  ADDRESS  IS 

G.  D.  BLACK 

Gladiolus   Specialist 
Albert  Lea        _        _        -        -        Miniv. 


DEPBLt^TCnErlT  Op  FIiOt^IGULiTUHH 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV 


MARCH,   1917 


No.  3 


GLADIOLUS— 
MRS.  G.  W. 

MOULTON. 

Originated  by  A.  E. 
Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind. 
Owing  to  its  large  and 
graceful  habit  of 
growth  and  deep  red 
flowers,  it  is  an  espe- 
cially attractive  variety 
for  garden  effect,  and 
also  excellent  for  cut- 
ting. 


A  beautiful  red  flower 
of  the  dark,  rich  tone 
of  the  American  beauty 
rose  splashed  with  a 
darker  tone  on  the  in- 
ferior petalswhich  also 
bear  delicate  tracings 
of  white. 

The  spike  is  tall  and 
straight  and  thelleaves 
large  and  firm. 


Page 

36 


Ol)e  Mlo6ern    (Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Mar. 

1917 


The  Gladiolus  Manual, 


By  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr. 

Chapter  XVII. 


Shipping  Corms  and  Cut  Flowers. 


PACKING  goods  for  transportation  is 
an  art,  and  many  things  must  be 
taken  into  consideration ;  distance, 
weather  conditions,  size  of  shipment, 
quality  of  stock  shipped,  mode  of  trans- 
portation, and  other  Httle  things  that  may 
prove  disastrous  in  the  end. 

If  a  shipment  is  to  be  sent  a  great  dis- 
tance the  greatest  care  possible  should  be 
taken  to  insure  safe  arrival ;  and  if  the 
shipment  be  corms  the  case  should  be 
well  lined  and  as  light  a  case  used  as  pos- 
sible to  reduce  transportation  charges. 
Pack  to  repel  heat  or  frost  as  the  case 
may  be.  Mark  each  package  contained 
in  the  shipment  plainly  so  that  the  goods 
will  not  be  mixed  in  unpacking.  Tie 
each  package  safely  so  that  no  two  can 
run  together  from  rough  usage  in  transit. 
If  the  shipment  be  by  freight  the  box  or 
boxes,  as  the  case  may  be,  should  be 
bound  with  strip  iron  so  that  they  will  not 
break  or  come  unnailed.  Boxes  should 
be  plainly  marked  bearing  both  the  name 
of  the  shipper  and  consignee,  and  the 
contents  also  should  be  marked  on  the 
case  and  the  number  of  cases  in  the  ship- 
ment on  each  case. 

Shipments  by  express  do  not  need  as 
much  attention  as  do  freight  shipments, 
as  they  travel  faster  and  should  be  at 
their  destination  without  delay.  Freight 
shipments  are  always  delayed  and  some- 
times sidetracked  for  weeks  at  a  time. 
Perishable  goods,  such  as  are  Gladiolus 
corms  and  other  bulbs,  and  also  plants, 
should  always  be  sent  in  refrigerator  cars, 
then  if  delay  occurs  there  is  not  so  much 
danger  of  stock  being  damaged  or  de- 
stroyed by  heat  or  frost. 

In  packing  shipments,  first  get  an  idea 
of  the  size  box  needed  to  accommo- 
date the  shipment,  then  line  well  with 
newspapers,  as  a  rule  for  ordinary  ship- 
ments four  to  six  ply  is  ample.  After 
checking  in  the  various  packages,  they 
are  ready  to  pack.  They  should  be  placed 
as  closely  together  as  possible  to  prevent 
chafing  and  rubbing.  If  there  be  more 
space  in  the  case  than  is  needed,  this 
should  be  filled  with  some  sort  of  packing 
material  such  as  excelsior,  straw  or  old 
papers.  The  lid  should  then  be  securely 
nailed,  and  if  case  is  frail  strip  iron  should 
bind  the  corners. 


In  shipments  where  there  is  one  va- 
riety of  a  kind  large  enough  to  fill  a  case, 
these  are  turned  in  loose  with  a  large 
label  to  mark  the  contents,  and  should  be 
protected  by  some  loose  material  as  buck- 
wheat hulls,  sawdust  or  some  other  filling 
material  to  prevent  heating  and  chafing. 
In  fact,  it  is  well  to  provide  small  pack- 
ages with  this  material.  One  important 
thing  that  must  be  borne  in  mind  is  not 
to  ship  stock  in  large  quantities  unless 
thoroughly  dry  as  this  may  terminate  in 
disaster.  When  moisture  is  contained  in 
a  closed  case  it  starts  mold  which,  if  not 
liberated,  will  cause  rot  and  damage  to 
the  entire  shipment.  Corms  that  are  not 
thoroughly  cured  give  off  moisture  of 
themselves  which  may  damage  the  ship- 
ment. When  once  the  fungus  starts 
which  causes  rot,  the  stock  may  become 
infected  as  follows:  One  rotten  or  in- 
fected corm  today  makes  4  tomorrow,  16 
the  following  day  and  64  the  next  day 
and  so  on  in  multiples  of  four  for  each 
succeeding  day.  Therefore  it  would  not 
take  long  to  ruin  a  shipment  at  this  rate. 

Most  shippers  use  printed  tags  in  ad- 
dressing their  shipments ;  the  tag  used  by 
me  is  as  follows  : 

LIVE     PLANTS. 
Keep  from  Heat  and  Frost. 

For 


From City. 

( Shipper) 


State. 


This  tag  is  glued  on  the  top  of  the  box 
and  at  sight  the  contents  are  evident  and 
are  handled  by  transportation  companies 
as  perishable  goods.  For  cut  flowers  we 
use  a  similar  tag  which  reads  "Cut  Flow- 
ers" instead  of  "Live  Plants." 

In  shipping  cut  Gladioli  we  use  the  fol- 
lowing method  and  have  had  the  best  re- 
sults up  to  a  distance  of  750  miles.  The 
flower  spikes  are  cut  a  moderate  length, 
being  careful  to  remove  as  much  foliage 
as  possible  to  reduce  transportation 
charges  and  still  not  injure  the  appearance 
of  the  flower.     These  are  cut  and  bunched. 


Mar. 
1917 


Ol)^  Modern  (Gladiolus  (Brower 


Page 
37 


25  in  a  bunch,  being  tied  with  cotton 
twine,  all  one  color  in  each  bunch.  We 
start  cutting  from  one  to  two  hours  before 
packing.  We  find  this  an  advantage  as 
they  are  somewhat  wilted  by  the  time  one 
is  ready  to  pack.  They  can  be  handled 
more  roughly  without  bruising  and  are 
more  pliable.  For  long  distance  ship- 
ments the  spikes  are  cut  as  soon  as  the 
first  buds  appear,  and  are  ready  to  open 
as  soon  as  they  reach  their  destination. 
Packing  depends  largely  on  the  quantity 
in  the  shipment.  In  lots  of  200  or  more 
we  find  barrels  to  be  the  best  carriers. 
The  barrels  are  lined  with  four  ply  of  or- 
dinary newspapers,  and  the  bunches  are 
wrapped  separately  in  one  sheet  of  paper 
and  placed  in  the  barrel  on  end,  stem 
down.  After  the  barrel  is  filled  the  con- 
tents are  well  watered.  No  water  is  al- 
lowed to  stand  in  the  bottom  of  the  bar- 
rel and  if  it  be  water-tight,  holes  should 
be  bored  before  packing.  The  tops  are 
allowed  to  project  and  no  covering  is  pro- 
vided for  the  top.  This  has  two  advan- 
tages, a  circulation  of  air  is  provided 
which  prevents  heating  and  the  contents 
of  shipment  is  noticeable  by  carriers,  which 
insures  quick  delivery.  Smaller  ship- 
ments are  usually  packed  in  wooden  cases 
wrapped  in  the  same  manner  as  before 
described  but  nailed  tight.  We  first  used 
a  crate  which  was  open  at  the  top.  This 
crate  was  10  inches  square  at  the  base 
and  18  inches  square  at  the  top,  being  24 
inches  high.  We  shipped  in  these  crates 
the  same  as  we  do  now  in  barrels,  but 
find  the  latter  cheaper. 

The  Gladiolus  is  perhaps  the  longest 
lived  flower  we  have  and  can  be  shipped 
great  distances.  When  the  American 
Gladiolus  Society  held  their  annual  show 
at  Boston,  Mass.,  a  few  years  ago  I  ex- 
hibited some  cut  spikes  more  to  be  loyal 
than  competitive,  and  was  awarded  second 
prize  on  the  best  vase  of  25  spikes  of 
any  one  White  variety.  This  variety  was 
Alice  Carey.  The  shipment  traveled  from 
Denver,  Col.,  a  distance  of  over  2000 
miles. 

We  find  from  experience  that  stock 
which  travels  in  a  wilted  condition  will 
take  up  water  more  readily  than  stock 
that  is  hardened  in  water  in  a  cool  cellar 
or  ice-box  before  shipping.  Stock  is  also 
lighter  in  weight  if  wilted  than  when 
filled  with  water. 

Small  shipments  of  corms  or  cut  flowers 
should  be  sent  by  parcel  post.  When 
using  this  means  of  delivery,  corrugated 
paper  boxes  are  the  best.  These  can  be 
gotten  in  all  shapes  and  sizes  from  large 
paper  houses.  They  are  light  and  still 
they  are  strong.     Shipments  are  packed 


in  the  same  manner  as  express  or  freight 
shipments,  using  plenty  of  papers  and 
packing.  The  same  tags  are  used  also. 
Parcel  post  shipments  for  short  distances 
are  much  cheaper  than  express,  and  are 
perhaps  quicker,  whereas  larger  ship- 
ments may  be  cheaper  by  express. 

Plants  are  allowed  second-class  rate 
by  express  but  cut  flowers  take  strictly 
first-class  rate. 

[Continued  next  month. — Chap.  XVIII,  "Origin 
of  Varieties."] 


Bulbs  Indoors. 

"  I  must  show  you  my  hyacinths,"  a 
little  woman  said,  bringing  out  hyacinth 
glasses  with  a  few  hair-like  roots  showing, 
and  green  points  twice  as  high.  '"  I  never 
have  good  luck  with  hyacinths,"  the  little 
woman  went  on,  "  but  I  just  can't  resist 
trying  them." 

Of  course  we  told  her  to  return  her 
glasses  to  a  dark,  cool  room  or  cellar, 
until  the  roots  reached  the  bottom  of  the 
glass,  and  then  bring  them  to  the  warmth 
and  light.  If  the  tops  begin  to  grow  be- 
fore the  roots  are  well  established,  there 
can  be  no  good  blossoms,  for  the  bulb  has 
nothing  to  feed  with.  All  bulbs  require  a 
good  root  system.  Tulips,  hyacinths  and 
narcissi  brighten  the  home  in  the  winter 
if  they  are  cared  for  rightly.  They  may 
be  planted  as  late  as  November,  and 
stored  in  a  cold  cellar  until  well  rooted. 
If  there  is  no  cellar,  dig  a  trench  in  the 
garden,  twelve  to  sixteen  inches  deep ; 
put  sand  or  cinders  in  the  bottom  ;  set 
the  pots  close  together,  cover  with  an 
inch  or  two  of  sand,  and  then  fill  up  with 
earth,  rounding  the  top  to  shed  the  water. 
When  the  ground  begins  to  freeze,  cover 
with  six  or  eight  inches  of  stable  manure, 
to  prevent  deep  freezing.  Bring  in  a  pot 
at  a  time,  every  two  weeks,  for  a  succes- 
sion of  bloom. —  Wallace's  Farmer. 


A  farmer  cleaned  the  weeds  from  the 
sides  of  the  road  in  front  of  his  house 
and  planted  flowers  instead.  All  summer 
long  the  flowers  bloomed  and  brightened 
the  hearts  of  all  who  saw  them.  Passersby 
appreciated  this  beauty  spot  along  their 
way  and  praised  the  man  who  had  made 
it.  It  was  a  little  thing  for  him  to  do 
and  yet  it  meant  much  to  many  people. 
Why  not  have  more  such  beauty  spots? 
Why  not  beautify  the  roadsides,  the 
school  grounds  and  the  other  places  that 
are  usually  left  to  grow  up  in  weeds  ? 
This  is  not  the  season  to  plant  flowers 
but  we  can  all  be  thinking  about  these 
things. — The  Farmer's  Guide. 


Page 


Ol)e  ^Jllo^crn  (Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Mar. 
1917 


Treating  Gladiolus  Corms 

for  Disease  Before  Planting. 

This  is  where  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  has  proved  its  worth  to  me  as 
an  instructor  in  the  successful  growing 
of  GladioH. 

Last  spring  I  decided  to  treat  all  my 
planting  stock  of  Gladiolus  corms  with  a 
solution  of  formaldehyde  as  directed  by 
Mr.  G.  D.  Black  in  his  article  on  this  sub- 
ject in  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
for  April,  1916.  Having  had  no  previous 
experience  in  this  line,  I  was  a  little 
anxious  as  to  the  results,  noting  that  in 
using  one  pint  of  the  standard  40  %  for- 
maldehyde or  formalin  to  20  gallons  of 
water,  and  not  being  able  to  plant  the 
corms  thus  treated  for  a  week,  owing  to 
wet  weather,  he  lost  half  an  acre  of  fine 
planting  stock.  I  decided  to  use  one  pint 
of  formaldehyde  to  30  gallons  of  water, 
as  recommended  by  most  of  the  State 
and  Government  Experiment  Stations  for 
treating  potatoes. 

I  used  two  large-size  rain  water  barrels, 
prepared  the  solution,  placed  all  corms  of 
%"  to  \\"  in  muslin  sacks  and  immersed 
in  barrel  No.  1,  and  all  corms  under  this 
size  I  placed  in  sacks  in  barrel  No.  2. 
To  the  sacks  I  tied  a  long  string  and  at- 
tached a  tag  bearing  the  name  of  the 
variety  which  was  hung  on  the  outside 
of  the  barrel.  Barrel  No.  1,  I  allowed  the 
corms  to  remain  10  hours  before  drain- 
ing, and  barrel  No.  2,  eight  hours.  I 
then  placed  wire  screens  above  the  bar- 
rels and  tubs,  then  placed  the  sacks  on 
the  screens  to  allow  them  to  drip.  Here 
is  where  my  anxiety  commenced.  I  faced 
the  same  experience  with  wet  weather 
that  Mr.  Black  did  when  he  lost  so  many 
corms.  The  day  I  took  them  out  of  the 
solution  to  dry,  it  started  to  rain,  and 
with  an  east  wind  at  this  time  of  the  year 
looked    like    a    three  or  four  days'  rain, 


which  proved  true.  Fearing  I  might  suf- 
fer the  same  loss  as  Mr.  Black,  I  was  very 
anxious  and  decided  to  take  no  chances. 
The  next  day  after  taking  the  corms  from 
the  solution,  I  decided  to  fill  the  barrels 
and  some  tubs  with  clear  water,  replace 
the  corms  and  allow  them  to  remain 
four  hours,  drained  off  this  water  and 
filled  the  tubs  a  second  time  with  clear 
water  and  replaced  the  corms  for  two 
hours  longer  before  taking  them  out  to 
dry.  I  felt  satisfied  the  formaldehyde 
had  done  the  good  work  it  was  intended 
it  should,  and  that  soaking  them  in  clear 
water  could  do  no  harm. 

The  corms  were  planted  the  5th,  6th 
and  7th  day  after  treating  in  the  solution, 
with  the  result  that  every  bulb  came  up 
in  from  15  to  20  days,  and  in  harvesting  my 
crop  in  the  fall,  did  not  find  one  single 
diseased  corm.  To  the  best  of  my  knowl- 
edge my  Gladioli  were  free  from  disease 
in  the  first  place,  but  I  firmly  believe  that 
an  ounce  of  prevention  is  better  than  a 
pound  of  cure,  and  that  all  bulbs  would 
be  better  if  growers  would  in  all  cases 
treat  their  stock  before  planting.  It  re- 
quires considerable  time,  but  will  well 
repay  one  to  do  so. 

I  do  not  make  the  claim,  that  had  I  not 
soaked  the  corms  in  clear  water  when  I 
found  it  impossible  to  plant  for  several 
days,  that  the  result  would  have  been 
disastrous.  I  simply  was  taking  no 
chances,  and  did  what  I  reasoned  would 
be  the  safest  thing  to  do,  and  having  the 
experience  of  Mr.  Black  in  mind  decided 
to  profit  by  the  experience  of  others. 

T.  H.  Fuller. 


A  subscriber  in  renewing  for  three 
years  states  that  it  is  worth  50c.  to  see 
the  illustration  on  the  first  page  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  twelve  times 
per  year. 


"••%;•..  .■■■  m 


The  Carmichael  Orchards,  Shannock,  R.  I.,  sent  us  the  above  photograph  of  the  increase 
of  three  bulbs  of  the  variety  Red  Queen.  This  division  of  corms  is  not  uncommon  and  re- 
sults chiefly  from  the  planting  of  rather  old,  mature  corms.  The  tendency  is  for  these  old 
corms  to  divide  and  throw  few  flower  spikes  or  none  at  all. 


Mar. 
1917 


I3be  Modern  (Bla6lolu5  (Grower 


Page 

39 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


SOME   ROSES. 

The  electric  line  through  the  Mahoning 
Valley  was  built  on  the  road-bed  of  the 
old  Baltimore  &  Ohio  R.  R.,  formerly 
called  the  Pittsburg  &  Western,  whose 
curves  and  windings  were  accounted  for 
by  its  paralleling,  a  part  of  the  way,  the 
old  tow-path  of  the  abandoned  Ohio 
canal.  Leaving  Ravenna  on  the  12:20 
car  going  east,  we  rode  through  a  pretty 
bit  of  woods.  The  car  moved  slowly  as 
if  loth  to  leave  the  place,  but  more  likely 
on  account  of  the  curves,  and  from  its 
windows  we  looked  upon  the  scene,  al- 
ready familiar,  but  which  had  never 
seemed  more  interesting  than  in  the  cool 
beauty  of  that  winter  day.  The  greedy 
lumberman  had  been  there  and  most  of 
the  large  "  timber  "  was  gone,  but  as  if  in 
first  aid  to  her  injured  wood-child.  Mother 
Nature  was  covering  its  scars  with  a 
quick,  rank  growth  of  shrubbery,  vines 
and  plants.  Planted  in  Nature's  own  way 
the  groupings  were  interesting,  nothing 
crowded,  and  each  individual  plant  plainly 
showing  distinctiveness  of  character, 
while  the  grays  and  browns  in  contrast 
with  the  background  of  winter  white 
made  a  pretty  picture. 

We  left  the  car  at  Newton  Falls,  now 
an  up-to-date  little  town,  and  in  observing 
its  modern  improvements  of  electric 
lights,  paved  streets,  sewers,  fine  churches 
and  pretty  homes,  we  forgot  the  muddy 
streets  and  degrading  saloons  of  former 
years,  the  "Dicker  Day"  which  would 
have  been  a  very  pleasurable  one  of  home 
celebration,  if  it  had  not  filled  the  village 
"  lockup  "  with  those  that  had  fallen  be- 
fore the  tempter.  Newton  Falls  has  good 
shipping  facilities.  In  addition  to  the 
electric  line  there  are  the  B.  &  O.  and 
New  York  Central,  and  Pennsylvania 
service  over  the  B.  &  O.  and,  O  yes! 
there's  the  "Hoodlebug"  over  the  old  B. 
&  O.  to  Warren.  Being  located  on  the 
inter-county  highway,  it  is  also  an  auto- 
mobile thoroughfare  from  Pittsburg  to 
Cleveland.  Its  greatest  asset,  however, 
is  its  alluvial  soil,  which,  together  with 
the  shipping  facilities  and  proximity  to 
the  coal  mines  of  Palmyra  constituted 
the  drawing  card  which  caused  the  Cleve- 
land Cut  Flower  Co.  to  ship  their  fifty 
carloads  of  greenhouse  material  and  re- 
build at  Newton  Falls.  We  are  told  that 
before  deciding  to  make  the  change,  that 
soil  was  taken  to  Cleveland  and  especially 
tested    for    the    growing    of    roses,    and 


although  soil  was  taken  from  other 
places  for  trial  none  possessed  the  food 
qualities  that  would  grow  roses  to  such 
perfection.  The  great  establishment  of 
250,000  sq.  ft.  of  glass  represents  a  small 
fortune  with  promise  of  further  great- 
ness, and  of  even  greater  value  to  the  com- 
munity will  be  its  uplifting  and  refining 
influence  in  teaching  and  inducing  a  love 
for  flowers. 

As  we  entered  the  packing  house  we 
were  welcomed  by  the  efficient  managers, 
whose  evidence  of  their  principles  was 
manifested  in  the  great  punch  bowls  be- 
ing filled  with  a  delicious  but  harmless 
beverage.  Leaving  our  wraps  we  passed 
on,  visiting  in  turn  the  various  houses 
where  Roses,  Carnations,  Sweet  Peas 
and  other  flowers  and  greenery  were  in 
prime  condition,  when  entering  with  the 
joyous  interest  of  Professional  Florists, 
came  trooping  the  members  of  "The  6th 
City  Florists'  Club,"  seventy-seven  strong, 
who  spent  the  afternoon  in  inspection 
followed  by  a  six  o'clock  dinner. 

We  had  been  planning  an  addition  to 
the  rose  garden,  using  the  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals,  Paul  Neyron,  Mrs.  John  Laing, 
Prince  Camille  de  Rohan,  Ulrich  Brunner, 
Gloire  Lyonnaise,  Anna  de  Deisbach,  Frau 
Karl  Druschki,  and  some  others-  all  of 
which  we  have  grown  with  fairly  good 
success,  but  the  greenhouse  varieties,  the 
Killarneys,  beautiful  Ophelia,  damty  Wards, 
and  tiny  Siveethearts,  filled  us  with  a  de- 
sire to  add  some  of  the  tender  varieties 
to  our  summer  garden,  but  we  realized 
that  to  grow  them  satisfactorily  they 
must  have  the  proper  requirements  of 
both  food  and  cultivation  and  a  selection 
of  varieties  suitable  for  our  purpose.  The 
growers  advise  a  clayey  loam,  well  en- 
riched, and  intensive  cultivation.  A  bit 
of  experience  is  sometimes  invaluable. 
A  number  of  years  ago  we  had  a  few 
Hybrid  Perpetuals  planted  in  sandy  soil 
and,  although  they  were  well  enriched  and 
cultivated,  we  were  disappointed  in  the 
color  and  size  of  the  bloom,  which  was 
especially  noticeable  in  the  variety  Prince 
Camille  de  Rohan,  and  we  were  inclined  to 
think  that  the  varieties  were  not  all  true 
to  name.  That  summer  our  cellar  was  en- 
larged and  the  -clay  soil  that  was  thrown 
out  was,  with  sandy  surface  soil,  graded 
up  near  the  house  and  well  enriched  for 
the  purpose  of  growing  flowers.  As  the 
plot  received  sunlight  on  the  east  and 
south  sides  and  was  protected  from  the 
cold  winds  on  the  north  and  west  by  the 
house,  we  believed  it  to  be  an  ideal  loca- 
tion for  our  roses  and  transplanted  them 
from  the  old  sandy  bed  to  the  one  with 
part  clay.     When  they  came  into  bloom 


Page 

40 


Ob<i  ^o6ern  <Bla5iolu5  (Grower 


Mar. 
1917 


it  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  we  iiad  hap- 
pened to  select  not  only  a  good  location 
but  much  better  soil  conditions,  and 
Prince  Camille  de  Rohan  rewarded  us  by 
being  loaded  with  large,  rich,  velvety 
blooms. 

The  Hybrid  Teas  which  are  a  class 
which  came  from  a  cross  of  the  Teas  and 
Hybrid  Perpetuals,  are  marvelously  free 
bloomers  and  combine  the  better  traits 
of  the  parent  classes,  and  with  some  pro- 
tection are  hardy  in  all  but  extremely 
cold  climates.  The  Teas  bloom  in  great 
profusion  the  entire  season,  producing 
especially  fine  blooms  in  autumn  when 
the  nights  are  cool.  In  this  class  there 
are  beautiful  shades  of  yellow  salmon  and 
apricot  lacking  in  the  other  classes.  They 
are  not  hardy  and  like  Geraniums  must 
be  planted  out  each  season  but  specialists 
in  summer  roses  grow  them  in  such 
quantities  that  they  can  be  bought  as 
cheaply  as  Geraniums  or  Salvias,  and 
like  them,  should  be  in  every  garden. 
Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


One  of  our  subscribers  in  California  who 
has  been  much  interested  in  the  files  of 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  offers 
the  suggestion  that  new  subscribers  who 
wish  back  issues  should  order  the  bound 
volumes  and  pay  the  small  difference  in 
price  as  the  matter  contained  therein  ar- 
ranged with  the  index  and  the  continued 
articles  running  therein  make  them 
especially  valuable  in  the  bound  form. 
We  can,  of  course,  supply  a  complete  file 
of  the  loose  issues,  but  the  cost  of  bound 
volumes  is  but  50c.  extra  per  year  and 
surely  they  are  a  great  addition  to  any 
flower  lover's  library.    See  advertisement. 


The  variety  Daisy  Rand  illustrated  in 
color  on  our  inside  back  cover  page  this 
month  is  doubtless  familiar  to  many 
growers.  The  florists  are  especially  at- 
tracted to  this  variety  on  account  of  its 
useful  shade  of  pink.  Daisy  Rand  is  also 
of  somewhat  distinctive  form  and  is  con- 
sidered by  some  growers  to  be  one  of 
Mr.  Kunderd's  very  best. 


^ 

^^ 

*     * 

i 

46 

»      * 

\'A 

>      1 

i/r'e 

y        * 

\% 

k- 

\ 

\ 

n 

M 

I 

%  < 

z: 

1' 

Hand  Grader  for 

Gladiolus  Corms. 

When  the  Editor  visited  S.  E.  Spencer 
at  Woburn  last  fall,  Mr.  Spencer  had  a 
grader  stick  similar  to  the  one  illustrated 
above.  Mr.  Spencer's  grader  had  a  handle 
on  it  on  the  end  where  the  hole  is  shown 
in  the  drawing.  It  would  seem,  however, 
that  a  handle  is  unnecessary.  A  piece  of 
l5"x  2"  pine  with  notches  cut  as  shown 
will  make  as  practical  a  grader  as  we 
have  ever  seen.  It  should  be  noted  that 
the  notches  are  made  1-16"  larger  than 
the  standard  sizes  of  corms.  Mr.  Spencer 
suggests  a  shaving  only.  This  is  to  facili- 
tate the  work  of  grading.  Some  slim 
nails  driven  into  the  stick  where  the  pro- 
jections are  before  cutting  the  notches 
will  prevent  the  projections  from  break- 
ing off  in  handling. 

We  are  giving  Mr.  Spencer  credit  for 
this  idea  as  we  have  never  seen  it  in 
service  elsewhere,  but  it  might  have 
originated  with  some  other  grower.     Has 


anyone  a  better  scheme  for  determining 
the  size  of  Gladiolus  corms? 

Mr.  Spencer  uses  a  set  of  wire  sieves 
for  sorting  out  the  smaller  bulbs,  but  this 
process  is  not  absolutely  accurate  and 
when  the  bulbs  are  being  counted  the 
hand  grader  is  used. 

It  might  be  suggested  that  in  grading  it 
is  not  necessary  to  try  every  corm  in  the 
grader,  but  only  an  occasional  one  to 
keep  the  eye  trained  to  the  right  gauge. 
Some  people  have  the  sense  of  proportion 
so  well  developed  that  they  can  tell  al- 
most at  a  glance  what  grade  a  Gladiolus 
corm  should  go  into.  Others  never  seem 
to  be  able  to  acquire  the  faculty. 

According  to  the  standard  adopted  by 
the  American  Gladiolus  Society,  all  bulbs 
measuring  li  inches  and  up  are  classed 
as  No.  1,  those  that  are  loose  in  H  and 
tight  in  \\  are  No.  2,  and  so  on  down  the 
line  to  No.  5,  (gf)  commonly  called 
planting  size.  All  advertising  price  lists 
and  catalogs  should  conform  to  this  stand- 
ard of  measure  in  order  to  avoid  con- 
fusion and  misunderstanding. 


Mar. 

1917 


<d\)(1  Modern  (Bla^lolus  (Grower 


Page 

41 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON   THE   FIRST   OF   THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
75c.  per  vear, 
3  years  for  $1.50. 


OUK  MOTTO: 
Special  favors  to  none,  and  a  square  deal  to  alt. 


Canadian  and  Foreign 

Subscription   Price 

$1.00  per  year 


Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 


Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

Tht  cont/nti  if  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROH'ER  are  covered  hy  general  ccpyriihl.  Perminion  is  given  ii  edifr,  tt 
use  not  mere  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  proper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  tolltivt  : 
"From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROH'ER.  Calcium,  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations. 
Itns  extracts  »r  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3.  1879. 


Vol  IV. 


March,    1917 


No.  3 


The  Boston  Show. 

The  Boston  Gladiolus  Show  last  August 
was  not  so  attractive  as  a  picture,  as  was 
the  show  in  Newport  in  1915,  but  from  the 
Growers'  point  of  view  the  Boston  show 
was  superior. 

There  were  a  larger  number  of  varie- 
ties on  exhibition  at  Boston,  and  the 
method  used  to  display  most  of  these  - 
one  spike  in  a  vase— had  merits  that  were 
appreciated  by  those  who  desired  to  make 
a  careful  examination  of  the  blossoms. 
The  excellence  and  the  defects  are  much 
more  readily  observed  by  this  method 
than  when  the  flowers  are  massed  in  the 
artistic  displays  which  prevailed  at  New- 
port. There  were  some  fine  examples  of 
artistic  grouping  at  Boston  which  received 
their  just  reward  of  praise,  and  it  was 
universally  acknowledged  that  they  per- 
form a  most  useful  part  in  teaching  us 
the  possibilities  of  the  Gladiolus  for  decor- 
ative effect ;  but  the  growers  found  much 
satisfaction  in  the  open  display. 

Another  lesson  that  the  Boston  Show 
brought  home  to  us  more  clearly  than 
any  earlier  exhibit  had  demonstrated  was 
found  in  the  abundant  proof  that  we  are 
no  longer  obliged  to  depend  upon  Europe 
for  attractive  new  sorts.  The  display  at 
Boston  proved  that  there  are  being  pro- 
duced in  this  country  a  larger  proportion 


of  Gladioli  of  superior  merit  than  is  being 
produced  in  Europe.  There  were  on  ex- 
hibition a  large  number  of  new  varieties  of 
European  origin  and  some  of  these  were 
welcome  additions  to  our  list  of  "beauties," 
but  the  major  portion  of  the  finer  sorts 
were  American,  while  a  large  group  of 
the  foreign  varieties  seemed  quite  com- 
monplace. Montague  Chamberlain. 


Explaining  Variation  in  Prices. 

From  time  to  time  we  hear  rather 
radical  and  unreasonable  criticisms  of 
the  difference  in  prices  charged  by  dif- 
ferent growers  of  Gladioli.  We  are  im- 
pelled to  defend  Gladiolus  growers  and 
try  to  explain  this  variation  in  prices. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  although 
one  grower  might  ask  twice  as  much  or 
three  times  as  much  for  any  certain 
variety  as  another  grower,  that  this  does 
not  necessarily  mean  that  the  high  priced 
man  is  altogether  wrong  in  his  judgment, 
nor  is  he  necessarily  unreasonably  avari- 
cious. For  instance,  it  is  well  known 
that  Holland  growers  have  been  pretty 
low  in  their  prices  during  recent  years, 
but  at  the  same  time,  it  may  be  noted 
that  their  prices  on  recent  American  in- 
troductions are  no  lower  and  in  many 
cases  even  higher  than  American  growers 
have    asked  for  the  same  thing.     Often 


Page 

42 


Ol)e  ^tlo6erR  (5la6lolus  (Brower 


Mar. 
1917 


low  prices  are  quoted  on  certain  varieties 
which  are  in  surplus  to  relieve  an  un- 
balanced stock.  The  same  variety  in  the 
hands  of  another  grower  and  if  he  had 
but  a  small  quantity  of  it,  might  be  quoted 
much  higher. 

Therefore,  be  just  toward  the  Gladiolus 
growers.  They  are  only  human  and  pos- 
sibly the  high  priced  man's  stock  is  worth 
what  he  asked  for  it  as  compared  to  ihe 
low  priced  man's.  Low  prices  often  mean 
inferior  quality.         Madison  Cooper. 


With  this,  the  March  issue  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  we  are  send- 
ing index  for  Volume  III  which  ends  with 
the  December  1916  issue.  We  are  late  this 
year  in  sending  it  owing  to  pressure  of 
office  work. 

We  would  call  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  three  bound  volumes  of  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower,  1914,  1915  and  1916, 
comprise  a  very  excellent  library  of 
Gladiolus  information  and  with  the  in- 
dexes bound  in  as  we  have  them,  quick 
reference  is  easy.  The  price  of  the  bound 
volumes  is  $1.25  each  postage  prepaid — 
$3.75  for  the  three. 

Those  who  are  short  of  any  issues  of 
the  first  three  years  of  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  can  obtain  them  at 
the  rate  of  7c.  each. 


On  page  48  there  is  an  article  by  John 
Lane  on  Gladiolus  growing  in  Australia. 
The  fact  that  he  is  growing  two  genera- 
tions in  one  year  is  certainly  of  interest. 
Mr.  Lane  did  not  go  into  the  details  of  the 
proposition,  but  we  infer  that  this  is  made 
necessary  and  possible  owing  to  a  warm 
and  moist  climate  which  makes  it  difficult 
to  hold  corms  dormant.  We  wonder  if 
this  is  an  advantage  or  a  disadvantage 
and  we  hope  to  hear  further  from  Mr. 
Lane  on  the  subject.  It  is  possible  that 
planting  corms  with  a  short  period  of 
rest  might  result  in  some  deterioration  or 
bad  effect. 

Gladiolus  growers  have  noticed  per- 
haps that  a  corm  which  is  very  late  in 
blooming  as  compared  with  others  of  the 


same  size,  is  likely  to  produce  an  extra- 
ordinarily large  and  fine  flower  spike. 
The  Editor  had  this  result  the  past  sea- 
son, especially  in  connection  with  the  ^ 
variety  Lily  Lehmann.  R.  C.  Boomhower  f|| 
writes  us  of  a  similar  occurrence  with 
Augusta  and  sends  photograph  of  a  spike 
which  bloomed  about  October  1st.  He 
states  that  the  spike  survived  two  weeks 
and  that  there  were  eight  blooms  open 
all  the  time. 

One  of  our  correspondents  suggests 
that  deterioration  to  Gladiolus  corms  from 
year  to  year  depends  on  whether  the 
particular  variety  has  a  tendency  to  form 
many  or  few  cormels,  the  most  prolific 
varieties  deteriorating  faster  than  those 
that  form  few  or  no  cormels.  It  has  been 
noted  that  those  varieties  that  increase 
mostly  by  division  do  not  seem  appar- 
ently to  lose  vitality  and  varieties  have  , 
been  known  that  divide  into  two  or  three 
new  corms  each  year  where  there  is  ap- 
parently no  deterioration  from  year  to 
year.  Could  not  some  of  our  experienced 
growers  throw  some  light  on  this  prob-  ^ 
lem  and  write  it  up  in  detail  ?  ^ 

Those  who  have  not  already  ordered 
Gladiolus  corms  for  spring  planting  cer- 
tainly have  no  further  excuse  for  delay. 
Even  now  it  is  more  than  probable  that 
some  of  the  varieties  that  are  wanted  have 
been  sold  out.  March  is,  of  course,  not  a 
month  during  which  there  are  many 
Gladiolus  corms  put  into  the  ground,  but 
April  is  the  month  of  largest  planting 
and  it  is  always  well  to  have  stock  in 
hand  so  as  to  know  exactly  what  to  de- 
pend on.  Get  a  few  planted  as  early  as 
you  can  work  the  ground  for  early  bloom, 
and  plant  every  two  weeks  until  June 
15th  or  even  July  1st,  and  you  will  get  a 
very  long  period  of  bloom. 


Purchasers  of  Gladiolus  corms,  seeds 
and  plants  sometimes  find  it  distinctly 
advantageous  to  order  from  the  grower 
nearest  them.  This  is  not  always  the  r 
case,  of  course,  but  other  things  being  ^ 
equal,  ordering  from  near  home  usually 
produces  best  results. 


Mar. 
1917 


Ol)<i  Mlo6ern  (Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

43 


Raising  Iris  From  Seed. 


By  Willis  E.  Fryer. 


I  HAVE  raised  the  German,  Dwarf 
Bearded,  Beardless,  Siberian  and  Japan 
Iris.  Of  the  thousands  of  seedlings 
that  I  have  raised  of  the  Siberian  I  have 
never  given  one  a  name.  The  best  seed- 
lings I  ever  raised  of  these  were  from 
seed  of  the  Snotv  Queen.  The  flowers 
were  blue  and  white,  and  many  of  the  blue 
ones  were  very  good,  and  as  large  or  larger 
than  any  named  variety  I  have  ever  tested. 
In  the  Dwarf  Bearded  there  is  not  much 
variation,  but  have  raised  a  few  that  are 
worthy  of  a  name.  The  Beardless  are 
similar  to  the  Siberian,  and  not  enough 
variation.  I  have  seedlings  of  these  which 
have  foliage  four  to  five  feet  high,  and 
they  would  be  quite  ornamental  for  the 
foliage  alone.  As  the  foliage  stands  erect 
it  enhances  its  value.  I  have  raised  some 
wonderful  varieties  of  the  Japan  Iris,  but 
as  these  are  less  dependable  in  Minnesota 
than  the  others  I  have  never  named  one. 
I  find  there  is  more  chance  for  variation 
in  the  German  Iris  than  in  other  species, 
and  will  devote  my  attention  mostly  to 
them  in  the  future.  In  a  row  of  trans- 
planted seedlings  a  dozen  rods  long,  and 
set  one  foot  apart  in  the  row  I  do  not  be- 
lieve there  were  any  two  alike,  and  some 
wonderful  ones,  too.  Of  these  I  have  only 
named  four,  but  the  best  of  them  have 
been  marked,  and  will  be  transplanted  in 
a  new  plot  next  September.  Here  their 
behavior  will  be  noted,  and  as  many  visi- 
tors will  see  them,  I  will  get  their  opinion 
of  them  also.  I  do  not  praise  nor  con- 
demn a  variety  by  the  visitor's  opinion, 
but  I  am  always  anxious  to  have  those 
who  are  experienced  in  judging  flowers 
see  them  before  they  are  disseminated. 

GATHERING  THE  SEED. 

German  Iris  do  not  seed  freely,  and  I 
have  never  been  able  to  gather  a  single 
seed  from  many  named  varieties.  For 
this  reason  I  save  every  seed  possible 
from  them.  Her  Majesty  and  Queen  of 
May  seed  very  well  with  me,  and  some  of 
my  best  seedlings  have  been  raised  from 
seed  of  these  two  varieties.  My  seedlings 
bear  much  seed,  and  I  have  often  seen 
immense  seed  pods  on  them  over  two 
inches  in  length. 

When  the  seed  begins  to  ripen,  I  go 
over  my  beds  every  day,  for  if  allowed  to 
get  too  ripe  the  seed  pods  will  burst  open, 
and  many  of  the  seeds  will  be  lost.  If 
they  are  gathered  at  just  the  right  time 
the  seed  will  be  nice  and  plump,  but  if 


they  are  allowed  to  get  too  ripe  the  seed 
will  shrivel.  As  soon  as  the  seed  is 
gathered  it  is  cleaned  and  placed  in  moist 
sand.  I  have  a  receptacle  large  enough  to 
hold  all  of  the  seed  when  gathered,  and 
the  seed  is  placed  in  this  each  time  it  is 
gathered,  and  covered  with  moist  sand. 

The  seed  is  planted  in  late  fall,  and  as 
it  has  not  become  dry  it  germinates  very 
well.  I  have  planted  it  as  gathered,  and 
with  good  success,  but  I  prefer  keeping  it 
in  moist  sand.  Some  growers  plant  in 
the  spring,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  the 
seed  would  have  a  tendency  to  harden, 
and  not  germinate  well. 

SOWING   THE   SEED. 

If  the  seedlings  are  left  in  the  seed  bed 
until  they  bloom  the  seed  should  not  be 
planted  closer  than  five  or  six  inches 
apart  in  the  rows,  and  if  all  grow  this  will 
be  too  close,  for  the  plants  will  grow  to- 
gether, and  there  will  be  trouble  in  keep- 
ing each  variety  separate. 

The  plan  I  have  adopted  now  I  believe 
is  the  most  feasible  of  any.  I  draw  a  hoe 
through  the  mellow  soil  so  there  will  be  a 
slight  depression  not  over  one  inch  deep, 
and  the  width  of  the  hoe.  The  seed  is 
sown  quite  thickly  in  the  mark  made  by 
the  hoe,  and  covered  from  one-half  to 
one  inch  deep.  The  soil  is  then  firmed 
with  the  foot  over  the  seed,  and  then 
raked  very  lightly.  The  following  Sep- 
tember (the  last  of  the  month  preferred 
as  the  little  seedlings  make  considerable 
growth  this  month)  they  are  transplanted 
in  rows  about  three  feet  apart,  and  one  foot 
apart  in  the  rows.  If  transplanted  as 
stated  there  will  be  no  danger  of  getting 
them  mixed  for  the  plants  cannot  be  di- 
vided when  so  young.  A  large  percent- 
age of  them  will  blossom  the  first  season 
after  transplanting,  and  all  the  second 
season.  After  growing  them  two  seasons, 
the  best  of  them  can  be  marked,  and 
transplanted  in  a  new  bed  in  September. 
Do  not  be  in  a  hurry  to  name  them,  and 
then  only  a  few  of  the  very  best.  The 
naming  of  poor  varieties  of  different 
flowers  is  altogether  too  common,  and  do 
not  be  guilty  of  this  outrage.  When  you 
have  a  variety  you  believe  is  extra  good 
it  is  a  good  idea  to  get  the  opinion  of 
others  well  qualified  to  judge  its  merits 
before  you  offer  it  for  sale,  and  do  this 
while  your  stock  of  them  is  yet  small,  for 
it  may  not  be  so  much  of  a  disappoint- 
ment to  you. 


Page 

44 


Z3^e  Modern  (Blailolus  (Brower 


Mar. 
1917 


Only  those  who  raise  new  varieties  of 
flowers  know  of  the  pleasure  of  visiting 
the  new  creations  each  morning,  and  see- 
ing their  beauty  for  the  first  time.  This 
alone  will  well  repay  one  if  there  was  no 
other  remuneration,  and  if  you  create  a 
really  valuable  variety  it  will  be  a  benefit 
to  mankind,  too. 

To  Grow  Prize 

Winning  Gladiolus  Bloom. 

We  are  pleased  to  extract  from  A.  E. 
Kunderd's  new  catalogue  directions  for 
growing  Gladioli  under  intensive  culture. 
We  wish  to  warn  those  interested,  how- 
ever, that  forcing  growth  as  suggested  is 
likely  to  result  in  diseased  or  worthless 
corms  for  the  next  year's  planting.  In 
other  words,  if  growth  is  forced  this  year 
it  is  quite  likely  to  result  in  such  an  ex- 
haustion and  possible  disease  that  the 
new  corms  cannot  be  depended  on  for  best 
results  the  following  year.  We  would 
also  caution  those  inexperienced  in  the 
handling  of  fertilizer  about  using  more 
than  quantities  indicated.  Excessive 
quantities  of  commercial  fertilizers,  stable 
manure  or  any  other  stimulant  to  vege- 
table growth  may  result  in  the  death  of 
the  plant. 

In  what  we  have  said  above  it  is  not 
our  intention  to  criticise  Mr.  Kunderd's 
directions  for  growing  exhibition  bloom. 
The  directions  are  excellent  and  this  is 
the  reason  we  are  printing  them.  It  was 
our  thought  in  offering  the  above  sug- 
gestions to  caution  against  expecting  too 
much  from  intensive  culture.  There  is 
an  old  saying  "Wouldst  thou  both  eat 
thy  cake  and  have  it  ?" 

This  saying  is  true  in  this  case.  If  you 
force  Gladioli  and  get  exhibition  bloom 
this  year  do  not  expect  too  much  from 
the  new  corms  the  following  year. 

The  following  is  from  Mr.  Kunderd's 
catalogue  : 

"We  often  receive  inquiries  as  to  how  to 
grow  giant  flowers  and  plants  of  the 
Gladiolus,  such  as  are  sometimes  seen  at 
exhibitions  and  described  in  catalogs. 
Gladioli  may  be  grown  to  extremely  large 
sizes  if  forced  by  unnatural  methods,  if 
soil  and  culture  is  of  the  best  possible. 
If  possible,  the  place  where  the  bulbs  are 


to  grow  should  be  heavily  enriched  the 
preceding  year,  and  a  heavy  dressing  of 
richest  barn  manures,  well  forked  in,  in 
the  fall.  In  addition,  a  good  coat  of  same 
materials  should  be  spread  over  the  ^ 
spaded  surface,  in  order  that  its  strength  ^ 
may  be  well  leached  into  the  soil  during 
the  winter  and  early  spring.  Some  grow- 
ers also  add  pulverized  sheep  manure  by 
scattering  along  the  trenches,  before 
placing  the  bulbs,  then  cover  the  bulbs 
(or  corms)  an  inch  or  two  and  give  an 
additional  application,  over  which  the  re- 
maining soil  is  placed.  (Ten  to  twenty- 
five  per  cent,  of  powdered  wood  charcoal 
added  to  the  shredded  sheep  manure  is  a 
valuable  addition.)  Complete  fertilizers 
with  a  good  percent  of  potash  may  be 
used  to  additional  advantage.  Do  not 
set  bulbs  too  thickly.  If  largest  plants 
and  flowers  are  desired,  rows  should  be 
two  feet  or  more  apart  and  bulbs  a  foot, 
or  over,  apart  in  the  rows.  After  the 
plants  are  well  grown,  about  the  time  the 
"  spikes  begin  to  shoot,"  and  the  soil  is 
well  warmed  by  the  sun,  a  mulch  of  well 
prepared  stable  manures  should  be  spread 
over  the  bed  between  the  rows.  At  all 
times,  water  abundantly  over  this  mulch 
to  get  the  benefit  of  this  fertility  and  hold 
plenty  of  moisture.  Never  allow  soil  to 
become  the  least  bit  dry.  By  carefully 
making    applications    of    these    methods,  ^ 

you   can   learn   to  grow  "Giant  Gladioli  "         m 
with  blooms  'six  to  seven  inches  across 
and  spikes  five  to  eight  feet  tall.'  " 


The  first  Gladiolus  blooms  are  out,  and 
what  a  riot  of  color  is  forthcoming? 
The  long  spires  of  bloom  make  wonder- 
ful bouquets  for  the  house,  but  it  takes  a 
heavy  vase  to  hold  them,  they  are  so  long 
and  heavy.  They  last  a  long  time,  and 
cannot  be  matched  for  daring  color 
schemes.  One  is  always  surprised  by 
some  new  burst  of  color  as  he  visits  the 
garden,  and  a  good  enthusiast  gets  up 
early  in  the  morning  and  stays  by  the 
bed  to  watch  the  breaking.  When  a  blood 
red  bloom,  with  its  own  kind  of  silver 
sheen,  breaks  from  its  pale  blue-green 
calyx,  it  is  an  event  in  flowerdom  to  write 
about,  and  there  is  a  romance  about 
pastelle  tinted  petals  as  they  break  over 
a  peerless  calyx  that  has  not  been  writ- 
ten. A  bed  of  hybrid  Gladiolus  blooms, 
that  you  have  no  right  to  expect  formula 
in,  will  hold  up  more  splendid  surprises 
for  watching  eyes  than  any  other  garden 
plant.  The  named  varieties  hold  up 
special  pure-bred  spires  with  a  constancy  / 
fit  for  a  poet's  story.  One  never  sees  a  ^ 
homely  Gladiolus  \Aoova..— Suburban  Cali- 
fornia. 


Maf. 

1917 


^^e  ^o6«.rn  (Bladlolus  (Grower 


Page 

45 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


UNREASONABLE  CLAIM   FOR   CROSSING. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

It  is  claimed  in  a  catalogue  which  I 
have  recently  received  that  through  the 
discovery  of  a  new  law  in  hybridizing  any 
flower  may  be  doubled  in  size  after  each 
crossing. 

Wonder  of  Wonders  ! ! !  The  Gladiolus 
can  be  hybridized  in  two  years  from  the 
formation  of  the  seed,  and  on,  and  on,  at 
least   every   other   year.      In    two    years 

Mr.  will  be  giving  us  blooms  twice 

as  big  as  those  he  now  offers  us,  in  two 
years  more,  four  times,  and  in  another 
two  years,  eight  times  as  big,  or  of  twice 
the  diameter.  He  now  offers  them  six 
inches  across.  Yes,  in  1922  we  shall  have 
Gladiolus  blooms  a  foot  in  diameter,  in 
1928,  two  feet ;  in  1934,  four  feet ;  in  1940, 
eight  feet ;  in  1946,  sixteen  feet ;  in  1952, 
thirty-two  feet— stop  him,  somebody, 
quick !  Lock  him  up,  and  his  secret  with 
him.  The  new  law  might  get  loose,  and 
go  to  operating  on  its  own  account ! 
Violets  bigger  than  barrel  heads !  Sun- 
flowers bigger  than  town  lots!  Cucum- 
bers bigger  than  Titanics !  Ears  of  corn 
bigger  than  city  skyscrapers!  Fields  of 
ripening  wheat,  the  growing  grains  jost- 
ling and  pushing  for  room,  spreading  out 
across  country,  blocking  rivers,  over- 
throwing cities,  crushing  every  living 
creature  in  their  path  !  Lock  him  up  ! ! ! 
Benjamin  C.  Auten. 

Note  by  the  Editor- 
It  is  quite  probable  that  the  person  who 
wrote  the  statement  in  the  catalogue  re- 
ferred to,  did  not  appreciate  exactly  the 
magnitude  of  same.  We  are  all  quite 
prone  to  make  loose  statements  which 
when  reduced  to  exactitude  are  quite 
ridiculous  in  themselves. 


CROOKED  GLADIOLUS  SPIKES. 

The  weather  conditions  of  the  past 
season  were  responsible  for  the  spikes  of 
some  varieties  being  caught  up  in  the 
sheath  of  the  leaf,  with  the  result  that 
the  spike  reminded  one  of  a  certain  fish, 
crimped  skate,  sometimes  seen  in  a  fish- 
monger's shop.  I  think  this  must  have 
been  the  result  of  the  dry  weather.  In  a 
paper  read  before  the  R.  H.  S.  in  1896, 
Mr.  J.  Burrell,  said:  "The  extreme 
drought  and  dryness  of  the  air  during  the 
present  summer  (1896)  has  been  too  great 
an  extreme  on  the  side  of  dryness,  and 
the  plants  suffered  during  August  for  lack 
of  rain  and  moisture  in  the  atmosphere. 


Up  to  the  end  of  July  they  never  looked 
better  and  were  of  wonderful  health  and 
vigor,  but  they  appear  to  require  a  fair 
amount  of  moisture  near  the  blooming 
period." 

From  this  quotation  I  draw  the  con- 
clusion that  this  year  the  moisture  did 
not  come  soon  enough,  nor  was  it  plenti- 
ful enough,  to  release  the  spike  from  the 
sheath,  and  the  subsequent  rains  inducing 
very  rapid  growth  caused  the  spikes  to 
arch.  G.  C. 


FAUST  AND  GEO.  PAUL. 

There  has  been  some  discussion  as  to 
whether  the  variety  of  Gladiolus  sold  by 
Holland  growers  under  the  name  of  Faust 
is  identical  with  the  Faust  in  Groff's 
(Cowee's)  list.  I  have  found  the  Dutch 
Faust  identical  with  Geo.  Paul  for  several 
years  but  never  had  Cowee's  Faust  until 
this  year,  when  I  bought  a  few  from  Mr 
Cowee  for  the  purpose  of  comparison.  I 
have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  they 
are  absolutely  distinct.  In  fact  there  is 
no  very  strong  resemblance.  Cowee's 
Faust  seems  to  be  identical  with  a  variety 
I  got  from  him  in  a  mixture  in  1907, 
which  I  called  the  new  dark.  The  flower 
is  smaller,  rounder  and  more  compact 
than  Geo.  Paul  (Faust)  and  has  a  distinctly 
purplish  tinge  which  is  wanting  in  Geo. 
Paul.  The  stem  seems,  from  my  limited 
observation,  stiffer  and  firmer  and  the 
flower  has  a  few  small  whitewashy  spots 
of  white,  which  are  lacking  in  Geo.  Paul 
(the  Dutch  Faust.) 

I  have  a  sort  of  recollection  that  Geo. 
Paul  has  been  said  to  be  the  Abbe  Rou- 
court  of  Lemoine.  However,  the  name 
Geo.  Paul  has  been  in  use  here  so  long 
and  is  so  much  easier  to  most  people  that 
I  feel  inclined  to  stick  to  it,  especially  as 
the  French  name  has  never  been  used  in 
any  American  catalogue  which  I  have 
seen.  Geo.  S.  Woodruff. 


IS  GLADIOLUS  WILLY  WIGMAN  WEAK  ? 

A  recent  article  in  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower  states  that  Willy  Wigtnan 
does  not  do  well  with  some.  On  my  grounds 
I  consider  it  one  of  the  best  white  Gladioli 
with  a  blotch  or  markings  in  the  throat. 
It  is  strong  and  vigorous  and  blooms 
extra  well  from  the  smallest  corms,  and 
it  will  make  more  show  of  flowers  than 
any  white  variety  that  I  have  tested.  It 
is  also  one  of  the  best  multipliers  which 
is  another  good  point  in  its  favor.  Dur- 
ing the  extreme  heat  of  the  past  summer 
Willy  Wigman  seems  to  withstand  the 
weather  among  the  very  best. 

W.  E.  Fryer. 


Page 
46 


Ol)e  !5tto6ern.  (Gladiolus  <5rowcr 


Mar. 
1917 


The  Dahlia. 

By  Joe  Coleman. 
[Continued  from  February  issue,  page  29.] 


YOUR  Dahlia  garden  will  attract  so 
much  attention  that  many  visitors 
are  bound  to  come,  and  not  to  allow 
your  friends  to  pass  among  the  plants  can 
hardly  be  avoided.  Then  it  would  be 
best  to  plant  your  tubers  or  plants  at 
least  four  feet  apart  each  way  and  if 
room  is  no  object,  four  and  one-half  would 
still  be  better.  This  gives  space  enough 
to  step  carefully  between  the  plants  to 
enjoy  the  glory  of  the  flowers  at  close 
range.     Commercial  planters,  growing  for 


place  just  a  little  soil  around  or  over,  and 
as  the  plant  grows  fill  around  it  until 
the  ground  is  level.  The  roots  are  then 
down  where  the  ground  is  moist  and  cool, 
and  another  decided  advantage  to  this 
method  of  deep  planting  is  the  resisting 
power  of  the  stalk  against  the  heavy 
gales  of  summer.  We  would  not  lead 
you  to  believe  that  the  Dahlia  is  so  tender 
that  it  will  not  stand  any  hardships  what- 
ever, but  its  naturally  brittle  stalk  should 
be  staked  or   the  plant  grown  low  by  the 


Cactus  and  Peony  Dahlias. 


the  tubers  and  not  caring  lor  the  bloom, 
space  the  rows  four  feet  and  the  tubers 
about  18  inches  in  the  row,  thus  no  stak- 
ing is  required  as  each  plant  supports  the 
other. 

A  stout  stake,  paint  it  green  if  you 
like,  should  be  set  at  time  of  planting 
to  keep  the  plants  from  being  broken 
down  by  the  winds.  Another  method 
that  we  like  very  well  is  to  pinch  out  the 
top  of  the  plant  when  about  ten  inches 
high  allowing  four  shoots  to  grow,  and  by 
so  doing,  the  plant  grows  but  half  as  tall 
and  little  if  any  staking  is  required. 

Dahlias  like  a  cool  soil,  so  when  pre- 
paring the  ground  we  scoop  out  a  basin 
for  each  plant  or  tuber  and  when  setting 


topping  method  in  case  a    heavy  storm 
should  occur. 

The  buds  form  in  groups,  a  terminal 
and  two  or  three  at  the  sides,  and  if  the 
largest  flowers  are  desired  the  side  buds 
should  be  taken  off.  This  is  a  matter  as 
to  the  use  the  flowers  are  to  be  put  to,  if 
for  exhibition  only  a  few  should  be  al- 
lowed to  bloom  on  the  plant ;  if  for  garden 
effect  disbudding  need  not  be  practiced 
so  severely.  The  flowers  should  be  cut 
off  and  not  be  allowed  to  fade  on  the 
stalk  if  the  maximum  amount  of  bloom 
is  to  be  had.  The  single  and  Collarette 
varieties  need  not  be  disbudded  at  all  as 
their  blooming  in  clusters  presents  a  very 
graceful  effect. 


Mar. 

1917 


<D\)(i,  ytZobzm  (biabioixxs  (Grower 


Page 

47 


This  Queen  of  the  Autumn  must  perish 
with  the  first  heavy  frost.  If  the  season 
has  been  at  all  favorable  and  we  have 
done  our  part,  she  has  glorified  our  homes 
and  garden  for  long  six  weeks.  When 
the  frost  has  been  severe  enough  to 
blacken  the  foliage  it  is  then  time  to  lift 
the  clumps.  Cut  the  stalk  a  few  inches 
above  the  ground  ;  not  too  close,  remem- 
ber, as  the  eyes  oftentimes  are  up  the 
stalk  a  little  way.  To  the  inexperienced 
it  is  well  to  state  that  a  tuber  without  an 
eye  is  worthless  and  will  not  grow.  Select 
a  bright  day  to  lift  your  tubers  and  allow 
them  to  dry  in  the  sun  but  a  few  hours. 
It  is  best  to  leave  on  the  dirt  that  will 
stick.  The  clumps  will  keep  better  if 
placed  with  the  stalk  down  to  allow  an 
acid  to  escape,  otherwise  the  clumps  are 
liable  to  decay.  A  cellar  with  a  temper- 
ature of  40  to  50°  will  keep  Dahlias  sat- 
isfactorily ;  if  necessary  to  store  away  in 
a  warmer  cellar  pack  in  tight  barrels  and. 
cover  tightly.  Some  of  the  rarest  Cactus 
Dahlias  do  not  make  tubers  but  only 
fibrous  roots  and  to  keep  these  it  is  neces- 
sary to  place  them  in  sand. 


Catalogues  and  Price  Lists. 

Paul  L.  Ward,  Hillsdale,  Mich.  Catalogue  of 
annuals,  perennials.  Gladioli,  Dahlias,  etc. 

Maine  Bulb  &  Flower  Growers,  Lewiston,  Me. 
Catalogue  of  Gladioli,  but  also  includes  the  Dahlia 
and  other  flowers. 

Metzner  Floral  Co  ,  Mountain  View,  California. 
Twenty  page  catalogue  of  plants,  seeds  and  bulbs 
with  special  attention  given  to  the  Gladiolus. 

A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind.  Forty  pages  of 
the  Kunderd  specialties  with  many  beautiful 
illustrations.  The  cultural  directions,  etc.,  given 
are  of  especial  value. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.  Y.  Whole- 
sale list  of  Gladioli. 

B.  Hammond  Tracy,  Wenham,  Mass.  Pocket 
size  catalogue  of  Gladioli  only,  well  illustrated. 

deGroat  &  Stewart,  Bath,  N.  Y.  Price  list  of 
Gladioli  only. 

Riverbank  Gardens,  Saxonville,  Mass.  Com- 
plete retail  list  of  Dahlias. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.  Y.  Retail  list 
of  Gladioli.  

Those  of  our  readers  who  are  interested 
in  helping  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  to  disseminate  useful  informa- 
tion about  the  Gladiolus  and  also  to  help 
encourage  a  love  for  the  beautiful,  are 
requested  to  send  us  the  names  of  those 
who  are  growing  Gladioli  even  in  a  small 
way,  or  those  who  might  be  interested  in 
growing  Gladioli,  so  that  we  may  send 
them  sample  copies  and  solicit  their  sub- 
scriptions. 


Gladiolus  Grov^ing  in  South- 
ern Queenstown,  Australia. 

By  John  Lane. 

The  following  notes  dealing  with  the 
growing  of  Gladioli  in  Southern  Queens- 
land, where  conditions,  climatic  and  other- 
wise, are  so  different,  to  those  prevailing 
in  America  may  be  of  interest  to  many  of 
your  readers. 

The  land  in  which  we  usually  plant  our 
Gladioli  was,  in  its  native  state,  covered 
with  a  dense  growth  of  jungle  or  scrub, 
as  it  is  termed  here.  This  scrub  is  felled 
in  our  winter  season,  and  after  drying 
for  four  or  five  months,  is  fired,  which 
operation  if  successful  results  in  every- 
thing but  the  largest  logs  being  burned 
clean,  leaving  a  heavy  coating  of  white 
ashes.  This  in  conjunction  with  the  rich 
humus  soil  beneath,  the  result  of  ages  of 
decaying  vegetation,  makes  an  ideal  seed- 
bed. 

After  waiting  for  a  rain  to  dissolve  the 
ashes  we  plant  our  Gladiolus  corms, 
sometimes  by  the  primitive  method  of 
making  small  holes  amongst  the  stumps 
and  roots.  At  other  times  by  breaking 
up  beds  between  the  logs,  but  no  matter 
how  crude  the  method  the  result  is  always 
good  and  the  Gladioli  quickly  show  us  by 
their  healthy  and  vigorous  growth  that 
they  are  very  much  at  home. 

When  first  we  came  to  Queensland  we 
tried  to  grow  Gladioli  by  the  methods 
employed  in  England,  viz :  planting  in  the 
early  spring  and  growing  one  generation 
in  each  year.  This  forced  us  to  hold 
over  the  corms  long  after  they  had  com- 
menced to  shoot,  and  the  result  was  not 
satisfactory.  We  then  tried  leaving  the 
corms  in  the  ground  all  summer.  This 
resulted  in  the  corms  sending  out  new 
root  systems  after  every  considerable  fall 
of  rain.  By  either  of  these  methods  we 
found  the  varieties  rapidly  deteriorated, 
both  in  color  and  form,  and  size  of  bloom. 
The  method  we  now  follow  is  to  grow 
two  generations  in  each  year,  planting 
the  corms  on  the  first  appearance  of  the 
root  system  starting  into  activity  and 
lifting  the  corms  about  five  weeks  after 
flowering,  by  this  system  no  deterioration 
takes  place  except  the  natural  wearing 
out  of  the  corm. 

We  find  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance 
that  the  corms  be  lifted  as  early  as  possible 
after  flowering  and  planted  again  on  the 
first  appearance  of  the  root  system. 

We  have  found,  in  this  climate  at  least, 
that  any  growth  or  activity  of  the  corm 
above  ground  is  very  detrimental  to  the 
stability  of  the  variety. 


Page 

48 


Ob^  Modern  (Gladiolus  i&rowcr 


Mar. 
19  17 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


pUGET  SOUND  grown  Dahlias.  Peonies,  Gladi- 
-*-  oli,  Roses  and  Perennial  Plants  are  the  best  in 
the  land,  owing  to  the  ideal  climatic  and  soil  con- 
ditions. A  genial,  moist,  temperate  climate  makes 
them  thrive  and  bloom  here  as  nowhere  else.  A 
trial  order  will  convmce  you  of  this  fact.  Write 
for  catalog.   The  Pudor  Farms,  Puyallup,  Wash. 


BULBS— Hyacinths,  Tulips,  (early  and  late). 
Narcissi,  Daffodils,  Paeonies,  Gladioli.  Also 
Spireas  and  hardy  plants.  New  list  now  ready. 
Write  us  today  for  your  contracts  for  fall  delivery. 
Van-til  Hartman,  Bulb  Growers,  Hillegom,  Hol- 
land. Care  P.  C.  Kuyper,  10  Broadway,  New 
York  City. 


"  That  Modest  Price  List  "— 

For  your  address  on  a  Postal. 

F.  M.  Hine,  Waverly,  N.  Y. 


Dahlias  and  Gladioli 

Catalog  ort  Application. 

THOMAS  M.  PROCTOR, 
Wrentham,  Mass. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 


brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture — 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


T^O  INTRODUCE  in  your  vicinity  my  fifty  choice, 
■'-  named  Gladioli,  such  as  Panama,  Pendleton, 
Niagara,  Dawn,  Peace,  War.  Pink  Perfection,  etc., 
I  am  offering  unusually  low  prices.  Send  for  de- 
scriptive price  list.  T.  H.  Fuller,  Grower,  649 
Marshall  St.,  Battle  Creek.  Mich. 


Published  monthly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
236  Fifth  Ave..  New  York,  N.Y. 


GLADIOLUS  America,  Mrs.  Francis  King,  Pink 
Beauty,      Lily      Lehmann,       Independence, 
Brenchleyensis  at  50c.  doz..  prepaid. 

E.  L.  HoxiE,  Cotuit,  Mass. 


WM  C.  PIKE,  Grower  of  Gladioli,  Hardy  Bulbs, 
Vines,  Plants,  Shrubs,  Roots.  Tubers  of  all 
kinds,  both  native  and  imported.  Own  Root 
Grown  Roses,  Rambler  and  Bush,  entirely  hardy, 
field  grown  stock.  Bargain  prices  until  April. 
Address  18  Summer  St.,  Melrose,  Mass. 


U.  Cemoine  ^  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy,  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE   WOULD   YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerfied  L.  I. 


GLADIOLI 

Northern 
Grown  Bulbs 

Full  of  Vigor,  Vitality  and 
Blossoms. 

We  refuse  to  send  out  anything 
but  strictly  first  class  bulbs, 
healthy    and    true    to    name. 

MIXTURES  OF  SPECIAL 
VALUE. 

We  offer  to  exchange  our  cat- 
alog for  your  name  and 
address. 

Try  us  out  and  see  if  we  are  any  good. 

Maine  Bulb  and  Flower  Growers 
Lewiston,  Me. 


HEADQUARTERS   FOR 

GLADIOLUS  AUGUSTA 

the  florists'  white,  all  sizes;  many  others. 
Long  Island  grown.  Wholesale. 

GEO.  J.  JOERG, 
New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I.,        -        -     N.  Y. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in   the 
curious  facts  about  our  native  wildflowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.    SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet.  III. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.     Catalogue  on  request. 


Bath,  N.Y. 


Gladiolus— Crystal  White 

The  best  white  seedling  to  date  for  florists' 
use.  A  variety  which  everybody  can  grow. 
Good,  healthy,  vigorous  and  prolific. 

Price  for  1st  size  bulbs  25c.  each,  $2.50 
per  dozen  and  $15  per  hundred. 

Give  it  a  trial. 

Herman  H.  Baer 

New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I.,     -    -     N.Y. 


Wisconsin  Grown  Gladiolus  Bulbs 

Better  Than  Ever. 

Good  mixture,  named  varieties,  35c.  doz.;  per 
100,  $2.00  postpaid. 

50c.  Doz.,  $2.50  per  100— 
America,    Halley,   Mrs.   F.  King, 
Minnesota,  Baron  Hulot. 

$1.00  Doz.,  $5.00  per  100— 
War,  Peace,  Niagara,  Golden  King. 

Dozen,  postpaid.     Per  100,  express  collect. 

Lincoln  Gardens,  Eau  Claire,  Wis. 


SPECIAL    OFFER 

20  Blooming  Size  Bulbs  and 
1   Canna  for  $  1 ,  prepaid. 

One  each  America,  Augusta,  Baron  Hulot, 
Empress  of  India,  Glory,  Grace  Henry,  Ida 
Van,  Jessie,  Mrs.  F.  King,  Mrs.  F.  Pendle- 
ton,Niagara,  Princeps,  Peace,  Pink  Beauty, 
Rouge  Torch,  Schwaben,  Mrs. Watt,  Jean, 
War,  Sulphur  Queen.     One  Canna,   Mrs. 
Alfred  Conard. 
List  free  for  other  prices. 
F.  O.  GODOWN. 
Flemington       -       -      New  Jersey 


p.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

1 

Ideal  Bulb  Planter 

&  Transplanting  Tool 

(Patent  applied  for.) 

Capacity  about  2000 
bulbs  per  day. 

Works    equally   well   in    solid 

turf,  rocky  soil,  or  clear  gar — 

den  soil. 

A  GREAT  LABOR 
SAVER. 

Price  $2.00  each. 

By   parcel   post  25  'cents  extra. 

Ideal  Bulb  Planter  Co. 

P.O.  Box 373       Portland,  Maine 

Write  for  Particiclars. 


HILDA 

A  Beautiful  Velvet 
Red. 

The  spikes  are  not  stiff,  but 

make    up    in    most 

artistic  form. 

Our  introduction  in  America  in  1916 
won  us  the  sweepstakes'  prize  against 
fifty-four  vases  in  various  exhibits  last 
year. 

One  dollar  for  a  dozen; 

Three  dollars  for  fifty ; 

Five  dollars  for  one  hundred ; 

delivered. 


Gardens  of  Avon 

523  Securities  Building 
Des  Moines        -        -        -     Iowa 


B  ^^=^m 


Bulblets  per 
lOOO  post  free: 


America 

S  .40 

Master  Wietse 

l.,SO 

Augusta 

.50 

Meadowvale 

.50 

Baron  Hulot 

1.00 

Mrs.  F.  King 

.40 

Brenchleyensis 

.60 

Pres.  Taft 

.50 

Chicago  White 

1.00 

Prim.  Hybrids 

1.00 

Emp.  of  India 

2.00 

Princepine 

.70 

Evahne 

1.00 

Schwaben 

5.00 

Geo.  Paul 

1.00 

Seedl'gs  (our  own 

)  1.00 

Halley 

.60 

The  King 

2.00 

250  or  more  at  the  1000  rate. 

Bulbs  1   to 

1   1  /4  in.  per  1  OO : 

Emp.  of  India 

$1.50 

Princepine 

$1.25 

Evaline 

1.25 

Prim.  Hybrids 

1.50 

Master  Wietse 

2.00 

The  King 

2.50 

Gladiolus  seed  per  packet    -   25c. 
Primulinus  Hybrids  seed  -    -  30c. 

Brown's  Mixed  Hybrids 

No  better  anywhere,  all  colors  and  shades. 
You  cannot  get  these  varieties  elsewhere. 
Large  size  bulbs  $3.75  per  100  by  express. 
Small  blooming  size  bulbs  $2.00  per  100. 

CATALOG  FREE 

C.  W.  Brown  &  Son 

Ashland,   Mass. 


WAYSIDE 
GLADIOLI 

ARE  KNOWN  TO  THE  TRADE  AS 

QUALITY  BULBS 

We  grow  a  selected  list  of 

Dahlias 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  IN  THE  MIDDLE 
WEST  and 

Hardy  Plants 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  ANYWHERE. 
May  ive  send  our  catalog? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor         Box  C  Ohio 


Vaughan's  Specials 

Gladioli 


in 


^^Sir&SiVG\.    Beautiful  Carmine  with  white  throat. 

*  Per  doz.,  $1.30:  per  lOO,  $9 

Primulinus  "Sunbeam"  Ji^f^f 'of "fiiThe 

Primulinus  Type.  Per  doz..  $2;  per  lOO,  $1S 

^ JljQg.  gQ  \\^hi te    T^he  best  white  for  forcing. 

*  Perdoz.,  3Sc.:perlOO,  $2.2S 

REMEMBER  we  can  supply  strictly  first  size  bulbs  for  counter 

trade  and,  where  wanted,  medium  sized  bulbs  for  mail  trade 

on  the  above  and  all  other  Gladioli. 

Write  for  our  1917  Catalog  fout  this  month)  -  some  Grand  Novelties 
in  Gladioli  and  Carinas. 

Vaughan's  Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31-33  W.  Randolph  St.     NEW  YORK,  43  Birday  Si. 


Gladiolus 

"Crimson  Glow** 

A  f^O'OeUy  of  \/nu^uat  Merit. 

Glorious,  brilliant,  satiny  "Crimson  Glow,"  a  color 
that  is  fetching  and  pleasing  to  all.  The  wide  open 
blooms  are  of  the  largest  size,  well  placed  on  the 
long,  graceful,  showy,  slender  spikes  which  remain 
in  bloom  a  long  time  especially  in  the  cool  of 
autumn.  Its  petals  are  of  exceptional  substance. 
As  a  garden  type  it  is  extra  good.  As  a  cut  flower 
its  keeping  qualities  are  the  best.  Its  bulb  and 
plant  growth  are  very  good.  A  free  bulblet  pro- 
ducer. Small  bulbs  bloom  very  well.  A  free 
forcer.    A  gem  in  every  way. 

It  has  been  tested  in  California,  Massachusetts,  New  York, 
Washington  and  elsewhere.  By  actual  test  it  has  merited 
unstinted  praise  from  these  critical  culturists  whose  testi- 
monials are  of  the  highest  value.  We  quote  from  some  of  them: 

"The  finest  red  ever  sent  out."  "One  of  the  very  best,  if  not  the  best 
ever  seen."  From  a  noted  grower  in  CaHfornia,  "We  gave  some  of  the  bulbs 
to  our  customers,  we  all  agree  that  it  is  an  extra  fine  one." 

We  offer  it  in  a  limited  way  this  season  for  trial. 

General  introduction  1918. 

Try  this  unusual  variety— unlike  all  others. 

$1.00  ea.,  $10.00  per  doz.— post  free— cash. 

Our  trial  collection  embraces  all  the  best  from 
all  growers  worldwide. 

The  finest  Gladioli— Carinas — Dahlias  — Peonies— extant. 

C*  Betscbeft  Plant  Breeder 

Fertile  Jlcres  Farms 

Dower,  Ohio  U.S.JI. 


WILLIS  E.  FRYER 

Hardy  Plant  and  Gladiolus  Specialist. 

PHLOX  OF  MY  OWN  PRODUCTION : 

AMELIA,  crimson  center  fading  to  nearly  white  on  outside  of  petals.  ANNA,  large  white  with 
red  eye.  CURIOSITY,  in  one  dozen  plants  there  are  no  two  just  alike.  MRS.  MELLINGER, 
rosy  red,  the  best  drouth  resister  in  my  collection.  MRS.  W.  E-  FRYER,  one  of  the  best  white 
phlox  that  I  have  ever  tested.  MRS.  K.  ANDRIST,  the  nearest  approach  to  blue  that  I  have 
ever  seen.  REV.  N.  E.  SPICER,  the  ideal  pink.  Many  who  have  seen  it  in  bloom  pronounce  it 
one  of  the  best  pink  phlox  that  they  have  ever  seen. 

Strong  plants  of  the  above  30c.  each. 
GLADIOLI.    Words  of  praise  for  the  Gladiolus  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer : 

Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Dear  Mr.  Fryer:— The  bulbs  of  the  gladiolus,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer,  about  which  you 
wrote  me,  were  a  surprise  to  me  when  in  bloom.  I  think  it  one  of  the  finest  varieties 
yet  produced  in  the  gladiolus  line.  Yours  very  truly,  W.  J.  Colcleugh. 

Prices— No.  1,  $1.50  per  doz.;  No.  2,  $L25  per  doz  ;  No.  3.  $1.00  per  doz. 
KATHRYN  FRYER,  dark  velvety  maroon.    The  darkest  that  I  have  ever  seen,   $1.00  each. 
MANTORVILLE,  a  yellow  ruffled  gladiolus.    Some  of  the  flowers  are  pure  yellow  while  others 

are  tinted  pink,  25c.  each.    Gladiolus  bulbs  sent  prepaid. 
DELPHINIUM-My  hybrids;  hardly  two  alike.     $1.50  per  doz.     Strong  plants,  $2.50  per  doz. 
SIBERIAN  IRIS-GRANDIS,    violet;    reticulated    white.    20c.    ea.,   $2.00  per  doz.      LADY 
GODIVA,  blush-white,  flushed  rose.    One  of  the  earliest;  distinct,  25c.  ea.,  $2.50  per  doz. 
SUPERBA,  large,  violet-blue;  handsome  foliage  reaching  almost  to  the  flowers.    20c.   ea., 
$2.00  per  doz.    SNOW  QUEEN,  large  ivory-white  flowers.    Extra.    20c.  ea.,  $2.00  per  doz. 
BEARDLESS  IRIS— LORD  WOLSELEY.    One  of  the  best.    25c.  ea.     SEEDLING  BEARD- 
LESS, $1.00  per  doz.    All  Iris  are  strong  plants. 


BOTH  WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL-WRITE  FOR  CATALOG. 


Mantorville 


Minn. 


WOODRUFF'S  GLADIOLI 

Hardly  need  introduction  to  most  of  you.  They  took  first  premium 
at  the  great  Iowa  State  Fair  and  "Independence"  Gladioli  have  taken 
first  and  second  premiums  and  many  specials  every  year  since  1907. 
Satisfied  customers  all  over  the  country  testify  to  their  excellence 
and  fair  price.     Here  are  some  offers:  — 

One  each  for  50c.— 

America,  Mrs.  Francis  King,  Burrell,  Princeps.  Scarsdale,  Velvet  King, 
Queenly,  Peace,  Pink  Perfection,  Glory  of  Holland,  Annie  Wigman. 

One  each  for  $1.00— 

Golden  King,  Baron  Hulot,  Eldorado,  Independence,  Liebesfeuer, 
Halley,  Loveliness,  Niagara,  Mrs.  Beecher,  Mrs.  Pendleton,  Lily  Leh- 
man, Schwaben,  Pink  Beauty,  Princepine,  Queen  Wilhelmina,  Willy 
Wigman;  two  each  Primulinus  Hybrids  and  Blue  Seedlings. 

These  will  be  all  good  flowering  size  and  postpaid,  each  sort  labeled. 

One  hundred  Oakw^ood  Mixture,  finest  sorts  for  $L00  postpaid  except 
in  6th  and  7th  Zones,  for  which  add  20c.  and  25c. 

Send  for  catalogue  now  in  preparation.     It  will  interest  you. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff,  Independence,  lou^a 


"CRINKLES" 
"KuNDERDi"  Type 


GIANT  , 

GLADIOLUS 

You  have  all  often  read  of 
Giant  Gladiolus  with  flowers 
7  inches,  and  more,  across 
and  spikes  from  5  to  8  feet 
tall. 

While  not  all  varieties  can 
be  grown  to  very  great  size, 
it  is  nevertheless  surprising 
to  what  extent  many  kinds 
can  be  developed  by  follow- 
ing certain  special  forcing 
cultural  methods.  In  our 
1917  catalog  we  have  given  ^ 
special  cultural  instructions, 
such  as  are  not  often  avail- 
able to  the  general  public, 
and  which,  if  carefully  fol- 
lowed, will  give  surprising 
results. 

We  will  gladly  send  you  a  free  copy 
of  our  catalog  for  a  postal  card  request, 
and  we  don't  want  you  to  feel  in  the 
least  obligated  on  that  account  to  give 
us  any  order  whatever. 

Address 

A.  E.  Kunderd 

Goshen,  Ind,  U.  S.  A.      ^ 


PRINCE  OF  WALES 

Beautiful  dark  salmon  pink,  shaded  silvery  white.  Large 
flower  with  seven  or  eight  well  expanded  blnoms  open 
at  a  time.  Considered  an  improvement  on  Halley,  and 
a  large  demand  for  this  variety  is  expected  as  soon  as  its 
merits  become  known. 

Bulbs   1/2  to    1    in.  60c.  per  Doz.,  $3.50  per  Hundred. 


CLEAR  EYE- New,  tall,  early  robust  grower,  with  large  spikes  and  broad,  dark  green 
foliage.  Deep  scarlet  with  white  center.  Flowers  broad  and  of  fine  form.  $3  per  doz. 

PINK  PROGRESSION— Sport  of  "Pink  Beauty."  Very  early  light  rose  color;   rapid 
multiplier;  of  great  merit  for  forcing.  $1   per  doz.,  $S.OO  per  hundred. 

PEARL— A  beautiful  pink  with  creamy  blotch.     An  extra  tall  and  straight  grower  (new). 

$2.50  per  doz.    $  1  5  per  hundred. 

PARLIAMENT-  Bright  red  with  white  blotch,  as  many  as   10  large  open  blooms  at   a 
time.    Very  strong  grower.  $1.50  per  doz. 


PRICES  BY  THE  DOZEN  ARE  BY  MAIL  PREPAID. 
HUNDRED  BY  EXPRESS. 


BY  THE 


JOHN   ZEESTRATEN 

60  Washburn  Ave.  RUMFORD,  R.  L 


GLADIOLI-Named  Sorts 


Per  doz.  Per  100 
post  paid  f.o.b.  here 

Loveliness,  cream  apricot $L00  $5.00 

Mrs.  F.  Pendleton,  Jr 1.50  7.00 

Panama,  deep  pink 75  5.00 

Peace,  white,  red  blotch 1.00  5.00 

Pink  Perfection,  fine  pink 1.00  6.00 

Rochester  White,  pure  white.  1.00  6.00 

Schwaben,  pale  yellow 1.00  6.00 

Brunswick  Mixture 40  1.00 

Groffs  Hybrid  Mixture.. 50  1.50 


Per  doz.    Per  100 
postpaid  f.o.b.  here 

America,  soft  pink $  .50         $1.50 

Augusta,  white  sh'd  heliotrope    .50  1.50 

Baron  Hulot,  dark  violet 50  1.50 

Brenchleyensis,  verm'l  scarlet    .50  1.50 

Chicago,  white  early 60  2.00 

Empressof  India,  dark  maroon    .75  2.50 

Europa,  snow  white 1.00  5.00 

Glory  of  Holland,  white 75  5.00 

Halley,  large  salmon 50  1.50 

Lily  Lehman,  white  rosy  tinge    .75  5.00 

At  Dozen  price,  POST  PAID.    At  Hundred  price,  F.  O.  B.  HERE.  Twenty  five  (25)  Bulbs  of 
a  kind  at  the  hundred  rate  where  not  less  than  100  bulbs  are  ordered  6  Bulbsat  dozen  rate. 
SPECIAL  OFFER— To  introduce  my  Gladioli  I  will  send  one  each  of  the  17  named  varieties 
as  above  and  3  Groffs  Hybrids,  20  bulbs  in  all,  blooming  size,  the  lot  for  only  $1.00,  post  paid. 

SWEET  PEA  SEED- Very  Choice  mixtures 

Winter  Orchid,  mixed  per  oz 35c.        All  Kinds  Fine,  Mixed  per  oz..   15c. 

Early  Winter,  Mixed  per  oz 15c.        Zvolanek's  Gold  Medal,  Mixed  per  pkt.  25c. 

Spencer  Extra  Choice  Mixed  per  oz 25c.  The  Five  (5)  Papers  for  $1  postpaid. 

AMARYLLIS  (Hippeastrum)— The  most  beautiful  and  gorgeous  of  all  the  bulbous  plants. 
With  their  brilliant  colors,  gigantic  size,  there  is  no  other  flower  that  will  make  a  grander 
show  than  the  Amaryllis.  With  their  three  to  five  large  six  to  nine  inch  flowers  on  each 
scape.  My  stock  has  been  crossbred  until  it  is  now  beyond  doubt  as  fine  as  can  be  pro- 
duced. Bulbs  50c.  each,  $5.00  per  dozen;  for  Mixed  Unbloomed  Seedlings.  Bloomed  and 
Selected  Fancy  Stock  $1.00  each,  $10.00  per  dozen. 

PANSY  PL  ANTS- Large  flowering.  None  better.     12  for  40c;  36  for  50c;  100  for  $2.00;  300 
for  $5.00,  postpaid.    One  ounce  of  choice  Sweet  Pea  seed  free  with  each  dollar's  worth. 
/  HAVE  NO  CATALOG 


I    C.  S.TAIT 


Brunswick,  Georgia 


Wanted  to  Buy 
Gladioli 

25,000  America  U  inch. 
25,000  Augusta  U  inch. 
50,000  Mrs.    Francis  King 

Ij  inch. 
25,000  Mrs.   Francis  King 

I5  inch. 
50,000  Mixed  U  inch. 
50,000       "      U  inch. 
50,000       "      1    inch. 

Also  want  prices  on  all  leading 
varieties  in  all  sizes. 

Address  "Buyer" 

Care,  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
Calcium,  N.Y. 


Special  Offer- 

Mrs.  L.  Merton  Gage 

Glistening  white,  with  an  occasional  suf- 
fusion of  delicate  pink:  lower  petals  bear 
a  dainty  stripling  of  rose  pink.  Anthers 
purplish  blue.  Flowers  of  good  size  and 
graceful  form.  Spike  straight  and  strong; 
blooms  early.  One  of  the  best  of  the  whites. 
Awarded  a  First  Class  Certificate  of  Merit 
by  the  Worcester  Co.  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, Worcester,  Mass.,  Aug.  12,  1915. 

25c.  each,  $2.50  per  dozen. 

Although  "Mrs.  L.  Merton  Gage"  is  not 
a  solid  white  gladiolus,  I  believe  it  to  be 
the  best  white  gladiolus  that  is  offered  to 
date,  and  wishing  to  give  every  reader  of 
this  advertisement  an  opportunity  to  try 
this  beautiful  variety  in  comparison  with 
other  white  sorts,  I  will  make  you  the 
following  offer  for  the  next  30  days — 

Six  full-size  bulbs  of  above 
variety  for   $1.00    post-paid. 

Sunnyside  Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Prop'r. 


Natick 


Massachusetts 


Headquarters  for 

Gladiolus  "Mrs.  Watt" 

Brilliant  Wine— One  Color 

(See  February  issue  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  for  full  description. 
Strong  Blooming  Bulbs,       -      -      $  1  .OO  per  Dozen,  Postpaid 

Letter  from  a  Boston  florist  who  has  used  "Mrs.  Watt"  for  three  seasons: 
To  Mr.  Homer  F.  Chase,  Wilton,  N.  H.  Boston,  January  9th,  1917 

Dear  Sir;— Just  a  word  of  appreciation  of  Gladiolus  "Mrs.  Watt,"  with  which  we  had 
such  success  last  season. 

My  reason  for  writing  you  is  because  I  think  it  would  be  advisable  for  you  to  plant  a 
greater  quantity  of  bulbs  of  this  particular  variety  for  next  season  as  they  have  proven  one 
of  the  best  sellers  with  us. 

It  has  a  wonderful  color,  and  lasts,  it  seems  to  us,  much  longer  than  some  of  the  other  so- 
called  good  keeping  varieties,  and  will  undoubtedly  be  in  greater  demand  next  season. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

(Signed)  Penn  The  Florist,  by  Henry  Penn. 

One-half  dozen  each  of  the  following  for  $2.00,  postpaid: 

"Mrs.  Watt,"  Myrtle,  Maize  (corn  color).  Rouge  Torch  (delicate  pink,  cream  and  white, 
torch  shaped  spot  rouge  in  throat),  Ida  Van,  Sulphur  Queen  (soft  shade  lemon  yellow  no 
spot  in  throat).  Peace.        j  jgg^^  j^q  RETAIL  CATALOGUE. 

Prices  planting  stock  "Mrs.  Watt"  to  growers  on  application. 

Homer  F.  Chase 

Wilton         -         -         -  New  Hampshire 


Myrtle 


The    Perfect    Pink    Gladiolus 

Blossoms  in  the  lovely  tints  of  the  trail- 
ing arbutus.  Rare  and  beautiful  as  a  pink  pearl.  See  January 
number  for  full  description. 

Strong  Bulbs  20c.  each,  $2.00  per  dozen. 


¥     C1'«7'  \\/^V*i'|-^     Snow    White    and    Lily  Pure 

■'— '-^^y  ▼  ▼  *  **  ^^  A  white  of  delightful  vigor  and 
spotless  purity.  Will  succeed  anywhere.  See  February  num- 
ber for  full  description. 

Strong  Bulbs  SOc.  each,  $S.OO  per  dozen. 

Is  Pink  your  favorite  color  ?  A  garden  of  beautiful  pink  Gladioli 
from  palest  pink  to  deep  rose,  lovely  and  tasteful.  3  each  of  choicest  eight 
varieties:  America,  palest  pink;  Taconic,  silvery  pink;  Mrs.  Pendleton,  blush 
pink;  Pink  Perfection,  apple  blossom;  Pink  Beauty,  peach  pink;  Panama,  rose 
pink;    Independence,  coral  pink;    Halley,  salmon  pink.        All  for  $1.00. 

You  surely  must  try  these.     They  are  exquisitely  dainty. 

MY  NEW  BOOKLET  IS  "DIFFERENT  "    WANT  ONE  ? 

H.  E.  MEADER,  Gladiolus  Specialist. 
Dover        -        -        -        -      New  Hampshire 


WE  GROW 

ALL  OF  THE   STANDARD 
VARIETIES  OF  THE 

Gladiolus 

and  assure  you  that  every  thing  that 

we  offer  is  grown  right  here  on  our 

own  place,  and  guarantee  all  bulbs 

to  be  free  from  disease. 

In  Addition 

to  Gladioli  we  grow  a  very  com- 
plete line  of  Dahlias,  Cannas,  Tigri- 
dias,  Montbretias,  and  other  bulbs 
and  plants  for  the  spring  season. 

Ask  Us 

before   placing   your  spring  order. 
You'll  not  regret  it. 

The  Grinnell  Nursery 

Grinnell    -    -    -    -    Iowa 


E.  E.  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GUDIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


Q! 


90 


GIANT  NEW  GLADIOLI 

IT  IS  NEEDLESS  to  comment  on  the  success  of  the  Austin  origi- 
nations. These  varieties  have  been  developed  with  the  firm  behef 
that  the  tallest  and  most  graceful  Gladiolus  in  existence  has  been  pro- 
duced. You  will  not  have  the  best  in  Gladioli  until  you  grow  them. 
A  magnificent  collection  of  eight  sorts  is  now  offered  the  public. 


EVELYN  KIRTLAND-Strong  substance, 
beautiful  shade  of  rosy  pink,  darker  at 
the  edges,  fading  to  shell  pink;  brilliant 
scarlet  blotches  on  lower  petals.  Entire 
flower  showing  glistening,  sparkling 
luster. 

GRETCHEN  ZANG- Most  beautiful  soft, 
melting  shade  of  pink  blending  into 
scarlet  on  lower  petals. 

HERADA — Immense  size  on  tall  spikes.  A 
startling  novelty  of  pure  mauve,  glisten- 
ing and  clear. 

WAMBA — Enormous  blooms  of  deep  sal- 
mon.   No  collection  complete  without  it. 

CARDISUN  -A  large  bloom,  dark  velvety 
red  with  nearly  black  throat. 

BERTREX — A  sterling  white  of  great  sub- 
stance; winner  silver  cup  for  best  seed- 
ling. 

ROSE  WELLS— Large,  wide  open  blooms; 
light  rose,  clear  color,  small  attractive 
blotch  of  lilac  rose  and  yellowish  green. 

ORIOLE— A  sterling  light  yellow  with 
deeper  throat. 

This  collection  has  ivon  12  prizes 
including  Silver  Cups. 


One  bulb  each  entire  collection 
$2.50 ;  3  collections  $7.  Pre- 
paid.   Orders  filled  in  rotation. 


EVELYN  KIRTLAND  "America    has    recently    added  to  our 

Note  Illustration  measuring  length  of  wealth  in  important  Gladiolus  two  pink 

spike  with  yardstick.  beauties  that  have  been  named  Evelyn 

Kirtland  and  Gretchen  Zang.  *  *  *  A 
new  touch  of  color  was  added  to  our  gardens  last  summer  by  the  introduction  of  Herada, 
a  brilliant  mauve  that  is  sure  to  become  popular."  Montague  Chamberlain,  in  August  issue 
The  Garden  Magazine. 

"Evelyn  Kirtland  is  the  most  magnificent  Gladiolus  I  have  ever  seen  and  I  have  seen  most 
all  there  a^re."— Wilbur  A.  Christy,  Secretary-Treasurer  Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio. 

Send  for  WHOLESALE  or  RETAIL  List. 

Have  Schwaben,  Mrs.  Pendleton.  Pink  Perfection,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer, 
Golden  King  and  all  the  rest. 

"Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 

Austin- Coleman  Co. 

Wayland        -        -        -        -  Ohio 


9Q 


The  Wilmore  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr.) 

Wheatridge,  Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Growers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the  best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


)   You  want  something 
NEW  and  FINE  ? 

ask  then  quotations  for  our 


new  (special  blue) 

GLADIOLI 

WHOLESALE  PRICE  LIST  FOR  1917  FREE    ON  APPLICATION. 

APPLY  TO  OUR  AMERICAN  REPRESENTATIVE 

MR.  TH.  A.  de  GROOT, 

c/o  R.  F.  Lang,    8/10  Bridge  Street 

NEW  YORK 

K.  VELTHUYS, 

Hillegom        ...         Holland 


Meehan's 
Mallow  Marvels 

These  absolutely  hardy  perennials,  originated  by  us,  are  of  such  surpassing 
beauty  that  they  are  considered  the  sensation  of  the  plant  world  today. 

From  mid-summer  until  frost,  when  the  sturdy  5-foot  bushes  are  covered 
with  the  big  gorgeous  blossoms,  the  effect  is  really  dazzling. 

Even  a  single  specimen,  while  in  bloom,  is  the  most  conspicuously  beautiful 
feature  of  the  lawn  or  yard,  and,  used  in  masses,  they  dominate  the  entire 
grounds.    No  flower  lover  can  afford  to  be  without  them.    Order  NOW. 

Strong  2-year  roots.  Pink  or  White,  50c.  each  ;  5  for  $2.      Red.    75c.; 
5  for  $3.    Mixed  colors,  35c.;  5  for  $1.50. 

Write  for  our  1917  Hand  Book  TODAY. 

It  describes  in  detail  hundreds  of  specially  choice,  well  grown  trees,  shrubs, 
and  hardy  flowering  plants,  and  tells  how  to  grow  them.      Mailed  FREE. 

Thomas  Meehan  &  Sons 


=       6728  Chew  St.,  Germantown, 


Philadelphia,  Pa.     = 


METZNER'S 

Grand  Prize  Strain 

Gladioli 

Our  Prize  Winners  at  the  Panama- 
Pacific  International  Exposition, 
San  Francisco,  Cal.,  1915 

"Capl.  Asher  Carter  Baker"  ( silver  Medai) 

Flowers  4';  in.  diam.     Spikes  4   ft.   tall. 
Bright  Scarlet.  Strong  bulbs.  $1.00  each. 

"Dr.  Frederick  J.  V.  Skiff  "  <g«w  Me-f"') 

Flowers  5 V2  in.  diam.  Spikes  5  to  6  ft.  tall. 
Delicate  Rose  Pink.  Strong  bulbs  $1.50  ea. 

"Polar  Star"  (GoWMedai) 

Flowers  5  in.  diam.   Spikes  5  to  6  ft.  tall. 
Milk  White.    Strong  bulbs  $2.00  each. 

WE  PREPAY  CHARGES  IN   U.  S. 

[  Write  for  our\191 7  Catalogue. 

Metzner  Floral  Co. 

Mountain  View    -    California 


lYOUELL'Sl 

I  Nc  Plus  Ultra  | 

I  Mixture  | 

^  is  made  up  from  named  varieties  of  ^ 

^  various  colors  (except  blue)  and  is  M. 

=  recommended  with  the  greatest  con-  = 

^  fidence.    It  will  especially  appeal  to  M 

^  those  who  want   a    variety    of   the  ^ 

=  choice  flowers  without  the  trouble  M 

^  of  making  a  selection.  ^ 

^  Price,  per  doz.,  postpaid,  60c  M 

^  per  hundred,  by  express  M 

m  collect,  $4.00  § 

^  Mixture  of  all  blue  shades,  same  M 

M  as  above.  = 

^  A  short  and  interesting  history  of  = 

^  the    Gladiolus,   with  full  cultural  = 

^  directions,  will    accompany    each  = 

=  order-  = 

I  H.  Youell  I 

1  538  Cedar  St.,  Syracuse,  N.Y.  1 


Messrs.  Munsell  &  Harvey,  Ashtabula,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen: — *  *  *  *  "You  have  a  wonderful  flower,  indeed,  in 
Hazel  Harvey.  It  is  about  the  most  beautiful  red  I  have  ever 
seen,  and  blends  so  well  with  about  everything  else.  It  is  especially 
effective  with  the  whites  or  with  Schwaben"    *    *    *    * 

Very   truly, 

1  Oc.  each,  $  1  per  dozen,  prepaid.  *  *       *   *  *   *  * 


MRS.  FRANK  PENDLETON 

The  most  popular  Gladiolus  grown. 

Planting  sizes,  1"  to  li",  $4  per  hundred ;  f"  to  1",  $3  per  hundred; 
f "  to  I",  $2  per  hundred. 

The  well  known  varieties  ROSE  BUD.  IDA  VAN,  SUMMER  BEAUTY  and  MISS  LUCILLE. 
WRITE  FOR  QUOTATIONS. 

M.  F.  WRIGHT,  Gladiolus  Grower 

1906  Smith  St.  FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


>      1 


¥  ^  ^,  ^      Specials ! 

Strong  blooming  bulbs 

^  ™^^^^j|       -«»  Per  Doz. 

^  ^^^^^^^t      ,;^...  a  Attr.^ction  ....        $1.00 

Electra .75 

EUROPA .75 

,,-^^^^^^^^^       Glory .50 

*^*'"''^^^^^^^^       Hyde  Park  (new)         ....  i.oa 

LlEBESFEUER        .....  2.00 

t:S£S!i-i7  l^^^H       Lily  Lehmann .35 

Mary  Fennell        ....  2. 00 

Meteor 2  50 

Mrs.  Pendleton      ....  1.00 

Mrs.  Watt  LOO 

Niagara  .50 

ON  RECEIPT  OF  $1.00  Pacha  .50 

I  will  send,  postpaid,  a  box  of  25  Gladioli.    All       PRimulinus  Hybrids       -       -       .  .50 

named  varieties,  assorted  colors  Shakespeare 1.00 

and  sure  bloomers.  Victory .35 

SEND  FOR  A  CATALOG  TO 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville        -----  Mass. 


Richard   Diener  Company 

(incorporated) 
KENTFIELD,  CALIFORNIA,  U.  S.  A. 

Originators  and  Growers  of  the  Largest  and  Finest  Gladioli  in  the  World 

SEND  FOR  OUR  ILLUSTRATED  1917  CATALOGUE— IT  IS  FREE. 

GLADIOLI 

OOCD 

Special  Offer 
World's  Fair  Collection 

Ten  Named  Varieties 


In  order  to  have  our  new  varieties  widely  introduced 
we  offer  ten  named  varieties  as  described  in  our  1917 
Catalogue ;  our  own  selection.  The  bulbs  will  be  of 
the  smaller  size  but  every  one  guaranteed  to  flower 
this  season. 

WHILE  THEY  LAST  $10.00 
FOR  THE  COLLECTION. 

1  Doz.  Richard  Oiener's  Mixed  Hybrids,    large  size  bulbs,  $5.00 

1  Doz.  Richard  Diener's  Mixed  Hybrids,  small  size 'bulbs,  $2.50 

GRAND  PRIZE  P.  P.  I.  E. 

Dr.  Frederick  T.  V.   Skiff    (Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  P.  P.  I.  E.,  1915) 

Light  flesh  pink  like  "Panama"  but  larger;  produces  up  to  130  flowers  to  the  bulb. 
Flowers  6  inches  in  diameter;  stems  6  feet  high.  All  bulblets  or  corms  will  produce 
flower  spikes  five  months  after  planting.  Very  rapid  propagator.  (Our  Own  produc- 

'^'""^     Large  bulbs,  $3.00  each.  Small  bulbs.  $1.50  each. 

Captain  Asher  Carter  Baker    (Awarded  Silver  Medal  at  P.  P.  I.  E.) 

Rich,  velvety  red  with  darker  center.  Flowers  5  inches  in  diameter;  stems  4  to  5 
feet  high.    Best  red  shown  at  the  San  Francisco  World's  Fair. 


i 


Large  bulbs,  $3.00  each. 


Small  bulbs,  $1.50  each. 


GLADIOLUS   SEED 

We  have  selected  seed  from  all  our  new  varieties  as  well  as  from  our  50,000  1916 
seedlings.  All  the  seed  is  evenly  mixed.  The  sizes  of  the  flowers  range  from  4  to  9  inches 
in  diameter,  and  the  height  of  the  stems  is  from  5  to  8  feet.  The  seedlings  from  this  seed  will 
flower  in  from  5  to  6  months  after  sowing,  and  many  will  have  three  or  four  side  shoots, 
aside  from  the  main  shoot,  in  the  first  year.  They  will  range  in  all  colors  imaginable,  but 
salmon,  white,  lilac,  pink  and  rose  pink  are  the  leading  coh/rs.  There  is  no  other  firm  in  the 
world  that  can  put  anything  like  these  on  the  market. 


Seeds  per  package,  $1.00. 


Seeds  per  dozen  packages,  $10.00 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

EACH  DOZ. 

America       -        -    $  .05  $  .50 

Brenchleyensis          .04  .30 

Isaac  Buchanan         .08  .75 

Channel  Is.  Hybrids  .  06  .60 

Columbia        -        -    .06  .60 

May      -        -        -        .06  .60 

Maize       -        -        -    .25  2.50 

Mrs.  H.  W.  Beecher  .08  .75 

Pacha      -        -        -    .08  .75 

Primulinus  Hybrids  .06  .60 

Princeps          -        -     .06  .60 

Mixed  Hybrids    -        .05  .50 

and  other  kinds  on  my  list  sent 
prepaid  by  parcels  post  to  any  zone. 
One  of  each  of  above  list,  prepaid, 
75c.  One  dozen  of  each,  $5.00,  by 
express  collect. 

Descriptive  list  on  application,  also  wholesale 
list  for  growers  and  dealers. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 

R.  F.  D. 


Dahlias 

Select  Varieties 

My  catalog,  descriptive  of  over  200 
of  the  best  and  newest  DAHLIAS, 
has  been  mailed.  If  you  have  not 
received  a  copy,  send  for  it. 

For  instance: — 

Cactus  Type: 

Conqueror  -  25c.  Mrs.'H.  Randle  50c. 
Dorothy  Hawes  75c.  Pierrot  -  -  -  75c. 
Johannesburg     25c.    The  Imp    -    -     50c. 

Peony— flowered : 

Beacon  -    -    -      50c.    Dr.  Peary    -    -  25c. 

Caesar    -     -    -    25c.    Geisha    ■    -    -    25c. 

Phenomenal      -    -    50c. 

Finest  collection  of  Pompons  in  this  coun- 
try. Also  Miniature  Cactus,  Decorative, 
Show,  Fancy,  Collarettes  and  Singles. 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville     -    Massachusetts 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

fj  1 1  P  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
^Al.r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  of 
ur&AJU  y^ig  ^    jj  3^^  jij^  ^-^^^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three. 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


$1 


AA     we  will  send  postpaid, 
MM    a  set  of  12  color  plates. 


For  ...x  »w 

1  Ul  y  x.vvf  g3(,j^  81/2  X  15  inches,  of 
the  following  varieties: 

Panama,  Niagara,  Lily  Lehman,  Glory 
of  Holland,  Empress  of  India,  Pink 
Beauty,  Halley,  Baron  Hulot,  Willy 
Wigman,  Elertra,  America  and  Princeps. 

These  are  all  finished  off  in  natural  colors 
and  are  suitable  for  framing. 

W.  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO. 
PEMBROKE,  N.Y. 


I   WANT  YOUR  NAME  FOR  MY  MAILING  LIST  FOR  THEN 
YOU  WILL  WANT 

CEDAR  ACRES  GLADIOLI 

"Bulbs  that  Bloom" 

SEND  FOR  BEAUTIFUL  ILLUSTRATED   BOOKLET,  DESCRIBING  MANY  VARIETIES 
AND  GIVING  THE   REAL  TRUTH   ABOUT   EACH. 


B.  HAMMOND  TRACY 


CEDAR  ACRES 


Box  K 


WENHAM,  MASS. 


Pyntatuning  Gardens 
Gladioli 


Dozen  Hundred 

America           -        -        -        -  $   .50                $2.00 

Augusta        -----  .50                  2.00 

Blanche             .        -        -        -  .75                  5.00 

Caodidum     -----  1.50 

Chicago  White        -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Dawn  (Groff)       -        -        -        -  2.00 

Dawn  (Tracy)          -        -        -  1-25 

Empress  of  India          -        -        -  .75 

Glory .60                  3.50 

Glory  of  Holland         -        -        -  .75                  5.00 

Golden  King             .        -        -  .75                  5.00 

Loveliness            _        _        -        -  2.00 

Mrs.  Francis  King    -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer        -        -        -  1.50 

Myrtle               _        .        -        -  2.00                 12.00 

Niagara .75                  5.00 

Panama              .        -        -        -  .75                  5.00 

Princeps .50                  2.00 

Pink  Perfection        -        -        -  2.00 

Peace            .75 

Prim.  Hybrids           -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Rose  Wells           -        -        -        -  1.00 

Schwaben         -        -        -        -  1.00 

Taconic .50                  2.00 

Willy  Wigman         -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Bidwell  $  Tobes 

Kinsman Ohio 


GLADIOLI 

By  the  Million         For  the  Million 


My  new  catalog  describ 
now  ready  for  mailing 
mixtures  and  three  \;j' 

the    book    well 


Please  send  for 


ing  96  distinct  varieties,  is 
— free.   Some  excellent 
special  offers  make 
worth   having. 

it  today. 


The  above  picture  is 
a  true  reproduction  of 


Daisy  Rand 


First  size  bulbs. — Each,  20c.;  Per  dozen,  $1.75;  Per  hundred,  $12.50 
Second  size  bulbs. — Each,  15c.;  Per  dozen,  $1.25;  Per  hundred,  $10.00 
Third  size  bulbs. — Each,  lOc;  Per  dozen,  $1.00;  Per  hundred,  $  8.00 

Six  bulbs  will  be  sold  at  the  rate  of  a  dozen ;  Twenty-five  will  be  sold  at 
the  hundred  rate.     No  orders  for  less  than  fifty  cents  will  be  accepted. 

Securely  Packed— Postpaid. 

Why  not  place  your  order  RIGHT  NOW — for  either  immediate  or  future  delivery? 
Satisfactory  service  guaranteed.     Planting  instructions  virith  each  order. 

BE  SURE  to:  send  FOR  MY  CATALOG  TO-DAY.  IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROCS 

Department  D  Milton,  MaSS. 


Brookland  Collection 

of  Gladiolus  Bulbs. 

6  America,  5  Lily  Lehman,  5  Halley,  2  Golden  King,  2  Mrs.  F.  Pendleton, 
1  War,  1  Zaidee,  1  Liebesfeuer,  1  Pink  Perfection,  1  Schwaben. 

Twenty-five  bulbs,  ten  choice  exhibition  varieties  (value  $1.90)     -     $1.50 

Two  Collections,  50  bulbs,  $2.75  Four  collections,  100  bulbs  $5.00 

By  express  collect  on  receipt  of  price. 

Red,  White  and  Blue  Collection. 

One  each  of  Liebesfeuer,  the  clearest  national  red ;  Europa,  pure  white ; 
Blue  Jay,  the  best  blue. 

Three  bulbs,  postpaid,  50c.       Two  of  each,  90c.       Five  of  each,  $2.00. 

Catalog  of  35  choice  varieties  FREE. 

Brookland  Gardens 

S.  E.  Spencer,  Proprietor 

Woburn  -        -        -  Mass. 


QQLDEIV  KING 

.V\V  ARDKI)  FIRST  CLASS  CKRTIFICATK 

Price  of  Golden  King  has  been  reduced  so  as  to  put  it  within  the  reach 
of  all  growers.    Retail  price  1  Oc.  each.  $  1  .OO  per  doz. 

Send  for  our   retail   list  describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  and  new  varieties. 
All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.     Wholesale  list  for  dealers  and  large  growers. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  furnishing  planting  stock  of 
the  best  new  and  standard  varieties  to  other  Gladiolus 
Growers,  Florists,  Market  Gardeners,  Nurserymen 
and  all  others  who  grow  Gladioli  commercially. 

We  recommend  planting  young  |  to  1  in.  blooming  size  bulbs  and  sell  them 
very  cheaply  in  lots  of  100  and  lOQp  or  more. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  on  a  list  of  your  wants  if  you  will 
state  size  and  number  of  bulbs  of  each  variety  wanted. 

G.  D.  BLACK 

GLADTOI.US    SPECIALIST 

Albert  Lea        _         -        _        -        Minn. 


t>BPHnTmENT  OF  FIiOmCUbTdnH 


kdkLkMMM 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


APRIL,   1917 


No.  4 


:> 


GLADIOLUS- 
NORMA  DEE 

CHILDS. 

Extra  large  flower 
and  spike.  Delicate 
white  in  color,  softly 
penciled  with  rose 
and  with  a  large  sul- 
phur-yellow throat. 


One  of  the  John  Lewis 
Childs  specialties,  or- 
iginated and  intro- 
duced by  him  some 
yeSrs  ago  and  named 
for  his  daughter. 
A  very  beautiful  and 
distinctive  variety, 
but  like  many  other 
white  varieties  not  of 
very  strong  growth. 


Page 

50 


Ol)e  Modern    <Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Apr. 

1917 


The  Gladiolus  Manual. 


By  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr. 

Chapter  XVIII. 


The  Gladiolus  a  Hobby  and  How  to  Obtain  a  Good  Collection. 


WORK  that  becomes  play  is  a  hobby. 
The  diversity  in  the  lives  of  men 
causes  some  to  take  pleasure  in  the 
lines  of  work  that  others  depend  upon  for 
livelihood.  Some  men  pay  for  the  privi- 
lege of  doing  things  that  others  are  hired 
to  do.  The  professional  Gladiolus  grower 
is  glad  to  see  the  end  of  a  day's  toil  that 
he  may  divert  his  attention  to  something 
else,  while  others  hasten  home  from  their 
varied  lines  of  endeavor  to  work  with  the 
Gladiolus  which  is  in  most  cases  more  in- 
teresting to  them  than  their  business. 
Some  men  do  not  have  hobbies,  while 
others  turn  their  attention  as  a  hobby  to 
lines  vastly  different  from  flowers. 

Many  cases  have  developed  where  a 
hobby  has  become  a  profession  and  such 
have  become  great  successes  for  the  rea- 
son that  the  man  with  a  hobby  is  infatu- 
ated with  the  subject  and  wrapped  up  in 
it  heart  and  soul.  Some  of  our  most 
prominent  Gladiolus  growers  and  intro- 
ducers have  taken  up  the  business  in  this 
way. 

To  encourage  the  amateur  and  develop 
a  greater  interest  in  the  growing  of  Gladi- 
oli, many  summer  shows  have  been  or- 
ganized. Some  are  developed  from  a 
professional  standpoint,  but  the  most  of 
them  are  to  give  the  amateur  a  chance  to 
display  his  product  and  to  bring  before 
the  public  new  varieties  and  recent  in- 
troductions. 

Prizes  have  been  offered  to  get  exhibit- 
ors to  display  their  different  varieties 
and  often  the  exhibitor  spends  dollars  in 
order  to  receive  a  prize  worth  a  few 
cents,  which  may  be  of  more  sentimental 
value  to  him  than  if  he  were  paid  double 
the  amount  of  its  cost.  We  are  proud  to 
show  a  Medal,  Blue  Ribbon,  Certificate  of 
Award  or  a  like  trophy  for  our  labor. 
This,  however,  is  not  the  only  good  we 
derive  from  these  shows.  We  see  the 
new  varieties  and  introductions  of  others. 
We  get  new  ideas  for  breeding.  We  can 
better  our  collections  by  discarding  some 
inferior  variety  for  the  new  one  which  is 
somewhat  similar  but  much  better.  We 
find  a  new  color  that  we  do  not  have  in  our 
collection.  This  we  must  get  next  season, 
perhaps  we  are  able  to  trade  or  sell  some 
of  our  own  stock  which  some  other  ex- 
hibitor   is   eager    to    obtain.      All    these 


things  are  essential  for  the  Gladiolus 
fancier  in  order  to  obtain  a  good  collec- 
tion. He  must  always  be  ready  to  dis- 
pose of  inferior  varieties  and  eager  to 
grasp  better  ones. 

When  competing  for  prizes  at  flower 
shows  you  must  first  consider  the  time  to 
plant  and  the  varieties  you  are  exhibiting. 
We  must  always  consider  that  some  va- 
rieties bloom  quicker  than  others  and, 
therefore,  in  order  to  get  a  late  and  early 
variety  to  bloom  at  the  same  time,  the 
late  one  should  be  planted  first.  There 
have  been  several  charts  made  of  the 
time  for  certain  varieties  to  bloom  but 
even  these  cannot  be  depended  upon  for 
several  reasons.  First,  the  size  and  age 
of  the  corm  have  to  be  considered,  an  old 
corm  will  bloom  before  a  younger  corm 
of  the  same  size.  Second,  weather  con- 
ditions will  make  a  great  difference  in  the 
time  of  blooming.  Third,  location  will 
change  the  time  of  flowering.  So  we 
must,  therefore,  use  a  more  comprehen-  ^ 
sive  method  for  getting  our  display  in-  ^ 
to  bloom  at  the  proper  time ;  one  or 
two  days'  late  may  mean  a  total  failure. 
Therefore,  I  would  suggest  that  the  best 
way  to  do  would  be  to  plant  at  intervals 
after  a  close  calculation  of  the  proper 
time,  planting  the  first  lot  a  few  days 
early,  the  second  lot  at  as  near  the  proper 
time  as  can  be  figured  and  the  last  plant- 
ing a  few  days  later  than  the  second 
planting.  Then  should  the  season  be  a 
little  off,  one  could  almost  count  on  being 
able  to  make  a  good  exhibit.  I  would  say, 
however,  that  it  is  seldom  that  the  crop 
comes  in  too  early  but  often  too  late.  In 
certain  cases  where  the  flower  stock  is 
apt  to  be  one  or  two  days  past  its  best  at 
time  of  judging  on  exhibition  the  life  can 
be  lengthened  by  cutting  when  first  buds 
begin  to  open  and  placing  in  a  cool  cel- 
lar. This  will  add  one  or  two  days  to  the 
life  of  the  flower. 

It  is  always  advisable  to  cut  the  spike 
as  soon  as  the  first  bud  begins  to  open  so 
as  not  to  bruise  the  flowers,  but  it  should 
not  be  placed  in  the  dark  unless  to  hold 
it  back. 

In  cases  where  exhibitors  have  a  large       ^ 
number   of   each    variety  to  draw    from 
these  precautions  are  not  necessary,  but 
where   small   quantities  are  grown  as  is 


Apr. 

Iyi7 


Ol)e  Mto6ern  <5la6lolus  (Brower 


Page 


the  case  with  most  amateurs  too  much 
advice  cannot  be  given. 

In  making  entries  go  after  all  that  you 
can,  the  other  fellow  hasn't  got  you  beaten 
until  the  judge  puts  his  stamp  on  the 
exhibit.  If  we  would  keep  this  in  mind 
our  shows  would  be  a  greater  success. 
We  would  have  a  larger  display  and  it 
would  be  educational  and  even  though 
we  fall  down  this  time  we  may  learn 
of  our  mistake  and  win  next.  If  pos- 
sible attend  to  your  own  exhibit.  Change 
the  water  each  morning  and  remove  a 
small  portion  of  the  stalk.  If  any  of  the 
flowers  fade,  remove  them  also  and  keep 
the  exhibit  in  a  fresh  state.  All  these 
count  especially  when  being  judged. 

Another  thing,  don't  be  discouraged  if 
you  should  not  happen  to  take  the  prize 
you  want  and  above  all  things,  don't  cen- 
sure the  judge,  even  though  his  judgment 
should  be  misplaced.  He  is  in  a  hard 
position  and  the  fact  that  all  persons  do 
not  see  things  in  the  same  light,  warrants 
judgment  accordingly.  Act  in  accordance 
with  the  rules  of  the  show,  and  try  to 
make  it  a  grand  success,  and  better  than 
the  previous  one. 

We  do  not  have  enough  of  flower  shows 
in  America  to  stimulate  a  proper  interest, 
and  our  people  as  a  rule  do  not  love 
flowers  as  they  should,  and  do  not  grow 
nearly  enough  of  them.  Therefore,  it  will 
be  a  long  time  before  this  can  be  over- 
done. 

"  The  smiles  of  God  are  the  roses  fair 
Their  fragrance  scents  the  air 
They  fade  and  die,  as  it  were  a  sigh 
For  those  who  do  not  care." 


The    schedule   of   days    from    date    of 
planting  to  blooming  follows  : 


Planting  and  Blooming 

Schedule  for  1916. 

This  last  season  I  planted  a  block  of 
numerous  varieties  under  conditions  that 
afforded  an  admirable  opportunity  to  test 
their  relative  time  between  the  day  upon 
which  the  bulbs  were  put  under  the 
ground  and  the  day  that  the  first  blossom 
opened.  All  these  bulbs  were  planted  on 
the  same  day  and  in  the  same  kind  of 
soil,  with  similar  conditions  of  sunshine 
and  water. 

There  were  none  of  the  PrimiiUnns  Hy- 
brids in  this  block,  but  some  of  these 
bulbs  that  I  put  into  a  rather  wet,  black 
soil  bloomed  within  a  very  short  period. 
They  were  planted  on  June  29  and  the 
first  blossom  opened  on  August  16,  and  I 
am  wondering  if  this  record  of  48  days  is 
not  ahead  of  any  other  made  in  this 
country  ? 


Pink  Beauty 55 

Halley 60 

Daisy  Rand 65 

Myrtle 65 

Primulinus 66 

La  Prophetesse 67 

Prince  of  Wales--  67 

Premiere 67 

Candidum 68 

Princess  of  Orange  68 

Comanche 69 

Empress  of  India. _  70 

Princepine 70 

Shakespeare 71 

Bertrex 71 

Meadowvale 71 

Lily  Lehmann 71 

Mrs.  Lancashire  __  73 

George  Paul 73 

Cherry  King 73 

Rose  Wells 74 

Rouge  Torche 74 

Annie  Wigman 74 

Red  Amarillas 74 

Mary  Fennell 74 

Aristophane 74 

Bluvista 75 

Glory  of  Noordwijk  75 

Jane  Dieulafoy 75 

Chicago  White -___  75 

Dick 75 

Sandersoni 75 

Ida  Van 75 

76 
76 


Lady  Janet 

Mrs.  Dr.  Norton 

Cardinal  King 76 

Meteor 76 

Herada 77 

Clarice 77 

Scarsdale 77 

Mrs.  Francis  King  77 

Brenchleyensis 77 

Mrs.    Chamberlain  78 

Rose  Bud 78 

Easter  Bells 79 

Loveliness 79 

Desdemona 79 

Berlinia 79 

Dawnray 79 

Mary  Bancroft 79 

Faerie 79 

Nezinscott 79 

Mephistopheles  _-_  79 

Princeps 79 

Tavistock 79 

Spring  Song 80 

White  Glory 80 

Rosella 80 

Montague  Chamberlain. 

Note  by  the  Editor— 

Note  what  Mr.  Chamberlain  says  about 
having  Primulinus  Hvhrids  bloom  in  48 
days  from  time  of  planting.  Can  anyone 
show  a  better  record,  or  has  anyone  a 
record  showing  bloom  in  so  short  a  time  ? 
It  should  be  remembered  that  the  season 
of  1916,  especially  the  months  of  July  and 
August,  were  exceptionally  warm,  and  at 
Mr.  Chamberlain's  place  in  Eastern  Mas- 
sachusetts we  understand  that  plentiful 
rains  fell  during  this  period. 


Baltimore 

Sans  Pareil 

Negerfurst 

Niagara 

Eugene  Sandow___ 

Florence 

Mephisto 

Navajo 

Mrs.  Fryer 

May 

Shasta 

America 

Michigan 

Mrs.  Beecher 

Schwaben 

Canary  Bird 

Mrs.  Moulton 

Baron  Hulot 

Baron  Staff e 

Madame  Monneret 

LeTriomphe 

Dawn  (Tracy's)___ 

Panama 

Taconic 

Wild  Rose 

Cherokee 

Mrs.  Pendleton 

Glory  of  Holland.. 
Alice  Chamberlain 

Parure  

I.  S.  Hendrickson. 

Orange  Glory 

Corsaire 

J  essie  Palmer 

Rajah 

Pink  Perfection 

Mongolian 

White  Lady 

Gretchen  Zang 

Glory 

Autumn  Queen 

Lillian  Morrisey... 

Rosy  Spray 

Enchantress 

Rochester  White.. 

Reine  Blanche  

Mrs.  Watt 

Hollandia 

Sulphur  King 

Cameo 

Independence 

Patrician 

Summer  Beauty.. . 

Peace 

Zeppelin 

Europa 

Mrs.  Kunderd 


Have  you  secured  Gladiolus  seed  for 
planting  this  spring?  You  will  be  well 
repaid  and  it  is  not  yet  too  late. 


Page 
52 


Obe  !Jllo6ern  <Bla6lolus  <5rower 


Apr. 
1917 


Planting  for  Color 

Effects  in  the  Garden. 

The  most  attractive  flower  bed  in  my 
garden  this  year  has  been  the  one  planted 
tor  a  blue  and  white  effect.  From  earliest 
spring,  soon  after  the  snow  had  gone, 
until  now,  October  4th,  there  has  been 
something  interesting  and  beautiful  bloom- 
ing there. 

In  the  middle  of  the  summer  it  was  one 
tangled  mass  of  Hlies,  delphinium,  phlox 
and  gypsophila,  their  perfume  filling  the 
whole  garden.  As  the  lilies  faded  and 
the  delphinium  grew  old  and  went  to 
seed,  the  old  stalks  were  cut  away.  The 
phlox  and  delphinium  bloomed  again  in 
a  little  while,  and  in  September  the  can- 
didum  lilies  began  to  come  through  the 
ground,  getting  ready  for  next  year. 

The  bed  is  three  feet  wide  by  thirty 
long,  and  was  covered  last  winter  with 
loose  straw  and  leaves,  with  a  few  corn- 
stalks to  hold  them  in  place.  Early  in 
April  this  was  raked  off  and  the  edges 
of  the  bed  made  straight,  for  the  grass 
always  grows  in  a  little  each  year.  The 
warm  sunshine  soon  brought  out  the 
scilla  and  crocus,  almost  carpeting  the 
whole  bed.  One  would  not  think  of  the 
other  things  hiding  under  their  leaves. 

The  forget-me-nots  began  to  look  green 
along  the  edge,  and  up  through  the  fading 
crocus  and  scilla  came  a  few  straggling 
grape  hyacinths,  blue  and  white,  and 
one  lonely  plant  of  the  Virginia  cowslip 
(Mertensia) — more  could  have  been  used 
with  good  effect,  for  they,  too,  disappear 
after  awhile. 

The  Virginia  cowslip  staid  in  bloom 
until  the  forget-me-nots  were  a  mass  of 
blooms,  and  the  blue  Darwin  tulips  (pink, 
really,  with  a  blue  spot  in  the  bottom  of 
the  cup,  just  back  of  them)  were  in  all 
their  glory.  In  the  middle  of  the  bed  the 
Madonna  lilies,  and  belladona  delphinium 
had  covered  the  ground  with  green.  In 
spots  the  wild  violets  were  in  blossom— 
they  had  crept  in  some  way  from  the 
dirt— I  think  it  had  been  taken  from  the 
woods  near  by. 

Watching  each  day,  for  the  friends  I 
knew  would  soon  be  coming,  I  found  the 
first  shoots  of  the  hardy  phlox,  which 
I  knew  to  be  G.  Von  Losburg  and  Miss 
Lingard.  Double  blue  bachelor  buttons, 
self  sown,  were  there,  some  transplanted 
to  fill  in  the  bare  spots,  and  poppies ;  I 
didn't  know  what  color  they  would  be, 
for  the  wind  and  the  birds  had  sown  the 
seed;  but  the  leaves  were  a  beautiful 
grey-green,  and  I  let  them  grow.  I  had 
almost  given  up  the  double  baby  breath 
(gypsophila  paniculata,  fl.  pi.),  but  finally 


it  came  all  the  way  down  the  bed,  about 
every  five  or  six  feet,  between  the  del- 
phinium and  the  phlox.  There  were  per- 
haps a  dozen  plants  of  phlox,  a  dozen  of  ^ 
belladona  delphinium  and  six  baby  breath  \ 
through  the  middle  of  the  bed,  and  on 
each  side  a  row  of  the  intense  blue  Chi- 
nese delphinium. 

Just  outside  these,  and  next  to  the  for- 
get-me-nots and  tulips,  are  the  bachelor 
buttons,  and,  coming  through  it  all,  a 
hundred  candidum  lilies,  their  waxy  white 
blossoms  glistening  in  the  sunshine,  and 
the  perfume  so  heavy  you  knew  they 
were  there  long  before  you  could  see 
them.  The  poppies,  too,  were  there ; 
they  were  double,  like  a  peony,  rose-pink 
with  a  white  edge.  I  was  glad  I  let  them 
grow,  for  I  don't  think  I  ever  saw  a  more 
beautiful  sight. 

I  let  it  all  grow  and  bloom  as  long  as  it 
would,  hating  to  touch  it  for  fear  of 
spoiling  all.  Finally  I  was  obliged  to 
clear  away  the  old  stalks,  and  it  looked 
rather  bare  for  a  time.  But  I  brought 
some  white  asters  from  the  reserve  gar- 
den. The  Baron  Hiilot  Gladioli  were  soon 
in  bloom.  The  phlox  sent  up  tiny  shoots 
for  new  bloom  from  the  base  of  each 
leaf,  and  the  second  crop  of  bachelor 
buttons  came  along.  White  schizanthus 
along  the  edge,  covered  up  the  old  for-  ^ 
get-me-nots,  and  funkia  lilies  (subcordata)  ^ 
threw  up  their  buds.  The  delphinium  all  ^ 
began  to  bloom  again,  the  grey-green 
leaves  of  the  baby  breath  were  still  there, 
and  soon  my  bed  was  all  abloom  again 
and  staid  so  the  rest  of  the  summer. 

But  never  did  it  equal  the  glory  of 
those  first  ten  days  of  July. — Mrs.  H.  B. 
TiLLOTSON,  Minneapolis,  before  Minne- 
sota State  Horticultural  Society. 


Planting  Gladioli. 

There  is  a  great  variation  in  planting 
directions  for  Gladioli,  but  this  does  not 
mean  that  some  of  them  are  absolutely 
wrong  and  others  absolutely  right.  The 
Gladiolus  is  rather  flexible  in  its  require- 
ments and  will  adapt  itself  to  most  any 
conditions.  Planting  in  a  double  row  by 
opening  of  a  flat  bottom  hoe  trench  about 
six  inches  wide,  and  planting  a  row  on 
each  side  of  the  trench,  is  a  good  way  to 
do  it  on  a  small  scale  and  where  space  is 
limited.  A  single  row  is  probably  better 
but  more  wasteful  of  space  and  labor. 
Whether  planted  in  a  single  or  double 
row  there  should  be  a  space  of  about  ^ 
twenty-four  to  thirty  inches  between  the  ^ 
rows.  It  is  necessary  to  have  at  least 
twenty-four  inches  to  give  space  for  cut- 
ting flowers  and  cultivating. 


Apr. 

1917 


Ol)e  Mlo6ern  (Bla6iolus  (Grower 


Page 

53 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


BIRDS  AND   BULBS. 

With  the  coming  of  spring  we  are  again 
spending  a  part  of  our  time  at  Elm  Hill 
watching  the  nest-building  of  the  birds 
which,  in  some  respects,  is  quite  similar 
to  Gladiolus  growing.  We  observe  that 
there  appear  to  be  professionals  and  ama- 
teurs among  the  nest  builders  and  that 
they  have  their  troubles  and  vexations 
the  same  as  Gladiolus  growers. 

The  robin  that  has  been  the  proprietor 
of  a  home  in  the  cornice  of  the  house  for 
several  seasons  goes  about  his  work 
methodically,  apparently  wasting  no  time 
and  making  few  mistakes.  He  selects 
the  right  material  and  puts  it  in  the  place 
,  where  just  such  material  is  needed  and 
unites  it  with  mud-glue  that  he  has  ma- 
nipulated until  it  is  of  the  proper  consist- 
ency to  cement  firmly.  He  lines  the  inner 
side  with  soft  cushiony  material  and  in 
keeping  abreast  with  the  times  is  quite 
apt  to  use  your  prettiest  tatted  collar  which 
you  may  be  giving  a  spring  bleaching  on 
the  grass.  He  wisely  lunches  any  time 
that  he  sees  a  tempting  bug  or  wriggling 
worm,  and  does  not  work  to  exhaustion, 
all  of  which  goes  to  show  that  he  is  a 
professional,  has  had  experience  and  that 
the  building  of  the  new  nest  does  not 
look,  to  him,  like  moving  a  mountain. 

But  what  about  that  pair  of  "newly- 
weds  "  just  hatched  last  year  ?  Perhaps 
they  took  a  short  winter  course  in  build- 
ing and  think  they  know  all  about  it  but 
they  made  mistakes  straight  from  the 
beginning.  The  little  bride's  tastes  were 
domestic  and  she  insisted  on  building 
her  pretty  bungalow  in  the  crotch  of  the 
lilac  tree  where  she  could  peep  through 
the  window  at  little  Miss  Catherine  as 
she  washed  dishes.  They  were  a  long 
time  building  it.  Many  times  the  sticks 
or  grasses  could  not  be  connected  nicely 
and  the  little  amateurs  threw  them  out, 
brought  others  and  tried  again.  The  nest 
completed  was  a  work  of  art,  and  rocking 
gently  in  the  breeze  she  felt  herself  to  be 
the  envy  of  the  neighborhood.  While 
busily  making  plans  for  the  future  she 
heard  a  silvery  voice  and  found  herself 
looking  straight  into  two  big  yellow  eyes, 
so  shining  and  fascinating  that  for  a  brief 
instant  she  remained  perfectly  motion- 
less, but  instinct  told  her  it  would  be  death 
to  remain  and  as  she  fluttered  away 
barely  out  of  reach  she  saw  the  stealthy 
paw  reach  into  her  beautiful  nest,  un- 
sheath  the  terrible  claws,   crush  the  egg 


she  had  deposited  and  in  a  twinkling  de- 
stroy the  home  she  and  her  mate  had  so 
carefully  constructed.  To  the  cornice 
she  quickly  flew  and  there  Grandfather 
Robin  told  her  the  story  of  the  cruel  cat. 
How  he  had  heard  it  estimated  that 
thirty-one  million  of  their  bird  relatives 
had  been  cruelly  tortured  and  destroyed 
in  one  season  and  that  there  was  said  to 
be  twenty-five  million  of  those  terrible 
murderers  allowed  to  roam  at  will  in  the 
United  States.  That  farm  crops  and 
products  to  the  value  of  one  billion  dol- 
lars were  annually  destroyed  by  insects 
that  would  have  been  eaten  by  birds  if 
they  could  have  lived,  and  yet  people 
made  no  effort  to  save  the  lives  or  fur- 
nish nesting  places  for  the  birds.  "'There 
are  few  houses  built  with  cornices  finished 
convenient  for  nesting,"  said  Robin,  re- 
gretfully. 

"Perhaps  it  would  be  safer  to  build 
your  next  nest  away  from  the  house  and 
nearer  the  woods,  choosing  a  little  higher 
place,  a  trifle  more  under  cover,  and 
making  it  a  little  stronger,  thus  prepar- 
ing for  violent  winds,  heavy  rains,  as  well 
as  other  dangers." 

And  so  it  is  with  the  Gladiolus  growers. 
Those  inexperienced  in  the  business  know 
that  it  is  the  little  things  done  well,  and 
at  the  right  time,  that  save  trouble,  time 
and  expense  and  make  the  end  success- 
ful. "  I  want  to  grow  Gladioli  but  know 
nothing  about  them  except  that  I  love 
them,"  is  a  common  remark.  Of  course, 
the  first  thing  to  do  to  grow  anything 
well  is  to  prepare  the  soil  properly.  This 
may  be  done  now  but  would  have  been 
better  to  have  been  begun  in  the  fall.  If 
nothing  has  been  done  to  the  plot,  cover 
it  with  barnyard  manure,  plow  and  harrow 
and  roll  it,  and  harrow  and  roll  again 
making  it  as  fine  as  possible.  Tiny  roots 
require  soft,  mellow  soil  to  do  their  best 
in.  If  unable  to  get  enough  manure  to 
give  a  heavy  coating,  use  a  good  com- 
mercial fertilizer  such  as  is  recommended 
for  potatoes.  For  planting,  grade  the 
bulbs  into  three  lots.  Those  measuring 
li  inch  and  up  in  diameter,  1  inch  to  IJ 
and  i  to  1  inch,  those  that  measure  J  to 
h  inch  are  the  small  ones  grown  from 
bulblets  last  year  and  are  often  spoken 
of  as  white  skinned  bulblets.  If  the  plot 
allotted  to  Gladioli  is  large  enough  they 
can  be  given  easier  and  better  cultivation 
if  planted  in  rows.  The  black  bulblets 
should  be  planted  first  because  they  are 
slow  in  starting  into  growth  requiring 
more  moisture  to  soften  the  hard  shells 
or  covering.  And  it  is  well  for  them  to 
get  an  early  growth  so  they  may  be  dug 
before  the  harvesting  of  the  larger  bulbs 


Page 
54 


^^e  ^<>6arit  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Apr. 
1917 


in  the  fall.  They  come  up  better  if 
planted  thickly  and  there  is  less  room  for 
weeds. 

If  weather  is  still  cool  and  ground  seems 
cold,  plant  the  large  size  in  drills  4  to  6 
inches  deep.  First,  scatter  them  along 
the  rows,  then  see  that  they  are  right  side 
up  and  about  twice  the  diameter  of  the 
bulb  apart,  cover  lightly  to  allow  the 
warmth  of  the  sun  to  reach  the  bulb  and 
as  they  start  into  growth  fill  the  drills. 

Next,  plant  the  lot  measuring  J  to  1 
inch,  and  as  many  in  this  will  give  good 
salable  spikes,  it  will  save  steps  to  have 
them  adjoining  the  larger  ones. 

Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


"  The  Best "  Varieties. 

An  article  by  Mr.  Henry  Youell  in  Flor- 
ists' Exchange  and  reprinted  in  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower  for  November, 
gives  a  list  of  the  "  best  twelve  Gladioli  for 
commercial  purposes." 

This  is  always  an  interesting  topic  as 
no  two  growers  will  ever  exactly  agree 
in  regard  to  it,  and  it  is  also  a  very 
practical  one  because  every  buyer  wishes 
to  choose  the  varieties  which  will  give 
best  returns. 

If  I  were  buying  stock  now  for  a  purely 
commercial  cut  flower  business  to  give 
immediate  profit  on  the  investment,  I 
should  omit  from  Mr.  Youell's  list  Pendle- 
ton and  Pride  of  Goshen,  as  being  too 
scarce  and  expensive,  The  King,  on  ac- 
count of  its  peculiar  color  and  scarcity  of 
stock,  and  Princeps,  which  in  my  experi- 
ence is  not  a  good  shipper  and  opens  only 
one  or  two  flowers  at  a  time. 

No  doubt  markets  vary  and  anyone 
wishing  to  ship  to  a  certain  point  should 
first  consider  what  is  demanded  by  the 
flower  trade  of  that  vicinity.  It  is  not 
safe  to  trust  one's  own  preferences  in 
this  business,  and  it  is  of  no  use  to  add 
to  the  list  varieties  which  cannot  be 
readily  purchased  in  blooming  sizes  in 
two  to  ten  thousand  lots. 

The  Boston  market  will  take  only  a 
limited  quantity  of  such  colors  as  blue, 
lavender,  purple,  maroon  and  old  rose. 
Light  shades,  good  white,  cream,  pink 
and  yellow  stock  is  always  in  demand. 
Nice  clear  reds  to  a  lesser  degree,  while 
mixed  and  fancy  shades  are  hard  to 
move  except  at  low  prices. 

My  choice  of  "  best  ten,"  which  can  be 
obtained  at  reasonable  prices  for  immedi- 
ate results,  would  be  as  follows :  Pink, 
America,  Panama,  Halley,  Taconic.  White, 
Chicago  White,  Glory  of  Holland  (Albion). 
Cream,  Niagara,  Glory.  Red,  Mrs.  Francis 
King,  Independence. 


A  large  per  cent  of  the  planting  should 
be  America  with  Halley  and  Chicago  White 
for  early,  and  Mrs.  Francis  King  and  In- 
dependence for  late  blooms.  If  dark  red 
is  wanted  use  Crackerjack  or  Geo.  Paul. 

Now  let  me  give  another  "best  ten" 
which  will  be  likely  to  start  an  argument : 
If  I  were  beginning  noiv  to  work  up  stock 
for  a  cut  flower  business  in  1920,  I  would 
buy  for  propagating,  an  entirely  different 
list.  Pink,  Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton,  Pink 
Perfection.  White,  Peace,  Europa.  Yel- 
low, Schwaben,  Golden  King.  Red,  Liebes- 
feuer,  War.     Mauve,  Herada,  Scarsdale. 

I  am  well  aware  that  I  have  nothing  in 
the  above  list  to  take  the  places  of 
America  and  Mrs.  Francis  King,  and  it 
may  be  that  these  very  popular  and  use- 
ful varieties  will  hold  their  places  in  the 
procession  for  some  years,  but  with  these 
exceptions  the  list  shows  the  great  ad- 
vances we  are  making  and  what  may  be 
expected  in  the  near  future. 

I  could  easily  go  a  step  further  and 
name  ten  new  ones,  as  yet  scarcely  men- 
tioned in  price  lists,  which  give  great 
promise  of  surpassing  in  their  turn  most 
of  those  in  my  second  list. 

S.  E.  Spencer. 


Metzner  Floral  Company's 

Panama-Pacific  Awards. 

The  Metzner  Floral  Co.  of  Mountain 
View,  California,  write  us  that  they  have 
received  the  12  medals  covering  their 
general  growing  floral  exhibit  at  the 
Panama-Pacific  International  Exposition 
at  San  Francisco  in  1915.  Four  of  these 
awards  were  for  Gladioli  as  follows: 

The  Grand  Prize  (the  highest  testimonial)  for 
SeedHng  Gladioli,  Growing  Exhibit. 

Gold  Medal  for  named  variety.  Dr.  Frederick  J. 
V.  Skiff. 

Gold  Medal  for  named  variety.  Polar  Star. 

Silver  Medal  for  named  variety,  Capt.  Asher 
Carter  Baker. 

The  three  varieties  above  mentioned 
are  owned  and  for  sale  by  the  Metzner 
Floral  Co.  They  form  a  part  of  what 
has  been  designated  as  the  Panama-Paci- 
fic International  Exposition  Grand  Prize 
Strain  of  Gladioli. 


Gladiolus  growers  are  offering  some 
wonderful  things  in  the  way  of  collections 
and  mixtures.  This  is  a  very  cheap  way 
to  secure  some  of  the  very  best  varieties. 
Also,  there  are  offered  some  beautiful 
varieties  like  Mrs.  Dr.  Norton,  Lily  white, 
Mrs.  Watt,  Myrtle,  Prince  of  Wales,  Zaidee, 
Golden  King.  The  King,  Evelyn  Kirtland, 
Mary  Fennell,  Daisy  Rand,  Mrs.  Frank 
Pendleton,  etc.,  etc. 


Apr. 
1917 


T3b<i  Mlo6ern  (Bladlolus  (Browcr 


Page 

55 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF   THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
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Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business- 

Copyrieht  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

Thr  contrnt!  of  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROWER  art  covtred  by  einirat  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  edittri  tt 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  ant  article  proiidinz  proper  credit  is  fiven  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  follows  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROWER.  Calcium.  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations. 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at   post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


April,    1917 


No.  4 


Gla-di'-o-lus  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-li. 

Correctly  pronounced  ivith  accent  on  the  syllable  " di." 


Gladiolus  Corm  Diseases. 

This  subject  is  brought  to  our  attention 
by  the  receipt  of  a  Cornell  University 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station  bulletin 
entitled  "  The  Hard  Rot  Disease  of  Gladi- 
oli," by  Prof.  L.  M.  Massey.  Prof.  Massey 
has  gone  into  this  subject  very  thoroughly 
and  the  bulletin  in  question  covers  about 
30  pages.  We  infer  that  a  copy  of  this 
bulletin  may  be  had  on  application  to  the 
above  mentioned  institution  at  Ithaca, 
N.  Y.  The  bulletin  speaks  of  the  im- 
portance of  the  industry,  the  prevalence 
of  the  disease  and  gives  the  symptoms, 
life  history,  source  of  infection  and  ex- 
periments conducted  to  prevent  or  elimi- 
nate the  disease.  Among  other  suggestions 
are  methods  of  treating  soil  and  also 
treating  corms  to  kill  the  germs  of  the 
disease.  Considerable  is  said  on  the 
question  of  corm  infection,  longevity  of 
the  fungus  causing  the  disease  and  the 
scientific  side  of  the  subject  seems  to  be 
thoroughly  covered.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
that  Prof.  Massey  did  not  summarize  the 
results  of  his  work  to  make  the  informa- 
tion quickly  available  to  the  non-scientific 
reader. 

Without  wishing  to  detract  from  the 
value  of  this  bulletin  to  the  Gladiolus  in- 


dustry, we  would  point  out  that  Gladiolus 
growers  should  not  become  frightened  if 
disease  is  present  in  their  product,  nor  if 
it  shows  in  stock  purchased  from  other 
growers.  The  disease  is  not  liable  to 
spread  ;  otherwise,  there  is  no  doubt  but 
what  the  growing  of  Gladioli  successfully 
would  be  a  very  serious  problem.  Prof. 
Massey  states  that  the  hard  rot  disease 
of  the  Gladiolus  probably  exists  wherever 
this  flower  is  grown. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  Gladiolus  is  of 
the  easiest  culture  and  even  those  who 
have  had  little  experience  and  pay  no 
attention  to  the  scientific  end  of  the  work, 
have  no  serious  difficulty  in  securing  sat- 
isfactory results.  Occasionally  serious 
troubles  are  reported,  but  they  are  isolated 
cases  and  not  generally  prevalent.  The 
hard  rot  disease  nor  any  other  disease 
which  has  come  to  our  attention  is  espe- 
cially dangerous  if  ordinary  careful  cul- 
tural conditions  are  used.  About  the  most 
dangerous  in  any  ordinary  cultural  con- 
ditions is  the  use  of  barnyard  manure  in 
large  quantities  and  especially  if  freshly 
applied.  The  Gladiolus  is  quite  sensitive 
to  such  conditions  and  various  rots,  scabs, 
etc.,  are  the  result. 

From  our  own  observations  we  are 
of  the  opinion  that  the  so-called  hard  rot 


Page 

56 


iD\)<t  Mlo6ern  <&la6iolus  (Brower 


Apr. 
1917 


is  largely  the  result  of  harvesting  corms 
which  are  immature,  that  is,  not  fully 
developed  and  filled  out.  Such  corms 
when  improperly  cured  and  exposed  to 
rather  dry  air  of  the  storage  room  are 
more  susceptible  to  hard  rot  than  well 
developed  corms.  In  fact,  if  corms  are 
planted  at  the  usual  time  and  dug  rather 
late,  and  well  cured  before  storing,  hard  rot 
is  practically  unnoticed  under  our  condi- 
tions. Prof.  Massey  has  found  that  ma- 
ture corms  are  not  subject  to  the  hard 
rot  disease  to  any  considerable  extent  but 
that  it  attacks  small  corms  mostly. 

The  cause  of  disease  in  Gladioli  is 
largely  attributable  to  fungus  or  mold 
spores  and  this  probably  is  the  reason 
why  manure  freshly  applied  causes  so 
much  trouble.  The  editor's  method  of 
planting,  which  includes  the  opening  of  a 
broad  trench  six  inches  wide  at  least  sev- 
eral days  in  advance  of  planting  and  pref- 
erably a  week  or  two  in  advance  of 
planting,  allows  the  sunlight  to  purify 
the  soil  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  we 
believe  that  this  is  one  reason  why  our 
results  have  been  superior.  This  plan  is 
hardly  practicable  on  a  commercial  scale, 
perhaps,  but  it  certainly  could  be  practiced 
by  small  growers. 

Special  attention  should  be  given  to  the 
so  called  "curing"  of  corms  at  digging 
time.  It  is  not  only  important  that  the 
corms  be  pretty  well  dried  but  exposure 
to  direct  sunlight  is  of  great  assistance  in 
preventing  and  eliminating  disease.  From 
three  to  six  days  in  the  field  and  a  daily 
turning  to  give  even  exposure  is  none  too 
long. 

We  offer  the  above  suggestions  for  the 
reason  that  those  who  read  the  scientific 
bulletins  on  Gladiolus  disease  are  likely 
to  infer  that  the  Gladiolus  is  difficult 
of  culture,  whereas  the  reverse  is  the 
case.  Madison  Cooper. 


to  goods  from  whatever  cause,  and  that  the 
insurance  covers  until  the  goods  arrive  at 
their  final  destination.  Doubtless  the 
Dutch  shippers  have  found  the  number  ^ 
of  claims  made  on  shipments  to  this 
country  to  be  onerous,  and  this  insurance 
has  been  undertaken  as  a  matter  of  self- 
protection.  Goods  arriving  in  bad  con- 
dition in  this  country  should  be  promptly 
reported,  as  this  will  facilitate  the  process 
of  adjusting  claims. 


We  want  to  thank  growers  of  Gladi- 
oli who  publish  catalogues,  for  the  very 
cordial  support  and  assistance  which  they 
are  giving  to  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower.  Practically  without  exception 
they  have  responded  to  our  suggestion 
to  mention  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  in  their  catalogues,  and  it  has 
been  very  helpful  in  securing  subscrip- 
tions from  the  real  Gladiolus  enthusiasts, 
not  only  of  the  United  States,  but  of  the 
entire  world.  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  is  without  doubt  the  most  im- 
portant factor  in  the  Gladiolus  trade  to-  ^ 
day,  and  it  has  done  more  during  the  %i 
three  years  of  its  existence  to  popularize 
the  Gladiolus  than  any  other  influence- 
We  do  not  think  that  anyone  will  deny 
us  this  statement.  This  is  because  the 
friends  of  the  Gladiolus  have  helped  and 
we  do  not  take  especial  credit  to  our- 
selves for  the  work  accomplished. 

We  recommend  Gladiolus  growers  who 
are  looking  for  some  good  new  things  in 
Gladioli,  to  go  back  over  the  last  three  or 
four  months'  issues  of  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower  and  take  note  of  the  special 
offers  in  our  advertising  pages.  There 
are  some  of  the  very  finest  things  offered 
and  at  reasonable  prices.  This  month  is 
no  exception  to  the  rule,  but  some  of  the 
things  mentioned  in  past  issues  are  not 
advertised  this  month. 


We  understand  that  Holland  growers 
have  arranged  for  the  insuring  of  ship- 
ments of  plants  and  bulbs  to  this  country, 
and  that  this  insurance  covers  not  only 
war  risk,  but  also  damage  or  deterioration 


Please  remember  that  we  can  furnish  a 
complete  file  of  back  issues  of  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower  with  indexes. 
Single  issues  at  7c.  each.  Complete  years 
at  the  present  subscription  price. 


Apr. 

1917 


Ob^  Mlo6ern  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Page 

57 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


GROWING  BULBLETS   IN  THE 

HOUSE  DURING  THE  WINTER. 

I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  this  method 
is  practical,  but  am  just  giving  a  Httle 
experience  that  I  accidentally  discovered. 

In  potting  up  some  Paper  White  Nar- 
cissi, Tulips,  and  Hyacinths  for  use  in 
my  home  during  the  winter,  in  boxes 
and  large  size  pots,  I  used  the  soil  from 
my  Gladiolus  garden,  put  the  boxes  and 
pots  in  the  cellar  from  last  November 
until  about  Jan.  20th  when  I  brought 
them  to  the  light  and  warm  room.  I  soon 
discovered  that  what  looked  at  first  to  me 
like  grass  growing  quite  thickly  among 
the  bulbs,  and  which  was  allowed  to  re- 
main, keeping  the  soil  wet  at  all  times, 
and  the  warmth  from  the  rooms  together 
with  the  fresh  air  which  I  at  all  times 
keep  in  the  room  where  my  flowering 
bulbs  are  kept,  that  the  young  growth 
was  Gladioli.  They  are  now  at  this  time, 
Feb.  5th,  four  to  five  inches  high  and 
very  healthy  looking.  I  shall  continue  to 
keep  them  growing  after  the  bulbs  of 
Tulips,  etc.,  have  bloomed,  and  watch  the 
results  very  carefully.  I  do  not  recall 
having  read  of  any  one  making  it  a  prac- 
tice to  start  bulblets  in  this  way,  but  if 
any  readers  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  have  had  this  experience  I  would 
be  glad  to  know  the  result. 

T.  H.  Fuller. 


gladiolus  europa. 

There  seems  to  be  considerable  differ- 
ence of  opinion  or  experience  with  re- 
gard to  the  vigor  and  productiveness  of 
Europa.  Last  season  was  a  very  trying 
one  here,  owing  to  most  intense  heat  and 
long  continued  drought.  The  latter  con- 
dition was  not  uniform  throughout  the 
state  but  was  much  worse  in  spots.  I 
planted  bulbs  in  several  patches  on  rented 
land,  one  lot  being  sandy  and  usually 
favorable  but  bad  this  season.  Others, 
planted  later,  on  good  soil  with  clay  sub- 
soil had  more  moisture  and  got  the  later 
rains.  On  this  land  I  planted  Europa  in 
different  size  bulbs  and  all  did  well  and 
were  free  from  disease.  I  have  never 
been  able  to  get  any  satisfaction  from 
Blanche  though  it  is  fine  when  conditions 
are  favorable.  In  my  limited  experience 
it  is  given  to  blight  and  does  not  increase 
well.  On  the  whole  I  am  decidedly  in 
favor  of  Europa,  as  compared  with  any 
other  pure  white  that  I  have  tried. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff. 


life  history  of  a  gladiolus  corm. 

Regarding  the  behavior  of  a  Gladiolus 
bulb  if  planted  year  after  year:  Several 
years  ago  I  found  an  almost  black  flower 
among  seedlings  raised  by  Mr.  Nor- 
man Cole.  For  three  successive  years  it 
blossomed,  but  with  each  year  the  new  bulb 
grew  smaller  and  flnaJly,  there  was  not 
strength  enough  in  it  to  grow  a  new  one, 
and  I  lost  it.  About  the  same  time  I  got 
a  very  large  flowered  bulb  in  a  mixed  col- 
lection and,  because  of  the  peculiar  colors 
of  the  flowers,  I  carefully  observed  it.  For 
three  years  it  grew  and  blossomed  finely, 
but  did  not  multiply  nor  produce  bulblets. 
A  year  ago  last  September,  when  I  dug  it, 
the  bulb  measured  9i  inches  in  circumfer- 
ence, but  there  were  no  bulblets.  Last 
September  it  had  produced  two  bulbs  each 
over  9  inches  in  circumference  . 

C.  L.  Williams. 


TREATING  BULBLETS  BEFORE  PLANTING. 

In  planting  bulblets  it  will  be  found 
that  almost  every  bulblet  will  grow  if  the 
tough  outer  coat  is  removed.  Where  the 
stock  is  precious  and  every  bulblet  has 
to  count  and  you  have  a  great  many 
varieties  and  time  has  to  be  saved,  just 
take  a  sharp  pen  knife  and  strip  off  a 
portion  only  of  the  outer  skin  not  stop- 
ping to  free  the  bulblet  entirely.  Gener- 
ally speaking,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
pierce  the  outer  coating,  the  bulblet  will 
do  the  rest.  To  remove  all  the  outer 
coating  takes  two  or  three  times  as  long 
sometimes. 

In  the  farm  seed  catalogs  I  see  they 
have  a  scarifying  machine  that  pierces 
the  outer  coating  of  sweet  clover  seed 
as  there  is  the  same  difficulty  in  germi- 
nating this  clover  seed  on  account  of  the 
tough  outer  coating  as  in  germinating 
Gladiolus  bulblets.  Has  any  reader  ever 
seen  one  of  these  clover  seed  scarifiers 
work,  and  if  so,  do  they  think  it  would 
be  possible  to  scarify  Gladiolus  bulblets  in 
the  same  manner  with  perhaps  some  ad- 
justing of  the  machine  for  the  different 
sizes  of  the  bulblets  ?      B.  F.  Stalnaker. 


CORMELS  TWO  YEARS  IN  STORAGE. 

Contrary  to  the  teachings  of  some  grow- 
ers, I  kept  over  2^  bushels  of  Mrs.  Francis 
King  bulblets  from  1914  and  planted  them 
in  1916,  and  never  had  bulblets  germinate 
better  or  make  a  more  healthy  growth 
than  these  two  year  old  bulblets.  They 
were  very  dry  and  I  kept  them  in  crates 
about  four  inches  deep  in  a  very  dry 
house  cellar.  P.  O.  Coblentz. 


Page 

58 


Ol)e  Modern  (5la6iolus  (Grower 


Apr. 
1917 


The  American  Gladiolus  Society. 

Preliminary  Schedule  of  the  Eighth  Annual  Exhibition  of  The  Ameri- 
can Gladiolus  Society  to  be  Held  Under  the  Auspices  of  the  New 
York  Botanical  Society,  The  Horticultural  Society  of  New 
York,  and  Florists'  Club  of  New  York,  in  the  Museum 
Building,   Botanical    Gardens,  Bronx  Park,  New 
York  City,  N.  Y.,  August  23,  24,  25  and  26,  1917. 


SCHEDULE  OF  PRIZES. 

OPEN   TO  ALL. 

Prizes  offered  by  the  New  York  Botani- 
cal Garden,  The  Horticultural  Society 
of  New  York  and  The  Florists'  Club  of 
New  York. 

2nd 

$25 — For  the  most  artistic  display 
covering  not  less  than  250 
sq.  feet,  any  decorative  ma- 
terial may  be  used. 
20— Best  and  largest  collection  of 
named  varieties,  6  spikes  of 
each  variety. 
10— Fifteen  Vases,  15  varieties,  12 

spikes  of  each. 
10— Ten  Vases,  10  varieties,  Primu- 
linus  Hybrids,    12  spikes  of 
each. 
10— Twenty-five  Vases,  25   varie- 
ties, 3  spikes  of  each. 

5 — Twenty-five  spikes  artistically 
arranged,  receptacle  to  be 
furnished  by  the  exhibitor. 

5— Vase  25  spikes.  While,  one  va- 
riety. 

5— Vase  25  spikes.  Red,  one  va- 
riety. 

5— Vase  25  spikes.  Crimson,  one 
variety. 

5 — Vase  25  spikes.  Pink,  one  va- 
riety. 

5 — Vase  25  spikes.  Yellow,  one 
variety. 

5— Vase  25  spikes.  Blue  or  Laven- 
der, one  variety. 

5 — Vase  25  spikes.  Purple,  one 
variety. 

5— Vase  25  spikes,  any  other  col- 
or, one  variety. 

5— Vase  25  spikes,Lemoinei  Type, 
one  variety. 

5 — Vase  25  spikes,  Primulinus 
Hybrids,  Yellow. 

5 — Vase  25  spikes,  Primulinus 
Hybrids,  Orange. 

5— Vase  25  spikes,  Primulinus 
Hybrids,  any  other  color. 

5 — Vase  25  spikes.  Ruffled,  one 
variety. 

5— Vase  25  spikes,  any  variety  not 
in  commerce  previous  to 
1917. 

5— Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each. 

5— Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  White. 

5— Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  Pink. 


1st  2nd 

1.24- 

-  10   5- 

1.25- 

-  10   5- 

1st 

No. 

1- 

$50 

No. 

2- 

40 

No. 

3- 

■  20 

No. 

4- 

■  20 

No. 

5- 

■  15 

No. 

6- 

10 

No. 

7— 

•  10 

No. 

8- 

•  10 

No. 

9- 

■  10 

No. 

10- 

10 

No. 

11- 

-  10 

No. 

12- 

10 

No. 

13- 

-  10 

No. 

14- 

-  10 

No. 

15- 

-  10 

No. 

16- 

-  10 

No. 

17- 

-  10 

No. 

18- 

-  10 

No. 

19- 

-  10 

No. 

20- 

-  10 

No. 

21- 

-  10 

No. 

22- 

-  10 

No. 

23- 

-  10 

No.  27-  20 
No.  28—    5 


No.  29- 


-Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  Red  or 
Crimson. 

-Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom.  Purple, 
Blue,  Lavender  or  Mauve. 

Prizes  offered  by  Charles  F.  Fairbanks. 

1st    2nd 
No.  26— $10      $5-Five    vases,    5    varieties,    12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  Yellow. 
10 — Best  new  seedling,  one  spike. 
3 — Vase  12  spikes,  any  one  variety 

not  in  commerce. 
2 — Vase  6  spikes,  any  one  variety 
not  in  commerce. 

Prize  offered  by  T.  A.  Havemeyer. 

1st    2nd 
No.  30— $10      $5— Best  collection  of  Montbretias. 

H.  E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.H. 

No.  31— Cut  glass  vase,  value  $5,  best  new  Yel- 
low Primulinus  Hybrid  seedling,  purity  of 
color  and  size  to  count.  Not  less  than  5  spikes. 

W.  E.  Fryer,  Mantorville,  Minn. 

No.  32— Twenty-five  bulbs  of  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer 
for  best  12  spikes  of  that  variety. 

Hitchings  &  Co.,  Elizabeth,  N.  J. 

No.  33 — A  silver  cup,  value  $10,  for  the  most 
artistically  arranged  basket  or  hamper  of 
blooms  ;  not  more  than  25  spikes. 

Austin-Coleman  Co.,  Wayland,  Ohio. 

No.  34 — Silver  Cup— Best  Yellow  seedling,  never 
before  exhibited,  one  or  more  spikes. 

Munsell  &  Harvey,  Ashtabula,  Ohio. 

No.  35— First  prize,  30  bulbs;  second  prize,  20 
bulbs  of  Hazel  Harvey,  for  best  vase  any  Red 
variety  not  less  than  10  spikes. 

C.  Betscher,  Canal  Dover,  Ohio. 

No.  36—  First  prize,  $5  ;  second  prize,  $3,  for  best 

25  spikes  Primulinus  Hybrids,  not  less  than  4 

inch  blossoms. 
No.  37— First  prize  $10  ;  second  prize,  $7.50,  for 

best  25  spikes  Crimson  Glow. 
No.  38— One  New  Peony,  E.  B.  Browning,  value 

$25,  best  vase  lO  spikes  Crimson  Glow. 
No.  39— One  New  Peony,  F.  E.    Willard,  value 

$15,  best  vase  6  spikes  Crinison  Glow. 
No.  40— One  New  Peony,  Chcslinc  Gowdy,  value 

$5,  best  vase  3  spikes  Crimso)i  Glow. 
No.  41— One  New  Peony,  Chestine  Goivdy,  value 

$5,  best  10  spikes  Europa. 


Apr. 

1917 


Ol)e  ^tto6erit  <&la6lolus  (Grower 


Page 

59 


No.  42— One  New  Peony,  M.  M.  Cohusaac,  best 
10  spikes  Magnificent. 

G.  D.  Black,  Albert  Lea,  Minn. 

No.  43  -  First  prize,  60  bulbs ;  second  prize,  40 
bulbs  of  Golden  King,  for  best  12  spikes  that 
variety. 

Clark  W.  Brown  &  Son,  Ashland,  Mass. 

No.  44— First  prize,  $3  ;  second  prize,  $2,  best 
vase,  Mauve.  Lilac  or  Violet  seedling,  never 
before  shown. 

W.  Atlee  Burpee  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

No.  45  $10— Best  collection  10  varieties,  6 
spikes  each. 

A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind. 

No.  46-First,  Gold  Medal ;  2nd,  Silver  Medal: 
3rd,  Bronze  Medal.  Best  collection  Kunderd's 
varieties;  plain  and  ruffled. 

Earl  Edgerton,  Lansing,  Mich. 

No.  47— Bulbs  to  the  value  of  $5,  winner's  selec- 
tion, for  best  vase  3  spikes  Lilywlnte. 

The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,   Cal- 
cium, N.Y. 

No.  48 — To  every  exhibitor  in  the  Open  Class, 
not  already  a  subscriber,  a  one  year  sub- 
scription to  The  Modern  GladiolusGrower. 

FOR  NON-COMMERCIAL  GROWERS. 

Prizes  offered  by  the  New  York  Botanical 
Garden,  The  Horticultural  Society  of 
New  York  and  The  Florists  Club  of 
New  York. 

No.  50— First,  $30 ;  second,  $15— For  the  most 
artistic  display  covering  not  more  than  150 
sq.  ft.  any  decorative  material  may  be  used. 

No.  51— First,  $15  ;  second,  $10  -Best  and  largest 
display  named  varieties,  6  spikes  of  each. 

No.  52  First,  $15;  second,  $10— Best  table  decor- 
ation. 

Prizes  offered  by  Charles  F.  Fairbanks. 

No.  53— First,  $5;    second,  $3 -Vase  12  spikes. 

White,  one  varietv. 
No.  54— First,  $5;    second,  $3 -Vase  12  spikes. 

Pink,  one  variety. 
No.  55  -First,  $5;    second,  $3 -Vase  12  spikes. 

Red  or  Crimson,  one  variety. 
No.  56    First,  $5 ;    second,  $3— Vase  12  spikes. 

Yellow,  one  variety. 
No.  57— First,  $5;  second,  $3— Vase  12    spikes. 

Blue,  Purple  or  Lavender,  one  variety. 

Prizes  offered  by  T.  A.  Havemeyer. 

No.  58— First,  $5  ;    second,  $3— Vase  12  spikes, 

any  other  color,  one  variety. 
No.  59-First,  $5;    second,  $3— Vase    12  spikes, 

Lemoinei  type,  one  variety. 
No.  60 -First,  $5;  second,  $3-Vase    12  spikes, 

Primulinus  Hybrids. 
No.  61 -First,  $5  ;    second,  $3 -Vase  12  spikes. 

Ruffled,  one  variety. 
No.  62— First.    $3  ;    second,   $2— Vase  6  spikes. 

White,  one  variety. 
No.  63-First,  $3;    second,    $2— Vase  6   spikes. 

Pink,  one  variety. 
No.  64— First,  $3;    second,  $2 —Vase   6    spikes. 

Red  or  Crimson,  one  variety. 
No.  65-First,  $3 ;    second,  $2— Vase   6    spikes. 

Yellow,  one  variety. 
No.  66 -First,  $3;    second,    $2— Vase   6  spikes. 

Blue,  Purple  or  Lavender,  one  variety. 
No.  67— First,    $3;    second,    $2— Vase,  6    spikes 

any  other  color,  one  variety. 
No.  68— First,  $3 ;    second,  $2— Vase   6    spikes, 

Lemoinei  Type,  one  variety. 


No.  69— First,  $3;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes, 
Primulinus  Hybrids. 

No.  70— First,  $3  ;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes. 
Ruffled,  one  variety. 

No.  71— First,  $5;  second,  $3— Six  vases,  6  va- 
rieties, 3  spikes  of  each. 

No.  72— First,  $5  ;  second,  $3— Best  collection  of 
Montbretias. 

K.  Velthuys,  Hillegom,  Holland. 

No.  73 — Most  artistically  arranged  group — 
quality  of  flowers  to  count  more  than  num- 
bers.   First,  $12  ;  second,  $8. 

L.   Merton  Gage,  Natick,  Mass.  -  Sunny- 
side  Gladiolus  Gardens. 

No.  74— For  best  6  spikes  of  Mrs.  Frank  Pendle- 
ton—¥{xst,  50  bulbs  of  same  variety;  second, 
30  bulbs;  third,  20  bulbs. 

Carter's   Tested    Seeds,    102  Chamber  of 
Commerce  Bldg.,  Boston,  Mass. 

No.  75— First,  $8 :  second,  $3— Best  10  named 
varieties,  1  spike  each. 

H.  E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.  H. 

No.  76—12  bulbs  Gladiolus  Myrtle,  for  best  vase 
5  spikes  America. 

Raymond  W.  Swett,  Saxonville,  Mass. 

No.  77-  First,  Bulbs  to  the  value  of  $5  ;  second. 
Bulbs  to  the  value  of  $3;  third.  Bulbs  to  the 
value  of  $2 — For  best  3  spikes  named  varieties 
in  one  vase. 

Willis  E.  Fryer,  Mantorville,  Minn. 

No.  78 — Twenty-five  bulbs  of  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer, 
for  12  best  spikes  of  that  variety. 

Michells  Seedhouse,  518  Market    Street, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

No.  79 — First,  Silver  Medal ;  second.  Bronze 
Medal,  for  best  seedling  never  before  ex- 
hibited, not  less  than  3  spikes. 

Herman  H.  Baer,  New  Hyde  Park,  L.  L, 
N.  Y. 

No.  80— $5  in  gold  for  best  12  spikes  Crvstal 
White. 

Homer  F.  Chase,  Wilton,  N.  H. 

No.  81— $5  for  best  3  spikes  Mrs.  Watt. 

Arthur  Cowee,  Berlin,  N.  Y. 

No.  82— $5  cash  for  best  vase  25  spikes  Peace. 

No.  83 — $5  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  Peachblow. 

No.  84— $5  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  Papileo 
Rose. 

No.  85— $5  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  Dawn. 
(Groff.) 

No.  86— $10  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  After- 
glow. 

No.  87 — $10  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  La  Luna. 

No.  88— $10  cash  for  best  vase  1  spike  each  of 
the  varieties  War,  Peace  and  Prosperity. 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Flowerfield,  L.  L,  N.Y. 

No.  89— First,  $10  ;  second.  $5— Best  and  largest 
collection  Childsi  type,  named. 

B.  Hammond  Tracy,  Cedar  Acres,  Wen- 
ham,  Mass. 

No.  90— $5  in  gold  for  best  Pink  Gladioli  in  the 
show. 

American  Gladiolus  Society. 

No.  91 — First,  Silver  Medal ;  second.  Bronze 
Medal -Best  exhibit  of  at  least  15  varieties,  3 
spikes  each,  correctly  named. 


Page 
60 


Ol)e  Mlo6ern  (Bla6iolus  (Browcr 


Apr. 
1917 


A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind. 

No.  92— First.  Gold  Medal  ;  2nd,  Silver  Medal ; 
3rd,  Bronze  Medal — For  best  exhibit  Kun- 
derd's  Priwiiliniis  Hybrids,  open  to  those  who 
have  never  exhibited  before  the  A.  G.  S. 

The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,   Cal- 
cium, N.  Y. 

No.  93— For  the  best  display  of  Gladioli  consist- 
ing of  not  less  than  ten  spikes  nor  more 
than  twenty  spikes.  Not  more  than  three 
spikes  of  any  one  variety.  No  preference  to 
be  given  to  named  varieties.  First  prize,  A 
Life  Subscription  to  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  ;  second  prize,  a  five  year  subscrip- 
tion to  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  ; 
third  prize,  a  two  year  subscription  to  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 

The  Garden  Magazine,  Garden  City,  N.  Y. 

No.  94 — The  Garden  Magazine  Achievement 
Medal  to  the  winner  of  the  most  first  prizes 
in  non-Professsional  Class,  3  or  more  com- 
petitors. 


Gladioli  Improves 

Post  Office  Grounds. 

Postmaster  Cook  of  Austin,  Minn.,  is 
to  be  congratulated  on  what  he  has  done 
with  the  public  grounds  under  his  charge. 
He  secured  an  order  for  the  landscaping 
of  the  Austin  post  office  grounds,  and 
Miss  Grace  Kimball  of  Waltham,  Minn., 
was  the  winner  of  the  competition  for  the 
work.  In  addition  to  hardy  trees  and 
shrubs,  etc..  Gladioli  will  be  used  as  a 
part  of  the  design.  Here  is  a  suggestion 
which  other  postmasters  may  work  on  to 
advantage.  If  they  cannot  get  an  official 
order  for  the  work  they  may  be  able  to 
do  something  on  their  own  account. 


A  typographical  error  crept  into  the 
article  by  Geo.  S.  Woodruff  in  the  Febru- 
ary issue  describing  crates  for  storing 
Gladiolus  corms.  Where  it  reads  "  four 
inches  wide  on  one  side  and  two  on  the 
other,"  it  should  read  feet  instead  of 
inches.  It  is  hardly  probable  that  a  care- 
ful reader  would  have  misunderstood  the 
meaning,  but  we  make  the  correction  in 
the  interest  of  accuracy. 


Advertisers  Note  This. 

It  is  a  fact  that  I  find  the  advertise- 
ments in  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
GROWER,quite  as  interesting  as  the  reading 
matter.  Besides  enabling  one  frequently 
to  pick  up  bargains,  these  advertisements 
are  a  Gladiolus  history,  and  enable  one 
to  be  au  coitrant  with  the  many  new 
varieties  being  introduced. 

T.  Dabney  Marshall. 


We  beg  to  repeat  that  growers  of 
Gladioli,  amateur  or  professional  should 
have  on  file  copies  of  all  Gladiolus  cata- 
logues issued  this  year.  They  are  a 
wonderful  production  of  the  printer's  art 
for  one  thing  and  contain  descriptions 
of  the  best  varieties  in  commerce. 


Gladiolus — Europa. 

Our  readers  are  already  familiar  with 
the  variety,  Europa,  and  we  have  had 
some  complimentary  remarks  to  make 
regarding  it  and  the  illustration  we  are 
using  this  month  gives  some  idea  of  what 
may  be  expected  of  Europa  under  inten- 
sive culture.  This  photograph  was  sent 
us  some  months  ago  from  Lompoc,  Calif., 
by  the  late  Edwin  Lonsdale. 

Europa  has  proved  to  be  weak  and  sub- 
ject to  disease  with  many  growers  and 
few  indeed  are  able  to  grow  it  to  per- 
fection and  without  undue  losses.  The 
above  photograph  will  perhaps  show  the 
reason  why  the  editor  has  suggested  that 
if  he  were  obliged  to  plant  one  hundred 
corms  of  Europa  to  obtain  a  single,  first 
class  flower  spike,  yet  he  would  be  will- 
ing to  stand  the  cost.  Europa  is  certainly 
a  grand  variety  when  properly  grown  and 
there  are  few  white  varieties  that  can 
compete  with  it  on  the  exhibition  bench. 


Apr. 
1917 


Ol)e  Mlo5erit  (Bla6lolu5  (Grower 


Page 
61 


The  Gladiolus.' 


WHEN  our  secretary  requested  me  to 
write  a  paper  for  this  meeting  on 
the  Gladiolus,  it  was  somewhat  re- 
luctantly that  I  consented  to  do  so, 
knowing  as  I  did  that  there  are  several 
members  of  this  Society  who,  for  many 
years  have  been  growing  this  flower  in  a 
commercial  way,  either  for  the  bulb  trade 
or  the  cut  flower  market  and  have  had 
more  experience  than  I.  I  am  not  pre- 
suming to  teach  these  professional  growers 
with  much  experience,  anything  new 
about  the  Gladiolus;  but  if  I  may  help 
those  who  have  had  a  very  limited  ex- 
perience in  growing  this  flower,  or  those 
who  have  not  been  living  up  to  their  op- 
portunities, and  have  missed  a  great  deal 
of  pleasure  by  not  growing  it  at  all,  then 
this  paper  shall  not  have  been  written  in 
vain. 

Nearly  forty  years  on  the  old  home 
farm  in  Wisconsin,  in  one  of  the  long 
flower  beds  on  either  side  of  the  path,  ex- 
tending from  the  house  to  the  front  gate, 
there  grew  a  clump  of  Gladioli  of  perhaps 
a  dozen  spikes.  They  were  not  such  as 
our  America,  Niagara  or  Mrs.  Frank 
Pendleton  of  to-day;  but  the  small  old 
fashioned  red  ones  such  as  our  grand- 
mothers grew.  Though  only  a  small  lad 
I  was  very  fond  of  flowers.  I  knew  the 
names  of  all  the  cultivated  flowers  on  the 
place,  and  there  were  many.  I  knew 
where  all  the  different  kinds  of  wild 
flowers  that  grew  in  our  community  were 
to  be  found  in  greatest  abundance;  but 
somehow  those  Gladioli  did  not  appeal 
to  me  as  being  very  beautiful.  For 
twenty-five  or  thirty  years  afterward, 
whenever  I  saw  or  heard  the  word  Gladi- 
olus I  always  associated  that  name  with 
the  old  fashioned  flowers  of  my  boyhood 
home.  I  suspect  that  there  are  many 
who  are  still  thinking  of  these  flowers  in 
very  much  the  same  way  as  I  did. 

When  showing  our  Gladioli  at  the  fairs 
the  past  summer,  the  remarks  that  I 
heard  from  those  who  were  looking  at 
our  exhibit  convinced  me  that  compara- 
tively few  were  acquainted  with  the  Gladi- 
olus in  its  modern  state  of  development. 
We  found  but  few  who  had  grown  any 
but  the  most  common  red  ones.  Many 
expressed  surprise  when  they  saw  the 
white,  yellow  and  blue  ones.  While 
others  didn't  know  they  were  grown  so 
large.     Some   took    it    for   granted    that 

*This  paper  was  read  before  the  Northeastern 
Iowa  Horticultural  Society,  at  Decorah,  Iowa, 
Nov.  18,  1915,  by  L.  R.  Dockerty,  of  Mitchell,  la. 


such  flowers  as  those  must  have  been 
grown  in  a  greenhouse  by  an  expert 
florist,  and  seemed  hardly  able  to  believe 
me  when  I  told  them  that  they  were  grown 
in  a  field,  cultivated  with  a  horse  and 
were  as  easily  grown  as  potatoes. 

In  fact  the  Gladiolus  requires  much  the 
same  conditions  that  are  necessary  for 
growing  a  good  crop  of  potatoes.  They 
will  grow  and  do  well  in  most  any  soil, 
but  are  at  their  best  in  rather  light,  rich, 
mellow  soil  that  is  well  supplied  with 
humus.  Well  rotted  stable  manure  makes 
a  good  fertilizer.  If  fresh  manure  is  used 
it  should  be  applied  in  the  Fall  and 
ploughed  under.  The  ground  should  be 
ploughed  or  spaded  to  a  good  depth  so 
that  the  bulbs  may  be  planted  deeply,  and 
have  two  or  three  inches  of  loosened  soil  in 
which  the  roots  can  grow.  As  for  location, 
they  are  sun  loving  plants  and  should  not 
be  planted  in  the  shade.  Neither  should 
they  be  planted  near  large  trees  where 
the  roots  of  the  trees  will  rob  the  soil  of 
plant  food  and  moisture.  They  need  a 
good  supply  of  moisture,  especially  at  the 
time  the  buds  are  beginning  to  open, 
still  they  should  never  be  planted  in  low 
wetlan  d  as  the  bulbs  are  liable  to  rot  in 
such  a  location.  When  they  are  planted 
for  garden  decoration  they  may  be 
planted  in  the  border,  between  the  low 
growing  shrubs  or  other  plants.  Some 
like  them  massed  in  beds  by  themselves, 
planting  them  six  or  eight  inches  apart. 
When  planted  in  this  way,  the  varieties 
that  are  not  too  tall  and  have  strong  stiff 
spikes  should  be  selected,  as  they  will 
stand  up  better.  If  grown  for  cutting 
they  would  better  be  planted  in  rows  so 
they  can  be  cultivated  with  a  wheel  hoe 
and  be  given  good  care  with  a  small 
amount  of  labor.  The  large  bulbs  should 
be  planted  five  or  six  inches  deep,  and 
two  to  four  inches  apart  in  the  row. 
The  rows  may  be  spaced  to  suit  your 
convenience  in  cultivating.  In  growing 
large  quantities,  we  plant  the  rows  30  to 
36  inches  apart  so  a  horse  may  be  used 
in  cultivating.  The  depth  to  plant  de- 
pends on  the  size  of  bulb,  three  inches 
being  deep  enough  for  very  small  bulbs 
and  bulblets.  The  bulblets  are  sown 
quite  thickly,  in  drills  much  the  same  as 
peas.  In  covering,  we  ridge  the  rows  and 
when  the  weeds  start,  and  after  each  rain, 
we  rake  the  ridges  lengthwise  with  a 
garden  rake  to  keep  the  weeds  killed,  to 
conserve  the  moisture  in  the  soil,  and  to 
keep  a  crust  from  forming  which  would 


Page 

62 


Obc  5tlo6ern.  (5la6lolus  <5rower 


Apr. 
1917 


make  it  difficult  for  the  tiny  plants  to 
come  up.  We  have  the  ridges  raked 
down  level  by  the  time  the  plants  get  up 
even  with  the  top  of  the  ground.  We 
continue  to  use  the  rake  until  the  plants 
are  high  enough  so  the  wheel  hoe  can  be 
used.  The  bulblets  of  many  varieties 
germinate  slowly  and  the  bulblets  of  all 
varieties  will  come  up  better  and  quicker 
if  they  are  soaked  a  day  or  two  before 
planting.  The  flowering  bulbs  may  be 
planted  as  early  as  the  ground  is  in  good 
condition  to  be  worked  or  any  time  there- 
after until  the  last  of  June.  A  succes- 
sion of  bloom  may  be  secured  by  planting 
early,  medium  and  late  varieties,  or  by 
planting  at  intervals  of  about  two  weeks. 
The  length  of  time  required  for  blooming 
varies  with  different  varieties,  from  about 
75  to  100  days.  As  for  colors  almost  any 
color  or  shade  can  be  found  in  this  flower; 
but  most  varieties  consist  of  a  combina- 
tion of  colors.  Flowers  having  but  one 
color  and  one  shade  of  that  color  are  very 
rare.  This  is  especially  true  of  whites, 
yellows  and  blues.  In  these  colors  there 
seems  to  be  plenty  of  room  for  ambitious 
breeders  of  these  flowers.  Which  varie- 
ties are  the  best?  We  are  not  attempt- 
ing to  name  the  best  ten  for  fear  of  start- 
ing an  argument.  We  will  be  content  to 
name  a  few  that  we  consider  good  ;  and 
invite  others  to  add  to  this  list  when  we 
have  finished.  As  a  general  statement 
we  believe  those  varieties  are  best  that 
have  a  strong  constitution  and  the  ability 
to  produce  good  blooms  under  average  con- 
ditions, or  even  under  adverse  conditions 
if  necessary.  In  pure  white  Europa  seems 
to  be  in  the  lead,  but  is  rather  weak  in 
constitution.  Among  the  near  whites 
Lily  Lehmann,  Peace,  Alice  Carey,  Meadow- 
vale  and  Chicago  White  are  all  good.  In 
pinks  we  like  Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton,  Ta- 
conic  and  Tracey's  Dawn.  In  yellow  shades 
we  would  name  Niagara,  Golden  King, 
Schwaben  and  Victory.  In  reds  Mrs. 
Francis  King,  War,  Ida  Van,  Liebesfeuer 
and  Burrell.  In  blues,  Groff's  Blue  Jay, 
Baron  Hulot  and  Senator  Volland  are  the 
best  that  we  have  tested. 

The  Gladiolus  is  propagated  in  three 
ways.  By  division — that  is  by  one  bulb 
throwing  up  two  or  more  tops  and  a  new 
bulb  forming  at  the  base  of  each.  By 
bulblets  or  cormels  which  grow  in  clusters 
around  the  base  of  the  large  bulb  or  corm, 
and  by  seeds.  The  first  two  ways  will 
produce  blooms  like  the  parent ;  but  from 
the  seed  it  is  very  unlikely  that  any  two 
will  be  alike.  It  is  by  the  last  method 
that  new  varieties  are  originated.  Many 
growers  are  growing  seedlings  from  their 
choicest  sorts  and  many  new  varieties  are 


being  introduced  each  year.  We  predict 
that  in  ten  years'  time  most  of  the  stand- 
ard sorts  of  today  will  be  placed  on  the 
discarded  list,   and  their  places  filled  by  ^ 

newer  and    better  varieties.     The   popu-  fl 

larity  of  this  flower  is  increasing  rapidly 
and  is  world  wide  in  its  extent.  Nearly 
every  one  who  grows  it  becomes  an  en- 
thusiast. It  can  be  grown  by  any  one  on 
almost  any  soil.  The  bulbs  are  inexpen- 
sive and  you  have  them  left  with  their 
increase  for  the  next  year's  planting.  In 
coloring  they  are  superb  and  are  often 
called  the  poor  man's  orchids.  As  a  cut 
flower  we  know  of  nothing  that  equals 
them.  If  they  are  cut  when  the  first 
blossom  opens  and  placed  in  water  they 
will  continue  to  bloom  until  the  last  bud 
has  opened.  When  the  water  is  changed, 
the  withered  blossoms  should  be  removed 
and  a  little  cut  off  of  the  lower  end  of  the 
spikes.  They  may  be  sent  a  long  dis- 
tance by  express  or  mail  and  reach  their 
destination  in  good  condition,  and  bloom 
out  nicely  when  placed  in  water.  For 
shipping  they  should  be  cut  just  before 
the  first  buds  begin  to  open.  The  bulb 
will  not  be  injured  by  removing  the  flow- 
ers if  most  of  the  foliage  is  left.  Seed 
should  not  be  allowed  to  ripen  unless  it  is 
wanted  for  planting. 

We  trust  you  will  forgive  us  if  we  over- 
step the  bounds  of  our  subject  a  little  in  ^ 
pleading  for  a  more  liberal  planting  of  flow-  ^ 
ers.  Of  course  we  want  you  to  plant 
some  Gladioli,  but  for  goodness  sake  do 
not  stop  there.  There  are  the  Dahlias, 
the  Cannas,  the  Peonies,  the  German  and 
Japenese  Iris,  Tulips,  Hardy  Phlox,  Hol- 
lyhock, Delphiniums,  Oriental  Poppies, 
Hardy  Lilies,  Roses  and  the  various  flow- 
ering shrubs,  all  easily  grown.  Then  there 
are  a  lot  of  annuals,  grown  from  seed, 
that  are  very  satisfactory  and  not  dif- 
ficult to  grow.  Raise  flowers.  They  ex- 
ert a  refining  influence  and  yourself  and 
family  will  be  the  happier  and  better  for 
having  grown  them.  Beautify  your 
grounds  and  you  will  soon  find  you  have 
started  something  that  is  contagious. 
Others  will  follow  your  example.  An  old 
German  gentleman  who  bought  a  place 
and  moved  into  our  town  last  Spring  was 
looking  over  a  neighbor's  flower  garden 
and  became  very  much  interested.  Be- 
fore he  went  home  he  said,  "  You  schust 
vait.  I  show  you  next  year,"  and  he  will. 
Another  beauty  spot  will  be  added  to  the 
community  where  weeds  have  grown  be- 
fore. "We  pass  this  way  but  once.  Let  ^ 
us  beautify  the  pathway  as  we  go  so  the  ^ 
world  can  see  which  way  we  went."  When 
we  have  finished  our  labors  here  we  will 
pass  on  to  our  reward,  feeling  that  we 


Apr. 
1917 


Ol)e  Mlo6ern  (Bla6iolus  (Brower 


Page 
63 


have  helped  to  make  this  old  world  a 
brighter,  happier,  and  better  place  in 
which  to  live. 

Wild  Cucumber  Vine. 

The  wild  cucumber  vine — Echinocystis 
lobata — is  one  of  the  quickest  growing 
annual  climbing  plants  we  have.  It  is 
useful  for  covering  unsightly  outhouses, 
high  fences  and  arbors.  It  is  very  showy 
when  in  full  bloom,  the  creamy-white 
flowers  being  borne  in  long  racemes. 
The  blossoms  are  followed  by  bladder- 
like fruits  two  inches  long,  which  are 
covered  with  soft  prickly  spines.  The 
fruit  or  seed  pods  are  a  never-failing 
source  of  interest  to  the  children,  who 
delight  in  making  them  burst. 

On  account  of  the  thick  leathery  coat, 
the  seed  is  very  slow  in  germinating — 
in  fact,  I  have  known  sowings  to  remain 
dormant  in  the  soil  from  spring  until  the 
following  spring,  ere  sprouting,  writes 
George  W.  Kerr  in  Country  Gentleman. 
Therefore,  the  only  sure  way  to  have  a 
perfect  stand  of  plants  is  to  sow  the  seed 
in  the  Fall  or  early  Winter,  thus  subject- 
ing them  to  the  influences  of  the  snows 
and  rains ;  then  they  will  quickly  germi- 
nate in  early  Spring. 

In  sowing,  cover  the  seed  with  not  more 
than  one  inch  of  soil,  and  place  them  six 
inches  apart.  This  will  be  ample  to  give 
you  a  solid  mass  of  luxuriant  growth. 
The  only  drawback  to  this  useful  vine  is 
that  should  the  soil  ever  become  dry  the 
leaves  quickly  become  yellow  at  the  bot- 
tom. To  guard  against  this,  give  regular 
and  copious  supplies  of  water  during 
periods  of  drought. 

There  is  never  any  necessity  of  sowing 
seed  the  second  year,  as  self-sown  seed- 
lings will  appear  in  abundance.  In  spite 
of  its  precocious  habit  of  self-sowing, 
there  is  no  danger  of  its  ever  becoming  a 
noxious  weed  as  the  seedlings  not  re- 
quired are  readily  destroyed. 


Improving  the  Canna. 

From  a  late  number  of  the  Pliiladelphia 
North  American  we  learn  that  for  twenty- 
one  years  a  Chester  county  (Pa.)  man, 
Antoine  Wintzer,  has  been  toiling  day  in 
and  day  out  to  get  what  florists  consider 
an  acme  of  their  art,  a  white  canna.  In 
these  twenty-one  years  he  has  produced 
more  than  60,000  varieties  of  cannas  *  *  * 
And  out  of  these  only  5,000  have  been 
considered  distinctive.  *  *  * 

A  majority  of  the  improved  American 
cannas  in  the  last  twenty  years  have 
originated  with  Mr.  Wintzer.     His  is  the 


Mrs.  Alfred  F.  Conard,  the  brilliant 
salmon-pink  canna ;  Wintzer's  Meteor  has 
won  many  commendations ;  another  pink 
is  Mrs.  Woodrotv  Wilson ;  in  fact,  Mr. 
Wintzer  has  originated  more  pink  cannas 
than  all  the  other  American  growers  put 
together.  He  has  waved  his  hand  over  a 
mass  of  pink,  and  transformed  it  into  a 
field  of  red.  He  has  touched  a  leaf  of 
deep  green  and  it  has  turned  bronze. 
He  has  passed  a  magic  wand  over  a  field 
of  insignificant  blossoms  and  trebbled 
their  size.    Yet  he  says  he  is  no  wizard. 


Selling  Our  Flowers. 

In  February  we  moved  to  a  small  truck 
farm  in  the  suburbs.  When  the  flowers 
began  to  appear  we  discovered  a  bed  of 
beautiful  dark  red  tulips  with  extra  long 
stems.  At  the  same  time  our  lilacs 
bloomed.  I  filled  two  large  baskets  with 
blossoms  and  took  them  to  the  leading 
retail  florists  in  town.  They  sold  at  once. 
Lilies  of  the  valley,  blue  flags  and  peonies 
were  sold  to  the  same  stores.  By  that 
time  the  farmers  were  overstocking  the 
market  with  flowers,  and  the  florists  no 
longer  had  sale  for  garden  flowers. 

Then  I  discovered  that  jewelry  stores 
and  custom  tailor  shops  were  having  our 
kind  of  flowers  in  their  windows.  I  filled  a 
basket  with  bouquets  and  visited  them 
and  sold  my  flowers  at  once.  I  found 
that  they  preferred  to  buy  from  me  rather 
than  to  spend  the  time  to  go  to  market. 
I  now  have  a  list  of  stores  that  I  visit 
twice  weekly.  I  sell  all  the  flowers  we 
have  and  my  customers  are  so  well  pleased 
they  have  asked  me  for  cultivated  flowers. 

Our  buttermilk  I  sell  to  a  large  drug 
store  which  retails  it  at  the  soda  fountain. 
— Clara  Sassaman  in  Country  Gentleman. 


Gladiolus  Corm  Grader. 

Raymond  W.  Swett  writes  that  the 
Dutch  sieves  made  of  pig-skin  with  round 
holes  stamped  out  are  much  quicker  and 
more  accurate  for  the  grading  of  Gladi- 
olus corms  than  the  wire  screens  which 
are  employed  in  this  country.  The  wire 
screens  measure  more  across  diagonally 
than  across  the  square  of  the  mesh,  and, 
therefore,  cannot  possibly  be  accurate 
for  grading  for  size.  We  have  never  seen 
these  pig-skin  sieves  but  can  readily  un- 
derstand how  they  would  be  much  better' 
than  the  wire  screens  with  square  mesh. 
We  would  suggest  that  a  sieve  could  be 
made  of  galvanized  iron  with  round  holes 
punched,  but  the  pig-skin  sieve  is  the  best 
because  much  less  likely  to  bruise  the 
corms. 


*^^^  DEPARTMENT  ^^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.] — Editor. 


Vitality  of  Cormels — Increas- 
ing Valuable  Varieties,  Etc. 
To  THE  Editor:— 

When  plantmg  my  cormels  in  the  spring  I  fol- 
low the  usual  directions  as  to  soaking  and  sowing 
thickly,  but  in  the  fall  I  find  many  yet  in  the  dor- 
mant state  :  alive  but  not  sprouted.  If  these  were 
taken  up,  kept  over  another  winter  and  sown 
the  following  spring,  would  they  be  apt  to  grow  ? 

Suppose  one  had  a  bulb  or  two  of  a  choice  va- 
riety, and  wished  to  get  as  much  increase  as  pos- 
sible ;  how  would  it  do  to  dig  the  bulbs  carefully, 
allowing  the  cormels  to  remain  attached  to  the 
mother  bulbs,  and  plant  the  mother  bulbs  with  the 
cormels  attached  in  the  spring,  the  theory  be- 
ing that  the  cormels  would  draw  nourishment 
from  the  mother  bulbs  and  germinate  more 
surely?  Would  this  procedure  injure  the  mother 
bulbs? 

Where  time  is  limited,  what  effect  would  it  have 
to  leave  the  old  dead  corm  attached  when  plant- 
ing in  the  spring  ?  H.  M.  G. 

Answer: — It  nearly  always  occurs  that 
when  digging  cormel  grown  stock  that 
cormels  which  have  failed  to  germi- 
nate are  found,  and  commonly  these  are 
simply  allowed  to  remain  among  the 
cormels  growing  from  the  new  corms, 
and  there  is  no  doubt  but  what  many  of 
the  ungerminated  cormels  will  grow  when 
planted  the  following  spring.  Indeed, 
several  correspondents  have  suggested 
that  cormels  will  grow  better  if  held  over 
one  year  and  planted  the  second  year, 
but  we  do  not  advise  this  as  a  matter  of 
practice. 

There  would  be  no  gain  in  leaving 
cormels  attached  to  the  parent  corm  if 
the  idea  was  to  increase  stock  as  rapidly 
as  possible.  There  is  nothing  in  the  idea 
that  cormels  will  draw  nourishment  from 
the  parent  corm  if  attached  to  it  by  the 
old  connection.  The  branches  which  at- 
tach the  cormels  to  the  parent  corm  die 
when  dried  and  when  planted  again  would 
have  no  life  to  supply  nourishment  to  the 
cormels.  The  best  way  for  rapid  increase 
is  to  separate  the  cormels  from  the  corms 
promptly  at  digging  time.  Cormels  should 
be  stored  in  moist  sand  and  the  corms 
cured  and  stored  in  a  reasonably  dry  atmos- 
phere. Cormels  stored  in  moist  sand  will 
not  dry  out  and  acquire  a  hard  shell, 
which  shell  is  the  main  reason  why  they 
do  not  germinate  more  readily. 


It  would  be  bad  practice  to  leave  the 
old  corm  attached  to  the  new  corm  when 
planting.  Any  tendency  to  disease  in  the 
old  corm  would  be  quickly  transmitted  to 
the  new  one  and  the  inconvenience  of 
handling  the  old  corms  with  the  attached 
roots  would  be  a  serious  objection  to  a 
proper  setting  of  the  new  corms.  Plant- 
ing sizes,  however,  which  are  not  set 
singly,  but  drilled,  are  sometimes  planted 
with  old  corms  and  roots  attached. 


Grading  Gladiolus  Corms  for  Size. 

To  the  Editor:— 

Under  separate  cover  I  am  sending  you  four 
Gladiolus  corms.  The  two  larger  ones  can  be 
passed  through  a  11/2  inch  mesh  sieve  and  the  two 
small  ones  through  a  114  inch,  yet  these  areas 
large  as  corms  that  I  buy  for  first  and  second 
size.  I  have  been  selling  these  for  second  and 
third  size,  but  it  has  occurred  to  me  that  I  might 
be  mistaken.  Will  you  please  advise  with  ref- 
erence to  this  matter  of  grading  ?  C.  C. 

Answer: — Gladiolus  growers  generally 
grade  as  first  size  any  corm  measuring 
IJ"  or  larger  in  its  greatest  diameter. 
The  corms  you  send,  all  of  them,  would 
grade  as  first  size,  the  three  largest  ones 
very  easily  and  the  smaller  one  of  the 
four  barely,  as  it  measures  exactly  Ih". 
Some  growers,  in  fact,  are  not  at  all  par- 
ticular in  grading  and  use  a  sieve  for  this 
purpose,  and  as  a  result  many  corms 
smaller  than  Ih"  get  into  the  first  size  on 
account  of  irregularities  of  the  corms  or 
projecting  stems  or  roots.  Second  size 
corms  should  range  in  size  from  1|"  to  IJ" 
and  third  size  corms  from  1"  to  Ij". 
Fourth  size  corms  from  f "  to  1".  Fifth  size 
corms  from  J"  to  f " ;  and'  sixth  size  5"  and 
less.  Some  growers  sell  the  small  planting 
sizes  up  to  I"  in  a  mixture  of  sizes  and 
do  not  attempt  to  grade  from  fourth  size 
down.  The  large  wholesale  growers  grade 
almost  exclusively  by  means  of  wire  mesh 
screens  and  necessarily  the  grading  is 
somewhat  imperfect.  It  is  generally  the 
case,  however,  that  there  are  enough  that 
run  over  size  to  make  good  for  those  that 
run  under  size. 


Catalogues  and  Price  Lists. 

H.  E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.  H.  -24  page  retail  cat- 
alogue well  illustrated  with  the  variety  Empress 
of  India  in  colors  on  the  cover.  The  color  descrip- 
tions are  extra  good. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff,  Independence,  Iowa.  Retail 
catalogue  of  some  of  the  best  standard  varieties 
in  commerce  and  also  many  of  the  new  introduc- 
tions and  novelties  of  merit.  Varieties  alpha- 
betically arranged  and  careful  color  descriptions. 

Thomas  M.  Proctor,  Wrentham,  Mass.  Retail 
catalogue  of  Dahlias  and  Gladioli,  eight  pages 
and  cover.  The  list  of  Dahlias  is  especially  com- 
plete and  Gladioli  include  the  best  standard  sorts 
with  some  of  the  novelties. 


Wayside  Gardens,  Mentor,  Ohio, 
list  of  Gladioli  and  Dahlias. 


Retail  price 


The  Decorah  Gladiolus  Gardens,  Decorah,  la. 
Retail  price  list  of  Gladioli  featuring  the  Dr.  Hoeg 
specialties. 

Central  Gladiolus  Gardens,  Milton,  Mass.  Re- 
tail price  list  of  Gladioli  with  some  interesting 
illustrations.    Colored  cover  of  especial  merit. 

Wayside  Gardens,  Mentor,  Ohio.  Retail  price 
list  of  hardy  plants. 

T.  H.  Fuller,  Battle  Creek,  Mich.  Catalogue 
and  price  list  of  Gladioli. 

Austin-Coleman  Co.,  Wayland,  Ohio.  Cata- 
logue of  Gladioli,  Chrysanthemums,  Dahlias,  etc. 
The  Austin  originations  are  especially  well  de- 
scribed.   

Meehan's  Mallow  Marvels,  which  were 
advertised  in  the  March  issue  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  have  been 
growing  in  the  editor's  garden  for  several 
years  and  we  can  recommend  this  flower 
to  those  who  are  interested  in  a  showy 
novelty.     It  is  certainly  striking. 

Some  quite  wonderful  bargains  are 
offered  in  our  advertising  pages  this 
month  in  the  way  of  collections  and 
second  size  corms.  For  the  grower  who 
is  able  to  pick  out  the  most  meritorious 
varieties  the  bargains  are  pronounced. 


JOHN  ZEESTRATEN 

GLADIOLUS    GROWER 
RUMFORD,   R.   I. 


CHOICEST  VARIETIES    A    SPECIALTY 


GLADIOLI 

Send  for  my  catalog,  containing  96  dis- 
tinct varieties  and  some  excellent  mix- 
tures, TODAY— IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Dept.  D.  Milton,  Mass. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


pUGET  SOUND  grown  Dahlias,  Peonies.  Gladi- 
-'■  oli,  Roses  and  Perennial  Plants  are  the  best  in 
the  land,  owing  to  the  ideal  climatic  and  soil  con- 
ditions. A  genial,  moist,  temperate  climate  makes 
them  thrive  and  bloom  here  as  nowhere  else.  A 
trial  order  will  convince  you  of  this  fact.  Write 
for  catalog.   The  Pudor  Farms,  Puyallup,  Wash. 


"DULBS — Hyacinths,  Tulips,  (early  and  late), 
^  Narcissi,  Daffodils,  Paeonies,  Gladioli.  Also 
Spireas  and  hardy  plants.  New  list  now  ready. 
Write  us  today  for  your  contracts  for  fall  delivery. 
Van-til  Hartman,  Bulb  Growers,  Hillegom,  Hol- 
land. Care  P.  C.  Kuyper,  10  Broadway,  New 
York  City. 

TVriGRICANS,  (Almost  Black).  New  deep  ma- 
-'■^  roon,  largest  and  best  dark  colored  variety, 
early  flowering,  strong  grower,  wide  open  flower, 
now  offered  for  first  time.  Price,  15c.  each  ;  $1.50 
per  dozen  ;  $12  per  hundred  postpaid.  Also  Ni- 
agara, creamy  yellow,  large,  and  Panama,  fine 
pink,  $1.00  per  dozen,  and  other  Gladiolus  low 
prices.  Sylvia  Dahlia  roots,  75c.  per  doz.;  $5.00 
per  hundred,  and  many  others.  Iris,  M.  Chereau, 
Fragrans,  etc.,  at  75c.  per  doz.;  $5.00  per  hundred. 
Send  for  catalogue.  E.  R.  Macomber,  44  Leonard 
St.,  Woodfords,  Maine. 

'pO  INTRODUCE  in  your  vicinity  my  fifty  choice, 
•'■  named  Gladioli,  such  as  Panama,  Pendleton, 
Niagara,  Dawn,  Peace,  War.  Pink  Perfection,  etc., 
I  am  offering  unusually  low  prices.  Send  for  de- 
scriptive price  list.  T.  H.  Fuller,  Grower,  649 
Marshall  St.,  Battle  Creek.  Mich. 

ORDER  from  this  list: 
100  Florist  asters,  any  color,  $1.25. 
Sweet  Alyssum  and  zinnias,  dz.  30c. 
Cosmos,  bbl.  Blue  Cornflower,  Pansies; 
America, Mrs.  Kingor  best  mixed  Gladioli,  dz.  35c. 
Salvia  and  verbenas,  dz.  40c. 
Snapdragons  and  Hardy  pinks,  dz.  50c. 
Sweet  Williams,  Shasta  Daisies,  Coreopsis, 
Columbine,  mixed  dahlias,  each  5c. 
Larkspurs,  fine  single  hollyhocks,  each  10c. 
Canna  toes,  Humbert,  Wyoming,  mixed,  7c.  each. 
Many  kinds  tomato  plants,  dz.  12c.;  100,  65c. 
Best  early  or  late  cabbage,  dz.  12c.;  100,  65c. 
Cauliflower,  peppers,  egg  plant,  dz.  15c.  ;  100,  90c. 
Our  catalogue  describes  these  more  fully. 
We  want  vou  to  have  it  now. 
P.  L.  Ward,  Plant  Specialist,  Hillsdale,  Mich. 


o 


NE  Dozen  best  roses.  Three  Dollars- 
Fifteen  phlox.  Two  Dollars. 
Twenty  Iris,  Two  Dollars. 
Twenty  Gladioli,  Fifty  Cents. 
Sumner  Perkins,  Danvers,  Mass. 


WANTED— Gladioli  in  quantity.  Specify  sizes 
you  have  to  offer  in  the  following  varieties: 
America,  Augusta,  Mrs.  Francis  King,  Panama, 
Halley,  Pink  Beauty,  Niagara,  Pendleton,  Chicago 
White,  Glory  of  Holland,  Lily  Lehmann,  Schwa- 
ben,  Peace  and  Willy  Wigman.  American  Bulb 
Company,  172  N.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

TVriXED  GLADIOLI-2000  VA  in.  up  at  50c.  doz. 
^^^  postpaid  ;  $2.00  per  100  by  express,  collect,  or 
the  lot  for  $20.00  cash  ;  purchaser  to  pay  transpor- 
tation charges.  A  bargain  for  the  quick  buyer. 
Wm.  C.  Pike,  Grower,  18  Summer  St.,  Melrose, 
Mass. 


U.  Cemome  ^  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy,  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD   YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerf ield  L.  I. 


Dahlias  and  Gladioli 

Catalog  on  Application. 

THOWIAS  M.  PROCTOR, 
Wrentham,  Mass. 


HEADQUARTERS   FOR 

GLADIOLUS  AUGUSTA 

the  florists'  white,  all  sizes;  many  others. 
Long  Island  grown.  Wholesale. 

GEO.  J.  JOERG, 
New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I.,        -        -     N.  Y. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in   the 
curious  facts  about  our  native  wildfiowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.     SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  HI. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.  Catalogue  on  request. 

Stock  of  some  of  our  choicest  varieties  still  for  sale. 


Gladioli  from  Original  Headquarters. 
Kelway  &  Son 

Noted    English     Raisers. 

The  trade  in  Great  Britain  for  Gladioli  being 
small  now  owing  to  the  War,  the  present  is  a 
great  opportunity  for  Americans  to  obtain 
some  of  Kelway's  celebrated  varieties  at 
reasonable  prices.  Prices  retail  or  wholesale 
will  be  sent  on  demand. 

KELWAY  &  SON 

Champion  Gladiolus  Growers  since  the  year  1851 
LANGPORT.  ENGLAND 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture — 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 

Published  monthly  Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 

THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 

286  Fifth  Ave..  New  York,  N.Y. 


Bath,  N.Y. 


The  Gladiolus 

MRS.  W.  E.  FRYER 

No.  1  -  -  $1.50  per  dozen 
No.  2  -  -  -  1.25  per  dozen 
No.  3      -    -     1.00  per  dozen 

Sent    prepaid. 

Peonies,  Iris,  Phlox,  Etc. 

Write  for  catalog. 
Both  wholesale  and  retail. 

Willis  E.  Fryer 

Mantorville       -     Minnesota 


A  one  year  subscription  to   The  Modern 

Gladiolus  Grower  as    premium  for  every 

order  for  the  3  dozen  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer  at 

$3.75  as  listed  above. 


Now  Planting 

Your  order  should  reach  us  at  once 

or  the  kinds  you  wish  may  be  in 

the  ground. 


Mongolian,  best  yellow 
A.W.  Clifford,  best  early  red 
Mrs  O.  W.  Halladay,  rose  &  cream 
One  of  each  for  testing 


1.75 


Princepine 

Dazzling  scarlet  with  a  white  blotch,  very 
showy  in  the  garden  and  a  good  one  to  ship. 
1  inch  bulbs  -  -  -  $1.25  per  100 
%  inch  bulbs  -        -        -     1.00  per    100 

Planting  stock  -        -        -  .80  per    100 

Bulblets  -        -        -        -       .70  per  1000 

Primulinus  Hybrids 

All  the  fashion  this  year. 

11/2  inch  bulbs        -        -        -    $2.25  per  100 

IV4  inch  bulbs      -        -        -        2.00  per  100 

1  inch  bulbs             -        -        -    1.75  per  100 

3/4  inch  bulbs  -  -  -  1.25  per  100 
Planting  stock  -  -  -  1.00  per  100 
Bulblets        -        -        .        -        1.00  per  1000 

Our  own  Seedlings,  mixed  col's 

Large  size  .  .  .  .  $3,75  per  100 
Blooming  size  -  -  -  2.00  per  100 
Gladiolus  seed  per  packet  -  -  $  .25 
Primulinus  Hybrid  seed      -        ■        -       .30 

C.  W.  Brown   &   Son 

Ashland,  Mass. 


WAYSIDE 
GLADIOLI 

ARE  KNOWN  TO  THE  TRADE  AS 

QUALITY  BULBS 


We  grow  a  selected  list  of 

Dahlias 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  IN  THE  MIDDLE 
WEST  and 

Hardy  Plants 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  ANYWHERE. 
May  we  send  our  catalog? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor  Box  G  Ohio 


WOODRUFF'S  GLADIOLI 

Hardly  need  introduction  to  most  of  you.  They  took  first  premium 
at  the  great  Iowa  State  Fair  and  "Independence"  Gladioli  have  taken 
first  and  second  premiums  and  many  specials  every  year  since  1907. 
Satisfied  customers  all  over  the  country  testify  to  their  excellence 
and  fair  price.     Here  are  some  offers:  — 

One  each  for  SOc— 

America,  Mrs.  Francis  King,  Burrell,  Princeps.  Scarsdale,  Velvet  King, 
Queenly,  Peace,  Pink  Perfection,  Glory  of  Holland,  Annie  Wigman. 

One  each  for  $1.00— 

Golden  King,  Baron  Hulot,  Eldorado,  Independence,  Liebesfeuer, 
Halley,  Loveliness,  Niagara,  Mrs.  Beecher,  Mrs.  Pendleton,  Lily  Leh- 
man, Schwaben,  Pink  Beauty,  Princepine,  Queen  Wilhelmina,  Willy 
Wigman;  two  each  Primulinus  Hybrids  and  Blue  Seedlings. 

These  will  be  all  good  flowering  size  and  postpaid,  each  sort  labeled. 

One  hundred  Oakwood  Mixture,  finest  sorts  for  $1.00  postpaid  except 
in  6th  and  7th  Zones,  for  which  add  20c.  and  25c. 

Send  for  catalogue  now  in  preparation.     It  tvill  interest  you. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff,  Independence,  Iowa 


Gladiolus 

''Crimson  Glow" 

A  J^OHJelly  ofX/nusual  Merit. 

Glorious,  brilliant,  satiny  "Crimson  Glow,"  a  color 
that  is  fetching  and  pleasing  to  all.  The  wide  open 
blooms  are  of  the  largest  size,  well  placed  on  the 
long,  graceful,  showy,  slender  spikes  which  remain 
in  bloom  a  long  time  especially  in  the  cool  of 
autumn.  Its  petals  are  of  exceptional  substance. 
As  a  garden  type  it  is  extra  good.  As  a  cut  flower 
its  keeping  qualities  are  the  best.  Its  bulb  and 
plant  growth  are  very  good.  A  free  bulblet  pro- 
ducer. Small  bulbs  bloom  very  well.  A  free 
forcer.    A  gem  in  every  way. 

It  has  been  tested  in  California,  Massachusetts,  New  York, 
Washington  and  elsewhere.  By  actual  test  it  has  merited 
unstinted  praise  from  these  critical  culturists  whose  testi- 
monials are  of  the  highest  value.  We  quote  from  some  of  them: 

"The  finest  red  ever  sent  out."  "One  of  the  very  best,  if  not  the  best 
ever  seen."  From  a  noted  grower  in  California,  "We  gave  some  of  the  bulbs 
to  our  customers,  we  all  agree  that  it  is  an  extra  fine  one." 

We  offer  it  in  a  limited  way  this  season  for  trial. 

General  introduction  1918. 

Try  this  unusual  variety — unlike  all  others. 

$1.00  ea.,  $10.00  per  doz.— post  free— cash. 

Our  trial  collection  embraces  all  the  best  from 
all  growers  worldwide. 

The  finest  Gladioli— Carinas— Dahlias— Peonies— extant. 

€«  Betscber,  Plant  Breeder 

Fertik  Jlcres  Farms 

DODcr,Obio  U.S.fl 


■) 


MRS.  FRANK  PENDLETON 

The  most  popular  Gladiolus  grown. 

Planting  sizes,  1"  to  li",  $4  per  hundred ;  |"  to  1",  $3  per  hundred; 
I"  to  f ",  $2  per  hundred. 

The  well  known  varieties  ROSE  BUD,  IDA  VAN,  SUMMER  BEAUTY  and  MISS  LUCILLE. 
WRITE  FOR  QUOTA  TIONS. 

M.  F.  WRIGHT,  Gladiolus  Grower 

1906  Smith  St.  FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 


Gladiolus—Crystal  While 

The  best  white  seedling  to  date  for  florists' 
use.  A  variety  which  everybody  can  grow. 
Good,  healthy,  vigorous  and  prolific. 

Price  for  1st  size  bulbs  25c.  each,  $2.50 
per  dozen  and  $15  per  hundred. 

Give  it  a  trial. 

Herman  H.  Baer 

New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I.,     -    -     N.Y. 


i 

p.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

GLADIOLI-Named  Sorts 


Pcrdoz.     Per  100 
postpaid  f.o.b.  here 

America,  soft  pink _ $  .50         $1.50 

Augusta,  white  sh'd  heliotrope    .50  1.50 

Baron  Hulot,  dark  violet 50  1.50 

Brenchleyensis,  verm'l  scarlet    .50  1.50 

Chicago,  white  early 60  2.00 

Empressof  India,  dark  maroon    .75  2.50 

Europa,  snow  white      1.00  5.00 

Glory  of  Holland,  white 75  5.00 

Halley,  large  salmon 50  1.50 

Lily  Lehman,  white  rosy  tinge    .75  5.00 

At  Dozen  price,  POST  PAID.    At  Hundred  price,  F.  O.  B.  HERE.  Twenty-five  (25)  Bulbs  of 
a  kind  at  the  hundred  rate  where  not  less  than  100  bulbs  are  ordered  6  Bulbs  at  dozen  rate. 
SPECIAL  OFFER — To  introduce  my  Gladioli  I  will  send  one  each  of  the  17  named  varieties 
as  above  and  3  Groffs  Hybrids,  20  bulbs  in  all,  blooming  size,  the  lot  for  only  $1.00,  post  paid. 


Perdoz.  Per  100 
post  paid  f.o.  b.  here 

Loveliness,  cream  apricot $1.00  $5.00 

Mrs.  F.  Pendleton,  Jr 1.50  7.00 

Panama,  deep  pink 75  5.00 

Peace,  white,  red  blotch 1.00  5.00 

Pink  Perfection,  fine  pink 1.00  6.00 

Rochester  White,  pure  white..  1.00  6.00 

Schwaben,  pale  yellow 1.00  6.00 

Brunswick  Mixture 40  1.00 

Groffs  Hybrid  Mixture 50  1.50 


SWEET  PEA  SEED- 

Winter  Orchid,  mixed  per  oz .35c. 

Early  Winter,  Mixed  per  oz. 15c. 

Spencer  Extra  Choice  Mixed  peroz 25c. 


Very  Choice  mixtures 

All  Kinds  Fine,  Mixed  per  oz..   15c. 

Zvolanek's  Gold  Medal,  Mixed  per  pkt.  25c. 
The  Five  (5)  Papers  for  $1  post  paid. 


AMARYLLIS  (Hippeastrum) — The  most  beautiful  and  gorgeous  of  all  the  bulbous  plants. 
With  their  brilliant  colors,  gigantic  size,  there  is  no  other  flower  that  will  make  a  grander 
show  than  the  Amaryllis.  With  their  three  to  five  large  six  to  nine  inch  flowers  on  each 
scape.  My  stock  has  been  crossbred  until  it  is  now  beyond  doubt  as  fine  as  can  be  pro- 
duced. Bulbs  50c.  each,  $5.00  per  dozen;  for  Mixed  Unbloomed  Seedlings.  Bloomed  and 
Selected  Fancy  Stock  $1.00  each,  $10.00  per  dozen.. 

PANSY  PLANTS- Large  flowering.   None  better.     12  for -lOc;  36  for  50c;  100  for  $2.00;' 300 
for  $5.00,  postpaid.    One  ounce  of  choice  Sweet  Pea  seed  free  with  each  dollar's  worth.  . 
/  HAVE  NO  CATALOG 


C.  S.  TAIT 


Bruns^^ick,  Georgia 


Northern 
Grown  Bulbs 

This  is  what  one  of  our  friends 
thinks  of  them : 

Maine  Bulb  &  Flower  Growers : 

At  the  right  time  please  send  me  $ 

selection  of  Gladiolusbulbs— same  as  I  had 
last  year.  They  were  beautiful  and  va- 
ried in  color  beyond  description. 

Yours  truly,  William  E.  Eaton, 
15  Summit  Ave.  Wakefield,  Mass. 

Special  Offer: 

1  dozen  America  ;  1  dozen  Mrs.  F. 

King  ;    3  Mrs.   F.   Pendleton  ;    3 

Niagara. 

All  for  $1.00  postpaid. 

Try  the  H.  &  N.  mixture,  containing  many 

named     varieties     and    Groff's    Hybrids. 

60c.  per  doz. 

Maine  Bulb  and  Flower  Growers 
Lewiston,  Me. 


Special  Offer-- 

Mrs.  L.  Merton  Gage 

Glistening  white,  with  an  occasional  suf- 
fusion of  delicate  pink;  lower  petals  bear 
a  dainty  stripling  of  rose  pink.  Anthers 
purplish  blue.  Flowers  of  good  size  and 
graceful  form.  Spike  straight  and  strong; 
blooms  early.  One  of  the  best  of  the  whites. 
Awarded  a  First  Class  Certificate  of  Merit 
by  the  Worcester  Co.  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, Worcester,  Mass.,  Aug.  12,  1915. 

25c.  each,  $2.50  per  dozen. 

Although  "Mrs.  L.  Merton  Gage"  is  not 
a  solid  white  gladiolus,  I  believe  it  to  be 
the  best  white  gladiolus  that  is  offered  to 
date,  and  wishing  to  give  every  reader  of 
this  advertisement  an  opportunity  to  try 
this  beautiful  variety  in  comparison  with 
other  white  sorts,  I  will  make  you  the 
following  offer  for  the  next  30  days — 

Six  full-size  bulbs  of  above 
variety  for   $1.00    post-paid. 

Sunnyside  Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merlon  Gage,  Prop'r. 


Natick 


Massachusetts 


Gladiolus  "Mrs.  Watt" 

Brilliant  Wine — One  Color 

(See  February  and  March  issues  The  Modem  Gladiolus  Grower  ior  full  description. 

Strong  Blooming  Bulbs,       -      -      $  1  .OO  per  Dozen,  Postpaid 

"Mrs.  Watt"  has  been  admired  in  my  gardens  above  other  varieties;  it  be- 
ing exclusive  in  color.  "Mrs.  Watt"  has  proved  to  be  most  valuable  to  both 
florist  and  landscape  gardeners,  for  floral  work  and  decorative  effect,  w^here 
combined  refinement  and  display  are  desired. 

One-half  dozen  bulbs  each  of  the  following  Gladioli  for 
$3.00,  postpaid— value,  $3.75: 

Mrs.  Watt,        Norm.'v  Dee  Childs,        Dawn,      Prophetesse,      Panama, 
ScHWAfeEN,      Peace,      Glory,      Princepine. 


I  ISSUE  NO  RETAIL  CATALOGUE. 
Prices  Planting  Stock  "Mrs.  Watt"  to  growers  on  application. 

Homer  F.  Chase 

Grower  of  Gladioli 

Wilton         -         -         -  New  Hampshire 


Myrtle 


^■■■■■■■■■■iirwtiPi^iii.iiiiiiiiiJBi^^^^—— 1^ 

The     Perfect    Pink    Gladiolus 

Blossoms  in  the  lovely  tints  of  the  trail- 
ing arbutus.  Rare  and  beautiful  as  a  pink  pearl.  See  January 
number  for  full  description. 

strong  Bulbs  20c.  each,  $2.00  per  dozen. 
W     51"^T  ^\J^/   i*^  ^  fl"tf3k     Snow    W^hkte    and    Lily   Pure 

M^Kly  W  1 11 LC  A  white  of  delightful  vigor  and 
spotless  purity.  Will  succeed  anywhere.  See  February  num- 
ber for  full  description. 

Strong  Bulbs  SOc.  each,  $S.OO  per  dozen. 

Is  Pink  your  favorite  color  ?  A  garden  of  beautiful  pink  Gladioli 
from  palest  pink  to  deep  rose,  lovely  and  tasteful.  3  each  of  choicest  eight 
varieties:  America,  palest  pink;  Taconic,  silvery  pink;  Mrs.  Pendleton,  blush 
pink;  Pink  Perfection,  apple  blossom;  Pink  Beauty,  peach  pink;  Panama,  rose 
pink;    Independence,  coral  pink;    Halley,  salmon  pink.        All  for  $1.00. 

You  surely  must  try  these.     They  are  exquisitely  dainty. 

MY  NEW  BOOKLET  IS  ''DIFFERENT  "    WANT  ONE? 


H.  E. 

Dover 


MEADER,  Gladiolus  Specialist. 

New  Hampshire 


Let  Us  Send  You 

Mrs.  Francis  King 

1st  size  bulbs  at  $1.50  per  100 
America 

1st  size  bulbs  at  $1.50  per  100 
Independence 

1st  size  bulbs  at  $1.50  per  100 

The  bulbs  are  strictly  first  class  in  every 
respect. 


If  you  are  interested  in  orna- 
mental shrubbery,  trees  or 
fruits,  write  us  for  catalog 
and  prices. 

We  wish  to  thank  the  trade  for  the 
business  given  us  this  season,  and 
to  announce  that  our  surplus  stock 
of  Gladiolus  Bulbs  of  all  sizes  is  now 
exhausted. 

The  Grinnell  Nursery 

Grinnell    -    -    -    -    Iowa 


E.  L  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


DOLLAR  SPECIALS 

A    wealth    of  bloom    for    a  song. 


EVELYN  KIRTLAND 

Strong  substance,  beautiful  shade  of  rosy  pink, 
darker  at  the  edges,  fading  to  shell  pink;  bril- 
liant scarlet  blotches  on  lower  petals.  Entire 
flower  showing  glistening,  sparkling  luster. 
Note  Illustration  measuring  length  of  spike 
with  yardstick. 

SOc.  each;   $5.00  per  dozen 


50  Choice  Gladiolus  Bulbs 

in  at  least  six  varieties  named 
and  properly  labeled 

$1.  Postpaid 

lO  Fine  Dahlias 

representing  all  the  forms:  2  each, 
Peony,  Cactus,  Decorative,  Col- 
larette,  Show      ^^     Postpaid 

lO  Lovely  Hardy  'Mums 

in  five  colors,  2  each  Pink,  White, 
Red,  Yellow,  Bronze.  These  are 
new  creations  enjoying  wide  pop- 
ularity at  the  present  time.  Don't 
fail  to  try  them.  $i.  postpaid 

lO  Beautiful  Iris 

"The  Orchid  of  the  Garden."  This 
is  an  extra  quality  selection  and 
will  more  than  please. 

$1.  Postpaid 

lO  Sweet  Everblooming 
Roses.     All  colors. 

$1.  Postpaid 

All  Five  Collections  including 
ONE  BULB  EVELYN  KIRT- 
LAND, $5.  Prepaid. 

If  you  would  have  beautiful  flowers 
the  three  seasons,  Spring,  Summer 
and  Fall,  order  the  above  Collections. 


"The  Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 

desires  you  to  have  a  copy  of  their  booklet;  it  is  full  of  information. 
A  postal  will  bring  a  copy. 

Austin- Coleman  Co. 

Originators  Giant  and  Distinct  Forms  Gladioli 

Wayland        -        -        -        -  Ohio 


•Q 


The  Wilmore  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Ji.) 

Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Growers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Irises,  Etc. 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the  best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


Specials ! 

Strong  blooming 
bulbs 

Per  Doz. 
Attraction  ....        $i.oo 

Electra .75 

Glory .50 

Hyde  Park  (new)         ....  i.oo 

LlEBESFEUER 2.00 

Lily  Lehmann        -----   .35 
Mary  Fennell        ....       2.OO 

Meteor 2-50 

Mrs.  Pendleton      ....       1.00 

Mrs.  Watt  1.00 

Niagara  .50 

Pacha .50 

Peace .75 

Primulinus  Hybrids       ...         .50 

Shakespeare 1.00 

Victory .35 

SEND  FOR  A  CA  TALOG  TO 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville,  Mass. 


1¥ 

MARGARET 


Vaughan's 
Specials  in 
GLADIOLI 


Margaret 

Beautiful  Carmine  with 
white  throat. 
Per  doz.,  $1.30;  per  100,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct of  all  the  Prim- 
ulinus Type. 

Perdoz,  $2;perl00$15. 

Chicago  White 

The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz..  35c;  per  100,  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—Grand  Noyelties 
in  GLADIOLI  and  CANNAS. 

Vaughan's 
Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31 -33  W.RandolphSL 
NEWYORK,  43  Barclay  St. 


Meehan's 
Mallow  Marvels 

These  absolutely  hardy  perennials,  originated  by  us,  are  of  such  surpassing 
beauty  that  they  are  considered  the  sensation  of  the  plant  world  today. 

From  mid-summer  until  frost,  when  the  sturdy  5-foot  bushes  are  covered 
with  the  big  gorgeous  blossoms,  the  effect  is  really  dazzling. 

Even  a  single  specimen,  while  in  bloom,  is  the  most  conspicuously  beautiful 
feature  of  the  lawn  or  yard,  and,  used  in  masses,  they  dominate  the  entire 
grounds.    No  flower  lover  can  afford  to  be  without  them.    Order  NOW. 

Strong  2-year  roots.  Pink  or  White,  50c.  each ;  5  for  $2.     Red,   75c.; 
S  for  $3.    Mixed  colors,  3Sc.:  5  for  $1.50. 

Wntefor  our  191 7  Hand  Book  TOD  A  Y. 

It  describes  in  detail  hundreds  of  specially  choice,  well  grown  trees,  shrubs, 
and  hardy  flowering  plants,  and  tells  how  to  grow  them.      Mailed  FREE. 

Thomas  Meehan  &  Sons 


=      6728  Chew  St.,  Germantown, 


Philadelphia,  Pa.     = 


METZNER'S 

Grand  Prize  Strain 

Gladioli 

Our  Prize  Winners  at  the  Panama- 
Pacific  International  Exposition, 
San  Francisco,  Cal.,  1915 

"Capt.  Asher  Carter  Baker"  'suver  MedaD 

Flowers  4'b  in.  diam.    Spikes  4  ft.  tall. 
Bright  Scarlet.  Strong  bulbs.  $1.00  each. 

"Dr.  Frederick  J.  V.  Skiff  "(Gold  Medal) 

Flowers  5'/2  in.  diam.  Spikes  5  to  6  ft.  tall. 
Delicate  Rose  Pink.  Strong  bulbs  $1.50  ea. 

"Polar  Star"  (Cow  m^-'''') 

Flowers  5  in.  diam.  Spikes  5  to  6  ft.  tall. 
Milk  White.    Strong  bulbs  $2.00  each. 

WE  PREPAY  CHARGES  IN  U.  S. 

Write  for  our  191 7  Catalogue. 

Metzner  Floral  Co. 

Mountain  View    -    California 


YOUELUS  I 

Nc  Plus  Ultra  | 

Mixture  | 

is  made  up  from  named  varieties  of  M 

various  colors  (except  blue)  and  is  ^ 

recommended  with  the  greatest  con-  M 

fidence.    It  will  especially  appeal  to  M 

those  who  want  a    variety    of  the  % 

choice  flowers  without  the  trouble  = 

of  making  a  selection.  = 

Price,  per  doz.,  postpaid,  60c  M 

per  hundred,  by  express  M 

collect,  $4.00  = 

Mixture  of  all  blue  shades,  same  M 

as  above.  = 

A  short  and  interesting  history  of  ^ 

the    Gladiolus,   with  full  cultural  = 

directions,  will    accompany    each  = 

order.  = 

H.  Youell  I 

538  Cedar  St.,  Syracuse,  N.Y.  1 

111 


Special  Offer- 

2nd  Size  Bulbs  1"  to  IJ  ' 
50c.  per  doz.,  prepaid — 


Niagara 

Klondyke 

Panama 

Minnesota 

Halley 

Grenadier 

Beecher 

Scarsdale 

Ida  Van 

Baltimore 

Jessie 

America 

Columbia 

Jean 


Grace  Henry 
Prophetesse 
Alice  Carey 
George  Paul 
Rouge  Torch 
Lily  Lehman 
Baron  Hulot 
Velvet  King 
Crackerjack 
Pink  Beauty 
Meadowvale 
Independence 
Chicago  White 
Dieulafoy 


Hazel  Harvey,  $1   per  doz. 

Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula     -    -    -     Ohio 


Ideal  Bulb  Planter 

&  Transplanting  Tool 

(Patent  applied  for. ) 

Capacity  about  2000 
bulbs  per  day. 

(Length  of  tool,  3  feet.) 

Works    equally   well   in   solid 
turf,  rocky  soil,  or  clear  gar-  — — ^ 
den  soil. 

A  GREAT  LABOR 
SAVER. 

Price  $2.00  each. 

By  parcel  post  25  cents  extra. 

Ideal  Bulb  Planter  Co. 

P.O. Box 373       Portland,  Maine 

Write  for  Particulars. 


^  You  want  something 
NEW  and  FINE  ? 


ask  then  quotations  for  our 

new  (special  blue) 

GLADIOLI 

WHOLESALE  PRICE  LIST  FOR  1917  FREE    ON  APPLICATION. 

APPLY  TO  OUR  AMERICAN  REPRESENTATIVE 

MR.  TH.  A.  de  GROOT, 

c/o  R.  F.  Lang,    8/10  Bridge  Street 

NEW  YORK 

K.  VELTHUYS, 

Hillegom        -         -         -         Holland 


SHi^ 


To  Our 
Friends  and 
Patrons : 

T^E  ARE  again  well 
^  '  along  towards  "sold 
out"  on  Gladiolus  bulbs, 
on  some  sorts  already 
over-sold.  After  April  20 
we  do  not  expect  to  be 
able  to  fill  any  more  or- 
ders for  this  season.  If 
you  contemplate  sending 
us  an  order,  please  do  so 
as  soon  as  possible.  Last 
year  we  returned  all  or 
part  of  the  money  on 
216  orders. 
Remember  our  40  page  catalog  is  free  for  'a  postal  card 
request.    It  teaches  you 

"How  to  Grow  Giant  Gladioli" 

and  contains  much  other  useful  information.     You  ought 

to  have  a  copy  if  at  all  interested  in  growing  Gladiolus. 

You  are  perfectly  welcome  to  a  copy  regardless  of  whether 

you  send  us  an  order  or  not. 

Address 
The  Originator  of  the  Ruffled  Gladiolus 

A.  E.  KUNDERD 

Goshen,         -  -         Ind,  U.  S.  A. 


LILYWHITE 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

EACH  DOZ. 

America       -        -    $  .05  $  .50 

Brenchleyensis           .04  .30 

Isaac  Buchanan         .08  .75 

Channel  Is.  Hybrids  .  06  .60 

Columbia        -        -    .06  .60 

May      -        -        -        .06  .60 

Maize       -        -        -    .25  2.50 

Mrs.  H.  W.  Beecher   .08  .75 

Pacha      -        -        -    .08  .75 

Primulinus  Hybrids  .06  .60 

Princeps          -        -    .06  .60 

Mixed  Hybrids    -        .05  .50 

and  other  kinds  on  my  list  sent 
prepaid  by  parcels  post  to  any  zone. 
One  of  each  of  above  list,  prepaid, 
75c.  One  dozen  of  each,  $5.00,  by 
express  collect. 

Descriptive  list  on  application,  also  wholesale 
list  for  growers  and  dealers. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 

R.  F.  D. 


Dahlias 

Select  Varieties 

My  catalog,  descriptive  of  over  200 
of  the  best  and  newest  DAHLIAS, 
has  been  mailed.  If  you  have  not 
received  a  copy,   send  for  it. 

For  instance: — 

Cactus  Type: 

Conqueror  -  25c.  Mrs.  H.  Randle  50c. 
Dorothy  Hawes  75c.  Pierrot  -  -  -  75c. 
Johannesburg     25c.    The  Imp    -    -     50c. 


Peony— flowered ; 

Beacon  -    -    -      50c.    Dr.  Peary 
Caesar    -     -    -    25c.    Geisha    ■    - 
Phenomenal      •    -    50c. 


25c. 
25c. 


Finest  collection  of  Pompons  in  this  coun- 
try. Also  Miniature  Cactus.  Decorative, 
Show,  Fancy,  Collarettes  and  Singles. 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville     -    Massachusetts 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

O  I  I  P  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
^/ll  .P.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  of 
1^1  lUU  yp,g  j_  jj  gj^jj  jjj^  ^uj^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three. 

MADISON  COOPER.  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


$1 


AA    we  will  send  postpaid 
llll    a  set  of  12  color  plates. 


of 


For  «.^  WW 

1  Ul    Y  *»^"     each  81/2  x  15  inches, 
the  following  varieties: 

Panama,  Niagara,  Lily  Lehman,  Glory 
of  Holland,  Empress  of  India,  Pink 
Beauty,  Hal'.ey,  Baron  Hulot,  Willy 
Wigman,  Eletftra,  America  and  Princeps. 

These  are  all  finished  off  in  natural  colors 
and  are  suitable  for  framing. 

W.  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO. 

PEMBROKE.  N.Y. 


I   WANT  YOUR  NAME  FOR  MY  MAILING  LIST  FOR  THEN 
YOU  WILL  WANT 

CEDAR  ACRES  GLADIOLI 

"Bulbs  that  Bloom" 

SEND  FOR  BEAUTIFUL  ILLUSTRATED   BOOKLET,  DESCRIBING  MANY  VARIETIES 
AND   GIVING   THE    REAL  TRUTH   ABOUT   EACH. 

B.  HAMMOND  TRACY 

CEDAR  ACRES  Box  K  WFNHAM,  MASS. 


Pymatuniiid  Gardens 
Gladioli 


Dozen  Hundred 

America           ....  $   .50                $2.00 

Augusta        ....        -  .50                  2.00 

Blanche             ....  .75                  5.00 

Candidum 1.50 

Chicago  White        ...  .50                  2.00 

Dawn  (Groff)       .        .        -        .  2.00 

Dawn  (Tracy)          ...  1.25 

Empress  of  India          -        -        -  .75 

Glory .60                  3.50 

Glory  of  Holland         ...  .75                  5.00 

Golden  King             .        -        .  .75                  5.00 

Loveliness            ....  2.00 

Mrs.  Francis  King    ...  .50                  2.00 

Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer        -        -        -  1.50 

Myrtle               ....  2.00                 12.00 

Niagara .75                  5.00 

Panama              ....  .75                  5.00 

Princeps .50                  2.00 

Pink  Perfection        -        -        -  2.00 

Peace             .        .         .        _        _  75 

Prim.  Hybrids          -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Rose  Wells           ....  1.00 

Schwaben         -        -        -        -  1.00 

Taconic        -        ....  .50                  2.00 

Willy  Wigman         -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Bidwell  $  Tobes 

Kinsman Obio 


) 


iiiiiitiniiiiiMininiiiMMMnininiiMiiriinMiMiMiiMiiiiniMiiiinnMiMiNiMMJiiiiHininMiMiiniiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiriiiiiiiiriiMiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

r  GLADIOLI  •% 


EVERYBODY  loves  this  beautiful  flower  with 
its  wonderful  combination  of  colors;  gay  if 
you  wish,  or  delicate  if  preferred,  but  always  en- 
chanting. Any  child  can  grow  them.  Plant  a 
succession  and  have  bloom  from  last  of  June  until 
almost  winter.  They  bloom  bravely  through  heat 
and  drouth,  and  do  not  mind  severe  frosts  in  fall. 

We  have  gone  to  much  labor  and  expense  to  col- 
lect 125  of  the  finest   sorts  from  America  and 
Europe.   25  of  these  cannot  be  obtained  from  any 
other  American  seedsmen. 

Send   for   FREE   Descriptive   Catalog 

which  also  lists  150  varieties  of  finest  Dahlias,  165  va- 
rieties Iris,  150  varieties  Peonies,  as  well  as  the  best  of 
everything  in  vegetable  and  flower  seeds. 

The  Wing  Seed  Company 

Box   1440 

Mechanicsburg,  Ohio 


Souvenir  Collection 

of  Gladiolus  Bulbs. 

One  each  of  ten  choice  varieties,  fine  assortment— America,    Princepine, 

Cracker  jack,    Golden  King,    Halley,  Taconic,  B.  Jos.  Hulot,   Empress   of 

India,  Panama,  Mrs.  Francis  King. 

Value  65c.,  by  mail,  postpaid     -     -     -     -     SOc. 

Two  Collections,  postpaid,  90c.  Three  collections,  postpaid,  $1.25 

Winchester  Collection. 

This  is  a  well  balanced  garden  collection  which  always  gives  perfect  satis- 
faction.   Sent  express  collect  on  receipt  of  price — 40  America,  26  Mrs.  F. 
King,  16  Independence,  4  Taconic,  4  Willy  Wigman,  2  Niagara,  2  Pendle- 
ton, 2  B.  Hulot,  2  Peace,  2  Geo.  Paul. 

100  bulbs,   (value  $3.00)  price $2.50 

50  bulbs,        •'        1.50         "  1.25 

Send  for  Catalog.    Place  your  orders  EARL  Y. 

Brookland  Gardens 

S.  E.  Spencer,  Proprietor 

Lexington  St.,      -        Woburn,  Mass. 


GOLDEN  KING 


^v\va.ui>i:d  first  class  ckutificatk 

Price  of  Golden  King  has  been  reduced  so  as  to  put  it  vsrithin  the  reach 
of  all  growers.    Retail  price  1  Oc.  each.  $  1  .OO  per  doz. 

Send  for   our   retail    list   describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  and  new  varieties. 
All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.      Wholesale  list  for  dealers  and  large  growers. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  furnishing  planting  stock  of 
the  best  new  and  standard  varieties  to  other  Gladiolus 
Growers,  Florists,  Market  Gardeners,  Nurserymen 
and  all  others  who  grow  Gladioli  commercially. 

We  recommend  planting  young  f  to  1  in.  blooming  size  bulbs  and  sell  them 
very  cheaply  in  lots  of  100  and  1000  or  more. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  on  a  list  of  your  wants  if  you  will 
state  size  and  number  of  bulbs  of  each  variety  wanted. 

G.  D.  BLACK 

GLADIOLUS    SPECIALIST 

Albert  I>ea        .         -        -        -        Minn. 


(% 


hBPn^yrm^nr  OP  miommnftTimH 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


MAY,   1917 


No.  5 


GLADIOLUS-LA  VENDULA. 

[  For  ilfscription  see  pane  70.  ] 


Page 

68 


Ol)e  Mlo6ern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


May 

1917 


The  Gladiolus  Manual 

By  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr. 

Chapter  XIX. 
Seasonable  Suggestions. 


JANUARY— It  is  time  to  look  at  the 
stock  and  see  how  it  is  keeping.  If 
indined  to  be  damp,  it  should  be 
turned  over  and  dried  out.  Look  for 
signs  of  frost  and  mice.  If  the  old  roots 
are  still  on,  these  can  be  removed  in  a 
manner  already  described.  After  this 
work  is  done  nothing  further  is  necessary 
for  this  month. 

February — With  February  come  the 
catalogs  and  price  lists  of  other  growers. 
Now  is  the  time  to  provide  for  spring 
planting  and  secure  those  new  varieties 
that  we  have  jotted  down  in  our  note 
books.  Don't  wait  until  stock  is  exhausted 
before  you  order,  you  can  have  the  ship- 
ment sent  at  any  time  but  be  sure  you 
are  going  to  get  what  you  want.  Look 
at  your  stock  again  and  see  that  every- 
thing is  in  good  condition. 

If  you  are  publishing  a  catalog  get  it  out 
and  in  the  mails  and  be  ready  to  fill  your 
orders  as  they  come  in. 

March— Spring  will  soon  be  here.  Get 
your  stock  in  readiness  to  plant,  sort  your 
sizes  and  varieties  so  that  you  will  be 
able  to  plant  without  delay  when  the 
opportunity  presents  itself. 

Get  your  early  orders  out  and  see  that 
the  stock  secured  from  other  growers  is 
on  its  way,  provided  you  want  it  for  early 
planting. 

April— With  the  coming  of  April  the 
frost  is  fast  leaving  the  soil,  and  plowing 
should  be  done  as  soon  as  possible  and 
the  ground  gotten  in  shape  for  planting. 
Should  the  areas  be  too  small  to  plow  the 
spading-fork  should  be  worked  diligently. 
Get  the  soil  in  a  porous,  mellow  condition 
so  that  planting  can  be    properly    done. 

First  plantings  can  be  made  as  soon  as 
the  ground  is  ready ;  even  March  plant- 
ings are  advisable  provided  the  stock  can 
be  planted  in  safety  from  late  frosts  that 
may  nip  the  tender  blades  as  they  appear. 
Of  course  this  advice  is  not  given  for 
warmer  climates  such  as  California  and 
Southern  States  where  planting  can  be 
done  at  almost  any  time  of  year.  In 
these  cases  one  can  use  their  own  judg- 
ment as  to  the  proper  time  to  plant.  In 
fact,  in  some  climates  Gladioli  can  be 
planted  almost  any  month  in  the  year  and 


would  live  over  from  year  to  year  without 
being  disturbed  as  far  as  frost  is  con- 
cerned. Often  the  corms  are  left  in  the 
soil  from  year  to  year  but  this  is  not  ad- 
visable on  account  of  the  propagation  of 
the  plant,  and  its  ability  to  do  its  best 
after  a  period  of  rest  by  drying. 

The  plantings  should  be  made  at  in- 
tervals for  reasons  given  in  previous 
chapters.  Small  corms  and  hard-shell 
bulblets  should  go  in  the  ground  as  early 
as  possible  in  order  to  give  them  a  long 
period  of  growth.  Also  plant  your  Gladi- 
olus seeds. 

May — In  large  areas  it  is  natural  to 
suppose  that  May  draws  on  before  all  the 
stock  is  planted,  especially  if  the  grower 
plants  for  cut  flower  purposes.  In  this 
case  he  lengthens  the  time  of  planting  so 
that  he  will  be  able  to  cut  blooms  late  in 
the  fall.  In  this  case  the  last  planting 
will  take  place  the  last  of  May  or  the  ^ 
first  of  June.  ^ 

The  first  plantings  are  now  beginning 
to  make  an  appearance  and  the  rake 
should  be  used  to  smooth  down  the  rows 
and  kill  the  small  weeds  as  they  germi- 
nate. By  the  time  the  last  of  May  has 
come  we  are  ready  to  cultivate,  using  the 
harrow  tooth  cultivators  first.  Also  em- 
ploy the  hoe,  and  above  all  do  not  let  the 
weeds  get  a  start.  See  that  labels  are  in 
their  proper  location  in  the  row.  This 
should  be  easy  if  precaution  is  taken  in 
planting  by  leaving  a  noticeable  space 
between  each  variety  where  the  label 
should  stand  in  evidence.  Should  these 
spaces  occur  without  a  mark  they  should 
be  looked  after. 

June— The  entire  month  of  June  is 
spent  in  cultivation  and  watering.  The 
large  weeds  that  have  escaped  the  hoe 
and  cultivator  should  be  pulled  out  by 
hand.  Weed  the  seedlings  by  hand  and 
use  the  hoe  in  stirring  the  dirt  after  the 
mulching  has  been  removed  as  described 
in  a  previous  chapter. 

July— Cultivation  is  continued  at  least 
once  a  week  but  now  the  plants  are  large  ^ 

enough  so  that  the  shovel  cultivators  can  ^ 

be  used  constantly.  It  is  advisable  in 
localities  where  irrigation  is  not  employed 
and  the  rainfall  scarce  to  cultivate  oftener. 


May 

1917 


Ol)e  5tto6ern  (&la6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

69 


This  seems  to  retain  the  moisture  in  the 
soil  and  make  it  more  porous  to  absorb 
water  when  it  comes.  At  the  end  of 
this  month  we  can  expect  our  first  crop 
of  flowers  and  the  cultivation  is  over  for 
them.  They  are  checked  as  to  the  bloom 
to  insure  correct  marking,  and  the  rogues 
pulled  out. 

August — This  month  is  given  entirely 
to  checking  and  roguing,  also  cultivating 
the  small  stock,  being  careful  to  water  as 
often  as  necessary.  It  is  not  necessary 
to  advise  the  watching  of  new  seedlings 
coming  into  bloom.  This  part  takes  care 
of  itself  but  when  a  good  one  appears  it 
should  be  labeled  so  as  to  separate  it 
from  the  rest  when  digging. 

Be  ready  to  photograph  those  that  you 
want  to  use  for  the  catalog  or  other  pur- 
poses. Remember  a  day's  delay  may 
mean  a  failure  and  another  year's  wait  in 
order  to  get  perfect  specimens.  This  is 
the  most  important  part  of  the  photo- 
graph. If  your  subject  is  not  good,  the 
picture  will  not  be  good.  Therefore,  se- 
lect the  cream  for  this  purpose.  Handle 
them  with  care  in  taking  them  to  the 
photographer  so  as  not  to  bruise  the 
flower  and  spoil  the  picture. 

The  ordinary  photographer  is  not  good 
enough  to  photograph  flowers,  his  lens  is 
not  made  for  this  purpose.  In  other 
words  if  the  subject  contains  several 
spikes  of  bloom  and  they  are  placed  in  a 
vase  in  a  natural  way  the  closer  ones  will 
be  prominent  in  the  picture  and  those 
toward  the  back  will  look  blurred.  The 
commercial  photographer  is  the  man  to 
do  this  work.  His  lens  is  made  for  this 
purpose  and  can  take  in  a  large  scope 
that  will  be  distinct.  With  a  distinct 
photograph  the  engraver  can  make  the 
cut  without  doing  a  lot  of  extra  shading 
and  painting  to  bring  out  the  object  as  it 
should  look,  which  at  best  is  not  good  as 
compared  with  that  of  a  proper  photo. 

I  have  found  it  better  to  cut  the  spike 
when  first  flowers  open  and  take  them  to 
the  office  of  the  photographer  to  let  them 
open.  Then  there  is  no  chance  to  bruise 
or  mar  the  flower.  To  show  a  flower  in- 
dividually is  better  than  to  show  the  en- 
tire spike.  We  can  judge  how  the  plant 
looks  by  the  photo  of  the  spike  but  to  see 
the  flower  in  detail  is  very  difficult  and  is 
seldom  the  case.  Therefore,  my  opinion 
is  that  the  single  flower  is  the  proper  one 
to  photograph,  then  describe  the  spike 
rather  than  to  photo  the  spike  and  describe 
the  flower. 

When  colored  plates  are  made  the  photo 
is  painted  in  colors  from  the  flower  itself 
and  used  as  a  guide  when  the  plates  are 
made.     If  a  flower   contains   two  colors 


there  are  two  plates  for  the  printer  and 
the  paper  is  run  through  the  press  twice. 
If  it  be  of  three  colors  three  plates  are 
made,  one  for  each  color,  and  so  on. 

September— After  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember the  small  corms  can  be  taken  up 
as  they  have  about  finished  their  growth 
and  will  hold  to  the  cormels  much  better 
than  if  allowed  to  ripen  in  the  soil.  This 
work  can  start  Sept.  1st,  if  much  work  is 
to  be  done.  As  soon  as  the  frost  strikes 
the  crop  it  is  time  to  dig  all.  The  early 
ones  should  come  out  first,  then  on  down 
the  line  to  the  finish.  It  might  be  advis- 
able to  dig  the  early  crop  first  if  it  has 
been  cut  for  the  flowers,  as  this  soon 
checks  the  growth  and  they  mature  at  an 
early  stage. 

Give  the  seedlings  and  fancy  varieties 
personal  attention.  Do  not  leave  this 
work  to  inexperienced  hands  as  it  might 
cause  trouble  later.  Dry  the  crop  in  the 
field  if  possible  before  storage.  See  that 
everything  is  correctly  marked  and  to- 
gether. After  this  the  October  snows  be- 
gin to  fall  and  the  fall  orders  can  be  filled. 
By  the  middle  of  November  we  can  close 
the  cellars  except  for  inspection  now  and 
then  until  January. 

While  the  above  suggestions  are  brief 
it  is  supposed  that  the  reader  has  followed 
us  through  the  preceding  chapters  where 
these  points  have  been  drawn  out.  It 
will  be  easy  to  look  up  any  point  from 
the  headings  of  the  previous  chapters. 


Gladiolus  Corms  Frozen. 

One  of  our  subscribers  sent  us  a  sample 
corm  out  of  his  stock  which  he  believes 
was  frozen  during  the  cold  spell  in  Janu- 
ary. We  beg  to  offer  a  suggestion  that 
in  every  bulb  storage  cellar  a  thermom- 
eter be  placed  near  the  stock,  preferably 
near  the  floor  if  there  is  much  liability  of 
variation  in  temperature.  Guess-work 
should  not  be  relied  upon  and  often  a 
cellar  feels  warmer  during  a  cold  spell  in 
winter  than  it  really  is.  It  is  dangerous 
to  let  the  temperature  go  below  32°F., 
and  you  should  be  reasonably  sure  that 
you  have  a  thermometer  somewhere  near 
correct. 

Gladiolus  Catalogues. 

The  Gladiolus  catalogues  this  year  are 
unusually  good  and  those  who  are  grow- 
ing Gladioli  should  have  a  copy  of  all  of 
them.  They  make  a  useful  reference 
library,  and  there  is  some  real  good  in- 
formation on  culture,  etc.,  contained 
therein.  It  is  not  yet  too  late  to  secure 
these  fine  catalogues  for  reference. 


Page 

70 


Obc^  ^^o6ertt  (Bla5lolus  (Brower 


May 

1917 


Money  in  Gladioli. 

As  we  go  traveling  up  and  down. 
Through  village,  hamlet,  country,  town. 
While  speeding  on  in  rushing  car. 
We  scan  the  landscape  near  and  far. 
Glad  when  old  scenes  and  friends  we  meet. 
And  sometimes  new  acquaintance  greet. 
We  list  to  many  a  passing  word. 
And  chance  remark  oft  overheard. 
Storing  them  by  for  future  use. 
These  odds  and  ends  of  gossip  loose. 
Perchance  to  find  some  golden  grain 
In  chaff  of  talk  all  light  and  vain. 
Thus,  as  I  listened  unaware. 
Some  words  seemed  borne  upon  the  air. 
Erstwhile  exclaimed  some  passer-by, 
"  There's  money  in  Gladioli." 

They  grow  and  blossom,  sure's  you're  born. 

Just  like  the  farmer's  beans  or  corn. 
As  hardy  as  a  Turnip,  Beet, 
Or  Ragweed,  growing  neath  your  feet. 

Just  plant  'em  and  they're  bound  to  grow 

Whether  you  wake  or  sleep,  you  know. 
It's  just  their  nature  thus  to  do. 
And  they  can't  help  it,  nor  can  you. 

Just  plant  'em,  and  your  labor  's  done. 

Trust  to  the  weather  and  the  sun, 
'Twill  sure  surprise  you,  how  they  '11  grow. 
Resplendent  as  the  flowers  blow. 

And  every  spike  will  bring,  when  sold. 

Almost  its  weight  in  solid  gold. 

For  countless  eager  buyers  wait 

With  longing,  outstretched  hands  elate. 
To  gather  them  with  gladsome  cry,— 

"  There's  Money  in  Gladioli." 

And  then  I  listen,  and  look  wise. 
And  with  rough  knuckle  rub  my  eyes 

To  clear  my  vision,  and  look  back 

Over  the  long  and  weary  track 
Where  vainly  still  I  strive  to  see 
The  wealth  that  should  have  come  to  me— 

But,  Ah,  it  still  eludes  my  sight. 

The  pictured  scene  is  far  less  bright. 
A  path  by  toil  unceasing,  hard. 
And  disappointment  often  marred. 

With  broken  idols  fragment-strewn, 

A  song  of  sorrow  still  to  croon, 
Hopes  unattained,  and  labor  spent. 
While,  one  by  one,  investments  sent 

Like  ships  upon  a  trackless  sea. 

Whence  few  have  e'er  returned  to  me,— 
I  see  but  that  Ohio  Lie — 
'  There's  Money  in  Gladioli." 

What !  Money  in  Gladioli ! 

Oh.  What  a  whopping,  downright-  why— 
A  Half— a  Quarter— of  a  cent  — 
Best  spikes  that  e'er  to  market  went. 

And  thankful,  even  to  get  so  much. 

Quite  on  a  level  with  the  Dutch. 
And  bulbs,  that  for  a  thousand,  good. 
Bring  less  than  half-a-dozen  should, 

(At  least  of  newer  sorts),  Alas, 

That  we  should  come  to  such  a  pass  ! 
Returns  are  nil,  and  steep  bills  sent 
While  sore  perplexed  to  pay  the  rent. 

With  ship-loads  from  beyond  the  sea. 

And  sellers  crowding  hungrily. 
How  happy  should  we  be  the  while 
We  listen  with  a  crooked  smile. 

As  some  affirm,  assert,  imply, 
'  There's  Money  in  Gladioli." 

And  yet,  as  I  consider  long. 
Perhaps  'tis  not  so  very  wrong. 

I'm  sure  that  many  shekels  fair 

That  once  were  mine,  are  hidden  there. 
In  vain  I've  tried  to  coax  them  back, 
Once  more  to  gather  them. — alack  - 

Securely  buried  still  they  lie. 

Much  money  in  Gladioli. 


But  I've  enjoyed  the  quest,  I'm  sure. 
For  a  New  White,  "absolutely  pure." 

Like  Baking  Powder,  Ivory  Soap, 

With  highest  standards  fit  to  cope, 
A  Blue,  more  azure  than  the  old, 
A  Yellow,  fair  as  'Truscan  gold, 

A  Red  to  put  the  sun  to  shame. 

Hard  task  to  find  a  fitting  name- 
All  colors  in  a  combination 
Framed  to  incite  to  (s)  peculation. 

While  the  Blotch  and  Marking  we  may  seek 

With  Mendel's  Law  play  hide  and  seek. 
Or,  like  the  thimble-rigger's  game. 
Set  all  our  swelling  hopes  aflame. 

With  dreams  of  beauty  new  and  rare, 

But  when  we  grasp— /t  isn't  there  ! 
But,  freak  or  failure,  come  what  may. 
We  keep  the  trail  from  day  to  day. 

Expecting  still  the  entre  nous. 

Of  grand  ideals  held  in  view, 
The  beauty — mayhap— by  and  by. 
The  "money"  in  Gladioli. 

So  while  its  glow  the  sunshine  yields 

To  "rainbows  in  Ohio  fields," 
Whose  brilliancy  and  grace  combine 
To  iure  to  their  elusive  shrine 

New  throngs  of  devotees,  intent 

To  find  where  homage  may  be  lent. 
As  each  new  wonder  comes  to  view 
We  drop  the  old  to  grasp  the  new. 

For  what  is  lucre,  when  a  prize 

Like  that  is  held  before  our  eyes? 
So,  Freely,  as  in  days  of  yore. 
The  streams  of  golden  shekels  pour. 

And  thus  the  saying  verify— 

"  There's  Money  in  Gladioli." 

—  Wilbur  A.  Christv. 


Gladiolus — Lavendula. 

L  Subject  of  illustration  on   our  front  cover  page.  ] 

Originated  by  H.  H.  Groff  and  intro- 
duced by  Arthur  Cowee,  Berlin,  N.  Y. 

It  is  a  most  attractive  variety  with 
large,  well-opened  flowers  of  pale  lavender 
shade  with  a  large  cream  blotch  in  the 
throat. 

It  grows  to  a  height  of  over  4  feet  and 
is  a  rapid  multiplier.  At  times  during  a 
hot  season  the  petals  become  flecked  with 
carmine  and  some  think  that  this  adds 
to  the  charm  of  the  variety.  This  effect 
is,  however,  abnormal  and  is  similar  to 
what  may  be  seen  in  some  other  varieties. 

Meritorious  varieties  of  a  lavender 
shade  are  not  plentiful  and  Lavendula  may 
well  be  considered  a  valuable  addition  to 
this  class.  

Those  who  have  grown  Gladioli  from 
seed  are  doubtless  doing  the  same  thing 
again  this  year.  Those  who  have  never 
grown  from  seed  should  try  it  this  year. 
You  can  get  seed  from  our  advertisers  or 
from  your  nearest  grower.  If  you  fail  to 
secure  it,  write  the  editor.  Growing  from 
seed  is  interesting  especially  if  from  your 
own  hand  hybridized  seed.  The  great 
range  of  color  and  the  variety  of  forms 
which  greet  the  eye  as  the  new  bloom 
unfolds  is  a  source  of  never  ending  in- 
terest and  pleasure. 


May 

1917 


Ol)a  ^o6ern  (Bla6lolu5  (Brower 


Page 

71 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


WHY  THE  CAT  ROBBED  THE  BIRD'S  NEST 
IN  THE  LILAC— WEEDING   BULBLETS. 

"Now,  'Cape,'  jump  through  the  hoop 
and  play  you're  a  performing  lion,"  and 
Caper  jumped,  much  to  the  merriment  of 
his  little  playmate  who  laughed  gleefully 
as  he  scampered  around  her,  apparently 
enjoying  the  fun  as  much  as  she.  Seeing 
old  "  Nig "  asleep  on  the  sofa,  he  ran 
under  it  and  slyly  reaching  his  paw  up 
over  the  edge,  saucily  struck  at  him, 
dodging  back  out  of  sight.  Nig,  aroused 
from  his  nap,  yawned,  stretched,  jumped 
to  the  floor  and  waving  his  tail  indignantly, 
walked  sedately  to  the  rug  in  front  of  the 
grate  while  Caper,   with  mischief  in  his 


Mrs.  Austin's  screen  graders  and  Gladiolus  trays 
and  her  pet  cat. 

eyes,  and  moving  his  head  with  each 
movement  of  the  tail,  crouched  low,  made 
a  dash  for  it  but  was  struck  at  angrily. 
Dodging  the  blow  he  raced  around  the  room 
a  couple  of  times,  caught  sight  of  his  own 
tail  and  whirled  in  pursuit  dizzily  rolling 
over  on  his  back.  Up  again  and  sidling 
away  with  back  arched,  then  pirouetting, 
a  picture  of  dainty  grace  and  a  source 
of  never-ending  amusement  to  Mary, 
the  little  lame  daughter  of  the  farmer, 
who  spent  many  happy  hours  playing 
with  her  pet  that  would  otherwise  have 
dragged  slowly  and  wearily  by.  Caper 
was  intelligent,  quick  to  learn  tricks,  and 
when  the  child  cried,  expressed  sympathy 
very  plainly  by  rubbing  his  head  against 
her  and  mewing  pitifully.  His  mother, 
old  Tabby,  had  been  in  the  family  a  long 
time  and  had  proved  herself  to  be  a  most 
excellent  destroyer  of  rats  and  mice,  and 
had  transmitted  this  trait  to  her  progeny. 


She  was  a  masterhand  at  training  kittens 
and  seldom  missed  the  opportunity  to 
lead  them  to  the  field  at  time  of  hauling 
in  the  cornfodder.  As  the  farmer  tipped 
the  corn  shock  over  they  would  catch  the 
scurrying  mice.  Once  after  a  frolic  with 
her  kittens  at  the  barn  she  started  to  the 
house  and  as  they  ventured  to  follow, 
turned  and  looked  at  them.  She  made 
no  sound  nor  raised  a  paw  but  each  kitten 
shrank  back  as  if  struck  and  crept  to  the 
nest. 

Caper  had  become  an  expert  hunter 
and  so  valuable  that  the  farmer  took 
special  interest  in  him.  He  saw  that  he 
had  his  saucer  of  milk  at  morning  and 
night  and  often  some  table  scraps,  and 
that  he  did  not  go  hungry  when  mice  and 
rats  were  scarce,  feeding  him  at  such 
times  a  cheap  grade  of  salmon,  for  the 
cat  is  a  carnivorous  animal  and  craves 
meat  even  when  she  has  plenty  of  milk. 
The  farmer  liked  birds  as  well  as  cats 
and  made  houses  and  nesting  places  for 
them,  and  Caper  had  never  been  known 
to  catch  them,  preferring  rodents.  So 
sleek  and  beautiful  was  he  that  he  at- 
tracted much  attention  and  one  day  an 
auto  party  picnicing  by  the  roadside 
nearby,  coaxed  him  to  them,  put  him  in 
a  bag  and  carried  him  away.  After  sev- 
eral hours'  travel  the  fastenings  of  the 
bag  worked  loose  and  Caper,  thoroughly 
frightened,  was  off  in  a  flash.  In  a  panic 
of  fear  he  ran  toward  the  first  shelter  in 
sight,  a  barn,  although  he  saw  the  strange 
dog.  At  home  the  barn  was  a  place  of 
safety  and  the  collie  his  friend.  But  the 
face  of  this  one  showed  a  viciousness  he 
had  never  dreamed  of.  Instead  of  a  race 
for  sport  it  was  a  race  for  life  and  he  barely 
escaped  those  terrible  jaws.  Hidden  at 
last  he  dared  not  venture  out  but  he  was 
faint  and  hungry  and  hearing  a  slight 
rustle  which  he  hoped  might  be  a  mouse, 
turned  and  found  himself  facing  a  mon- 
ster cat.  Protected  at  home  he  was  not 
prepared  to  fight  and  slowly  backed  away. 
At  milking  time  in  the  morning  he  begged 
a  drink  but  a  strange  voice  said  :  "  O,  so 
you  are  the  tramp  that  awoke  us  this 
morning.  Sic'im,  Sport,"  and  again  came 
the  race  for  life. 

Days  passed,  there  were  few  mice.  Cau- 
tiously he  crept  about  the  fields  and 
hunted  as  he  had  never  hunted  before, 
for  he  was  starving.  A  bird  fluttered  by 
as  if  wounded  and  at  the  same  instant 
came  a  sound  at  his  side,  and  at  the  edge  of 
a  tuft  of  grass  he  saw  a  nest  full  of  young 
birds  which  he  quickly  devoured.  A 
choice  morsel  but  not  nearly  enough  for 
so  hungry  a  cat.  In  an  agony  of  defense 
the  mother  bird  fluttered  too  near  and  was 


Page 


O^e  Mlo6ern  (Bladlolus  (Browet 


May 
1917 


also  caught.  Never  had  food  tasted  so 
good.  There  were  more  birds  than  mice 
and  he  began  hunting  them,  became 
bolder  finally  venturing  even  near  the 
houses.  Was  it  the  memory  of  his  early 
training,  when  he  had  been  well  fed,  and 
had  been  punished  for  even  looking  at  a 
bird,  that  caused  him  to  utter  the  plain- 
tive sound  which  warned  and  thus  saved 
the  life  of  the  robin  in  the  lilac  from 
whose  nest  he  stole  the  egg  ? 

Not  only  for  children  and  on  the  farm 
is  the  cat  an  entertaining  pet.  The 
farmer  who  retires  from  active  labor  and 
perhaps  moves  to  town  takes  his  cat  with 
him.  He  has  been  accustomed  to  caring 
for  animals  many  years  on  the  farm,  and 
he  misses  his  horses  putting  their  noses 
over  the  manger  to  be  rubbed  and  petted. 
He  misses  the  calves  and  cows  and  sheep. 
He  cannot  enjoy  having  a  dog  in  town 
and  crushing  his  noble  spirit  by  keep- 
ing him  muzzled,  but  he  can  keep  a  cat.  It 
is  company  for  him  and  becomes  a  pet, 
which  not  only  lowers  his  high  cost  of 
living  by  saving  his  food  from  rodents, 
but  in  doing  so  boards  herself. 

In  this  age  of  automobiles  there  are 
few  horses  kept  in  the  towns  and  cities, 
and  with  no  grains  the  mice  and  rats 
must  seek  their  living  in  the  houses.  If  the 
cat  is  belled  and  its  usefulness  destroyed, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  within  a 
short  period  of  time,  the  damage  from 
rodents  would  more  than  equal  the  loss 
of  crops  and  farm  products  ruined  by  in- 
sects that  might  have  been  eaten  by 
birds,  that  some  claim  were  killed  by 
cats.  In  the  hunting  season  thousands  of 
birds  are  massacred  by  hunters  for  sport  (?) 
but  the  cat  kills  only  for  food  on  which 
to  subsist.  Perhaps  the  cat  is  entitled  to 
a  few,  but  precisely  as  it  is  a  law  of  na- 
ture that  there  must  be  enemies  (not 
human  enemies)  to  keep  the  birds  in 
check  so  is  the  cat  nature's  agent  to  sup- 
press rodents.  She  not  only  destroys  a 
large  number  in  quest  for  food  but  her 
presence  also  frightens  them  away  where 
they  are  destroyed  by  other  agencies.  It 
is  the  starved  tramp  cat,  and  the  neglected 
cat  that,  perhaps  like  the  man-eating 
lion,   acquires  a  taste  for  bird  meat  and 

hunts  it  in  preference. 

*  *  *  * 

We  suppose  that  you  planted  the  Gladi- 
olus bulblets  as  early  as  possible  in  April 
(in  northern  Ohio)  when  the  ground  was 
full  of  moisture,  and  if  according  to  our 
instructions,  given  many  times,  you  sowed 
them  thickly  in  drills  which  were  covered 
and  ridged,  you  have  probably  gone  over 
them  with  the  horse  weeder  or  hand 
rake,   according  to  the  size  of  your  plot. 


and  ridged  them  again  and  perhaps  used 
the  weeder  the  second  time,  as  they 
should  be  gone  over  about  once  a  week. 
When  one  sees  the  countless  little  white 
weeds  which  are  destroyed  he  will  realize 
the  importance  of  planting  in  rows  and 
the  alternate  ridging  and  leveling  of  them 
whether  the  plot  be  large  or  small.  If 
they  were  stored  slightly  damp,  so  that  the 
hard  shells  or  outer  covering  will  break 
easily  they  would  nearly  all  come  up  at 
once,  although  there  are  always  some 
stragglers.  As  the  little  green  blades 
come  through  the  soil,  rake  them  lightly 
crosswise  of  the  row  with  a  hand  garden 
rake.  The  rows  may  be  worked  this  way 
a  second  time  after  which  the  few  weeds 
that  will  come  up  afterward  may  be  easily 
pulled  by  hand. 

Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


Definition  of  an  Amateur  by 
Ottawa  Horticultural  Society. 

A  prize  list  comes  to  us  from  the  Ot- 
tawa Horticultural  Society,  Ottawa,  Can- 
ada, from  which  we  extract  a  definition 
which  is  interesting  in  connection  with 
the  discussion  which  has  taken  place  in 
our  columns  on  what  constitutes  an 
amateur.  Please  note  the  three  sections 
a,  b  and  c,  all  growers  who  can  properly 
be  termed  amateurs.  We  are  pleased  to 
print  this  concise  and  sensible  statement 
regarding  the  status  of  an  amateur : 

(A)  The  term  "  Amateur  "  used  in  its  broadest 
sense,  is  a  person  who  grows  plants  (flowers, 
fruits,  vegetables,  etc.)  solely  for  the  enjoyment, 
or  for  the  domestic  use,  of  the  produce  and  not 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  pecuniary  benefit 
therefrom  to  the  extent  of  a  considerable  part  of, 
or,  his  total  income. 

Such  persons  may  be  : 

(a)  Amateurs  employing  paid  and  regular 
assistance. 

(b)  Amateurs  employing  paid  and  occasional 
assistance. 

(c)  Amateurs  employing  no  paid  assistance 
at  all. 

The  fact  that  any  such  person  does  occasionally 
dispose  of  surplus  stock  for  money  does  not  dis- 
qualify him  unless  such  surplus  is  definitely  grown 
with  the  object  of  returning  annual  profit. 

(B)  No  person  shall  be  allowed  to  compete 
as  an  "Amateur"  who  : 

(1)  intentionally  grows  for  sale  the  plants 
mentioned  above  for  the  purpose  of  a 
livelihood. 

(2)  is  in  the  employ  of  other  persons  grow- 
ing plants  for  such  purposes. 

(3)  is  regularly  employed  for  wage  by  those 
described  as  "Amateurs"  in  Section  (a) 
of  Class  "A"  above,  or  by  any  institution, 
public  or  private,  which  employs  him  as 
a  regular  and  qualified  assistant  in  horti- 
cultural work. 


When  the  backward  season  is  broken 
by  a  moderate  temperature  a  satisfactory 
growing  season  may  be  looked  for. 


May 
1917 


Obe  MZo6crn  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Page 

73 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF   THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
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Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

The  content!  of  THE   MODERN  GLADIOLUS   GROIVER  are  covered  by  general  copyright.      Permission  is  given  to  edifrs  to 
use   not   more    than    one-third  of  any  article   providing    proper  credit   is   giz'en  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  foliews  : 


From    THE    MODERN   GLADIOLUS   GROl-f^ER.    Calcii 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 


N.Y."     Special  per 


try  for  reprinting  illustrations, 


Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


May,    1917 


No.  5 


Gla-di'-o-hts  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-li. 

Correctly  pronounced  with  accent  on  the  syllable  "di. 


"  Money  in  Gladioli." 

We  are  pleased  to  print  Wilbur  A. 
Christy's  verses  with  the  above  title  on 
page  70  of  this  issue.  Mr.  Christy  takes 
a  view  which  is  quite  opposite  to  that  of 
some  of  our  optimistic  Gladiolus  writers. 
It  is  very  easy  indeed  to  figure  out  how 
much  money  can  be  made  in  growing 
Gladioli,  but  it  is  noticeable  that  those 
who  grow  Gladioli  do  not  get  rich  accord- 
ing to  the  figures. 

Growing  Gladioli  is  just  as  much  a 
special  business  as  would  be  the  growing 
of  any  other  crop  and  it  requires  the 
same  special  preparation  and  study.  If  a 
new  beginner  in  the  business  makes  a 
notable  success  of  it  the  first  year,  he 
may  attribute  it  to  good  luck  rather  than 
good  management,  and  some  of  the  oldest 
ones  in  the  business  have  "  off "  seasons 
where  conditions  are  wrong  for  good  re- 
sults. Therefore,  it  is  wise  for  those  just 
embarking  in  the  business  to  not  feel 
that  they  are  going  to  get  rich  the  first 
year.  Caution  should  be  used  in  starting 
to  grow  Gladioli  by  undertaking  the  busi- 
ness in  a  comparatively  small  way  at 
first,  to  feel  out  the  trade  requirements, 
and  to  become  familiar  with  the  details  of 
the  business. 


We  very  much  dislike  the  expression 
which  is  often  heard  that  there  is  "  money 
in  "  this,  that  or  the  other  thing.  People 
who  get  this  impression  about  any  par- 
ticular line  of  business  are  perhaps  likely 
to  find  out  as  Mr.  Christy's  verses  indi- 
cate, that  there  is  money  in  the  proposi- 
tion because  they  have  sunk  a  lot  of 
money  in  it.  Adequate  returns  from  any 
business  depend  on  a  set  of  conditions 
which  are  influenced  by  good  judgment, 
and  circumstances,  and  conservative  man- 
agement. Care  and  attention  are  abso- 
lutely necessary  in  every  line  of  human 
endeavor  with  which  we  are  acquainted, 
to  insure  its  success.  Even  with  all  these 
things,  success  does  not  always  come. 

The  growing  of  Gladioli  as  a  com- 
mercial proposition  offers  perhaps  as 
good  an  opportunity  as  other  lines  of 
work,  but  no  positive  statement  can  be 
made  as  to  whether  or  not  it  will  suc- 
ceed for  any  particular  individual.  Don't 
expect  figures  to  be  verified  the  first 
year.  Growing  Gladioli  is  not  a  sure 
thing,  no  more  than  growing  potatoes  is  a 
sure  thing,  and  I  guess  we  all  know  about 
how  the  potato  crop  behaved  last  year. 

War  conditions  may  adversely  affect 
Gladiolus  growing.     Who  can  tell  ? 

Madison  Cooper. 


Page 

74 


Ob<i  ^cr6ern  (Bladlolus  (bvowct 


May 
1917 


Express  Rates  on  Bulbs. 

Gladiolus  corms,  which  class  as  bulbs 
in  shipping  by  express,  should  take  second 
class  express  rate,  but  it  has  come  to  our 
attention  that  in  many  cases  shippers 
have  been  charged  the  first  class  rate. 
We,  therefore,  call  attention  to  the  fact 
that  bulbs  take  a  low  rate  and  both  ship- 
pers and  receivers  should  see  to  it  that 
they  secure  this  rate.  Get  a  rate  book 
from  your  local  express  agent  if  possible, 
or  at  least  ask  to  see  the  tariff.  All  pack- 
ages containing  Gladiolus  corms  should 
be  plainly  marked  "Bulbs,"  and  during 
freezing  weather,  the  words,  "  Keep  from 
Frost"  may  be  added  to  advantage.  Thus 
the  contents  of  the  package  are  known  to 
the  express  agent  and  he  makes  the  rate 
accordingly. 

We  want  to  say  to  Gladiolus  growers 
who  grow  commercially  and  especially 
those  who  grow  for  the  wholesale  trade, 
that  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is 
giving  some  surprising  results  in  the  way 
of  selling  wholesale  quantities.  We  just 
had  a  letter  from  one  of  our  oldest  adver- 
tisers who  says  that  he  has  made  more 
wholesale  sales  from  his  advertising  in 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  this 
past  winter  than  at  retail.  Some  of  our  ad- 
vertisers seem  to  think  that  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  reaches  amateurs 
mostly.  They  would  be  surprised  to  see 
the  numbers  of  letters  coming  into  this 
office  using  printed  stationery  showing 
that  the  writer  is  in  the  business  of  grow- 
ing for  market. 

That  there  may  be  no  need  for  wrong 
use  of  the  plural  and  singular  form  of 
the  word  used  to  designate  the  beautiful 
flower  to  which  this  publication  is  de- 
voted, we  have  placed  at  the  head  of  our 
editorial  column  a  little  note  which  can 
be  used  as  reference  at  any  time.  We 
intend  to  run  this  regularly,  at  least  for 
the  present.  It  is  quite  surprising  how 
few  people  know  the  correct  use  of  the 
singular  and  plural  of  the  word  Gladiolus. 
We  want  to  give  them  a  chance  to  learn 
if  they  are  so  disposed. 


Don't  Worry  About 

Gladiolus  Corm  Disease. 

One  of  our  subscribers  asks  the  ques-  ^ 
tion  why  there  is  so  much  talk  about  V 
disinfecting  diseased  Gladiolus  corms  and 
this  was  partly  answered  editorially  in 
the  March  issue.  We  honestly  believe  that 
there  is  altogether  too  much  talk  about  it 
considering  the  fact  that  disease  is  not 
prevalent  to  any  great  extent.  Some  grow- 
ers are  greatly  agitated  and  bothered  cer- 
tain years  and  the  next  year  their  troubles 
apparently  largely  disappear.  Our  own 
experience  is  varied,  but  we  have  never 
had  any  serious  trouble  from  disease,  and 
we  have  never  used  any  treatment  for 
diseased  corms  before  planting.  Consid- 
ering the  fact  that  we  have  had  corms 
from  all  over  the  world,  pretty  nearly, 
and  many  of  them  more  or  less  diseased 
(some  of  them  indeed  very  much  "more") 
it  would  seem  that  with  ordinary  precau- 
tion in  planting,  culture  and  curing  that 
disease  will  gradually  eliminate  itself 
rather  than  become  worse. 

Madison  Cooper.  M 


The  tendency  toward  planting  for  food 
supplies  instead  of  flowers  will  doubtless 
have  considerable  influence  on  the  grow- 
ing of  Gladioli  during  the  season  of  1917, 
but  we  do  not  look  for  the  war  to  con- 
tinue long  nor  to  be  as  serious  a  matter 
to  this  country  as  many  people  seem  to 
think.  While  it  is  all  well  enough  to  be 
economical  and  grow  foods  and  help  the 
world  shortage,  yet  we  should  not  forget 
our  love  for  the  beautiful,  and  the  growing 
of  flowers  is  not  an  extravagance  in  any 
possible  definition  of  the  word.  Those 
who  want  to  economize  should  hunt  out 
the  really  useless  wastes  and  expenditures 
for  those  things  which  are  not  only  use- 
less in  themselves,  but  a  positive  detri- 
ment to  the  individual.  Flower  growing 
is  an  education  in  itself  and  a  develop- 
ment of  the  spiritual  and  higher  side  of 
humanity.  Cut  out  the  foolish  things  but  m 
do  not  consider  flower  growing  as  one  of 
them. 


Mav 

19  17 


ol)e  ^tlo6ern  (Bla^iolus  (Brower 


Page 


Cold  Storage  and  Flowers. 

From  Ice  and  Cold  Storage  (England.) 


TO  THE  man  in  the  street  the  idea  of 
employing  cold  storage  in  connection 
with  the  care  and  culture  of  flowers 
would  appear  absurd.  He  knows  very 
much  better ;  if  he  has  a  garden  he 
knows  that  flowers  bloom  only  when  the 
sun  shines ;  he  knows  also  that  all  kinds 
of  heating  devices  are  employed  by  flor- 
ists to  bring  the  flowers  on,  so  as  to 
bloom  earlier  than  they  would  in  the 
open.  Some  of  the  most  beautiful  flow- 
ers, as  is  well  known — orchids  for  in- 
stance, and  a  few  roses  and  others— will 
only  bloom  in  an  atmosphere  whose  tem- 
perature is  maintained  continuously  at  a 
fairly  high  figure.  Frost,  too,  he  recog- 
nizes as  the  great  enemy  of  the  flower 
grower;  it  is  frost  that  often  throws  back 
his  roses,  when  they  have  been  coming  on 
rather  early  owing  to  a  mild  winter,  and 
it  is  frost  that  strikes  his  lovely  cactus 
dahlias  as  with  a  blight.  It  seems  absurd, 
on  the  face  of  it,  to  talk  of  low  tempera- 
tures in  connection  with  flowers,  and  yet, 
as  refrigeration  engineers  know,  cold  stor- 
age is  making  steady  headway  in  the  great 
industries  of  floriculture,  and  horticulture. 
For  a  good  many  years  now,  that  sweet 
little  bloom,  the  Lily  of  the  Valley,  has 
been  seen  in  florists'  shop  windows  the 
whole  year  round — though  its  proper 
time  of  blooming  is  in  the  spring  -  and 
florists  are  able  to  accomplish  this  by  the 
aid  of  cold  storage.  The  young  plants 
are  taken  out  of  the  ground  just  about 
the  time  when  they  would  begin  to  push 
their  first  green  shoots  above  ground,  and 
are  placed  in  boxes  in  cold  storage,  the 
temperature  maintained  being  consider- 
ably below  freezing  point.  When  blooms 
are  required,  the  plants  are  taken  out  of  the 
cold  store,  and  either  placed  in  soil,  or 
moss  fibre,  in  pots  indoors,  or  in  the  soil 
out  of  doors  during  the  summer,  and  the 
blooms  appear  in  from  three  to  five 
weeks.  Numerous  bulbs  are  transported 
annually  from  Japan  and  elsewhere  to 
this  country,  the  bulbs  being  kept  at  a 
low  temperature  during  the  voyage,  and 
many  of  them  are  kept  in  cold  store  on 
arrival  until  they  are  wanted  ;  the  blooms 
being  obtainable  in  from  four  weeks  to 
three  months  after  removal  from  the  cold 
store.  But  this,  useful  and  profitable 
as  it  is  to  the  florists  who  have  taken 
advantage  of  it,  is  only  a  small  part  of 
the  work  that  cold  storage  will  do  to  as- 
sist the  florist. 


Horticulture  and  floriculture  are  both 
wonderfully  interesting  in  themselves,  and 
large  sums  are  made  by  those  who  are 
skilled  in  them,  and  have  capital  at  their 
command  ;  but  there  is  a  very  large  ele- 
ment of  uncertainty  about  them.  Both 
are  largely  encouraged  by  the  shows  that 
are  held  during  the  summer  and  autumn 
in  all  parts  of  the  kingdom  ;  a  prize  for  a 
perfect  bloom  of  a  particular  flower,  or 
the  exhibition  of  an  entirely  new  bloom, 
usually  bringing  numerous  orders  at  good 
prices.  But  here  is  where  the  element 
of  uncertainty  comes  in,  and  where  cold 
storage  will  assist  to  neutralize  the  un- 
certainty, if  properly  employed.  With 
the  greatest  care,  blooms  of  particular 
flowers  sometimes  come  forward  too 
quickly— and  this  applies  both  to  flowers 
grown  in  the  open  and  under  glass — and 
is  due  to  the  uncertainty  of  our  climate. 
The  sun  will  be  behind  clouds  for  days, 
and  it  will  appear  as  if  a  particular  bloom 
will  take  some  days  to  mature,  and  then 
the  sun  will  shine  out  in  full  brilliance 
for  several  hours,  perhaps  right  on  the 
greenhouse,  or  on  the  flower  if  it  is  in 
the  open,  with  the  result  that  the  bloom 
may  be  so  far  forward  as  to  be  passe  on 
the  day  of  the  show,  and  the  careful 
work  of  months  at  least,  perhaps  years, 
may  be  lost.  It  is  here  that  the  cold 
store  comes  in ;  if  the  plant  is  caught,  so 
to  speak,  before  the  process  of  maturing 
has  gone  too  far,  and  is  removed  to  a 
cold  store,  especially  arranged  for  treat- 
ing plants  under  these  conditions,  the 
process  of  maturing  may  be  retarded  for 
as  long  as  the  florist  chooses,  and  it  may 
be  brought  out  of  cold  store,  in  sufficient 
time  to  completely  mature  it  for  the 
show,  so  that  it  may  appear  before  the 
judges  at  its  very  best.  And  this  applies 
not  only  to  plants  growing  in  pots  that 
can  be  removed  into  a  cold  store  in  their 
pots,  but  also  cut  flowers.  Everyone 
knows  how  quickly  cut  flowers  go  off, 
under  ordinary  conditions,  after  removal 
from  their  plants ;  probably  most  of  u& 
have  noticed  also  how  many  of  the  cut 
flowers  exhibited  in  flower  shows  go  off 
on  the  second  day,  sometimes  even  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  first  day.  They  are 
cut  in  the  early  morning  usually,  their 
stems  are  kept  in  water,  and  at  some 
flower  shows  one  sees  an  attempt  made 
to  keep  their  stems  by  the  evaporation  of 
[Concluded  on  page  78.] 


Page 

76 


Ol)<i  Modern.  (Bladiolus  (Grower 


May 

1917 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


GLADIOLI   IN  MISSISSIPPI. 

In  this  hot  sun-smitten  climate,  (Mis- 
sissippi) many  of  your  cultural  directions 
are  utterly  worthless,  especially  those 
about  planting  corms  for  the  purpose  of 
having  a  succession  of  blooms  until  frost. 
That  is  impossible  in  Mississippi.  After 
the  middle  of  July  the  sun  is  so  intense 
that  it  blisters  every  spike,  no  matter 
how  carefully  watered,  and  dwarfs  the 
blooms  besides.  Moreover,  I  find  the 
best  way  to  get  a  succession  of  blooms  is 
not  to  plant  a  succession  of  corms,  but 
plant  varieties  that  bloom  at  differing  in- 
tervals. 

Thus  I  depend  for  the  first  blooms  on 
Pink  Beauty,  then  comes  Ha  I  ley,  then 
Mrs.  Francis  King,  then  America  and 
finally  Princeps.  If  these  bulbs  are  planted 
about  the  latter  part  of  March  or  the 
first  part  of  April  they  will  furnish  a 
succession  of  flowers  from  about  the  10th 
of  June  to  the  10th  of  July.  Corms  planted 
late  as  the  first  part  of  May  bloom,  but 
they  are  weak  and  the  flower-spikes  are 
inferior.  I  find  also  that  Klondyke  and 
Lily  Lehmann  and  Mrs.  Pendleton  bloom 
just  a  little  bit  later  than  Halley,  while 
Baron  Hulot  and  Pink  Perfection  are  in 
bloom  with  America  and  Niagara. 

While  we  want  every  Gladiolus  that  is 
awarded  a  prize,  I  find  it  best  to  rely  on 
the  old  favorites  for  a  sure  crop.  Of 
course,  I  try  many  of  the  new  ones  by 
way  of  experiment.  They  are  lovely  but 
expensive  and  not  lovelier  than  some  of 
the  old  ones. 

My  advice  to  those  who  wish  flowers 
would  be  to  plant  but  few  varieties  but 
plenty  of  each.  Indeed,  I  believe  it  would 
be  good  policy  for  Southern  growers  to 
confine  themselves  to  the  following  varie- 
ties: Halley,  Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton,  Mrs. 
Francis  King,  America,  Baron  Joseph  Hu- 
lot, Brenchleyensis,  Lily  Lehmann  and  Ni- 
agara. T.  Dabney  Marshall. 


CORN   WORMS. 

I  have  seen  nothing  in  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  about  corn  worms. 
Last  July  I  planted  two  fields  with  about 
240,000  America  for  the  late  market  and 
the  corn  worms  devoured  nearly  every 
bud  before  they  showed  color.  I  did  not 
cut  150  fiowers  from  the  lot.  I  do  not 
know  how  to  combat  this  pest.  If  anyone 
can  give  me  suggestions  would  be  glad  to 
have  them  do  so.  Carl  D.  Hale. 


corrosive    sublimate    treatment   for 
gladiolus  corm  diseases. 

Several  years  ago  when  I  had  consider- 
able scab  or  disease  on  my  Gladiolus  ^ 
corms  I  treated  them  just  as  you  would  " 
treat  disease  on  scabby  potatoes,  using 
corrosive  sublimate  at  the  rate  of  two 
ounces  to  fourteen  gallons  of  water.  The 
corrosive  sublimate  should  first  be  dis- 
solved in  a  small  amount  of  boiling  water 
in  a  glass  or  earthen  cup  or  crock  as  it 
will  cut  or  corrode  any  metal  utensil. 
After  dissolving  add  the  corrosive  subli- 
mate to  14  gallons  of  water.  Soak  the 
bulbs  90  minutes  in  the  solution.  I  use 
a  large  barrel  and  twice  the  quantity  of 
solution  given  above.  The  bulbs  may  be 
put  in  a  sack  and  with  a  pulley  in  the 
ceiling  to  lower  and  hoist  them,  they  can 
be  conveniently  handled.  They  are  al- 
lowed to  drain  in  another  tub  so  as  to 
facilitate  the  use  of  the  solution.  Treat 
the  day  before  about  the  quantity  that 
can  be  planted  the  next  day.  After  two 
years'  use  of  this  treatment  I  have  never 
been  bothered  with  scab  or  disease.  Old 
crates  which  have  had  diseased  corms  in 
should  be  dipped  in  the  solution  to  free 
them  from  the  disease  germs  as  it  can  be 
carried  over  in  the  old  crates. 

P.  O.  COBLENTZ. 


misspelled  gladiolus  names. 

Two  names  of  Gladioli  are  usually  mis- 
spelled. One  of  these  is  Gov.  Hanly, 
named  by  permission  for  ex-Gov.  Hanly 
of  Indiana.  The  incorrect  spelling  is 
Gov.  Hartley,  adding  an  "e"  which  does 
not  belong  in  the  name. 

The  second  is  Red  Amarillas,  named 
for  its  near  resemblance  to  the  Amaryllis. 
The  spelling  was  changed  from  Red  Am- 
aryllis to  Red  Amarillas  with  the  view  of 
having  people  know  when  they  see  the 
name  Red  Amarillas  that  it  could  not  be 
an  Amaryllis  but  must  be  something  else. 
Anthony  B.  Kunderd. 


gladiolus  corm  graders. 
I  want  to  say  in  connection  with  the 
article  referring  to  Mr.  Swett's  graders 
in  April  number,  that  I  have  used  round 
hole  graders  for  some  time.  Had  a  tin- 
ner stamp  holes  in  sheet  of  tin  H  in., 
1  in.  and  |  in.  The  §  in.  screen  I  use  is 
of  square  mesh.  I  believe  the  pig  skin 
grader  would  be  better,  or  any  tough 
skin  stretched  on  a  frame,  and  holes 
punched,  or  the  makers  of  seed  graders 
could  supply  the  Gladiolus  growers  with 
different  sized  screens.  Let's  hear  from 
someone  else.  John  B.  Humphrey. 


May 
1917 


Ol)e  Modern  (Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

77 


A  REAL  amateur's  EXPERIENCE. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

I  have  read  all  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  has  had  to  say  about  what  con- 
stitutes an  amateur,  and  I  have  smiled 
and  smiled. 

This  letter  shall  be  called  "  The  Con- 
fessions of  an  Amateur,"  —  wherefore 
listen : 

I  began  my  career  as  a  grower  of  the 
Gladiolus  a  bit  more  than  fourteen  years 
ago  when  a  neighbor  gave  me  a  handful 
of  corms  to  put  in  my  first  garden  in  a 
new  home.  There  were,  possibly,  a  dozen, 
—two  colors,  red  and  pink,  and  of  the 
old-fashioned  small  flowered  type.  That 
they  might  not  be  lonely,  I  bought  a  dozen 
of  mixed  bulbs  to  put  with  them,  and  so 
my  Gladiolus  bed  was  started. 

From  year  to  year  I  bought  a  few  new 
bulbs,  mixtures  mostly,  with  now  and 
then  a  low-priced  collection  of  named 
varieties.  The  year  that  America  was 
first  advertised  I  bought  one  corm,  at  a 
price  that  was  most  reckless  extrav- 
agance, I  thought  then.  The  blossom 
was  a  wonder,  though,  but  not  so  great  a 
wonder  as  one  that  bloomed  from  among 
my  mixed  varieties.  Where  I  got  it  I 
never  knew,  and  it  certainly  was  a  queen 
disguised  as  a  beggar  maid,  for  most  of 
my  mixtures  at  that  time  had  been  poor 
and  unsatisfactory  from  my  later  point  of 
view.  But  this  one  bloom  was  as  large  as 
America,  of  the  rounded  form  of  Golden 
King,  and  of  as  great  substance,  while  the 
color  was  a  deep  solid  maroon,  with  a  spark- 
ling surface  as  though  it  had  been  sprinkled 
with  diamond  dust.  I  have  never  since  seen 
anything  like  it,  for  though  Geo.  Paul 
is  somewhat  similar  in  color,  it  is  far  in- 
ferior in  everyway.  Unfortunately,  I  was 
ill  that  fall,  and  could  not  attend  to  the 
gathering  of  my  bulbs,  which  were  not  dried 
out  enough,  packed  too  closely,  and  many 
of  them  rotted  in  storage.  The  Marvel, 
as  I  had  named  my  unknown  beauty,  was 
among  the  ones  destroyed,  doubtless,  for 
it  never  bloomed  for  me  again.  It  had 
done  its  work,  however,  by  showing  me 
what  a  wonderful  thing  a  Gladiolus  bloom 
could  be,  so  that  I  began  buying  better 
varieties. 

Seven  years  ago  I  again  got  surprised 
by  a  mixture  which  scattered  through 
my  collection  a  variety  that  makes  corms 
and  cormels  to  an  extent  that  makes 
all  other  sorts  look  like  race  suicide,  but 
never,  never  blossoms.  I  had  planted 
these  corms  with  all  their  increase  two 
years,  before  I  awoke  to  the  fact  that 
they  were  simply  playing  "  dog  in  the 
manger,"  as  it  were,  and  the  five  years 


since  has  not  sufficed  to  get  rid  of  them 
all.  This  year,  however,  I  shall  be  wholly 
relentless,  and  everything  which  fails  to 
show  a  bloom,  goes  into  the  discard. 

I  have  given  away  many  bulbs,  dis- 
carded others  as  worthless,  lost  a  few 
now  and  then,  as  they  apparently  "ran 
out,"  and  have  never  had  more  than  700 
or  800  bulbs  at  any  one  time.  One  day, 
four  years  ago  last  August,  a  local  florist 
happened  to  pass  my  home  and  stopped 
to  admire  the  display  my  three  double 
rows  of  Glads  in  the  height  of  bloom 
presented.  He  asked  me  if  I  would  sell 
some,  and  carried  away  three  dozen  spikes 
of  blossoms  for  which  he  had  paid  me  five 
cents  each.  I  had  given  away  armfuls  of 
flowers,  year  after  year,  and  should  doubt- 
less have  given  away  those  very  ones,  so 
it  was  just  like  finding  money.  Each 
year  since  then,  I  have  sold  a  few  dozen 
spikes,  only  to  put  the  money  into  new 
bulbs. 

According  to  some  of  the  debaters,  this 
sale  of  blooms  put  me  out  of  the  "  class 
of  amateurs,"  and  that  is  why  I  smile, 
because  whatever  they  finally  decide,  I 
shall  still  be  "  the  lady  with  the  flower 
garden,"  as  the  children  call  me,  putting 
out  my  bulbs,  watching  each  prick  through 
the  soil,  knowing  every  plant  by  heart, 
and  finally  cutting  armfuls  of  bloom  for 
the  hospital  and  the  neighbors,  and  if 
the  florist  comes  and  gets  a  few  for  a 
funeral  spray  or  wedding  decorations, 
I'm  sure  I  shall  be  just  as  "amateur"  as 
ever.  E.  h.  p. 


PROMOTING  INCREASE  OF  GLADIOLUS 
CORMS. 

An  old  gardener  says  that  if  you  have 
a  rare  bulb  that  does  not  produce  bulb- 
lets,  to  dig  down  after  the  leaves  are  up 
a  foot  and  gently  scratch  its  sides  until 
the  skin  is  broken  in  various  places,  that 
this  will  induce  the  formation  of  bulblets. 
He  also  says  the  roots  can  be  changed 
into  sprouts  by  cutting  the  bulb  in  half 
crossways  (horizontally)  and  planting  the 
bottom  half  upside  down  in  sand,  thus 
exposing  the  root  surface  to  the  light.  The 
roots  will  sprout  in  large  numbers  and 
each  will  produce  a  small  bulb.  The 
upper  half  of  the  bulb  may  be  forced  like 
a  perfect  bulb.  c.  M.  s. 


Westerbeek  &  Klyn 

Locate  in  the  U.  S. 

The  announcement  that  the  Cushman 
Gladiolus  Co.,  of  Sylvania,  Ohio,  has  sold 
their  entire  stock  to  Westerbeek  &  Klyn, 


Page 

78 


Ol)<i  ^^o6ern  (Bla6lolus  (Brower 


MAy 
1917 


Sassenheim,  Holland,  appears  in  our  ad- 
vertising pages. 

Last  season  the  Cushman  Gladiolus 
Co.  grew  a  large  quantity  of  Gladioli  for 
Westerbeek  &Klyn  and  finding  the  Ameri- 
can grown  stock  cleaner  and  better  look- 
ing than  the  Holland  grown  and  also  owing 
to  the  present  disturbed  conditions  of 
shipping  from  Europe,  they  decided  to 
grow  their  stock  here.  Arrangements 
have  been  made  with  Mr.  Ralph  Cush- 
man to  continue  for  them  the  growing  of 
leading  varieties  of  Gladioli  and  all  plant- 
ing stock  for  propagation  will  be  moved  to 
one  base  in  America  and  grown  here  for 
the  American  trade.  This  will  put  Wes- 
terbeek &  Klyn  on  an  even  footing  with 
American  growers  and  in  addition  to 
Gladioli,  they  expect  to  add  the  growing 
of  peonies  and  dahlias  and  other  stock  as 
demand  calls  for  it. 

Under  the  new  arrangement  Wester- 
beek &  Klyn  expect  to  be  able  to  satisfy 
their  customers  in  this  country  perfectly 
and  those  who  have  already  dealt  with 
this  firm  are  aware  of  their  liberality  and 
promptness  in  business  methods. 


Cold  Storage  and  Flowers. 

[Coittiniied  from  page  75.] 

water  with  which  moss  is  soaked,  the 
stems  being  surrounded  with  it.  We  sug- 
gest that  better  results  would  be  obtained 
if  the  blooms  were  cut  a  very  little  before 
maturity,  and  kept  in  cold  store  till  the 
very  last  minute.  We  suggest  also  that 
the  committees  who  organize  flower  shows 
would  do  well  to  call  in  the  assistance  of 
refrigeration  engineers  to  help  them  keep 
the  marquees  cool.  It  would  be  much 
fairer  to  the  exhibitors,  and  much  pleas- 
anter  to  the  visitors,  if  the  temperature 
of  the  marquees  were  maintained  at  about 
50°F.  or  even  less.  The  blooms  would 
maintain  their  freshness  very  much 
longer,  and  it  would  be  quite  a  pleasure, 
instead  of  the  task  it  sometimes  is  to  the 
lover  of  flowers  to  go  through  the  whole 
of  them. 

We  have  introduced  this  subject,  as  it 
appears  to  us  that  there  is  a  very  wide 
field  for  refrigeration  engineers  in  con- 
nection with  both  floriculture  and  horti- 
culture in  the  future.  At  the  present 
time,  while  the  war  is  on,  flowers  are 
more  or  less  of  a  luxury,  though  they 
are  very  comforting  in  a  hospital  ward, 
or  in  a  sick  room  anywhere.  The  war 
must  end  some  time,  however,  and  then 
there  will  be  the  difficult  problem  of  find- 
ing employment  for  the  large  numbers 
of  returning  soldiers  who  will  not  care 
to  go  back  to  indoor  work,  and  for  the 


large  numbers  of  women  whom  the  re- 
turning men  will  displace.  Already,  be- 
fore the  war,  educated  and  cultured 
women  had  taken  up  both  industries  with 
considerable  profit  to  themselves,  and  it 
is  more  than  probable  that  large  numbers 
of  both  sexes  will  take  them  up  after  the 
war.  If  they  have  cold  storage  apparatus, 
as  well  as  heating  appliances  and  electric 
light,  they  have  almost  complete  control 
of  the  conditions  under  which  flowers  can 
be  successfully  grown  and  marketed. 
Cold  storage  should  do  for  florists  what 
it  has  done  for  fruit  growers  in  America, 
enable  them  to  hold  their  produce  back 
when  the  market  is  glutted. 

But,  as  with  many  other  problems  that 
refrigeration  engineers  have  tackled,  there 
is  a  great  deal  of  work  to  be  done.  Florists 
and  horticulturists  know  that  every  plant 
requires  to  be  studied  separately,  and 
similarly  the  best  conditions  for  each 
plant  in  cold  storage  will  have  to  be 
studied;  the  best  temperature,  and  the 
best  humidity.  It  will  not  do  to  put  any 
flowers  into  any  atmosphere  and  to  im- 
agine, because  it  is  a  cold  store,  that  the 
flower  will  be  preserved.  Obviously, 
flowers  growing  or  cut,  must  not  be  frozen, 
and  equally  obviously,  it  will  not  be  wise 
to  subject  them  to  a  drying  air  current. 
Dry  air,  it  will  be  remembered,  is  already 
responsible  for  lessening  the  weight  of 
some  produce  in  cold  store,  by  reason  of 
the  evaporation  it  causes;  much  evapora- 
tion would  be  fatal  to  most  flowers. 

Send  Bill  with  Goods. 

Gladiolus  growers  as  well  as  many 
other  people  who  are  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising, are  slow  about  sending  bills 
for  goods  shipped.  Years  ago  a  bill  was 
considered  a  dun,  but  in  this  enlightened 
age  this  is  not  so,  and  any  business  man 
wants  to  see  the  bill  with  the  goods  or 
before  they  arrive.  It  is  necessary  to 
have  the  bill  in  order  to  check  the  goods 
accurately.  We,  therefore,  suggest  that 
Gladiolus  growers  mail  bill  at  time  of 
shipment  in  all  cases.  Whether  goods 
are  paid  for  before  shipment  or  after  re- 
ceived makes  no  difference.  If  paid  for 
they  should  be  accompanied  by  a  receipted 
bill  or  memorandum  of  shipment. 

Catalogues  and  Price  Lists. 

E.  M.  Smith,  East  Hartford,  Conn.  Retail  cata- 
logue and  price  list  of  Dahlias  and  Gladioli. 

Wilmore  Floral  Co.,  Box  1111,  Denver,  Colo. 
Sixteen  page  catalogue  of  Gladioli,  Dahlias, 
Hardy  Perennials,  etc.  Well  illustrated  and  with 
good  descriptions  of  varieties. 


May 
1917 


I5b<2^  Mlo6ern  <Bla6lolu5  (Browcr 


Pagf. 

79 


Iris  Culture  in  Southern  California.' 


By  Mrs.  J.  J.  Dean. 


Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

While  we  have  been  making  a  special 
study  of  the  Iris  for  several  years,  we  find 
we  still  have  much  to  learn,  and  it  may 
be  some  of  your  members  are  better 
posted  on  the  subject  than  we  are,  but  if 
we  can  interest  some  who  have  not  given 
the  Iris  much  thought  and  attention, 
particularly  in  some  of  the  species  and 
varieties  not  commonly  cultivated,  per- 
haps the  few  minutes  of  your  valuable 
time  we  occupy  will  not  be  entirely  wasted. 

You  have  all  doubtless  heard  the  Iris 
called  Lily,  Flag,  Fleur  de  Lis,  Poor  Man's 
Orchid ;  also  that  the  name  in  the  Greek 
signifies  rainbow.  Botanically,  we  are 
told,  the  Iris  is  closely  related  to  the  Lily 
and  Orchid,  and  the  prismatic  colors  of  the 
spectrum  are  well  represented  with  their 
different  tones,  and  intermingling  of  shades 
and  tints  of  different  colors,  with  a  great 
variety  of  markings. 

We  find  many  people  are  familiar  only 
with  the  more  common  forms  of  the  Ger- 
manics, perhaps  the  Spanish  and  English 
Irises,  and  also  some  of  the  Japanese  hy- 
brids. To  many  it  is  a  surprise  to  learn 
there  is  such  a  great  variety  of  species  and 
varieties,  and  new  ones  being  found  and 
a  great  number  of  choice  hybrids  being 
added  every  year. 

We  owe  much  to  the  knowledge  we 
have  gleaned  on  the  subject  from  that 
valuable  and  quite  recent  work  on  the 
Iris  Genus  by  W.  R.  Dykes.  This  work  is 
the  result  of  an  attempt  to  find  plants  that 
would  flower  in  the  open  in  winter  months 
in  Surrey.  The  fascination  of  the  first 
flowers  led  to  an  interest  in  the  whole 
genus,  and  it  soon  became  apparent  that 
the  knowledge  of  it  was  defective,  and  so 
a  thorough  study  was  begun.  Not  only 
all  of  the  literature  to  be  obtained  on  the 
subject  was  investigated,  but  the  herb- 
arium specimens  of  Europe,  as  also  a 
Chinese  collection  and  specimens  from 
our  National  Museum  at  Washington  were 
examined.  So,  from  a  study  of  the  living 
plants,  literature  and  herbarium  speci- 
mens, we  have  this  splendid  monograph 
of  the  genus. 

The  earliest  written  history  of  the  Iris 
was  found  to  be  at  the  beginning  of  the 
sixth  century  A.  D.,  but  it  was  not  as  a 

*  Address  before  the  Los  Angeles  Horticultural 
Society. 


garden  plant,  to  be  cultivated  for  its 
beauty,  that  the  attention  was  called,  but 
to  its  supposed  merits  as  a  drug.  The 
rhizomes  were  to  be  cut  in  pieces  and 
dried,  and  their  healing  virtues  are  many. 
Among  them  we  notice  they  were  recom- 
mended to  remove  freckles.  Had  they 
said  the  cultivation  would  produce  freckles 
on  the  grower,  we  could  verify  the  truth 
of  the  statement. 

They  are  natives  of  the  North  Temper- 
ate Zone— both  in  the  colder  portions  as 
well  as  in  the  milder.  Some  are  found  at 
great  elevation.  One  in  Northwestern 
China  and  Thibet  is  found  at  an  elevation 
of  seventeen  to  eighteen  thousand  feet. 
A  clipping  sent  us  by  a  friend  says  "  Iris 
plants  grow  in  Thibet  15,000  feet  above 
sea  level,  and  in  such  masses  as  to  look 
like  sheets  of  purple."  One  at  least  on 
this  continent  is  found  in  Labrador  and 
one  in  Alaska. 

The  genus  is  divided  into  bulbous  and 
non-bulbous.  The  largest  sub-division 
among  the  non-bulbous  or  rhizomatus, 
contains  those  species  in  which  the  center 
of  the  falls  remain  smooth,  or  is  at  least 
only  covered  with  a  slight  pubescence. 
The  name  Apogon  is  applied  to  this 
group,  and  they  occur  over  the  whole  area 
in  which  Irises  are  found. 

An  interesting  group  of  this  section  is 
the  Siberian,  natives  of  Eastern  Asia  for 
the  most  part;  one  is  quite  widely  dis- 
tributed over  the  continent  of  Europe, 
and  one,  I.  prismatica,  is  a  native  of  our 
Atlantic  Coast  from  Nova  Scotia  to  North 
Carolina.  They  possess  a  grassy  foliage, 
and  the  narrow  rhizomes  are  much 
branched,  producing  a  dense  mat  of 
fibrous  roots.  Within  recent  years  several 
very  valuable  additions  to  this  group  have 
been  discovered.  They  do  well  in  a  some- 
what shady  position,  in  a  soil  rich  in 
humus,  and  plenty  of  moisture— condi- 
tions which  would  be  almost  fatal  to  most 
of  the  Bearded  Irises. 

The  Irises  known  as  Japanese  are  hy- 
brids, but  their  origin  is  unknown.  That 
is,  no  record  of  the  wild  species  from 
which  they  were  produced  is  known  to 
exist.  They  require  culture  similar  to 
the  Sibericas.  In  Japan  they  keep  them 
comparatively  dry  in  winter,  and  fertilize 
with  strong  liquid  manure  every  two  or 
three  weeks,  and  in  summer  when  growth 
is  active,  water  very  liberally. 


Page 

80 


Ob^  ^o6ern  (Gladiolus  (Brower 


May 
1917 


The  Spuria  group  is  a  very  valuable 
one,  particularly  in  the  best  forms.  They 
do  well  with  the  same  treatment  as  the 
Bearded  Irises,  but  will  endure  much  more 
moisture  without  injury.  They  are  dis- 
tributed throughout  Europe  and  Asia  as 
far  east  as  Kashmir.  The  plants  are  very 
ornamental  with  their  tall,  dark  green 
foliage.  The  flowers  resemble  the  Spanish 
Iris  in  form  more  than  the  Germanica 
type,  and  are  very  ornamental  and  also 
useful  as  a  cut  flower.  While  there  may 
be  quite  a  few  grown  in  the  private  gar- 
dens of  Los  Angeles,  we  have  never 
noticed  any,  nor  have  we  seen  them  in 
the  florists'  windows.  They  appear  to  be 
cultivated  more  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  State  around  San  Francisco.  At  the 
May  Flower  Show  there  last  Spring 
there  were  several  good  displays  of  them, 
and  we  also  noticed  them  down  town  in 
the  show  windows. 

We  also  have  in  this  section  the  Water 
Iris  or  Yellow  Flag,  Pseudo-acorus  of 
Europe  and  Asia  ;  and  our  American  Ver- 
sicolor (syn.  virginica),  closely  related  to 
it.  Mr.  Dykes  says  they  will  both  grow 
in  dry  sand,  but  they  naturally  prefer  a 
wet  or  damp  soil,  and  being  natives  of 
marshy  land,  are  particularly  adapted  for 
growing  in  ponds.  Pseudo-acorus  is  yel- 
low, while  Versicolor  is  some  shade  of 
blue  or  red-purple.  The  former  is  dis- 
tributed over  the  whole  of  Europe,  as  far 
north  as  Scandanavia,  and  it  extends  also  to 
North  Africa,  Asia  Minor,  and  as  far  east 
as  the  Caucasus,  and  even  possibly  into 
Siberia.  The  latter  extends  from  Hudson 
Bay  in  the  North  to  Florida  in  the  South 
and  as  far  west  as  the  Mississippi.  While 
they  are  aquatics  they  do  well  with  us  in 
our  heavy  mesa  soil  with  the  same  treat- 
ment as  the  Sibericas.  Being  so  widely 
distributed  it  would  not  be  strange  if 
they  varied  somewhat.  Two  or  three 
years  ago  we  had  some  plants  sent  us 
from  Europe  that  were  supposed  to  be 
one  of  the  Spuria  group— at  least  they 
were  ordered  as  such,  and  catalogued  and 
labeled  as  such.  The  shipment  was  heated 
enroute,  and  the  greater  portion  was  a 
total  loss,  the  few  rhizomes  we  saved  were 
in  bad  condition.  Out  of  this  particular 
variety  referred  to  we  saved  but  a  few 
and  of  these  only  two  lived.  They  did 
not  look  at  all  to  us  like  Spuria  rhizomes, 
but  in  their  condition  it  was  difhcult  to 
determine.  As  time  went  on  the  rhizome 
had  the  appearance  of  the  Pseudo-acorus 
but  the  foliage  was  very  difficult  from 
any  of  the  forms  that  had  come  un- 
der our  observation.  In  color  the  foli- 
age is  of  a  dark  dull  yellowish  or  cross 
green,  not  so  gray  as  other  varieties,  also 


instead  of  the  plant  becoming  dormant 
for  a  short  season  it  is  an  evergreen  plant, 
and  further,  under  the  same  conditions, 
it  attains  a  much  greater  height.  The 
tallest  leaves  are  some  five  feet  tall  and 
the  flowering  stem  four  feet  and  over.  If 
grown  in  water  the  height  no  doubt  would 
be  greater.  It  is  a  very  ornamental  plant 
even  when  not  in  bloom.  Naturally  it 
makes  an  unusually  large  rhizome  and 
also  increases  quite  rapidly.  We  had 
another  form  sent  us  for  Aurea  of  the 
Spuria  group  at  one  time.  These  rhizomes 
sprawl  over  the  ground  in  an  irregular 
manner  and  the  foliage  is  not  always  erect 
but  apt  to  grow  at  an  angle,  so  that  it  is 
not  a  particularly  pleasing  plant,  and  while 
the  flowers  are  good  the  stems  are  short. 

There  are  several  other  groups  in  this 
section  which  are  worth  cultivation  and 
particularly  adapted  to  wild  flower  gar- 
dens. Among  them  is  an  American  group, 
Hexagona,  Foliosa  and  Fulva,  semi-aqua- 
tics, that  are  desirable,  and  our  Californian 
group  should  receive  more  attention. 

There  is  one  other  group  we  would  like 
to  call  your  attention  to  before  leaving 
this  section,  and  that  is  the  Unguicularis 
group,  more  commonly  known  as  I.  sty- 
losa.  This  Iris  is  too  valuable  for  South- 
ern California  to  be  passed  by  unnoticed. 
It  is  a  native  of  the  Mediterranean  coast 
countries  principally,  and  appears  at  home 
under  our  conditions  and  mild  climate. 
There  are  several  varieties  of  this  species. 
Nearly  all  we  have  cultivated  are  good, 
although  some  are  more  to  be  desired 
than  others.  One  exception  is  I.  Lazica, 
a  variety  said  to  be  native  of  the  west 
coast  of  the  Black  Sea.  Maybe  it  will  do 
better  in  a  colder  climate  than  ours,  but 
it  has  not  been  at  all  satisfactory  with  us. 
Some  of  the  forms  come  into  bloom  in 
the  Fall  of  the  year  and  bloom  continu- 
ously for  several  months— that  is,  well 
established  clumps.  Other  varieties  do 
not  begin  to  bloom  until  about  the  first 
of  the  year.  They  all  have  a  narrow 
grassy  foliage,  which  varies  in  both  width 
and  length  in  different  varieties.  The 
foliage  is  evergreen,  but  instead  of  stand- 
ing upright,  droops  gracefully,  so  that  the 
plant  is  ornamental  throughout  the  year. 
They  do  well  given  the  same  treatment 
as  the  Germanica  type.  The  color  is 
white  with  yellow  band  in  fall,  and  also 
different  forms  of  blue  and  purple.  The 
soft  lilac-blue  forms  are  particularly  pleas- 
ing, and  the  veinings  on  the  falls  very 
marked.  It  seems  difllicult  to  conceive 
how  any  one  who  admires  flowers  would 
not  be  pleased  with  this  pretty  winter- 
flowering  Iris.  The  fragrance,  too,  is 
most  delicate  and  pleasing,  probably  more 


May 

1917 


Ob<2^  !^o6ern  <&la6lolus  (Grower 


Page 

81 


SO  than  any  of  the  genus.  There  is  one 
peculiarity  about  this  Iris,  and  that  is  it 
has  a  very  short  stem,  but  the  flower  is 
raised  on  a  long  perianth  tube,  varying  un- 
der different  conditions  and  in  different 
varieties,  but  averages  eight  inches  or  so, 
sufficiently  long  to  make  it  useful  as  a 
cut  flower  for  table  decorations,  although 
instead  of  cutting  in  gathering  it  should 
be  pulled.  One  variety  we  have  makes  a 
much  longer  stem  or  perianth  tube  than 
the  others —twelve  or  fifteen  inches— but 
it  is  weaker  and  does  not  hold  up  the 
flower  so  well.  In  form  the  flower  re- 
sembles some  of  our  native  Californian 
Ibises,  but  the  petals  of  most  varieties  are 
broader,  the  expanded  flower  of  some  va- 
rieties are  often  four  inches  in  diameter 
and  even  more. 

Time  will  not  permit  us  to  speak  of  the 
Onococyllus  and  Regelia  sections,  nor  the 
Evansia  among  the  non-bulbous,  neither 
can  we  stop  to  glimpse  at  the  interesting 
bulbous  section,  as  we  must  briefly  call 
attention  to  some  of  the  Pogoniris  or 
Bearded  Irises,  including  the  Germani- 
cas  and  others  closely  related.  These 
are  the  easiest  of  cultivation  perhaps, 
taking  all  things  into  consideration,  and 
being  among  the  most  decorative,  natur- 
ally attract  the  most  attention. 

In  regard  to  the  native  habitat  of  the 
different  species  or  varieties,  little  is 
known  in  regard  to  their  origin.  The 
tenacious  hold  the  fleshy  rhizome  has 
upon  life,  adds  to  the  complication.  They 
are  distributed  over  Central  and  Southern 
Europe,  North  Africa,  through  Asia  Minor 
and  Persia,  and  to  China  and  Northwest 
India.  None  are  known  to  be  indigenous 
to  our  Continent,  although  some  have 
escaped  from  cultivation  and  become 
naturalized  in  several  places.  One  variety, 
it  is  said,  that  is  the  commonest  semi- 
cultivated  Iris  in  Southern  France,  where 
Irises  are  grown  in  such  very  large  quanti- 
ties, is  also  found  in  some  parts  of  Nepal. 
Albicans— the  white  Germanica  common 
with  us— is  found  in  Spain,  in  the  Cau- 
casus, in  Mexico,  Sicily,  Greece,  Asia 
Minor  and  Persia.  It  is  said  to  be  planted 
much  by  the  Mohammedans  in  their 
cemeteries,  which  no  doubt  partly  ac- 
counts for  its  wide  distribution.  I.  Khar- 
put  came  from  a  place  of  that  name  in 
Turkey.  It  is  also  growing  in  a  certain 
locality  in  Nepal. 

The  Germanica  group  of  this  section, 
because  of  their  evergreen  foliage,  are 
supposed  to  be  natives  of  a  mild  climate. 
Many  others  of  the  Bearded  Irises  are 
also  often  called  Germanica,  but  they  are 
not  so  strictly  speaking.  The  Pallida  group, 
for  example,  differ  very  much  from  the 


Germanicas  in  flower  and  foliage.  Pallida 
means  pale,  although  a  few  in  this  group 
are  not  pale.  One  distinguishing  feature 
is  the  spathes— they  look  like  tissue  paper, 
is  often  remarked.  The  typical  Pallida 
and  many  forms  have  long  stems  and 
some  of  the  choicest  and  most  delicate 
colors  are  found  in  this  group. 

We  have  the  Variegata  group,  found  in 
Austria  and  Hungary,  with  yellow  stand- 
ards, and  falls  more  or  less  penciled  with 
brown  and  black,  and  the  group  now  con- 
tains a  great  many  hybrids. 

In  the  Amoena  group  we  have  the  white 
standards  with  various  blue  and  purple 
falls  ;  while  the  Neglecta  group  has  stand- 
ards and  falls  of  blue  or  purple  or  lavender. 

In  the  Squalens  group  the  standards  are 
a  mingling  of  color  and  what  we  call  in 
fabrics,  changeable.  The  falls  are  darker 
as  a  rule,  usually  velvety,  and  come  in 
purple,  crimson-brown,  etc. 

The  Irises  in  the  Plicata  group  are  sup- 
posed to  be  of  hybrid  origin.  They  are 
very  delicate  and  pretty  white  flowers 
delicately  veined  and  marked  with  blue, 
violet,  purple,  etc. 

A  few  years  ago  an  artist  of  Guernsey, 
Mr.  Caparne,  produced  a  good  many  hy- 
brids—crosses between  the  dwarf  varie- 
ties and  the  Germanicas.  He  said  they 
would  furnish  bloom  for  from  six  to  nine 
months  in  the  year.  Some  he  styled 
"  Early  Alpine,"  others  "  Intermediate," 
and  others  "Tall  Summer  Flowering." 
As  he  did  not  follow  up  the  production 
and  sale  of  them  himself  for  but  a  short 
time,  no  doubt  many  of  them  have  been 
lost,  but  some  still  appear  in  the  catalogue 
lists  of  Intermediates.  There  is  a  good 
variety  in  color  and  they  are  very  desir- 
able. It  appears  to  us  they  are  particu- 
larly good  as  ground  covers,  for  borders, 
etc.  Like  the  dwarf  varieties  they  multiply 
very  rapidly  and  in  order  to  get  the  best 
results  the  weaker  growths  should  be  re- 
moved occasionally,  giving  the  flowering 
rhizomes  a  better  opportunity  to  get 
nourishment,  and  if  so  treated  will  bloom 
much  oftener. 

There  is  also  a  large  variety  of  Dwarf 
Irises,  and  they  contain  nearly  as  great 
variety  of  color  as  the  Germanica  type. 
We  cannot  go  into  detail  regarding  the 
different  species.  They  are  free  bloomers 
and  also  suitable  for  borders,  ground 
cover  and  the  rock  garden. 

There  is  one  other  small  group  among 
the  large  flowering  Bearded  Irises  we 
omitted  to  mention.  They  are  called  the 
Asia  Minor  or  Syrian  group.  These  have 
been  used  in  producing  some  of  our  choice 
large  flowered  hybrids.  They  are  all  tall 
growing  and  have  branched  stems.  There 


Page 

82 


Ol)<i  Mlo6ern  (Bla6lolus  (Brewer 


May 
1917 


has  been  some  confusion  in  getting  them 
named  correctly  by  the  introducers,  but 
Mr.  Dykes  has  done  much  to  remedy  that 
difficulty.  Trojana  has  for  some  time 
been  catalogued  by  growers  as  Cypriana, 
but  is  now  listed  under  its  correct  name. 
The  varieties  we  have  are  very  satisfac- 
tory. They  are  very  distinct  from  the 
tall  growing  Pallidas  as  you  can  readily 
see  from  the  specimens  we  have  here. 

In  regard  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
Bearded  Irises,  it  is  so  easy  that  some 
cannot  realize  it,  and  in  their  effort  to 
get  best  results,  kill  their  plants  with 
kindness.  It  should  be  remembered  they 
are  sun-loving  plants,  also  that  they  are 
not  bog  plants  as  we  sometimes  see  it 
stated.  The  only  difficulty  in  growing 
them  in  full  sun  in  our  climate,  where  the 
night  and  day  temperature  varies  so  much, 
is  that  the  foliage  is  more  susceptible  to 
disease  than  when  partially  shaded.  A 
spray  for  this  disease  of  the  foliage  is 
suggested,  viz:  sulphate  of  potassium 
(liver  of  sulphur).  Use  one  ounce  to  two 
or  three  gallons  of  water.  Also  the  rhi- 
zomes must  not  be  planted  deep,  and  they 
must  have  good  drainage,  and  another 
important  point  is  that  if  fertilizer  is  used 
it  is  very  important  that  the  manure  is 
old,  thoroughly  decomposed,  fine  and  well 
mixed  with  the  soil,  otherwise  decay  of 
the  root  will  result.  As  to  how  much 
water  to  give  them,  it  is  better  to  under- 
water this  form  of  Iris  than  to  over-water. 
They  will  make  one  crop  of  bloom  with- 
out any  artificial  watering,  but  by  judicial 
watering  we  get  better  results.  Naturally 
they  require  more  water  during  the  flow- 
ering season,  and  after  sufficient  should 
be  given  to  keep  them  in  good  healthy 
condition  in  our  dry  season,  although  a 
short  rest  during  the  summer  is  probably 
better  for  them.  If  the  rains  are  late  in 
coming  in  the  fall,  they  should  then  be 
watered  again,  and  some  of  the  Dwarfs, 
Intermediates  and  Germanicas,  and  many 
of  the  other  groups,  will  furnish  quite  a 
crop  of  bloom.  The  foliage  should  not 
be  cut  back  except  when  replanting,  but 
should  be  removed  as  it  becomes  un- 
sightly, also  the  flowering  stems  should 
be  cut  out  when  through  blooming.  The 
best  time  to  plant  is  immediately  after 
they  have  finished  blooming,  as  it  is  then 
the  rhizomes  throw  out  their  new  roots. 
When  the  rhizomes  become  crowded,  so 
that  they  begin  to  overlap  and  prey  upon 
each  other,  the  plants  should  be  divided. 
When  you  lift  your  plant  do  not  break 
up  into  small  rhizomes,  but  rather  make 
quite  large  divisions,  and  by  planting  rea- 
sonably close  together,  you  will  have  a 
good  crop  of  bloom  the  following  season. 


The  Dwarf  varieties  require  a  space  some 
ten  inches  in  diameter — some  few  less. 
The  Germanicas  about  fifteen  inches  in 
diameter,  while  the  very  large  varieties 
should  be  allowed  more  space — say  two 
feet. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  every  one 
will  care  to  cultivate  the  Iris,  but  they 
should  be  much  more  in  evidence  than 
they  are  in  our  gardens,  and  their  beauty 
more  appreciated. 


Statement  of  the  Ownership,  Management,  Cir- 
culation, etc.,  required  by  the  Act  of  Congress 
of  August  24,  1912,  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  published  monthly  at  Calcium,  N.  Y., 
for  Apr.  1,  1917. 

State  of  New  York   i 

I  ss: 
County  of  Jefferson  ) 

Before  me,  a  Notary  Public  in  and  for  the  State 
and  County  aforesaid,  personally  appeared  Madi- 
son Cooper,  who,  having  been  duly  sworn  accord- 
ing to  law,  deposes  and  says  that  he  is  the  Owner 
of  The  Modern  Gladiolijs  Grower  and  that  the 
following  is,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  be- 
lief, a  true  statement  of  the  ownership,  manage- 
ment, etc.,  of  the  aforesaid  publication  for  the 
date  shown  in  the  above  caption,  required  by  the 
Act  of  August  24,  1912,  embodied  in  section  443, 
Postal  Laws  and  Regulations,  printed  on  the 
reverse  of  this  form,  to  wit : 

1.  That  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  pub- 
lisher, editor,  managing  editor,  and  business 
managers  are: 

Publisher— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.Y. 

Editor— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y. 

Managing  Editor— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.Y. 

Business  Manager— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.Y. 

2.  That  the  owner  is  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.  Y. 

3.  That  the  known  bondholders,  mortgagees 
and  other  security  holders  owning  or  holding  1 
per  cent,  or  more  of  total  amount  of  bonds,  mort- 
gages, or  other  securities  are  : 

None. 

4.  That  the  two  paragraphs  next  above,  giving 
the  names  of  the  owners,  stockholders,  and 
security  holders,  if  any,  contain  not  only  the  list 
of  stockholders  and  security  holders  as  they  ap- 
pear upon  the  books  of  the  company  but  also,  in 
cases  where  the  stockholder  or  security  holder 
appears  upon  the  books  of  the  company  as  trustee 
or  in  any  other  fiduciary  relation,  the  name  of  the 
person  or  corporation  for  whom  such  trustee  is 
acting,  is  given ;  also  that  the  said  two  para- 
graphs contain  statements  embracing  affiant's  full 
knowledge  and  belief  as  to  the  circumstances  and 
conditions  under  which  stockholders  and  security 
holders  who  do  not  appear  upon  the  books  of 
the  company  as  trustees,  hold  stock  and  securities 
in  a  capacity  other  than  that  of  a  bona  fide  owner;  ' 
and  this  affiant  has  no  reason  to  believe  that  any 
other  person,  association,  or  corporation  has  any 
interest  direct  or  indirect  in  the  said  stock,  bonds, 
or  other  securities  than  as  so  stated  by  him. 

(Signed)  Madison  Cooper. 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me  this  22nd 
day  of  March,  1917. 
[Seal.]  (Signed)  C.  Howard  Greene. 

(My  commission  expires  March  30,  1919.) 


^r^  DEPARTMENT  ^-T 


V^'  '■~'' 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  addres.s  of  the  writer  must  be  Riven,  but  not  for  publication.]— Editor. 


Gladioli  on  Same 

Ground  Continuously. 
To  the  Editor:— 

Will  you  kindly  tell  me  how  long  you  can  suc- 
cessfully raise  Gladioli  on  the  same  ground  ? 

Also  if  you  crop  the  ground  with  something  else 
one  year,  can  you  return  to  Gladioli  ? 

MRS.  W.  A.  E. 

Answer :— In  Holland  they  grow  Gladi- 
oli on  the  same  ground  year  after  year 
and  we  understand  the  same  varieties  in 
the  same  place.  However,  this  is  not 
considered  the  best  practice  and  it  would 
be  most  desirable  to  have  two  yearly 
crops  between  each  single  year's  crop  of 
Gladioli.  In  other  words,  a  field  with  a 
crop  of  Gladioli  this  year  should  be  planted 
in  other  crops  for  the  two  succeeding 
years.  Gladioli  each  alternate  year  will 
give  satisfactory  results.  A  crop  of  rye 
and  vetch  plowed  under  one  year  in  ad- 
vance of  planting  Gladioli  would  be  very 
helpful,  or  clover  sod  would  also  be  good. 

The  plan,  of  course,  applies  to  com- 
mercial growing  of  Gladioli  but  the  same 
general  statement  would  be  true  of  grow- 
ing in  a  small  way.  Our  method  in  the 
garden,  although  we  have  not  lived  up  to 
it  entirely,  is  to  grow  vegetables  one  year 
and  Gladioli  the  next,  and  this  makes  a 
pretty  fair  crop  rotation.  Stable  manure 
and  commercial  fertilizers  should  be  used 
judiciously. 


Annuals  for    Cut  Flowers. 

Will  you  please  give  us  the  names  of  annual 
flowering  plants  that  are  suitable  for  cut  flowers, 
also  Summer  flowering  bulbs  for  cutting  and 
when  is  the  best  time  to  plant  ?        B.  F.  W.,  N.Y. 

Anstver : — Arctotis  grandis,  white,  un- 
derside of  petals  lavender  ;  China  Asters, 
in  variety ;  Calliopsis,  many  varieties ; 
Centaurea  imperialis,  rose,  lavender,  pur- 
ple, and  white  varieties;  Cosmos,  white 
red  and  pink  ;  Delphinium  consolida  and 
Ajacis  (annual  Larkspur),  various  colors; 
Gypsophila  elegans,  white  ;  Scabiosa,  vari- 
ious  colors;  Nigella  damascena,  blue  and 
white  flowers;  Sweet  Peas,  and  Zinnia, 
many  colors.  The  principal  Summer 
flowering  bulbs  are  the  Gladioli.  These 
should   be   planted   at   the    beginning  of 


May  and  at  intervals  of  two  or  three 
weeks  to  the  end  of  June.  This  will  give 
a  succession  of  bloom  from  July  to  Sep- 
tember or  October.  Montbretias  should 
be  planted  in  early  Spring  and  may  be 
left  in  the  ground  over  the  following 
Winter  if  well  protected  by  a  covering  of 
strawy  manure.  Tuberoses  may  be  planted 
in  June  in  a  warm,  sunny  spot.  Lilium 
candidum  and  L.  longiflorum  should  be 
planted  in  the  Fall,  and  will  bloom  in 
June.  Lilium  auratum  and  L.  speciosum 
and  varieties  may  be  planted  in  the 
Spring.  They  will  bloom  in  August.  F. 
— Florists '  Exchange. 

Wood  Ashes  for  Gladioli 

and  Garden  Fertilizing. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

Let  us  have  your  opinion  as  to  the  proper  method 
of  applying  wood  ashes  for  garden  purposes  and 
especially  for  Gladioli.  Should  they  be  mixed 
with  the  soil  in  which  the  bulb  is  planted  and 
should  the  ashes  be  under  the  bulb  or  over  the 
bulb?  G.  M.  H. 

Answer i—^ood  ashes  may  be  applied 
in  almost  any  way  convenient,  but  the 
more  thoroughly  they  are  mixed  with  the 
soil  the  better.  Our  method  is  to  simply 
scatter  the  ashes  during  fall,  winter  or 
early  spring  from  a  pail,  but  the  use  of  a 
small  shovel  might  be  more  convenient. 
They  should  be  thoroughly  scattered  and 
not  left  in  piles,  even  small  ones,  and 
perhaps  the  use  of  a  rake  after  scatter- 
ing might  spread  them  more  evenly  over 
the  surface.  It  is  best  that  ashes  should 
be  applied  after  plowing  as  the  action  of 
the  harrow  and  cultivator  will  thoroughly 
mix  them  with  the  top  soil,  which,  of 
course,  is  necessary  for  most  thorough  re- 
sults. Ashes  should  not  be  applied  directly 
in  the  trenches  with  the  corms,  nor  close 
to  the  row,  but  preferably  as  above  sug- 
gested, to  the  ground  and  thoroughly 
mixed  with  the  top  soil  before  planting. 
If  applied  at  the  rate  of  about  10  lbs.  of 
ashes  to  100  square  feet  regularly  each 
year,  good  results  may  be  expected.  Cau- 
tion and  judicious  handling  must  be  the 
rule  with  wood  ashes  or  any  other  sort 
of  mineral  or  chemical  fertilizers. 


Page 

8t 


Ob<2^  5llo6ent  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


May 
1917 


Dividing  Gladiolus  Corms  to 

Promote  Rapid  Increase. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

Many  of  we  amateurs  who  have  only  a  few 
bulbs  of  the  choicer  varieties,  would  appreciate  an 
article  on  the  subject  of  dividing  corms  to  secure 
more  rapid  increase.  We  want  to  know  how  to 
cut  up  the  corms;  whether  about  as  potatoes  are 
cut  or  otherwise.  This  method  of  increasing  has 
been  mentioned  in  past  issues  of  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  but  no  details  given. 

W.  B. 

Answer:— The  only  detailed  instructions 
needed,  it  would  seem,  is  that  corms 
should  be  cut  or  divided  so  that  there 
will  be  an  "eye"  on  each  division.  We 
suppose  that  a  knife  may  be  used  for 
doing  the  cutting  and  that  no  particular 
plan  is  necessary,  the  corm  simply  being 
divided  from  top  to  bottom  corresponding 
to  the  number  of  "eyes"  on  the  corm.  It 
will  be  necessary  to  take  off  the  husk  of 
the  corm  so  that  the  eyes  may  be  seen. 

If  anyone  has  suggestions  on  this  sub- 
ject we  will  be  glad  to  print  them  for  the 
further  information  of  our  correspondent. 
If  valuable  varieties  can  be  materially  in- 
creased by  dividing  in  this  way,  the  best 
way  of  doing  it  should  be  generally 
known. 

Cutting  Off  Peony  Foliage. 

Would  you  tell  me  if  the  foliage  of  Peonies 
should  be  cut  off  after  they  have  finished  bloom- 
ing to  strengthen  the  roots,  and  if  so  how  soon 
after  blooming  period,  or  should  foliage  be  al- 
lowed to  die  off  naturally?  E.  A.  S..  111. 

Answer :— The  inquirer  is  advised  that 
he  certainly  should  not  cut  off  the  Peony 
foliage  after  the  plants  have  finished 
blooming.  It  should  be  allowed  to  re- 
main on  the  plants  during  the  entire 
summer  and  autumn,  during  which 
period  the  plants  should  be  kept  free 
from  weeds,  the  soil  about  them  culti- 
vated, and  in  case  of  a  severe  drought 
the  plants  will  be  benefited  by  occasional 
application  of  water  in  sufficient  quanti- 
ties to  penetrate  to  the  bottom  of  the 
roots.  In  late  fall  or  early  winter  after 
the  ground  begins  to  freeze,  the  tops 
should  be  cut  off  within  about  four  inches 
of  the  ground  and  thrown  above  the 
plants  to  serve  as  a  partial  mulch  during 
the  winter. — Florists'  Exchange. 


JOHN  ZEESTRATEN 

GLADIOLUS    GROWER 
RUMFORD,   R.   I. 


CHOICEST  VARIETIES   A    SPECIALTY 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


FINEST  named  Gladioli— America,  Mrs.  F.  King, 
Halley.  Baron  Hulot,  Brenchleyensis,  and  mix- 
ture of  above,  $1.00  per  100.  Empress  of  India, 
Glory  of  Holland,  Panama,  $2.00  per  100.  Peace, 
Lily  Lehmann.  $4.00  per  100,  (mostly  first  size) 
f.  o.  b.  Worcester.  F.  A.  Carr  &  Son,  1353  Main 
St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

NIGRICANS,  (Almost  Black).  New  deep  ma- 
roon, largest  and  best  dark  colored  variety, 
early  flowering,  strong  grower,  wide  open  flower, 
now  offered  for  first  time.  Price,  15c.  each;  $1.5() 
per  dozen  ;  $12  per  hundred  postpaid.  Also  Ni- 
agara, creamy  yellow,  large,  and  Panama,  fine 
pink,  $1.00  per  dozen,  and  other  Gladiolus  low 
prices.  Sylvia  Dahlia  roots,  75c.  per  doz.;  $5.00 
per  hundred,  and  many  others.  Iris,  M.  Chereau, 
Fragrans,  etc.,  at  75c.  per  doz.:  $5.00  per  hundred. 
Send  for  catalogue.  E.  R.  Maco.mber,  44  Leonard 
St.,  Woodfords.  Maine. 

ORDER  from  this  list : 
100  Florist  asters,  any  color,  $1.25. 
Sweet  Alyssum  and  zinnias,  dz.  30c. 
Cosmos,  Dbl.  Blue  Cornflower,  Pansies; 
America. Mrs.  King  or  best  mixed  Gladioli,  dz.  35c. 
Salvia  and  verbenas,  dz.  40c. 
Snapdragons  and  Hardy  pinks,  dz.  50c. 
Sweet  Williams,  Shasta  Daisies,  Coreopsis, 
Columbine,  mixed  dahlias,  each  5c. 
Larkspurs,  fine  single  hollyhocks,  each  10c. 
Canna  toes,  Humbert,  Wyoming,  mixed,  7c.  each. 
Many  kinds  tomato  plants,  dz.  12c.;  100,  65c. 
Best  early  or  late  cabbage,  dz.  12c.;  100,  65c. 
Cauliflower,  peppers,  egg  plant,  dz.  15c. ;  100,  90c. 
Our  catalogue  describes  these  more  fully. 
We  want  you  to  have  it  now. 
P.  L.  Ward,  Plant  Specialist,  Hillsdale,  Mich. 

riXED  Dahlias;  Cactus.  Single,  Show  and  Dec- 
orative, in  general  mixup.  Take  them  as 
they  are.  75c.  doz.,  postpaid,  east  of  Rockies. 
Only  started  tubers  will  be  sent.  Wm.  C.  Pike, 
Grower,  18  Summer  St.,  Melrose,  Mass. 


M^ 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture- 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences— not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


Published  monthly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS, 
286  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York.  N.Y. 


INC. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in   the 
curious  facts  about  our  native  wildflowers. 

$L2.=i  A  YEAR.     SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  111. 


GLADIOLI 

Send  for  my  catalog,  containing  96  dis- 
tinct varieties  and  some  excellent  mix- 
tures, TODAY— IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Dept.  D.  Milton,  Mass. 


deGroat  &  Stei^art 

Grow^ers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.         Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 
DOVER,  N.  H. 

Send  for  beautiful  descriptive  boolilel  of  Rare  f.Iadioli 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 


U.  Cemoine  ii  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy,  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD  YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerf  ield  L.  I. 


Dahlias  and  Gladioli 

Catalog  on  Application. 

THOMAS  M.  PROCTOR, 
Wrentham,  Mass. 


Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula      -      Ohio 


<.!/> 
~/i^ 

P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

Mk 
•>j^ 

^!<: 

♦^i** 

m 

Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

EACH  DOZ. 

America       -        -    $  .05  $  .50 

Brenchleyensis           .04  .30 

Isaac  Buchanan         .08  .75 

Channel  Is.  Hybrids  .  06  .60 

Columbia        -        -    .06  .60 

May      -        -        -        .06  .60 

Maize       -        -        -    .25  2.50 

Mrs.  H.  W.  Beecher   .08  .75 

Pacha      -        -        -    .08  .75 

Primulinus  Hybrids  .06  .60 

Princeps          -        -    .06  .60 

Mixed  Hybrids    -        .05  .50 

and  other  kinds  on  my  list  sent 
prepaid  by  parcels  post  to  any  zone. 
One  of  each  of  above  list,  prepaid, 
75c.  One  dozen  of  each,  $5.00,  by 
express  collect. 

Descriptive  list  on  application,  also  wholesale 
list  for  growers  and  dealers. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 

R.  F.  D. 


AMARYLLIS  (Hippeastrum) 

Small  bulbs  in  growing  condition.  If  the  price 
on  large  bulbs  is  an  objection  buy  50  or  100 
small  ones    and    grow  them   to  blooming  size. 

Price  per  lOO,  postpaid,  $10.00;    SO  at  same  rate.     8  for 
$  1  .OO.     Large  size  SO  per  cent  higher. 

Paper  White  Narcissus 

If  interested  in  these  write  for  prices.      Expect  to  have 
50,000  for  July  shipment. 

Sweet  Pea  Seed 


All  Kinds  Mixed    -      per  oz.   25c 
Choice  Spencer,    -    -        "         25c 
Winter  Orchids, 


ZvOLANEK,  Original   Pkt.     -     -    25c 
Early  Mixed,     -      -       per  oz.    15c 
35c 


The  five  packets  for  $1.00. 


C.  S.  TAIT 


Brunswick,  Georgia 


lYOUELUSl 

I  Nc  Plus  Ultra  | 

I  Mixture  | 

^  is  made  up  from  named  varieties  of  ^ 

M  various  colors  (except  blue)  and  is  M 

=  recommended  with  the  greatest  con-  m 

M  fidence.    It  will  especially  appeal  to  M 

M  those  who  want  a   variety    of  the  ^ 

^  choice  fiowers  without  the  trouble  ^ 

^  of  making  a  selection.  M 

g  Price,  per  doz.,  postpaid,  60c  M 

=  per  hundred,  by  express  ^ 

s  collect,  $4.00  1 

M  Mixture  of  all  blue  shades,  same  M 

^  as  above.  M 

=  Youell's  No.  1   Mixture  M 

=  A  splendid  assortment  of  colors    40c.  per  = 

^  doz.,  $3.00  per  100.  = 

=  A  short  and  interesting  history  of  the  Gla-  = 

=  diolus  with  full  cultural  directions,  will  ^ 

=  accompany  each  order.  = 

I  H.  Youell  I 

1  538  Cedar  St.,  Syracuse,  N.Y.  1 


I  Vaughan's 
'    Specials  in 
GLADIOLI 


Margaret 

Beautiful  Carmine  with 
white  throat. 
Per  doz..  $1 .30;  per  100,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct   of    all   the  Prim- 

;v      ulinusType. 

^  Per  doz.  $2;  per  100  $15. 

Chicago  White 

V^ The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz.,  35c;  per  100.  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—Grand Novelties 
in  GLADIOLI  and  CANNAS. 

Vaughan's 
Seed  Store 

CHICAG0,31-33W.  RandolphSt. 
NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  St. 


MARGARET 


Let  Us  Send  You 

Mrs.  Francis  King 

1st  size  bulbs  at  $1.50  per  100 
America 

1st  size  bulbs  at  $1.50  per  100 
Independence 

1st  size  bulbs  at  $1.50  per  100 

The  bulbs  are  strictly  first  class  in  every 
respect. 


If  you  are  interested  in  orna- 
mental shrubbery,  trees  or 
fruits,  write  us  for  catalog 
and  prices. 

We  wish  to  thank  the  trade  for  the 
business  given  us  this  season,  and 
to  announce  that  our  surplus  stock 
of  Gladiolus  Bulbs  of  all  sizes  is  now 
exhausted. 

The  Grinnell  Nursery 

Grinnell    -    -    -    -    Iowa 


I E.  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


*• 


Metzner's   Gladioli 

p.  p.  I.  E.  Grand  Prize  Strain 

Your  last  chance  this  season.    Our  May-time  mixture. 

Choice  Bulbs  —  Wonderful  Colors. 

May  delivery  only 

DIAMETER  PER  DOZ. 

li  in.  and  larger  -        -        $1.00 

1  in.  to  I5  in.     -        -        -  .75 

5  in.  to  1  in.  -        -        -  .50 


PER  100 

$6.00 
4.50 
3.00 


GIVE  OUR  STRAIN  A   TRIAL. 


Metzner  Floral  Company 

Mountain  View        -        .        -       California 


m 


ANNOUNCEMENT 

The  Cushman  Gladiolus  Co. 
Sylvania,  Ohio 

Announce  to  the  trade  that  they  have  retired  from  the 

growing  business.    Their  entire  stock  has  been 

disposed  of  to  the  firm  of 


WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN 

Sassenheim,  Holland 

New  York  Address,  25  Beaver  Street 

to  which  address  make  inquiries  for  stock. 

CUSHMAN  GLADIOLUS  CO. 


We  respectfully  request  our  friends  who  in  the  past 
have  favored  the  Cushman  Gladiolus  Co.  with  their  orders, 
to  mail  us  a  postal  in  order  that  we  may  include  their 
names  on  our  mailing  list. 

Mr.  Cushman  will  continue  to  grow  Gladioli  for  us  at 
Sylvania;  the  present  uncertainty  as  to  the  arrival  of  Holland 
stock  has  proven  to  us  that  we  should  grow  our  stock  if 
possible  in  the  country  where  we  sell  the  goods. 

We,  therefore,  in  future  will  be  on  an  even  footing 
with  the  American  growers  and  the  purchase  of  the  Cush- 
man Gladiolus  Co.'s  stock  is  another  example  where  we 
are  willing  to  sacrifice  a  larger  profit  in  order  to  give  to 
our  customers  better  satisfaction. 

WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN. 
B  H 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 
Gladiolus    Grower 


'^Iw 


1906  SMITH   ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


Gladiolus— Crystal  White 

The  best  white  seedling  to  date  for  florists' 
use.  A  variety  which  everybody  can  grow. 
Good,  healthy,  vigorous  and  prolific. 

Price  for  1st  size  bulbs  25c.  each,  $2.50 
per  dozen  and  $15  per  hundred. 

Give  it  a  trial. 

Herman  H.  Baer 

New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I.,     -    -     N.Y. 


Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 


Fryer's 
New  Iris 

When  my  new  seedling 
Iris  are  in  bloom  in  June 
I  shall  prepare  a  short 
description  of  those  I 
have  named. 

If  you  are  interested  in 
these  new  creations  write 
for  it  now,  and  when  it 
is  ready  I  will  send  you 
a  copy. 

Willis  E.  Fryer 

Manlorville,  -  Minnesota 


Cold  Storage  for  Florists 

Good  refrigerating  facilities  are  just  as 
necessary  for  Florists,  Nurserymen, 
Seedsmen  and  Fruit  Growers  as  they 
are  for  dealers  in  butter  and  eggs. 

Let  us  send  you  a  description  of  a  florist's  plant 
installed    and  equipped  with    the  Cooper    Brine 
System  for    storing  cut  flowers  and   lily  of  the  ' 
valley  pips. 


MADISON  COOPER  COMPANY 

Refrigerating  Engineers  and 

132  Court  St.  Architects  Calcium,  N.Y. 


Sunnyside 
Gladiolus  Gardens 

L,  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 
Natick,  Massachusetts 


Gladioli  Exclusively 


RICHARD  DIENER  CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

Originators  and  Growers  of 
the  Largest  and  Finest 

GLADIOLUS 

in  the  world. 


Kentiield,  Marin  County,  California 


Last  Call! 

Already  the  task  of  planting  our 
millions  of  little  bulbs  is  underway 
and  only  prompt  orders  can  be  filled 
even  though  the  larger  bulbs  are 
planted  last. 

Per  Doz. 
Attraction  ....        $1.00 

Electra .75 

EuROPA .75 

Hyde  Park  (new)         ....  1.00 

LlEBESFEUER 2.00 

Lily  Lehmann .35 

Mary  Fennell        ....       2.OO 

Meteor 2  50 

Mrs.  Pendleton      ....       1.00 

Mrs.  Watt  1.00 

Niagara  .50 

Pacha .50 

Peace .75 

Primulinus  Hybrids       ...         .50 

Shakespeare 1.00 

Victory .35 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville,  Mass. 


"The  Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 
Thanks  You. 

We  desire  to  thank  our  customers  for  a  very  successful  season 
made  possible  by  their  patronage. 

OSCD 

THE  BIG  FOUR 

Herada,  Gretchen  Zang, 

Evelyn  Kirtland,  Bertrex 

have  caught  on  by  leaps  and  bounds.    No  collection  complete 

without  them.  A  large  stock  of  Novelties  and  standard 

sorts  for  Fall  delivery.    Get  our  prices. 

AUSTIN- COLEMAN  CO. 

Originators  Giant  and  Distinct  Gladioli 


Wayland 


Ohio 


The  Wilmore  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr.) 

Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Growers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Irises,  Etc. 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the  best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

O  1  f  r  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
•  I  A I  ,r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  of 
urkULi  yQ,g  j_  jj  gj^j  jjj_  ^ijj^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three. 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


C.  W.  BROWN  &  SON 

Gladiolus  Specialists 
ASHLAND    -    -    MASS. 


WE  OFFER : 

The  World's  Best  Productions 

Including  Kunderd's  Varieties  and  OurOwn  Seedlings. 

Catalog  on  application. 


!?«».  (M    AA    w«  will  send  postpaid, 
rOl    «Pl .UU    a  set  of  12  color  plates. 


each  8'/2  x  15  inches,  of 
the  following  varieties: 

Panama,  Niagara,  Lily  Lehman,  Glory 
of  Holland,  Empress  of  India,  Pink 
Beauty,  Halley,  Baron  Hulot,  Willy 
Wigman,  Eledira,  America andPrinceps. 

These  are  all  finished  off  in  natural  colors 
and  are  suitable  for  framing. 

W.  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO. 

PEMBROKE,  N.Y. 


■■■■■■■■ ■ 


Gladiolus 

"MRS.    WATT" 

Brilliant  Wine 
$1   per  doz.,  postpaid. 

Admired  by  all  for  its 
DISTINCTIVE  BEAUTIFUL  SHADE 

Sec  March  issue  Modern  Gladiolus  Growei 

HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF  GLADIOLI 

WILTON    -    NEW^  HAMPSHIRE 


I  I  I  I  llllllllllll 


Pymatuning  Gardens 
Gladioli 


Dozen  Hundred 

America           -        -        -        -  $   .50                $2.00 

Augusta        -----  .50                  2.00 

Blanche             -        -        .        .  .75                  5.00 

Candidum 1.50 

Chicago  White        -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Dawn  (Groff)       -        -        -        -  2.00 

Dawn  (Tracy)          -        -        -  1.25 

Empress  of  India          -        -        -  .75 

Glory .60                  3.50 

Glory  of  Holland         -        -        -  .75                  5.00 

Golden  King             -        -        -  .75                  5.00 

Loveliness            -        _        _        .  2.00 

Mrs.  Francis  King    -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer        -        -        -  1.50 

Myrtle               -        -        -        .  2.00                 12.00 

Niagara .75                  5.00 

Panama              -        -        .        -  .75                  5.00 

Princeps .50                  2.00 

Pink  Perfection        -        -        -  2.00 

Peace            .75 

Prim.  Hybrids           .        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Rose  Wells           -        -        -        -  1.00 

Schwaben         -        -        -        -  1.00 

Taconic .50                  2.00 

Willy  Wigman         -        -        -  .50                  2.00 

Bidwell  $  Tobes 

Kinsman Obio 


YOUR  ORDER 

will  be  in  time  if  sent 

AT  ONCE. 

Our  stock  is   still    quite    complete 
and   we  can  fill    orders   promptly. 

Special: 

One  Dozen  Each 

America 

Halley 

Mrs.  F.  Pendleton 

for  $2.00  post  paid. 

We  still  have  a  catalog  to  exchange 

for  your  name  and  address 

on  a  post  card. 

Maine  Bulb  and  Flower  Growers 
Lewiston,  Me. 


WAYSIDE 
GLADIOLI 

ARE  KNOWN  TO  THE  TRADE  AS 

QUALITY  BULBS 

CS*C3 

We  grow  a  selected  list  of 

Dahlias 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  IN  THE  MIDDLE 
WEST  and 

Hardy  Plants 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  ANYWHERE. 
May  we  send  our  catalog? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor         Box  G  Ohio 


Some  Specialties 

MAY  1917 

Candidum— One  of  Mrs.  Austin's  fine 
productions.  Large,  white  flowers  slight- 
ly tinted  at  tips,  and  reflexed.  Tall,  erect, 
free  bloomer,  sometimes  48  blooms  on 
main  spike  and  side  branches. 

Big  bulbs  15c..  $1.35  doz. 

Velvet  King  -Splendid, wide  open,  dark 
scarlet,  veined  on  lower  petals  with  dark 
color.   Stands  the  hot  sun  well. 

lOc,  7Sc.  doz.,  $5  hundred 

Princepine — Flower    not    so  large  as 

Princeps,  but  taller,  brighter  and  more 

flowers  open  at  once.  Better  for  cutting. 

1  Oc,  75c.  doz.,  $5  hundred 

Titanic  (Hoeg)  —Don't  miss  this. 
Never  before  offered  for  sale  but  has 
been  grown  by  the  hundred  by  leading 
amateurs  and  was  shown  at  CedarValley 
Fair,  1916.  Lilac  purple  with  white  line 
through  center  of  flowers.  Robust 
grower,  unique.      25c.,  $2.50  doz. 

Norma  Dee  Childs— Large  flower 
and  spike.  Delicate  white,  softly  pencil- 
ed rose  and  with  large  sulphur  yellow 
throat.    Exquisite  and  distinct. 

Only  20c.,  $1.75  doz. 

Schwaben— In  some  respects  the  finest 

yellow  gandavensis.  Large, round  petals; 

massive  spike;  blotch  not  conspicuous. 

1 5c.,  $  1 .25  doz.,  $8  hundred 

Golden  West— Similar  to  Pacha  but 
not  same.  Nasturtium  red,  with  a 
golden  suffusion.  Lower  petals  tipped 
yellow.  15c.,  $1. SO  doz. 

Europa — Undoubtedly  the  finest  pure 
white,  of  good  substance  and  on  long 
spikes,  several  open  at  one  time. 

15c.,  $1.50  doz. 

Empress  of  India— Just  the  opposite, 
almost  black.  Satiny  buds.  Early  and 
very  precocious. 

lOc,  $1  doz.,  $5  hundred 

Hyde  Park— Fine,  new  early  sort. 
Cross  between  May  and  Shakespeare. 
Medium  growth.  Very  fine  light. 

lOc,  $1  doz. 

One  Each  of  the  foregoing  and  two 
Primulinus  Hybrids,  good  flowering  bulbs, 
labeled,  postpaid,  for  One  Dollar 

POPULAR  OFFER 

Especially  for  those  who  "don't  know 
what  to  get;"  want  a  lot  and  all  good  ones: 

FIFTY  (50)  SELECTED 
in  good  variety,  with  a  few  samples  labeled, 
including  some  of  the  best  varieties  post- 
paid for  Sixty  (60)   cents.      (Beyond  5th 
zone,  add  5c.)   100  same  assortment  for  %l. 

Catalog  on  application. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff 

Independence,    -    Iowa 


Souvenir  Collection 

of  Gladiolus  Bulbs. 

One  each  of  ten  choice  varieties,  fine  assortment— America,   Princepine, 

Crackerjack,    Golden  King,    Halley,  Taconic,  B.  Jos.  Hulot,  Empress  of 

India,  Panama,  Mrs.  Francis  King. 

Value  65c.,  by  mail,  postpaid     -     -     -     -    50c. 

Two  Collections,  postpaid,  90c.  Three  collections,  postpaid,  $1.25 

Winchester  Collection. 

This  is  a  well  balanced  garden  collection  which  always  gives  perfect  satis- 
faction.   Sent  express  collect  on  receipt  of  price — 40  America,  26  Mrs.  F. 
King,  16  Independence,  4  Taconic,  4  Willy  Wigman,  2  Niagara,  2  Pendle- 
ton, 2  B.  Hulot,  2  Peace,  2  Geo.  Paul. 

100  bulbs,  (value  $3.00)  price $2.50 

50  bulbs,        "        1.50        "         1.25 

Send  for  Catalog.    Place  your  orders  EARL  Y. 

Brookland  Gardens 

S.  E.  Spencer,  Proprietor 

Lexington  St,     -        Woburn,  Meiss. 


n 


GOLDEN  KING 


f 


AWARDED  FIRST  CLASS  CERTIFICATE 

Price  of  Golden  Kins  has  been  reduced  so  as  to  put  it  within  the  reach 
of  all  growers.    Retail  price  lOc.  each.  $1.00  per  doz. 

Send  for   our   retail   list   describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  and  new  varieties. 
All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.     Wholesale  list  for  dealers  and  large  growers. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  furnishing  planting  stock  of 
the  best  new  and  standard  varieties  to  other  Gladiolus 
Growers,  Florists,  Market  Gardeners,  Nurserymen 
and  all  others  who  grow  Gladioli  commercially. 

We  recommend  planting  young  |  to  1  in.  blooming  size  bulbs  and  sell  them 
very  cheaply  in  lots  of  100  and  1000  or  more. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  on  a  list  of  your  wants  if  you  will 
state  size  and  number  of  bulbs  of  each  variety  wanted. 

G.  D.  BLACK 

GLADIOIiUS    SPECIAI.IST 

Albert  Lea        _        -        _        -        Minn. 


ilfWWfWrtV  ^fi  ^^^^^^^ 


-\!   3 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


JUNE,   1917 


No.  6 


GL.\L)1ULUS    PROSPERITY. 

[  For  descrifthn  tee  page  H').  ] 


Page 

86 


O^e  ^5ZIo6ern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


June 
1917 


The  Gladiolus  Manual. 

By  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr. 

Chapter  XX. 
Origin  of  Varieties. 


THE  question  often  arises  :  "Where  did 
a  certain  variety  originate  ?"  In  this 
we  sometimes  get  a  basis  for  heated 
arguments.  There  has  been  much  discus- 
sion as  to  the  origin  of  some  of  our  popular 
varieties.  In  one  instance  there  are  three 
persons  claiming  to  have  originated  the 
same  variety.  Of  course,  we  know  that 
only  one  can  have  the  credit.  We  can 
easily  see  how  this  could  come  about.  In 
the  early  history  of  Gladiolus  growing 
many  seedlings  were  sent  out  as  seed- 
lings and  mixtures  by  the  leading  grow- 
ers. At  that  time  they  did  not  think  of 
separating  these  various  varieties  from 
the  seedling  beds  and  giving  them  names; 
hence  the  same  variety  came  into  the 
hands  of  many  at  the  same  period  of 
time.  Some  knowing  that  their  purchase 
was  a  seedling  strain  began  to  separate 
the  various  varieties  of  their  stock  and 
give  them  names.  This  has  caused  the 
same  variety  to  be  known  under  two  or 
more  names  as  well  as  to  misplace  the 
origin.  Therefore,  the  uncertainty  of 
origin  has  given  undue  credit  to  some, 
while  others  were  robbed  of  the  credit 
due  them. 

The  writer  first  thought  he  would  at- 
tempt to  give  the  names  of  the  varieties 
now  on  the  market  with  the  name  of  the 
originator,  but  as  there  are  several  thou- 
sand varieties  now  in  existence  and  hun- 
dreds of  new  ones  being  introduced  each 
year,  and  on  account  of  the  aforesaid 
uncertainty  of  origin  this  would  be  very 
unwise  and  it  would  soon  be  out  of  date 
as  the  newer  introductions  are  fast  dis- 
placing the  older  ones.  I  will,  therefore, 
mention  the  originators  of  our  best  varie- 
ties in  connection  with  some  of  their 
introductions.  These  also  are  very  numer- 
ous and  would  take  much  time  and  space 
to  mention  all ;  therefore,  the  list  will  not 
be  drawn  out  longer  than  necessary: 

AMERICAN  BREEDERS  : 

Mrs.  A.  H.  Austin,  Wayland,  Ohio — 
Bluvista,  Beatrex,  Easter-Bells. 

Frank  Banning,  (deceased)  Kinsman, 
Ohio— Niagara,  Panama. 

G.  D.  Black,  Albert  Lea,  M'mn.— Golden 
King. 

Luther  Burbank.  Santa  Rosa,  Calif.— 
A  much  improved  type  of  tall  growing. 


large-flowered  varieties,  called  20th  Cen- 
tury Type.  Rajah,  Harmonliis,  Gigantic 
and  Graceful  are  among  the  best. 

Wilbur  A.  Christy,  Warren,  0\\\o— Deli- 
catissima,  Klondyke,  Ophir,  and  Rose 
Queen. 

ArthurCowee,  Berlin,  N.Y.— Introducing 
the  productions  of  H.  H.  Groff. 

M.  Crawford,  Cuyahoga  Falls,  O. — An 
author  and  breeder,  prominent  in  the 
Gladiolus  world  for  many  years.  Author 
of  "The  Gladiolus"  and  introducer  of 
Mary  Crawford,  May,  Mrs.  Watt,  and 
others. 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Flowerfield,  L.  I., 
N.  Y.— Mr.  Childs  has  become  famous 
from  Leichtlini  hybrids  which  he  bought 
from  V.  H.  Hallock  &  Sons,  of  Queens, 
N.  Y.,  and  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
Childsi.  These  have  become  a  very  im- 
portant race  of  Gladioli,  containing  some 
of  the  best  varieties  of  the  day.  Mr. 
Childs  deserves  much  credit  for  the  ad- 
vance of  this  type  and  his  various  intro- 
ductions. Mr.  I.  S.  Hendrickson,  who  has  ^ 
long  been  interested  with  Mr.  Childs,  has  ^ 
made  a  name  for  himself  that  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten.  Their  collection  of 
Kings  are  the  most  notable  of  the  present 
day :  Fire  King,  Ruby  King,  Salmon  King, 
Sulphur  King  and  Snow  King. 

H.  H.  Groff,  Simcoe,  Ont.,  Canada — 
Mr.  Groff  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Ameri- 
can Gladiolus  growers.  His  seedlings 
were  wonders  for  many  years.  His  in- 
troductions of  today  are  still  leaders. 
Mr.  Groff  grows  Gladioli  as  a  hobby  more 
than  a  commercial  proposition.  His  in- 
troductions in  America  are  sold  entirely 
through  Mr.  Arthur  Cowee,  of  Berlin, 
N.  Y.  Some  prominent  introductions  are 
Dawn,  Peace,  War,  Blue  Jay,  Golden  West 
and  many  other  varieties  of  similar  merit. 
Mr.  Groff  has  done  as  much  if  not  more 
for  the  advancement  of  Gladioli  than  any 
other  American  grower. 

V.  H.  Hallock  &  Sons,  Queens,  N.  Y.— 
Once  the  largest  bulb  growers  in  the 
United  States,  purchased  the  Leichtlini 
hybrids,  which  they  afterward  sold  to 
John  Lewis  Childs.  They  have  also  in- 
troduced Augusta  and  Octaroon.  ^ 

W.    E.    Kirchhoff,    Pembroke,    N.  Y.—         J^ 
Princepine,  Miss  Ella  Kirchhoff,  Miss  Mil- 
dred Palmer. 


June 
19  17 


io\)(i  Mlo6ent  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Page 

87 


E.  E.  Stewart,  Brooklyn,  Mich.—  Golden 
Queen,  Michigan,  President  Taft  and  Azure. 

B.  Hammond  Tracy,  Wenham,  Mass. — 
One  of  the  largest  growers  in  the  States 
of  New  England,  has  the  credit  of  intro- 
ducing Tracy's  Dawn,  Mrs.  Lancashire, 
Violet  Perfection.  In  a  recent  fire  Mr. 
Tracy  lost  many  valuable  seedlings  that 
might  have  been  great  assets  to  the 
Gladiolus  world. 

A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Indiana— Mr. 
Kunderd  has  improved  the  Gladiolus 
family  in  more  ways  than  one.  He  is  the 
originator  of  the  Ruffled  type.  His  Primu- 
linus  hybrids  are  wonders.  Some  of  the 
best  plain-petaled  varieties  are  of  his 
origination.  He  has  awakened  great  in- 
terest in  breeding  and  his  crosses  lead 
the  list.  In  ruffled  varieties  he  has  in- 
troduced White  Ivory,  Azalea,  Pride  of 
Goshen,  White  King,  Orange  Glory  and 
others.  In  plain  varieties,  Mrs.  Frank 
Pendleton,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer,  Ida  Van, 
Myrtle  and  Gaiety. 

Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet,  Glenn  Dale,  Md. 
—Probably  laid  the  foundation  to  Bur- 
bank's  success  with  the  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury varieties.  He  is  the  originator  of 
Princeps.  Dr.  Van  Fleet  is  an  authority 
on  Gladioli  and  assisted  in  the  writing  of 
"  The  Gladiolus." 

We  have  many  other  American  Breed- 
ers who  have  introduced  from  one  to  a 
dozen  good  varieties,  some  of  which  are 
L.  Merton  Gage,  Natick,  Mass.;  Munsell 
&  Harvey,  Ashtabula,  Ohio  ;  Jacob  Tho- 
mann  &  Sons,  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  W.  H. 
Koerner,  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  many  oth- 
ers of  recent  dates. 

HOLLAND   BREEDERS. 

Alkemade  &  Co.,  Noordwijk,  Holland — 
Lily  Lehmann,  Glory  of  Holland,  Bordeau 
and  Queen  of  Pinks. 

P.  Hopman  &  Sons,  Hillegom,  Holland 
—Pink  Perfection,  Willy  Wigman,  Annie 
Wigman. 

K.  Velthuys,  Hillgom,  Holland — Master 
Wietse,  Mrs.  Velthuys,  Pride  of  Hillegom 
and  Loveliness. 

Wigman  &  Sons,  Zutphen,  Holland— 
Zutphen,  Middlebiirg  and  Mannheim,  also 
Gelria  Hybrids  and  in  all  probabilities  both 
Annie  and  Willie  Wigman  but  not  the 
introducer. 

Firma  P.  Vos,  Mz.,  Sassenheim,  Hol- 
land— Clear  Eye  and  Pink  Progression. 

Other  Holland  introducers  are  C.  Keur 
&  Sons,  Hillegom;  M.  Van  Waveren,  Hil- 
legom ;  Warnaar  &  Company,  Sassen- 
heim ;  C.  J.  Speelman  &  Sons,  Sassenheim  ; 
Jonkheer  &  Sons,  Hillegom,  and  J.  J. 
Grullemans  &  Sons,  Lisse.  The  above 
mentioned  are  among  the  foremost  and 


have    been    instrumental   in    introducing 
most  of  Holland's  productions. 

ENGLISH  INTRODUCERS. 

Kelway  &  Son,  Langport,  Somerset — 
They  are  introducers  of  many  Nanus  va- 
rieties as  well  as  the  large-flowering  types. 
Their  Golden  Measure  has  created  more 
notice  than  any  other  of  their  introduc- 
tions. 

Mauger  &  Sons  and  Wheadon  &  Sons 
of  Guernsey  are  also  English  breeders. 

GERMAN  INTRODUCERS. 

Wilhelm  Pfitzer  of  Stuttgart,  Germany, 
has  done  more  for  his  country  than  any 
other  German  grower.  His  list  of  intro- 
ductions sent  me  under  date  of  June  5th, 
1915,  numbered  over  300  varieties.  This 
is  not  his  entire  list  but  select  varieties 
for  which  he  desires  credit.  His  seedlings 
are  numbered  before  being  named  and  I 
find  that  Frau  Otto  Beyrodt,  introduced  in 
1913,  is  numbered  1022.  Someof  the  best 
are  Schwaben,  Europa,  Meteor,  Elizabeth 
Kurtz,  Dora  Krais,  Negerfurst  and  Chame- 
leon. 

A.  F.  Fitscher,  Burgfelder,  Hamburg, 
Germany — Badenia  and  Liebesfeuer. 

Max  Leichtlin  (deceased)  Baden  Baden 
— Leichtlini  Hybrids,  nowChildsi  varieties. 

Haage  &  Schmidt,  Erfurt,  Germany — 
White  Lady. 

FRENCH  BREEDERS. 

France  has  made  great  advances  in 
this  work  of  which  Victor  Lemoine  was 
the  greatest  of  all  French  breeders.  We 
have  followed  him  in  previous  chapters 
so  will  not  go  into  detail  again.  Some  of 
his  best  are  Baron  J.  Hulot,  Geo.  Paul, 
Mephistopheles  and  fane  Dietdafoy. 

Vilmorin  is  to  be  complimented  with 
Mons.  A.  Brougmart,  Desdemona  and  Mad, 
de  Vilmorin  among  the  best. 

Brunelet  became  popular  with  his  in- 
troductions of  Le  Triomphe,  Mad.  Mon- 
neret.  Sans  Pared  and  Parure. 

Mons.  Souchet,  whom  we  have  men- 
tioned before  as  an  early  breeder  gave  us 
the  varieties  Shakespeare  and  Florence. 

A.  Grauverau,  of  Neauphle  le  Chateau 
S.  et  O  should  also  be  complimented  on 
his  long  list  of  originations.  Like  Pfitzer 
he  has  created  a  number  that  will  be 
worthy  of  cultivation  for  years.  Some 
are  Belle  Mauve,  Mme.  Jean  Larigardie, 
Eblouissant,  Blanchlet,  Cendrea  and  Fleur 
de  Lis. 

There  are  many  others   that  perhaps 

should  be  mentioned    in  the  above  list, 

but  on  account  of  the  numerous  growers 

it  is  possible  to  mention  only  those  that 

[Concluded  on  page  98,] 


Page 


0^(i  Mlo^ern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


June 
1917 


An  Object  Lesson  in  Beautifying  Railroad  Grounds. 


W 


E  are  indebted  to  Mr.  F.  S.  Dietrich,       speak  for  themselves  and  indicate  that  to         ^ 
Northern  Pacific  Station  Agent  at      improve  upon  the  work  accompHshed  by 
Clear  Lake,  Wash.,  for  the  accom-      Mr.    Dietrich    would    be  a  very  difficult 


One  view  of  Mr.  Dietrich's  right-of-way  flower  garden.      Gladioli  occupy  the  center  of  the  stage. 


panying  photographs.  What  Mr.  Dietrich 
has  been  able  to  accomplish  in  his  little 
town,  other  railroad  agents  and  others  in 
similar  positions  of  a  public  nature  would 
be  able  to  duplicate.  We  were  about  to 
say  improve  upon,  but  the  photographs 


thing.  It  will  be  noted  that  Gladioli  have 
the  center  of  the  stage  and  although  many 
other  varieties  of  flowers  are  planted,  the 
Gladiolus  is  doubtless  the  favorite. 

The  object   to   be   kept   in   view   is   to 
beautify  the  grounds  adjacent  to  stations 


The  other  end  of  Mr.  Dietrich's  flower  garden  on  railroad  right-of-way. 


June 
1917 


Ol)e  5tlo6ern  <Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

89 


and  other  public  places  and  in  this 
way  get  the  public  interested  in  flowers. 
Incidentally  this  induces  orders  to  the 
grower  and  gives  business  to  the  express 
company. 

In  nearly  all  small  towns  there  is  a 
piece  of  ground  on  the  railroad  right-of- 
way  adjoining  the  station  which  the  rail- 
road company  will  be  glad  to  lease  at  a 
nominal  rental  to  any  responsible  person  or 
civic  society  for  the  purpose  indicated. 
It  gets  people  interested  in  the  railroad 


flowers  could  make  a  showing  which  would 
be  a  satisfaction  to  himself,  to  the  com- 
munity and  to  the  traveling  public. 


The  children  are  interested  in  Mr.  Dietrich's 

flower  garden.    Gladioli  seem  to  be 

their  favorite. 

station  and  as  this  is  a  center  of  attraction 
for  the  population,  they  all  take  pride  in 
having  a  good  flower  garden  of  their  own. 
Furthermore,  it  gives  a  good  impression 
to  the  traveling  public  as  well  as  satisfac- 
tion to  the  home  people. 

Mr.  Dietrich  reports  that  he  puts  out  a 
great  variety  of  plants  for  the  purpose  of 
trying  them  under  his  climatic  conditions 
and  does  not  hesitate  to  furnish  free  of 
charge  plants  and  seeds  to  induce  those 
unfamiliar  with  the  subject  to  undertake 
the  work.  After  the  first  season  they  buy 
their  own  seeds  and  bulbs. 

Mr.  Dietrich  last  year  planted  forty 
varieties  of  roses  at  Clear  Lake  each  labeled 
with  a  neat  stake  so  that  interested  per- 
sons can  select  any  variety  that  they 
especially  take  a  fancy  to  and  know  what 
they  are  getting  when  they  order. 

Surely  more  interest  should  be  taken 
along  this  line  and  doubtless  there  are 
thousands  of  locations  where  a  man  with 
Mr.  Dietrich's  activity  and  enthusiasm  for 


Glsidiolus— Prosperity. 

[  Subject  of  illustration  on   cur  front  coz'tr  paee.  ] 

One  of  Groff's  hybrid  seedlings  which 
has  been  introduced  by  Arthur  Cowee 
and  looked  forward  to  by  him  for  several 
years  as  a  fitting  companion  to  the  varie- 
ties War  and  Peace. 

The  flowers  are  large,  fully  as  large  as 
those  of  its  companion  varieties.  The 
color  is  a  bright  rose  shading  to  madder- 
lake  except  on  the  lower  segment  which 
has  a  chamois-yellow  base.  Anthers  are 
a  quite  pronounced  violet  color  and  the 
spikes  are  equally  of  strong  growth  as 
those  of  the  varieties  War  and  Peace. 
The  blooms  will  retain  their  freshness 
for  many  days  after  cutting  which  is  also 
true  of  the  two  companion  varieties  re- 
ferred to. 

Plant  Some  Gladioli. 

The  rose  may  be  the  queen  of  flowers — 
but  the  modern  Gladiolus  is  certainly  now 
the  king,  with  its  majestic,  regal  beauty. 
Wonderful  improvements  have  been  made 
of  late  years  in  the  Gladiolus  and  those 
of  you  who  try  the  improved  kinds  this 
year  for  the  first  time  have  a  great  treat 
in  store.  No  flower  will  give  you  greater 
pleasure  than  this  "  Glad  Flower  of  the 
Garden."  It  is  the  flower  of  flowers  for 
the  busy  house-wife.  It  will  grow  for 
anyone,  anywhere  except  in  shade  and 
wet,  soggy  ground.  It  revels  in  full  sun- 
shine and  is  at  its  best  when  planted  in 
long  rows  in  the  vegetable  garden,  re- 
ceiving the  same  cultivation  as  pota- 
toes. 

It  is  in  a  class  by  itself  as  a  cut  flower, 
matching  any  color  scheme  and  lasting  a 
week  or  more  in  water.  There  is  no 
finer  cut  flower  for  the  hospital,  church  or 
home.  In  cutting  it  is  best  to  cut  when 
first  lower  flowers  open.  The  rest  will 
open  in  the  house,  and  as  a  rule  colors 
are  more  refined  when  they  open  in 
water. 

Remove  the  flowers  as  they  fade,  and 
cut  a  little  off  the  stem  and  change  the 
water  each  day.  When  treated  in  this 
way  a  spike  will  sometimes  last  ten  days. 
For  a  continuous  bloom,  bulbs  should  be 
planted  at  intervals  of  two  weeks  from 
April  1st  to  June  15th.  However,  if  you 
only  have  a  small  number,  plant  early  as 
the  early  planted  bulbs  always  bloom 
best.— Mrs.  Martin  L.  Howard  in  The 
Fruit  Grower. 


Page 

90 


Ob^  Modern  <Bla6iolus  (Grower 


June 
1917 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


GETTING   READY   TO  TRY   HYBRIDIZING. 

Now,  my  dear  Amateur,  the  blooming 
season  is  near  at  hand  and  I  hope  you 
will  not  let  it  pass  without  making  a  be- 
ginning, if  only  a  tiny  one,  in  the  growing 
of  seedlings  from  hand  hybridized  seed. 
Perhaps  you  think  that  preparing  the  soil, 
planting  and  cultivating  the  bulbs  until 
they  bring  forth  blooms  of  large  size  and 
beautiful  coloring  is  the  greatest  of  Gladi- 
olus joys,  but  not  until  you  have  peeped 
into  the  hybridist's  field  will  you  be  able 
to  comprehend  the  pleasure  that  may  be 
yours  in  intensive  study  through  the  cross- 
ing, or  hybridizing,  of  this  flower.  The  early 
blooms  will  soon  begin  opening  and  it  is 
well  to  have  everything  in  readiness.  Not 
long  ago  a  lady  went  into  a  store  and  in- 
quired for  a  jack-knife,  and  the  dapper 
young  clerk  informed  her  that  they  did 
not  carry  such  a  knife  and  in  fact  he  had 
never  heard  of  one,  but  that  they  had 
pocket-knives  of  various  sizes.  Webster 
defines  Jack-knife  as  "A  large  strong  clasp- 
knife  for  the  pocket,"  and  Pocket-knife  as 
"  A  knife  with  one  or  more  blades  which 
fold  into  the  handle,"  so  as  to  be  carried 
in  the  pocket.  Now,  a  knife  is  of  great 
importance  in  Gladiolus  work,  but  it  must 
be  the  right  kind  of  a  knife,  a  sort  of  a 
cross  between  a  jack-knife  and  a  pocket- 
knife,  for  it  must  be  strong,  not  neces- 
sarily large,  and  have  blades  which  fold 
into  the  handle  so  it  can  be  carried  in  the 
pocket.  It  should  have  a  plain  smooth 
handle  of  a  size  that  will  fit  the  hand  that 
is  to  use  it,  for  in  using  a  knife  several 
hours  continuously  if  the  handle  does  not 
fit  it  will  irritate  the  hand.  It  should 
have  two  blades,  the  large  one  for  cutting 
spikes  and  general  use,  and  the  smaller 
one  to  apply  pollen  in  hybridizing,  per- 
haps to  clip  off  the  stamens,  and  many 
other  uses  for  which  a  narrow  blade  is 
most  convenient.  Some  prefer  to  use 
small  scissors,  sometimes  called  points,  to 
emasculate  a  flower,  and  these  may  be 
added  to  the  list  of  necessities.  Stick  the 
points  into  a  small  cork  so  they  may  be 
carried  in  the  pocket. 

Believing  that  a  small  number  of  crosses 
well  protected  will  produce,  on  the  aver- 
age, as  many  high  class  varieties  as  sev- 
eral times  as  many  which  are  left 
unprotected,  we  would  advise  covering  the 
hybridized  blooms  with  paper  bags  such 
as  grocers  use.  Get  a  supply  of  plain 
shipping  tags  for  labeling.  These  should 
be  of  good  quality  manilla  to  stand  the 


weather  and  large  enough  to  write  the 
date,  month  and  year,  and  the  name  or 
number  of  the  varieties  used  in  making 
the  cross ;  1|  x  3  inch  is  large  enough. 
String  them  with  ordinary  wrapping  twine  M 
cut  in  12  inch  lengths.  As  this  is  also  a  " 
good  length  to  use  in  tying  the  bags  when 
covering  the  flowers  it  is  well  to  have  a 
braid  of  it  handy. 

Variety  test  cards  such  as  are  used  by 
the  Department  of  Floriculture  of  Cor- 
nell University  are  very  useful,  and  a 
field  book  is  indispensable.  With  it  al- 
ways at  hand  one  can  quickly  jot  down 
brief  descriptions  and  make  note  of  what- 
ever variation  or  traits  you  wish  to  give 
further  study.  For  the  time  has  now 
come  that  unless  the  new  seedling  does 
possess  some  superior  characteristic  and  is 
sufficiently  distinctive  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  the  casual  observer,  it  should  not 
be  named  or  catalogued,  but  if  it  is  a  good 
all  around  variety  that  will  compare 
favorably  with  the  standards,  and  is  a 
pleasing  color  it  can  be  used  in  the  mix- 
ture. Right  here  let  me  urge  the  carrying 
of  a  pocket  rule,  for  in  the  first  ecstacy 
of  delight  you  might  rashly  estimate  the 
size  of  the  bloom  to  be  larger  than  it 
really  is,  and  actual  measurement  should 
be  made.  Likewise  with  the  length  of  the 
spike,  bring  out  your  yardstick  and  prove 
its  height  to  your  doubtful  friend  for  with  ^ 
your  Gladiolus  growing  you  are  building  ^ 
a  reputation  on  the  foundation  of  which 
your  future  business  is  to  stand. 

If  the  bulbs  were  planted  deep  and 
later  cultivated  high,  it  is  seldom  neces- 
sary to  stake  them,  but  for  the  unusually 
tall  ones  that  might  be  blown  over  in  a 
severe  storm,  better  have  a  few  stakes. 
Don't  forget  a  good  pencil  of  fairly  soft 
lead  that  will  mark  easily  on  the  manilla 
tags.  One  thing  more  you  must  have 
and  which  is  the  greatest  human  power 
in  the  achievement  of  success :  /  will. 
Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


Planting  Gladioli  in  Succession. 

The  editor's  Gladiolus  corms  have  kept 
extremely  dormant  this  spring  and  the 
weather  has  averaged  cool  and  by  judi- 
cious opening  of  storage  room  windows, 
the  temperature  has  not  been  much  above 
50°  at  any  time.  Possibly  this  may  not 
be  an  advantage,  and  especially  with  the 
cold  weather,  succession  planting  is  not 
likely  to  avail  much  this  year.  Early 
planted  corms  have  made  very  slow 
growth  and  a  succession  of  plantings  to  M 
get  a  long  period  of  bloom  should  have  ^ 
been  at  least  two  weeks  apart  and  in 
four  separate  plantings. 


June 
1917 


^l)e  Mlo6ern  (Gladiolus  (Browcr 


Page 

91 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF  THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


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Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

The  ctntents  »/  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROH^ER  art  covered  by  general  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  editiri  to 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  proper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  follows  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROlfER.  Calcium.  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations, 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3.  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


June,    1917 


No.  6 


Gla-di' o-lus  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-li. 

Correctly  pronounced  with  accent  on  the  syllable  "  di.' 


Refrigeration  for  Cut  Flowers. 

The  Editor  has  been  requested  to  give 
more  in  detail  his  experience  with  refrig- 
eration in  connection  with  the  storage  of 
cut  flowers  for  exhibition  purposes  as 
recounted  on  page  140  of  the  September, 
1916,  issue  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower.  As  there  is  nothing  secret 
about  his  methods  and  as  the  Editor  is 
always  anxious  to  lend  a  hand  where  the 
giving  out  of  information  will  be  helpful, 
he  is  pleased  to  comply  with  the  request. 

The  showing  of  six  spikes  of  bloom  as 
prize  winners  which  were  grown  from 
the  only  six  bulbs  available  for  the  pur- 
pose, is  a  record  which  perhaps  may  not 
be  duplicated  again  soon,  if  ever,  and  al- 
though refrigeration  played  an  important 
part  in  the  accomplishing  of  this  result, 
the  refrigerating  equipment  necessary 
was  comparatively  simple.  As  we  recol- 
lect it,  the  three  first  spikes  cut  were 
placed  in  cold  storage  about  a  week  to 
ten  days  earlier  than  the  last  three  spikes 
cut.  All  six  of  the  spikes  were  under  re- 
frigeration for  at  least  two  or  three  days 
before  shipping  to  Boston. 

Our  refrigerating  facilities  consist  of  two 
different  coolers,  one  of  these  is  in  con- 
nection with  an  ice    storage    house   and 


where  the  temperature  holds  down  around 
38°F.  The  first  three  spikes  were  placed 
in  this  cooler.  The  second  cooler  is 
simply  a  basement  room  with  concrete 
and  tile  walls  and  in  which  near  the 
ceiling  is  a  galvanized  pan  with  rack  on 
which  cakes  of  ice  are  placed  and  in 
which  the  temperature  is  held  at  from 
57°  to  60°F.  The  last  three  spikes  of 
bloom  were  placed  in  this  room  for  sev- 
eral days  before  shipping.  The  three 
spikes  placed  in  the  lower  temperature 
cooler  were  removed  to  the  higher  tem- 
perature cooler  the  day  before  shipment 
was  made,  so  that  they  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  take  the  higher  temperature  be- 
fore being  packed  for  shipment.  The  six 
blooms  in  question  were  in  transit  about 
24  hours  and  they  were  not  judged  until 
the  second  day  after  shipment.  It  will 
be  seen,  therefore,  the  somewhat  popular 
idea  that  perishable  goods  carried  under 
refrigeration  and  then  exposed  to  higher 
temperature  will  deteriorate  or  "go  down" 
quickly,  did  not  apply  in  this  case. 

Refrigeration  must,  of  course,  be  han- 
dled judiciously  in  connection  with  flow- 
ers as  some  varieties  and  some  flowers 
are  much  more  tender  to  low  tempera- 
tures than  others.  Generally  speaking, 
flowers  should  not  be  placed   in  a  tern- 


Page 

92 


Ob<i  ^o6ern  (Bla6iolu5  (Grower 


June 
1917 


perature  below  45  to  50°F.  Refrigerating 
facilities  in  extremely  warm  weather  are 
almost  a  necessity  in  connection  with  the 
handling  of  cut  flowers  as  extreme  heat 
is  very  destructive  to  bloom. 

Madison  Cooper. 


Advertising  Should  be  Consistent. 

It  is  a  little  discouraging  to  the  pub- 
lisher in  these  days  of  high  printing  costs 
to  have  advertisers  write  him  to  discon- 
tinue their  advertising  because  they  are 
sold  out.  It  is  flattering  to  know  that 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  pro- 
ducing results  for  advertisers,  but  not 
very  encouraging  from  a  business  stand- 
point to  have  the  advertising  stopped. 
Anyway,  advertisers  who  expect  to  stay 
in  the  business  should  not  drop  out  com- 
pletely during  the  off  season  when  no 
sales  are  being  made  or  because  they 
have  no  stock  for  sale  at  the  moment. 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  a 
reference  work  and  growers  who  are  in 
the  business  to  stay  should  be  represented 
in  every  issue.  It  is  all  right  to  use  in- 
creased space  during  the  selling  season 
and  when  special  things  are  offered  for 
sale,  but  reasonable  space  should  be  used 
throughout  the  year  in  proportion  to  the 
importance  of  the  business. 

We  have  really  had  some  very  remark- 
able letters  as  to  the  advertising  results 
secured  from  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower.  One  classified  advertisement 
drew  75  inquiries.  Another  advertiser 
writes  that  he  has  made  over  1900  sales 
from  his  advertising  in  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  in  two  years'  time. 
Madison  Cooper. 


Most  people  who  have  anything  to  say 
about  digging  Gladioli,  direct  that  the 
stalk  or  foliage  should  be  cut  off  from 
one-half  to  one  and  one-half  inches  from 
the  corm.  If  anyone  has  a  liking  for 
investigation,  let  him  try  cutting  off  the 
stalk  close  to  the  corm  on  a  few,  and 
one  and  one-half  inches  from  the  corm  on 
others,  and  at  planting  time  next  year 
see  if  he  can  discover  any  difference  in 


the  condition  of  the  corm  itself.  He  cer- 
tainly will  discover  that  the  old  foliage 
protruding  from  the  corm  is  a  nuisance, 
takes  up  space,  and  makes  the  corms 
difficult  to  handle  and  pack  ;  and  also  in- 
convenient to  properly  set  at  planting  time. 


Cannas  and  Salvias. 

One  of  the  showiest  beds  I  have  seen 
was  a  clump  of  cannas  bordered  by  a  row 
of  salvias.  The  taller  sorts  of  cannas 
were  used,  especially  for  the  center  of  the 
bed.  Pennsylvania  is  a  good  red  sort 
that  has  green  foliage  and  the  color  of 
the  flower  harmonizes  well  with  the 
salvia.  King  Humbert  is  a  dark-leafed 
canna  that  is  a  good  companion  to  the 
Pennsylvania.  The  light  foliage  of  the 
salvia  and  the  scarlet  flowers  look  well 
against  the  dark  foliage  of  this  variety. 
Both  of  these  cannas  have  large  orchid 
type  flowers. 

Canna  bulbs  can  be  purchased  dry,  or 
the  growing  plants  can  be  had  instead. 
The  plants  give  quicker  and  more  uni- 
form results.  These  are  bulbs  potted  up 
and  started  early.  If  you  have  the  bulbs 
you  can  pot  a  few  and  start  them  in  a 
warm  room  and  have  them  ready  to  plant 
out  and  get  large  clumps  long  before  the 
dry  bulbs  planted  in  the  beds  would  make 
any  showing. 

Salvia  plants  are  to  be  had  of  any  florist, 
and  the  price  is  not  high.  Seeds  can  be 
planted  in  a  box  early  and  the  seedlings 
really  make  nicer  plants  than  the  cut- 
tings, but  they  will  not  bloom  nearly  so 
soon.  The  plants  from  cuttings  of  the 
later  dwarf  varieties  will  begin  blooming 
when  six  inches  high  and  keep  it  up. 
They  grow  to  two  feet  or  over. 

A  bed  to  look  well  with  these  two 
planted  together  should  be  pretty  large. 
Both  grow  rather  tall,  and  the  salvias 
spread  out  about  as  much  as  they  grow 
upward.  I  like  to  allow  them  eighteen 
inches  to  two  feet  outside  the  canna  row 
to  give  them  a  chance  to  grow  freely  and 
not  look  too  crowded.— L.  H.  Cobb  in  The 
National  Stockman  and  Farmer. 

Does  any  one  remember  of  passing 
Memorial  Day  without  lilacs  or  peonies 
in  bloom  ?  We  do  not,  of  course,  refer  to 
locations  south  of  New  York,  although 
possibly  the  cold  and  unseasonable  con- 
ditions may  prevail  there  as  well  as  with 
us ;  but  here  in  Northern  New  York  not 
only  were  there  no  lilacs  or  peonies  in 
bloom  for  Decoration  Day,  but  the  buds 
were  so  immature  that  it  looked  as  though 
they  would  be  at  least  a  week  later. 


June 
1917 


Ol)e  !Jlto6ern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Page 

93 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


ROOT  GROWTH  ON  NEW  CORMS  OF  GLADIOLI 
—  DISBUDDING  GLADIOLI. 

In  his  communication  about  the  time 
of  digging  Gladioli,  it  seems  to  me  that 
"G.  C."  has  the  cart  before  the  horse 
with  regard  to  the  root  growth  of  new 
corms.  My  understanding  of  the  mat- 
ter is  that  the  new  corms  always  make 
roots  as  soon  as  they  are  formed  and  com- 
plete their  growth  by  means  of  them. 
These  roots  are  less  conspicuous  instead 
of  more,  when  the  corms  are  dug  late. 

I  must  disagree  even  with  so  high  an 
authority  as  J.  Kelway.  My  observation 
seems  to  show  that  the  new  corm  is  well 
started  about  the  time  of  flowering  and 
the  cormels  just  started.  After  that 
time,  if  moisture  is  sufficient,  the  growth 
of  corms  and  cormels  goes  on  and  if  they 
are  dug  soon  neither  the  corms  nor  cor- 
mels attain  their  full  size.  Doubtless 
they  will  grow  nevertheless.  I  never  wait 
for  foliage  to  ripen  but  if  it  does  I  think 
it  best  not  to  leave  the  corms  in  the 
ground  long,  especially  if  it  is  wet.  Apro- 
pos of  not  leaving  flowers  to  go  to  seed: 
I  wonder  how  many  have  ever  made  a 
careful  test  by  leaving  one  row  to  go  to 
seed  and  removing  flower  buds  from  an- 
other adjoining  row  of  the  same  variety, 
planted  at  the  same  time.  The  seeds  of 
Gladioli  are  not  very  rich,  like  grain  seeds, 
and  some  growers  think  they  take  very 
little  from  the  plant.  It  might  be  more 
important  when  there  is  scarcely  enough 
moisture  to  mature  the  plant.  The 
flower  stalk  itself  has  considerable  sub- 
stance and  I  think  it  may  be  this,  rather 
than  the  seed,  that  calls  for  nourishment 
which  may  be  diverted  to  the  corm  if 
removed  early.  Geo.  S.  Woodruff. 

SOME   BULB. 

Among  the  stock  of  Gladioli  we  har- 
vested last  autumn  was  a  bulb  of  Easter 
Bells  which  measured  9|"  in  circumfer- 
ence. It  was  of  good  form — conical  in 
shape— and  was  firm  and  bright. 

Montague  Chamberlain. 


HARDY  GLADIOLI. 

For  three  winters  I  have  had  a  cluster 
of  bulbs  living  and  blossoming  like  a  nar- 
cissus in  my  garden  with  no  care  in  cov- 
ering them.  In  September  I  dug  them  up 
and  found  six  bulbs.  Two  I  put  back  in 
their  burrow  to  try  another  northern  New 
York  wmter.  C.  L.  Williams. 


WHO  ARE  amateurs? 

I  have  read  with  deep  interest  the  articles 
in  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  on 
"  Who  are  the  Amateurs."  This  impor- 
tant question  is  and  has  been  with  us  in 
this  section  of  the  country  for  some  time 
and  is  still  not  settled.  I  would  like  to 
offer  my  solution : 

1st  class— Professionals.  2nd  class — 
Amateurs.     3rd  class — New  Amateurs. 

The  object  of  all  competitive  exhibits 
is  for  the  purpose  of  putting  on  exhibition 
perfect  or  as  nearly  perfect  flowers  as  can 
be  grown.  The  perfect  flower  and  how 
to  grow  it,  is  the  high  standard  we  are 
seeking  to  attain.  Not  who,  or  where,  but 
how.  Defining  the  classes  mentioned 
above,  I  would  classify  them  as  follows: 
1st.  Professionals.  Those  who  grow  flow- 
ers under  glass,  thereby  largely  controlling 
weather  conditions  ;  one  who  grows  large 
quantities  of  flowers  for  commercial  pur- 
poses, supplying  florists,  etc. 

2nd.  Amateurs.  Those  who  grow  flow- 
ers not  protected  by  glass,  thereby  sub- 
ject to  the  conditions  of  the  weather; 
not  for  commercial  purposes  and  not  in 
large  quantities. 

3rd.  New  Amateurs.  Those  who  grow 
flowers,  but  have  never  entered  into  com- 
petition, or  those  who  have  exhibited  not 
to  exceed  three  years. 

I  fully  realize  that  the  word  "Amateur" 
has  been  given  a  very  liberal  construction. 
It  would  seem  almost  impossible  to  go 
into  minute  details  when  the  amateur 
forms  the  strong  feature  in  every  open 
exhibit.  GuY  C.  Hawkins. 


LICE  ON  GLADIOLUS  CORMS. 

Last  year  I  lost  considerable  of  my 
stock  through  an  insect  which  I  presume 
belongs  to  the  Aphis  tribe.  This  year  I 
find  I  am  confronted  with  the  same  pest. 
A  great  many  of  my  bulbs  are  literally 
covered  with  countless  grey  lice  or  Aphis 
which  congregate  around  the  top  of  the 
bulb,  evidently  feeding  on  the  shoot. 
Last  year  I  soaked  my  bulbs  for  a  couple  of 
days  in  water  and  then  used  a  scrub-brush 
to  clean  them,  but  when  planted  they 
made  a  sickly  growth,  (those  that  did 
grow)  and  some  never  came  up  at  all. 
Have  you  heard  of  such  a  trouble  and  if 
so  will  be  glad  to  hear  of  a  remedy? 

J.  P.  w. 
Note  by  the  Editor — 

This  question  has  come  up  once  before 
but  satisfactory  information  as  to  how  to 
treat  the  pest  in  question,  has  never  been 
supplied.  Can  anyone  help  us  with  this 
problem  ? 


Page 

94 


Obe  Mlodertt  (Bla6lolu5  (Brow^r 


June 
1917 


WORKING  IN  THE  SUN. 

I  will  quote  a  paragraph  from  The 
Country  Gentleman  which  is  especially 
applicable  for  those  who  work  among 
Gladioli  as  often  this  work  comes  in  the 
very  hottest  part  of  the  summer: 

"  Most  of  us  are  such  creatures  of  habit 
that  we  are  likely,  in  digging,  cultivating 
and  transplanting  and  thinning,  to  begin 
always  at  the  same  end  of  the  garden 
rows  and  to  work  always  in  the  same 
direction.  Try  varying  the  method  to 
suit  the  season  and  the  time  of  day.  If 
the  day  is  hot  and  you  want  to  avoid 
the  effect  of  the  sun  as  much  as  possible 
turn  your  'face  to  it.'  If  the  day  is  cool 
and  the  sun's  warmth  adds  to  your  com- 
fort, turn  your  'back  to  it.'  In  garden 
work  you  are  bound  to  stoop  more  or 
less  and  with  your  back  to  the  sun  you 
present  the  broadest  expanse  of  your 
person  to  its  rays.  On  the  contrary, 
when  you  face  the  sun,  so  stooping,  the 
rays  strike  mostly  on  your  head,  which, 
of  course,  should  be  protected  by  an 
ample  hat  with,  perhaps,  a  cabbage  leaf 
(a  wet  sponge  is  better)  in  it." 

B.  F.  Stalnaker. 


FORDHOOK  HYBRIDS. 

In  February  House  and  Garden,  I  find : 
"The  most  remarkable  development  within 
recent  years  in  Gladioli  is  the  creation  of 
the  new  type,  a  race  known  as  Fordhook 
Hybrids."  Yet  I  fail  to  find  any  mention 
of  them  in  my  21  numbers  of  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower,  or  find  them  of- 
fered in  the  20  different  Gladiolus  catalogs 
I  have.  Why  this  "conspiracy  of  silence" 
about  this  wonderful  new  race  ? 

c.  M.  s. 

We  are  not  prepared  to  pass  an  opinion 
on  the  above,  not  having  seen  the  flowers. 
Improvements  on  the  old  types  are  often 
described  in  extravagant  terms,  and  by 
comparison  with  the  old  sorts  they  are 
truly  wonderful.  When  compared  with  the 
contem.porary  work  of  other  hybridizers 
the  descriptions  are  not  generally  war- 
ranted.—  ( Editor. ) 


LUCRETIA  IN  53  DAYS. 

I  believe  I  can  report  the  earliest  flow- 
ering record  for  outside  planting  of  Gladi- 
oli. If  any  grower  can  beat  it  I  hope  to 
hear  about  it.  May  16th  I  received  from 
Holland  a  lot  of  Gladiolus  corms  which 
were  planted  on  May  17th.  July  9th  I 
cut  the  first  spike  of  Lucretia,  just  53  days 
from  planting.  This  is  ten  days  ahead  of 
any  record  I  have  seen  in  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower. 

h.  c.  eckert. 


DATES  OF  GLADIOLUS  BLOOMING. 

Mr.  Chamberlain  in  his  letter  in  your 
February  number,  received  by  me  on  the 
7th  of  March,  places  great  emphasis  on 
the  number  of  days  from  planting  to 
blooming.  I  did  not  put  much  count  on 
this  point  in  the  past,  but  in  any  future 
notes  I  may  send  you  on  this  subject  I 
will  endeavor  to  comply  with  his  sugges- 
tion. 

In  reading  Mr.  D'ombrian's  paper  I 
think  he  was  speaking  generally,  when 
he  stated  that 

"  there  are  certain  kinds  which  are  sure  to 
come  early  whenever  you  plant,  and  other  late 
blooming  kinds  refuse  to  bloom  early,  plant 
when  you  will." 

In  the  same  way  as  we  speak  of  early 
and  late  peas,  potatoes,  etc.  Most  cata- 
logues distinguish  some  of  the  varieties 
of  Gladioli  as  early,  others  as  late ;  others 
divide  them  into  three  or  more  classes. 

I  suppose  root  growth  precedes  top 
growth;  if  so,  the  earlier  planted  bulb 
should  not  only  produce  the  stronger 
flowers,  but  also  the  stronger  stock  for 
the  following  season.  Therefore,  for  the 
purpose  of  a  trial  the  earlier  the  bulbs 
can  be  planted  the  better.  The  important 
point  is  that  the  whole  stock  should  be 
planted  on  the  same  day  and  receive  the 
same  treatment  throughout,  if  the  trial  is 
to  be  of  any  real  value. 

There  is  in  Vol.  126  of  the  R.  H.  S. 
Journal  p.  604,  a  "  Report  on  Gladiolus 
grown  at  Chiswich,  1901,"  but  beyond  the 
fact  that  "  all  the  corms  were  planted  on 
May  6th  there  is  nothing  to  show  on  what 
dates  they  were  in  flower.  Further  no 
awards  were  made,  notwithstanding  that 
over  fifty  varieties  were  grown.        G.  c. 


GLADIOLUS  LACORDAIRE. 

Lovers  of  Gladioli,  who  like  varieties 
with  deep  green  foliage  which  stays  green, 
will  find  it  in  the  variety,  Lacordaire. 
This  variety  has  the  deepest  green  foli- 
age of  any  I  have  ever  tried.  The  color 
of  the  flower  is  beautiful,  described  as  a 
brilliant,  flaming  vermillion,  self-colored. 
But  this  variety  has  its  weakness,  the 
flowers  are  of  poor  substance  and  only  a 
few  on  a  spike.  H.  W.  Groschner. 


LIGHT   BLUE   GLADIOLUS. 

Referring  to  the  inquiry  of  one  of  your 
subscribers  on  page  9  of  the  January  is- 
sue of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
asking  for  a  light  blue  Gladiolus:  I 
found  last  year  that  Mr.  Kunderd's  Blue 
Iris  was  a  pretty  pale  blue.         A.  P.  M. 


^r^  DEPARTMENT  ^- 


K^'  '^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.]— Editor. 


Does  Cutting  the  Bloom  Weaken 

the  Corm — GladioH  on  Sod. 

To  THE  Editor  :  — 

I  would  like  to  have  your  opinion  regarding  the 
practice  of  selling  cut  blooms  from  stock  intended 
for  the  sale  of  bulbs.  Do  growers  generally  do 
this  or  do  they  have  a  separate  plot  for  cut  bloom  ? 
It  occurs  to  me  that  the  stalk  would  have  to  be 
cut  down  so  low  to  satisfy  florists  that  it  would  in- 
jure the  bulb.  1  also  have  an  idea  that  there  are 
so  many  selling  cut  blooms  that  there  would  not 
be  much  profit  in  that  line  of  business  for  the 
small  producer  anyway— market  always  glutted 
during  the  blooming  season,  etc. 

Do  you  think  that  sod  ground  well  harrowed 
■would  grow  satisfactory  bulbs  ?  H.  M.  G. 

Answer :— It  is  pretty  safe  to  say  that 
most  all  growers  sell  cut  flowers  if  they 
can  find  a  market  for  them.  Really,  what 
difference  does  it  make  whether  the  bloom 
is  cut  and  sold,  or  cut  and  thrown  on  the 
ground,  or  perhaps  what  is  worse,  allowed 
to  mature  without  cutting  ?  For  the  very 
highest  results,  however,  the  practice  of 
disbudding,  simply  snapping  off  the  buds 
as  they  appear  without  even  allowing 
them  to  open,  is  practiced  by  some  peo- 
ple. We  do  not  believe  that  cutting  the 
bloom  interferes  with  the  value  of  the 
corm,  providing,  of  course,  that  it  is  young 
stock  and  anyway,  even  if  it  is  old  stock, 
the  cutting  of  bloom  would  have  little 
influence  if  any,  on  the  strength  and 
vitality  of  the  corm  for  next  year's  bloom. 
It  is  more  a  question  of  having  a  reason- 
able time  to  mature  the  new  corm  before 
digging.  It  is  assumed,  of  course,  that 
no  grower  will  cut  more  than  two  leaves 
with  a  flower  spike  not  even  to  satisfy 
the  most  fastidious  florist.  Two  leaves 
M^ith  the  flower  spike  ought  to  be  enough 
and  no  one  should  cut  more  than  this  if 
he  expects  corms  of  value  for  the  next 
year's  bloom. 

It  is  quite  true  that  the  market  for  cut 
flowers  is  pretty  well  filled  during  certain 
seasons  of  the  year,  but  this  was  not  the 
case  during  1916.  There  was  no  time  dur- 
ing the  season  when  high  prices  could  not 
be  realized  for  cut  bloom  last  year.  This 
was,  we  suppose,  owing  to  the  droughty 
conditions  prevailing  over  the  greater  part 
of   the    country.     In   the    selling    of   cut 


blooms  it  is  more  a  question  of  locating 
buyers  than  anything  else.  It  is  well  to 
work  up  your  own  trade  and  not  depend 
on  the  wholesale  flower  market.  The 
wholesale  flower  market  has  only  a  cer- 
tain outlet  with  a  somewhat  increased  out- 
let if  the  price  is  low.  If  you  work  up 
your  own  trade  you  may  be  developing 
an  entirely  new  outlet  and  increase  the 
sale  of  Gladioli  to  that  extent. 

It  would  hardly  seem  that  sod  plowed 
in  the  spring  could  well  be  made  use  of 
for  the  growing  of  Gladioli.  Possibly  fall 
plowing  of' sod  might  prove  satisfactory 
if  the  sod  was  well  rotted  before  harrow- 
ing in  the  spring.  As  a  general  statement 
Gladioli  should  follow  some  hoed  crop  of 
the  previous  year. 


Hen  Manure  for  GladioH — Planting 
Bulblets  in  Cold  Frames  in  June. 

To  THE  Editor:  — 

We  have  an  abundance  of  "hen  dressing"  which 
I  thought  might  take  the  place  of  commercial 
fertilizer  for  Gladiolus  growing.  What  would  be 
the  result  ? 

Also  have  a  cold  frame  in  which  we  grow  aster 
plants,  which  would  be  out  of  service  in  June. 
Would  it  be  too  late  to  plant  bulblets  in  the  cold 
frame  at  that  time?  Would  you  suggest  using 
wood  ashes  and  sand  to  lighten  the  soil  and  how 
deep  should  they  be  planted?  Your  practical 
experience  would  be  appreciated.      MRS.  G.  M.  T. 

Answer :— We  have  never  used  hen 
manure  for  Gladioli,  but  we  understand 
that  this  material  is  valuable  as  a  fertilizer 
and  we  presume  equal  to  pulverized  sheep 
manure.  We  advise  caution  in  the  use  of 
these  nitrogenous  fertilizers.  They  are 
likely  to  cause  a  too  luxuriant  a  growth 
of  foliage. 

Cold  frames  in  general  are  no  great  ad- 
vantage for  bulblets  and  certainly  not  as 
late  as  June.  Bulblets  should  be  planted 
as  early  as  the  ground  can  be  worked. 
Would  recommend  that  you  utilize  the 
cold  frame  for  blooming  size  bulbs  for 
late  bloom. 

Sand  mixed  with  heavy  soil  would  cer- 
tainly be  a  good  thing  and  sifted  coal 
ashes  may  be  used  for  the  same  purpose. 
They  should  be  thoroughly  incorporated 


Page 
96 


Obe  ^o6er!t  <Bla6lolus  (Grower 


June 
1917 


or  mixed  with  the  top  eight  or  ten  inches 
of  soil.  This  is  best  accomplished  by 
scattering  the  sand  or  ashes  before  har- 
rowing and  it  is  best  not  to  attempt 
to  accomplish  the  desired  result  in  one 
season,  but  rather  by  two  or  three  appli- 
cations during  consecutive  years  as  it  is 
difficult  to  get  a  thorough  incorporation 
in  one  season. 

Wood  ashes  contain  a  large  amount  of 
lime  and  do  not  serve  the  same  general 
purpose  for  lightening  soil  as  coal  ashes. 
About  ten  pounds  of  wood  ashes  to  ten 
feet  square  (100  sq.  ft.)  is  about  right 
and  this  quantity  may  be  used  each  year 
with  success. 

The  best  way  to  use  stable  manure  is 
to  apply  it  in  the  fall  of  the  year  at  the 
rate  of  ten  to  fifteen  tons  per  acre.  This 
quantity  can  be  applied  each  year  with- 
out serious  detriment  to  the  soil  and  if  a 
heavy  crop  of  Gladioli  is  grown,  a  mod- 
erate amount  of  balanced  commercial 
fertilizer  may  also  be  used.  If  the  manure 
is  pretty  well  rotted  when  applied,  so 
much  the  better,  but  if  applied  early  in 
the  fall  and  plowed  under,  it  will  be  pretty 
well  rotted  before  spring  and  when  the 
soil  is  cultivated  before  planting  it  will 
usually  work  up  in  good  shape. 


More  Gladiolus  Poetry. 

Our  good  friend  whose  name  is  at- 
tached to  the  verses  which  follow  has 
been  moved  by  Mr.  Christy's  work  in  the 
same  line  and  by  our  editorial  comments 
thereon  to  offer  some  suggestions  of  his 
own,  that  pecuniary  reward  is  not  the 
only  thing  to  be  had  out  of  a  given  un- 
dertaking. He  is  right.  There  are  a  lot 
of  other  things  to  be  had  if  we  know  how 
to  get  them.  We  are  glad  that  Mr.  Read- 
ing appreciates  the  fact  that  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  is  not  a  profit  making 
enterprise  and  although  his  verses  might 
indicate  that  it  was,  his  prose  makes  it 
plain  that  it  is  not.  Nevertheless,  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  a  success. 
There  is  no  doubt  about  that  and  we  ex- 
pect to  make  it  a  still  greater  success. — 
The  Editor. 


My  Dear  Cooper  :— 

Do  not  take  the  verses  too  seriously— 
either  my  own  or  Mr.  Christy's— poets,  you 
know,  have  license  to  exaggerate,  distort, 
pervert,  and  even  prevaricate,  and  still 
continue  to  remain  in  good  standing  as 
long  as  they  don't  steal— plagiarism  be- 
ing the  one  and  only  unpardonable  sin. 

My  effusion  should  be  interpreted  more 
as  a  tribute  to  Mr.  Christy's  ability  as  a 


writer  than  as  an  intimation  of  your  own 
financial  success  from  your  chosen  venture. 
Both  yourself  and  Christy  are  in  your 
work  primarily  for  the  love  of  it,  and  suc- 
cess to  such  is  not  measured  merely  by 
increases  to  the  bank  account,  although 
fickle  fortune  often  favors  him  who  works 
for  the  love  of  it.  Here  I  am  reminded 
of  the  following  clever  lines  by  Kenyon 
Cox,  which  appeared  some  years  ago  in 
the  Century  Magazine,  and  which  I  memo- 
rized because  of  their  worth: 

THE  GOSPEL  OF  ART. 

Work  thou  for  pleasure.  Sing  or  paint  or  carve 
The  thing  thou  lovest,  though  the  body  starve. 

Who  works  for  glory  misses  oft  the  goal ; 
Who  works  for  money  coins  his  very  soul. 

Work  for  the  work's  sake  then,  and  it  may  be 
These  things  shall  be  added  unto  thee. 

Sincerely  yours, 

H.  G.  Reading. 


MORE  MONEY  IN  GLADIOLI. 

CHRISTY'S  MISTAKE'. 

Dear  Editor  :    With  interest 

I've  read  the  mournful,  self-confessed 

Poetical  acknowledgment 

By  Mr.  Wilbur  Christy  sent. 
Telling  his  failure  to  obtain 
The  riches  he  had  hoped  to  gain 

By  planting  cormsand  cutting  spikes — 

An  occupation  Christy  likes— 
And  if  an  expert  such  as  he 
Fails,  what's  in  store  for  dubs  like  me  ? 

Now,  Christy,  as  I  understand. 

Placed  all  dependence  in  his  land 
To  bring  him  wealth  and  honors  high. 
From  growing  choice  Gladioli. 

Here  Christy  made  a  sad  mistake— 

The  same  so  many  others  make 
Who  labor,  riches  to  obtain. 
Employing  brawn  instead  of  brain. 

If  money  was  his  chiefest  aim. 

He  should  instead  have  done  the  same 
As  you  did.  Brother  Cooper,  when 
You  chose  the  editorial  pen 

And  gave  a  magazine  to  us 

Exploiting  the  Gladiolus. 
Had  Christy  wielded  pen  instead 
Of  hoe  to  earn  his  daily  bread. 

He'd  ne'er  write  verses  to  deny 
"  There's  money  in  Gladioli !" 

—H.  G.  Reading. 


A  Backward  Spring. 

There  is  no  doubt  about  the  backward 
condition  of  crops  on  June  1st  this  year. 
While  the  temperature  has  averaged  low, 
yet  at  least  in  the  eastern  sections  of  the 
country  killing  frosts  have  not  done  much 
damage.  Frequent  though  not  heavy 
rains  have  kept  the  grass  growing  and 
except  on  low  land  cultivation  and  plant- 
ing has  proceeded  although  somewhat 
behind  the  average. 

If  we  have  escaped  late  spring  frosts 
and  are  favored  with  frequent  rains  we 
may  still  look  for  a  favorable  season. 


June 
1917 


Ol)<i  ^tlo6ern  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Page 

97 


Wheel  Hoes. 

That  the  gardener  has  a  wheel  hoe  of 
some  kind  almost  goes  without  saying. 
That  he  knows  just  how  to  use  it  doesn't 

I  always  go  that  way.  I've  found  some  helps 
from  experience  and  other  wheel-hoers' 
experiences  that  have  saved  me  a  lot  of 
time  and  made  a  good  many  better  jobs 
than  I  would  have  had  without. 

The  two  six  or  seven  inch  blades  that 
are  a  part  of  every  wheel  hoe  proper  are 
used  very  likely  a  good  many  more  times 
than  all  of  the  other  attachments  together. 
They  can  be  used  in  most  kinds  of  work. 
But  with  us  there  was  an  objection  to 
them  because  they  left  the  soil  unbroken 
and  so  many  weeds  lived  even  after  they 
were  cut  off  simply  because  the  thin  slice 
of  soil  left  by  the  hoe  was  just  enough  to 
keep  the  weeds  going  till  it  rained.  So 
we  took  a  good  piece  of  board  about  six 
inches  by  two  by  one  and  a  half,  made  a 
bolt  hole  through  the  center  to  fasten  this 
to  the  wheel  hoe  frame,  bored  six  one- 
eighth  inch  holes  through  the  piece  at 
right  angles  to  the  bolt  hole,  ran  wires 
of  about  No.  8  size  through  them  and 
sharpened  the  end  of  the  wires  so  that 
they  made  a  sort  of  rake  which  followed 
a  few  inches  behind  the  blades.  The 
wires  were  of  different  lengths  so  that  there 
was  no  trouble  about  clogging  with  weeds. 

\      This    leaves   the    surface    as    smooth    as 

'  could  be  desired  and  breaks  up  the  slice 
of  soil  so  that  the  weeds  are  killed  and 
the  soil  left  with  the  dust  mulch. 

I  find  that  if  a  wheel  hoe  is  run  when 
the  ground  is  slightly  damp  there  will  be 
a  certain  amount  of  soil  sticking  to  the 
tires.  This  will  make  small  bumps  that 
will  throw  the  hoe  out  of  balance  just 
enough  to  spoil  the  work  as  long  as  the 
lumps  are  on  the  tires.  I  keep  a  dull 
knife  handy  for  scraping  this  dirt  off.  It 
pays  to  do  this  several  times  or  until  the 
dirt  stops  gathering  on  the  wheels. 

I  have  found  a  deep  cigar  box  or  any 
sort  of  a  box  mighty  handy  when  fastened 
to  one  handle  of  the  hoe.  There  is  apt 
to  be  some  trash  or  straw  on  the  surface 
of  the  most  carefully  prepared  seed  bed. 
It  can  be  quickly  dumped  in  this  box  and 
carried  to  the  end  of  the  field  and  by 
simply  turning  over  the  hoe  the  contents 
dumped  where  they  will  not  harm  any- 
thing. 

As  a  part  of  every  blade  of  the  wheel 
hoe  there  is  an  upright  part  that  is  in- 
tended to  allow  close  cutting  to  the  row 
and  to  prevent  some  dirt  from  tumbling 

)  onto  the  small  vegetables.  If  this  is  left 
with  a  sharp  edge  it  will  do  a  lot  of  harm 
in  a  good  many  kinds  of  work  after  the 


vegetables  get  closer  to  maturity.  Blunt 
this  edge  with  a  file  or  grinding  machine 
and  save  considerable  of  the  crop  you  are 
tending. 

After  using  a  wheel  hoe  for  a  few  years 
it  becomes  worn  and  loose  in  the  spindles. 
This  with  the  blades  is  the  only  place 
that  a  wheel  hoe  wears  out.  I  have 
found  a  considerable  help  in  using  a 
heavy  piece  of  tin  as  a  washer  to  take  up 
this  wear.  A  wobbly  wheel  makes  sure, 
quick  and  accurate  work  almost  impos- 
sible. Steady,  firm  wheels  will  also  help 
it  a  lot. 

When  you  have  to  have  the  blades  re- 
newed at  times  it  is  a  pretty  good  plan  to 
get  them  an  inch  or  so  longer  than  you 
expect  to  use.  Usually  a  six  inch  blade 
will  leave  strips  of  uncultivated  surface 
between  the  rows  if  the  drilling  wasn't 
exactly  straight.  The  longer  blade  will 
get  these  places.  Besides  that  it  will 
wear  longer  because  it  is  wider  when 
first  purchased. — R.  E.  Rogers  in  The 
Garden  Magazine. 

Flowers  vs.  Food. 

The  enthusiasm  with  which  the  average 
gardener  has  heeded  the  call  of  the  gov- 
ernment in  the  planting  of  food  crops  has 
been  noticeable,  but  it  is  probable  that  as 
the  growing  season  advances  those  who 
are  accustomed  to  have  flowers  will  feel 
their  absence  and  here  is  where  those 
who  grow  cut  flowers  this  year  may  find 
a  profit. 

While  we  are  in  sympathy  with  the 
movement  toward  raising  foods  we  do 
not  believe  that  anyone  is  justified  in  ex- 
cluding flowers  from  their  regular  grow- 
ing crops,  even  though  the  call  for  foods 
is  pressing.  Those  who  have  never  grown 
cultivated  crops  will  do  well  to  start  with 
vegetables,  but  those  who  are  accustomed 
to  grow  flowers  should  not  abandon  them 
in  favor  of  vegetables  exclusively.  It  is 
probable  that  the  present  food  shortage  is 
temporary  and  we  must  not  forget  our 
love  for  the  beautiful. 

Again  we  suggest  that  those  who  have 
flowers  this  year  are  likely  to  find  a  ready 
market  for  them  and  certainly  those  who 
grow  for  their  own  enjoyment  and  not 
for  market  are  entitled  to  a  reasonable 
gratification  of  their  tastes  in  this  direc- 
tion. 

Next  year  with  the  war  over,  flower 
lovers  who  have  been  growing  vegetables 
largely  this  year,  will  return  to  their 
favorites  again.  Those  who  are  growing 
Gladioli  this  year  may  be  sure  that  there 
will  be  a  demand  for  their  product  another 
year. 


Page 


Ol)e  ^o6ern  (5la5lolus  (Brewer 


June 
1917 


The  Gladiolus  Manual. 

[Continued  from  page  87. ^ 

have    come    before    the   public   by    their 
merits. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  there  are 
some  who  have  been  omitted  above  who 
have  done  more  in  the  Gladiolus  world 
than  some  mentioned,  and  in  the  future 
may  become  famous  for  their  originations 
and  breeding,  but  to  date  we  have  given 
credit  to  those  only  who  have  been 
brought  before  our  notice  and  have  made 
a  mark. 

Growing  Gladiolus  Corms 

in  the  South. 

There  were  a  few  statements  made  by 
Mr.  Charles  L.  Baum,  of  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
in  his  address  recently  before  the  Ten- 
nessee State  Florists'  Association  that  we 
wish  to  call  special  attention  to.  The 
subject  that  was  discussed  by  Mr.  Baum 
was  "  Gladiolus  as  Summer  Cut  Flowers, 
Their  Culture  in  the  South,"  and  was 
published  in  full  in  Southern  Florist,  Feb. 
10th.  The  statement  we  want  to  call 
special  attention  to  is  as  follows : 

"Now,  as  to  the  cultivation  of  Gladiolus 
bulbs  here  in  our  Southern  country,  I 
do  not  believe  there  is  a  place  anywhere 
that  is  better  adapted  to  their  culture 
than  here.  We  can  begin  planting  late 
in  February  or  early  in  March  and  have 
a  long  season  in  which  to  grow  the  bulb, 
and  from  a  small  bulblet  or  cormlet  grow 
a  flowering  bulb  in  one  season,  and  if 
these  bulbs  are  just  left  in  the  ground, 
not  dug,  the  next  season  they  will  give 
you  60%  of  select  and  40%  of  No.  1 
blooming  bulbs,  and  a  sounder  or  more 
healthy  bulb  you  cannot  find  anywhere. 
I  am  speaking  from  experience,  for  last 
April  a  year  ago  I  planted  three  bushels 
of  America  cormlets  and  left  them  out 
over  winter,  and  this  last  fall  they  were 
dug  and  a  finer  lot  of  bulbs  were  never 
harvested.  They  were  all  blooming  bulbs 
and  one  and  a  half  acres  of  cormlets  were 
planted  last  October  in  the  field.  The 
former  one  and  a  half  acres  we  will 
harvest  this  coming  October,  and  the 
other  one  and  a  half  acres  will  be  dug  a 
year  from  the  coming  October.  I  have 
seven  bushels  of  hard  cormlets  to  plant 
this  spring  which  will  be  planted  in  the 
same  field,  and  as  last  fall  was  the  first 
time  I  planted  hard  bulblets  in  the  fall 
it  will  determine  which  is  the  best— fall 
or  spring  planting." 

Mr.  Baum  also  said: 

"Our  advantage  over  the  North  is  that 
we  can  produce  a  better  bulb  in  less  time 


and  I  know  we  can  grow  a  better  bulb 
here  than  in  Holland  and  I  believe  by 
growing  them  on  a  large  scale  we  can 
grow  them  just  as  cheaply  as  on  the  other 
side,  as  we  have  better  weather  conditions  ^ 
and  do  not  have  to  dig  the  bulbs  until  W 
they  have  reached  their  full  blooming 
size." 

There  are  very  many  important  plants 
and  flowers  that  we  can  be  very  success- 
ful with  in  the  South  if  our  florists  would 
only  have  the  confidence  in  themselves, 
and  points  brought  out  by  Mr.  Baum 
concerning  the  Gladiolus  are  similar  to 
the  facts  with  reference  to  many  other 
plants  and  flowers.  We  hope  that  the 
day  will  speedily  come  when  our  florists 
will  wake  up  to  the  many  splendid  op- 
portunities that  lie  at  their  feet  for  the 
growing  of  many  articles  on  a  large  scale, 
and  cause  the  eyes  of  the  world  to  be 
turned  upon  us  for  the  things  we  do. — 
Southern  Florist. 

We  would  be  glad  to  hear  from  some 
of  our  Northern  growers  who  have  had 
experience  in  the  South.  (E J/ tor. ) 


Asters. 

The  finest  asters  may  be  raised  on  a 
light  sandy  soil  providing  it  is  properly 
handled.  Such  a  soil  should  be  plowed 
or  spaded  deeply  and  heavily  manured  in 
September  or  October.  Then  a  thorough  M 
stirring  of  the  soil  in  the  spring  to  incor-  ' 
porate  the  manure  will  place  the  ground 
in  best  condition  to  grow  fine  bloom. 

When  the  work  is  not  attended  to  in 
the  fall  it  is  best  to  prepare  the  ground  as 
early  as  possible  in  the  spring  using  a 
a  large  quantity  of  well  rotted  barnyard 
manure  with  a  good  sprinkling  of  bone 
dust  and  wood  ashes  thoroughly  mixed 
with  the  soil. 

It  is  usually  more  profitable  to  properly 
fertilize  one  piece  of  soil  than  a  much 
larger  piece  poorly. 

Plants  grown  indoors  should  be  hard- 
ened to  the  open  air  by  placing  in  a  cold 
frame  where  on  pleasant  days  the  sash 
may  be  removed  ;  or  the  asters  may  be 
placed  under  a  covered  porch  and  cov- 
ered during  the  coldest  nights.  This 
hardening  before  transplanting  is  im- 
portant for  best  results. 


Gladiolus  growers,  no  matter  on  how 
small  a  scale  they  may  be  growing,  should 
try  to  find  a  market  for  their  surplus  cut 
bloom.  The  florists  can  use  Gladiolus 
bloom  to  advantage  in  many  cases  and  — ^ 
hotels,  public  institutions,  etc.,  often  be-  \ 
come  good  customers.  See  what  you  can 
do. 


A/riXED  Dahlias;  Cactus,  Single,  Show  and  Dec- 
-'■'•'■  orative,  in  general  mixup.  Take  them  as 
they  are,  75c.  doz.,  postpaid,  east  of  Rockies. 
Only  started  tubers  will  be  sent.  Wm.  C.  Pike, 
Grower,  18  Summer  St.,  Melrose,  Mass. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercizil,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture — 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well- 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


Published  mbnthly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York,  N.Y. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in   the 
curious  facts  about  our  native  wildflowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.    SAMPLE  FREE. 

WiUard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  JoUet,  111. 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 
Gladiolus    Grower 


1906  SMITH   ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN 

BULB    GRONVERS 

SASSENHEIM,  HOLLAND 

25  Beaver  Street,     New  York  City 
QUALITY— ECONOMY— SERVICE 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

LIST  ON  APPLICATION. 
WHOLESALE.       RETAIL. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 


U.  Cemoine  $(  Son 

nurserymen,  Hancy,  france 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD   YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

JoKn  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerfield  L.  I. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Groivers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.         Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 
DOVER,  N.  H. 

Send  for  beautiful  descriptive  booklet  of  Rare  Gladioli 

iMiiMiiliiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiriiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiJHiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiMiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiib 


GLADIOLI 

Send  for  my  catalog,  containing  96  dis- 
tinct varieties  and  some  excellent  mix- 
tures, TODAY— IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Dept.  D.  Milton,  Mass. 


Sunnyside 
Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 
Natick,  Massachusetts 


ioli  Exclusively 


P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

Mi 

RICHARD  DIENER  CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

Originators  and  Growers  of 
the  Largest  and  Finest 

GLADIOLUS 

in  the  world. 


KentHeid,  Marin  County,  California 


Gladioli  and  Dahlias 

WE  GROW  THE  BEST  PRODUCTIONS 
FROM  ALL  THE  ORIGINATORS 

'BETTER  VARIETIES  GROWN  BETTER" 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville    -    -    -     Mass. 


"The  Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 
Thanks  You. 

We  desire  to  thank  our  customers  for  a  very  successful  season 
made  possible  by  their  patronage. 

THE  BIG  FOUR 

Herada,  Gretchen  Zang, 

Evelyn  Kirtland,  Bertrex 

have  caught  on  by  leaps  and  bounds.     No  collection  complete 

without  them.  A  large  stock  of  Novelties  and  standard 

sorts  for  Fall  delivery.    Get  our  prices. 

AUSTIN- COLEMAN  CO. 

Originators  Giant  and  Distinct  Gladioli 
Wayland  -  -  _  -  Ohio 


The  Wilmore  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Ji.) 

Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Growers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Irises,  Etc. 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the  best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

O  1 1  r  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
>i  A I  .r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  of 
Ul\EMJ  YQig  j^  jj  g^jj  iji^  ^■^^Y^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three- 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


For  $1. 


AA    we  will  send  postpaid, 
I II I    a  set  of  12  color  plates, 
'•"^     each  81/2  x  15  inches,  of 
the  following  varieties; 

Panama,  Niagara,  Lily  Lehman,  Glory 
of  Holland,  Empress  of  India,  Pink 
Beauty,  Halley,  Baron  Hulot,  Willy 
Wigman,  Eleclra,  America  and  Princeps. 

These  are  all  finished  off  in  natural  colors 
and  are  suitable  for  framing. 

W.  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO. 
PEMBROKE,  N.Y. 


C.W.  BROWN  &  SON 

Gladiolus  Specialists 
ASHLAND    -    -    MASS. 

WE  OFFER  : 

The  World's  Best  Productions 

Including  Kunderd's  Varieties  and  Our  Own  Seedlings. 

Catalog  on  application. 


■  ■■ill  llllllllll 


Gladiolus 

"MRS.    WATT" 

Brilliant  ^Vine 
$  1  per  doz.,  postpaid. 

Admired  by  all  for  its 
DISTINCTIVE  BEAUTIFUL  SHADE 

See  March  issue  Modern  Gladiolus  Grotvei 

HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF  GLADIOLI 

WILTON    -    NEW^  HAMPSHIRE 


ITIIIBIIIIII  III! 


Fryer's 
New  Iris 

When  my  new  seedling 
Iris  are  in  bloom  in  June 
I  shall  prepare  a  short 
description  of  those  I 
have  named. 

If  you  are  interested  in 
these  new  creations  write 
for  it  now,  and  when  it 
is  ready  I  will  send  you 
a  copy. 

Willis  E.  Fryer 

Manlorville,  -  Minnesota 


E.  E.  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


Cold  Storage  for  Florists 

Good  refrigerating  facilities  are  just  as 
necessary  for  Florists,  Nurserymen, 
Seedsmen  and  Fruit  Growers  as  they 
are  for  dealers  in  butter  and  eggs. 

Let  us  send  you  a  description  of  a  florist's  plant 
installed  and  equipped  with  the  Cooper  Brine 
System  for  storing  cut  flowers  and  lily  of  the 
valley  pips. 


MADISON  COOPER  COMPANY 

Refrigerating  Engineers  and 

132  Court  St.  Architects  Calcium,  N.Y. 


BULBS 

k 

6co.  1  Uloodruff 

Independence,  Iowa 

q^HAT'S  MY  HOBBY  and  you 
J.  would  not  blame  me  if  you 
could  now  see  my  grand  Gladi- 
oli.   Just  for  instance   Mrs.  F. 

Tine  Gladioli 

Pendleton  5i  ft.  high  with  5  in. 

^— «;='- 

flowers  from  Ij  in.  bulbs;  other 

kinds  just  as  good.    I  am  grow- 

See my  advertisements  in  previous  num- 

ing thousands  of  them.     Now 

bers.                        Catalogue  on  application. 

cutting,    May    23rd,     America, 
Halley  and  others  with  4  to  6 

open  flowers  and  plenty  buds 

August. 

Will  dig  my  Paper  White  Nar- 

cissus first  of  June.    Expect  to 

have    75,000    salable   bulbs   of 
this  variety  and  50,000  Trumpet 
Daffodils;  also  50.000  AmarvUis 

Munsell  &  Harvey 

(Hippeastrum).     If   interested 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

write  me. 

C.  S.  TAIT 

Ashtabula      -      Ohio 

Brunswick  -    -    Ga. 

WAYSIDE 

*  Vaughan's 

GLADIOLI 

[  y    Specials  in 

ARE  KNOWN  TO  THE  TRADE  AS 

tL    GLADIOLI 

QUALITY  BULBS 

cxo 

^^HUJI^^         BeautitulCarniuiewith 

We  grow  a  selected  list  of 

^^*|HbL           fer  (loz-  $1  :iO;  per  100,  $9. 

Dahlias 

<«jKcS_,/^          I'he  best  and  most  dis- 
TMBCil           tinct    of    all    the  Prim- 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  IN  THE  MIDDLE 

^JMHT"'^             I'erdoz.,$^;perl00,$15. 

WEST  and 

«"|^HR«*^  Chicago  White 

i^WWrS^,  "ifr    The  best  early  white. 
...  JKp  -*   ,.,      Perdoz.,  35c:  per  100,  $2.25 

^gt^^*l»w|^     Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 

Hardy  Plants 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  ANYWHERE. 

lM0B|gK|              alog— Ijrand   INovelties 
^JEMffSL              in  GLADIOLI  and  CANNAS. 

May  ue  send  our  catalog? 

^P^      Vaughan's 

Wayside  Gardens 

^W^      Seed  Store 

Mentor         Box  C               Ohio 

'  '^                CHICAGO, 31-33W.  RandolphSt. 
MARGARET             NEW  YORK.  43  Barclay  St. 

B 


-fB 

Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton 

Special  Offer: 

25  Choice  Young  Bulbs  of  this  most  popular  variety  by 
parcel  post  $2.00,  prepaid,  not  later  than  June  10. 

No  more  small  stock  for  sale  this  season. 
Place  your  orders   early  for  fall   delivery. 

Iris  and  Phlox 

Choice  new  varieties  for  sale  next  fall.  Plant  early  for  best  results. 

Brookland  Gardens 

S.  E.  Spencer,  Proprietor 

Lexington  St.,      -        Woburn,  Mass. 


m 


B 


GOLDEN  KING 

A^VARDED  FIRST  CLASS  CERTIFICATE 

Price  of  Golden  King  has  been  reduced  so  as  to  put  it  writhin  the  reach 
of  all  growers.     Retail  price  1  Oc.  each.  $1.00  per  doz. 

Send  for^  our   retail    list   describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  atid  new  varieties. 
All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.      Wholesale  list  for  dealers  and  large  grotvers. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  furnishing  planting  stock  of 
the  best  new  and  standard  varieties  to  other  Gladiolus 
Grov^^ers,  Florists,  Market  Gardeners,  Nurserymen 
and  all  others  who  grow  Gladioli  commercially. 

We  recommend   planting  young  f  to  1  in.  blooming  size  bulbs  and  sell   them 
very  cheaply  in  lots  of  100  and   1000  or  more. 

A  special  price  will  be  quoted  on  a  list  of  your  wants  if  you  will 
state  size  and  number  of  bulbs  of  each  variety  wanted. 

G.  D.  BLACK 

GLADIOLUS    SPECIALIST 

Albert  Lea        _        _        -        -         Minn.        ^ 


^liTUn^^ 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


JULY,   1917 


No.  7 


GLADIOLU3-SLv4A'C//£' 
Introduced  by  John  Lewis  Child?.    Flowers  large  of  pure  white  and  with  but   faint  marks. 


Page 

100 


Obe  ^o6ern  <5la6iolus  (Grower 


July 
1917 


Gladiolus  Growing  for  the  Amateur. 

K.  Atkinson  in  Annual  of  the  National  Gladiolus  Society  for  1914-1915. 


THE  culture  of  Gladioli  is  in  reality 
extremely  simple,  it  is  a  flower  that 
will  grow  with  ease  nearly  anywhere, 
in  nearly  any  soil,  provided  one  or  two  es- 
sentials are  secured  ;  it  lends  itself  to  any 
decorative  scheme  of  gardening  and  is 
wonderfully  effective  as  a  cut  flower.  It  is, 
therefore,  pre-eminently  a  flower  for  the 
Amateur  Gardener,  and  the  sole  reason 
that  its  culture  has  been  so  neglected  until 
quite  lately  is  that  there  has  existed  a  quite 
erroneous  impression  that  it  is  difficult  to 
grow,  and  secondly,  that  there  has  been 
no  simple  advice  obtainable  as  to  the  best 
method  of  cultivation.  Another  cause 
that  has  prevented  the  Gladiolus  from 
coming  to  her  place  as  Queen  among  the 
hardy  border  flowers  is  the  high  price 
hitherto  asked  by  bulb  salesmen  for  the 
bulbs.  That  is  all  changed  now,  some  of 
the  finest  varieties  obtainable  can  now  be 
bought  for  Id.  and  2d.  per  bulb,  and  the 
time  has  come  when  every  garden  should 
have  its  border  of  glorious  Gladioli. 

The  cultivation  of  Gladioli  is  far  more 
simple  and  less  troublesome  than  that  of 
the  Rose  and  Sweet  Pea,  their  time  of 
blooming  being  of  far  greater  length  than 
either  of  these  well  established  favorites. 

Commencing  at  the  end  of  June,  the 
Gladiolus  can  be  had  in  bloom  in  unbroken 
succession  till  November,  and  in  water  it 
will  outlast  any  other  flower  either  of  the 
garden  or  hot  house. 

If  the  amateur,  who  is  forming  a  Gladi- 
olus collection,  desires  to  show  his  blooms, 
he  must  of  necessity  take  rather  more 
pains  in  their  cultivaton,  it  maybe  as  well, 
therefore,  to  divide  instructions  into  two 
heads:  (1)  Treatment  for  show;  (2) 
Treatment  for  the  flower  border  and  for 
cut  bloom. 

1.  Treatment  for  show  :  For  this  pur- 
pose it  is  as  well  to  prepare  a  bed  in  late 
November  and  December.  The  Gladiolus 
is  first  of  all  a  sun  lover,  no  spot  is  too 
hot  for  him,  he  loves  the  full  glare  of  the 
sun  and  will  do  best  of  all  under  a  south 
wall,  he  should  have  plenty  of  air,  too, 
but  must  be  sheltered  from  the  toughest 
winds;  on  no  account,  however,  plant  near 
trees  or  shrubs  where  the  blooms  will  be 
overshadowed  and  the  ground  stained  by 
roots  of  stronger  plants. 

The  show  bloom  bed  should  be  well  dug 
in  the  late  autumn,  a  fairly  heavy  dressing 
of  farm  yard  manure  should  be  spread  on 


the  land  and  dug  in  with  a  fork  or  spade 
if  the  ground  is  at  all  poor,  if  rich,  this 
may  be  omitted ;  a  good  loam  is  the  fav- 
orite soil,  but  Gladioli  will  do  well  in 
sandy  soils  and  even  in  stiff  clay — in  the 
latter  case  it  is  as  well  to  apply  a  liberal 
dressing  of  ashes  in  November  and  dig 
them  in  to  break  up  the  ground  a  little. 
If  sandy,  the  bed  must  certainly  be  well 
manured,  but  on  no  account  in  any  soil 
must  farm  yard  or  horse  manure  be  used 
just  before  planting,  at  least  two  months 
and  preferably  three,  must  elapse  between 
manuring  and  planting  time.  Having 
manured  and  dug  the  bed,  let  it  lie  till 
three  weeks  before  planting,  then  dig  it 
once  again  to  let  the  air  well  into  the  soil. 

Planting  can  commence  in  early  March 
in  the  South  of  England,  in  April  in  the 
North.  The  bulb  is  intolerant  of  frost, 
but  will  stand  eight  degrees,  while  it  is  in 
the  ground  without  sustaining  any  harm; 
the  danger,  however,  in  early  planting  is 
in  having  the  young  green  shoot  nipped 
off  by  five  or  six  degrees  of  frost  when  it 
is  a  few  inches  high.  This,  however,  can  ^ 
be  guarded  against  by  a  knowledge  of  the  ^ 
local  conditions,  also  by  a  little  temporary 
shelter  of  hurdles  or  canvas. 

It  is  best  to  plant  the  show  stuff  in 
rows,  18  inches  between  each  row,  nine 
inches  between  each  bulb,  and  four  inches 
deep,  this  allowing  free  cultivation.  Di- 
rectly the  spikes  of  green  are  well  up  the 
hoe  should  be  kept  going,  the  soil  being 
kept  well  stirred  round  the  bulbs  and  all 
weeds  removed.  When  the  flower  spikes 
begin  to  grow  away  from  the  sheath  of 
leaves,  put  a  bamboo  cane  about  three 
inches  from  the  bulb  and  tie  the  spikes 
to  it,  but  not  so  tightly  that  it  cannot  ex- 
pand and  grow,  nor  yet  so  loosely  that 
the  flower  when  open  will  swing  and 
bruise  itself.  It  must  be  remembered  that 
the  show  bloom  is  very  heavy  and  re- 
quires support.  All  side  flower  shoots 
coming  out  of  the  main  stem  must  be  re- 
moved in  order  to  get  size  in  the  main 
bloom. 

Should  the  season  be  very  dry,  give  a 
copious  watering  twice  a  week,  a  sprinkle 
is  quite  useless,  and  unless  plenty  of 
water  is  available,  it  is  best  to  leave  it 
alone  altogether.  A  very  light  dressing  ^^ 
of  artificial  fertilizer  may  be  given  when 
the  flower  spike  first  shows;  this  should 
be  sprinkled  on  the  soil  and  watered  in 


July 
1917 


Ol)e  Modern  (Bla6iolu5  (&row«r 


Page 

101 


or  else  dissolved  in  the  can  and  applied 
with  water. 

If  these  simple  directions  are  followed 
Gladioli  can  be  obtained  with  flower  stems 
5i  feet  high  and  with  flowers  six  inches 
in  diameter.  This  is  no  exaggeration, 
the  record  height  for  a  Gladiolus  is  seven 
feet,  and  the  largest  bloom  recorded  was 
eight  inches  in  diameter.  Both  were 
grown  on  a  light  loam  soil  with  the  treat- 
ment here  advised. 

In  the  choice  of  varieties  for  showing 
the  amateur  may  easily  be  led  astray, 
many  beautiful  spikes  of  bloom  are  shown 
in  trade  exhibits,  the  bulb  of  which,  if 
purchased,  will  give  very  unsatisfactory 
results  the  succeeding  year.  This,  how- 
ever, is  becoming  far  less  common  than 
formally ;  there  are  now  hundreds  of 
sterling  varieties  with  strong  constitutions 
from  which  a  selection  may  be  made. 
The  following  are  all  show  varieties,  and 
are  all  strong  standard  sorts  which  range 
in  price  from  12/6  per  bulb  to  2d.: 

Loveliness,  cream ;  Brooklands,  rose ; 
Halley  and  Prince  of  Wales,  salmon  ;  Dawn, 
flame  pink  ;  Armagnac,  scarlet  and  white  ; 
Golden  West  and  Meteor,  glowing  orange  ; 
Golden  King,  Glory  of  Noordivijk,  Schwa- 
ben  and  Niagara,  yellow ;  Liebesfeuer  and 
Fire  King,  scarlet ;  Panama,  Cassilda, 
Eugene  Sandow,  pink;  Mary  Fennell, 
Bleriot,  mauve ;  General  Marina,  purple ; 
Anna  Goldschmidt  and  Zeppelin,  white; 
Prince  of  India,  chocolate  and  flame  ;  Orby, 
Phlegeton,  Pride  of  America  and  Gallieni, 
range  from  deep  crimson  to  vermillion 
red. 

From  these,  too,  the  amateur  hybridizer 
may  make  a  fine  selection  for  his  experi- 
ments. 

2.  Treatment  for  the  flower  border  :  If 
Gladioli  are  wanted  for  color  effect  in  a 
massed  border,  they  should  be  planted  in 
clumps  of  about  15  to  20  bulbs,  the  bulbs 
should  be  put  in  four  inches  apart  and 
plenty  of  air  and  light  must  be  allowed. 
It  is  useless  to  hope  for  a  really  fine  re- 
sult if  the  bulbs  are  planted  close  to  tall 
rank  growing  plants  such  as  Dahlias, 
Michaelmas  Daisies  and  the  like.  Dig  the 
ground  well  before  planting  and  if  the 
soil  be  poor  give  a  few  applications  of 
manure  water  in  the  flowering  season. 
Gladioli  in  the  border  need  not  be  staked 
unless  the  position  be  very  much  ex- 
posed to  wmd.  Planted  among  Dwarf 
Roses  in  formal  beds  they  look  very  well. 
Neither  plant  interferes  with  the  other, 
and  the  Gladioli  come  into  bloom  just 
when  the  first  Rose  bloom  is  going  over, 
thus  securing  for  the  garden  a  continuity 
of  color. 

A  fine  color  scheme  for  a  formal  bed 


can  be  obtained  by  a  mixture  of  Brench- 
leyensis  and  Baron  J.  Httlot,  but  the  range 
of  coloring  in  Gladioli  is  so  wide  that  any 
color  effect  can  be  secured  with  very 
little  trouble. 

For  the  Herbaceous  border  the  follow- 
ing are  among  the  best : 

Halley,  Wynrod  (or  Czar  Peter),  Baron 
J.  Hulot,  Michigan,  Mrs.  Francis  King, 
America,  Annie  Wigman,  Master  Weitse, 
Faust,  Empress  of  India,  Chicago  White, 
Aprikose,  Ida  Van,  Marie  Therese,  Prin- 
ceps.  Admiral  Cervera,  Grande  Blanche 
and  the  old  Brenchleycnsis. 

For  cut  flower  work  where  smaller, 
more  slender  spikes  are  required,  plant 
Purity,  Sulphur  King,  President  Taft,  Baron 
Hulot,  Dick,  Master  Weitse,  L' Innocence, 
Excelsa.  For  the  dinner  table  nothing 
exceeds  the  beauty  of  the  orange  and 
yellow  tones  of  the  Hybrids  of  Primu- 
linus,  these  being  among  the  most  grace- 
ful flowers  that  have  ever  been  grown. 

There  are  many  other  varieties  both 
for  show  and  garden  work,  equal  in 
beauty  and  general  excellence  to  those 
mentioned  here,  but  it  is  manifestly  im- 
possible to  give  a  catalogue  of  all  the 
desirable  Gladioli,  the  eye  only  becomes 
confused  among  a  mass  of  names  and  a 
sufficient  choice  for  the  start  of  a  collec- 
tion can  be  made  among  those  enumer- 
ated. 

Blue  Flags. 

O  golden  days,  O  woodland  ways. 

And  sunny  meadows,  teeming 

With  treasures  rare,  most  royal  fare. 

For  bards'  or  lovers'  dreaming. 

O  silvery  stream,  with  glint  and  gleam. 

Where  dipping  boughs  are  laving. 

The  current  lags  where  sweet  blue  flags 

By  ripples  stirred  are  waving. 

Amid  the  green,  their  soft  blue  sheen. 
With  white  and  purple  penciled, 
Like  bits  of  sky,  where  sunbeams  lie. 
Through  leafy  branches  stenciled. 
O  faint  perfume,  no  other  bloom 
Can  match,  for  fine  distilling. 
Thy  essence  rare  that  dulls  all  care, 
And  sets  my  senses  thrilling. 

To  Southern  skies  my  fancy  flies. 

Beneath  whose  soft  beguiling, 

What  songs  I  sung,  when  hope  was  young. 

And  all  the  World  was  smiling. 

O  memories  dear,  that  linger  near 

The  meadow,  brook  andwildwood. 

And  blue  flags  sweet,  that  made  complete 

The  sunny  days  of  childhood. 

—  William  B.  Hunt. 


The  Iris  is  a  good  companion  flower  to 
the  Gladiolus.  There  are  few  flowers  as 
early  as  the  Iris  and  the  improved  varieties 
now  being  introduced  are  quite  wonderful. 
W.  E.  Fryer's  new  Irises  are  worthy  of  any 
flower  lover's  consideration. 


Page 

102 


Oljc  Mlo6erR  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


July 
1917 


The  Gladiolus. 


EACH  year  sees  an  increased  activity 
among  lovers  of  the  Gladiolus.  More 
varieties  are  introduced,  more  varia- 
tions of  color  are  noticed,  and  the  im- 
provement of  form  and  habit  in  the 
inflorescence  is  marked.  This  summer 
bulb  is  indeed  a  flower  in  a  million  for 
the  gardens  of  America.  It  is  one  in  v^'hich 
every  gardener  can  indulge  his  fancy. 
The  connoisseur,  the  seeker  for  rarities, 
has  all  the  scope  for  extravagance  that  he 
may  wish ;  while  at  the  same  time  the 
sternly  practical  man,  who  wishes  the 
most  for  the  smallest  outlay,  can  surely 
find  material  to  satisfy  his  desires.  Some 
varieties  there  are  that  will  flower  nine 
weeks  from  date  of  planting,  and  by 
making  successional  plantings  at  intervals 
of  two  weeks,  blooms  may  be  had  in  the 
garden  until  frost  brings  down  the  curtain. 
The  Gladiolus  will  give  the  best  account 
of  itself  when  planted  in  clumps  among 
other  subjects,  as  in  the  herbaceous 
border  or  in  the  shrubbery.  That  is  far 
better  than  setting  them  out  in  military 
like  rows  which  only  seems  to  accentuate 
what  natural  stiffness  they  possess.  When 
planting  in  mixture  with  other  subjects, 
it  is  well,  however,  to  observe  that  they 
are  not  planted  in  close  proximity  to  sub- 
jects which  are  gross  feeders  or  among 
the  roots  of  shrubs  which  are  liable  to 
make  an  undue  toll  upon  the  fertility  of 
the  soil  and  to  the  detriment  of  the  Gladi- 
olus. Happy  effects  may  be  obtained  by 
planting  Gladioli  in  conjunction  with 
annuals  of  long  season,  such  as  Petunia, 
Eschscholtzia,  Phlox,  Sweet  Alyssum,  or 
dwarf  Nasturtium.  A  bed  of  annuals 
and  Gladioli  in  mixture  is  satisfactory 
for  a  late  planted  garden.  First  of  all, 
plant  over  the  area  with  Gladiolus  bulbs 
15  inches  apart.  These  bulbs,  of  course, 
being  set  three  to  six  inches  deep,  ac- 
cording as  to  whether  the  soil  is  heavy  or 
light.  Then,  sow  annuals  broadcast  ac- 
cording to  fancy.  The  seed  of  these  an- 
nuals will  be  lightly  raked  into  the  soil, 
except  in  the  case  of  Nasturtiums  which 
must  be  planted  one  inch  deep  Later 
the  seedling  annuals  must  be  thinned  out 
rigorously  to  perhaps  nine  inches  apart. 
Additional  batches  of  Gladioli  can  then 
be  planted  in  here  at  fortnightly  intervals 
until  mid-July,  which  will  insure  a  con- 
tinuous display  of  bloom  from  the  bed. 
Grown  in  this  way  and  allowed  to  finish 
their  flowering  on  the  plant,  the  flowering 
spike  must  be  cut  down  as  the  last  flowers 


fade  in  order  to  give  room  for  succession 
and  to  maintain  a  neat  appearance.  When 
cutting,  leave  as  many  leaves  as  possible 
on  the  plant  in  order  to  perfect  the  new 
bulb  which  is  the  secret  of  next  season's 
vigor. 

The  variety  of  Gladioli  is  almost  in- 
finite, but  I  may  be  allowed  to  name  a 
few  as  suggesting  appropriate  combina- 
tions with  the  better  known  annuals. 

Halley — a  Gladiolus  with  flowers  of 
salmony-pink,  blooms  within  two  months 
from  date  of  planting,  looks  well  on  a 
carpet  of  golden  flowers  of  the  California 
Poppy.  It  also  makes  a  good  combina- 
tion with  the  yellow-flowered  Gladiolus 
Niagara,  which  variety,  however,  requires 
two  weeks  longer  to  produce  its  flowers 
and  must  be  allowed  for  by  earlier  plant- 
ing if  simultaneous  bloom  is  desired.  The 
variety  America  with  its  massive  spikes  of 
delicate  pink,  combines  well  with  Niagara ; 
both  flower  ten  weeks  from  planting. 
Another  charming  picture  that  I  obtained 
last  year  was  the  Barou  Hulot  and  Golden 
Queen  Gladiolus,  planted  in  a  bed  with  a 
carpet  of  white  Petunia  or  white  Drum- 
mond  Phlox.  Gladiolus  Dieulafoy  and  ^ 
Panama  are  an  appropriate  combination  % 
with  Sweet  Alyssum  Little  Gem.  I  ap- 
pend a  list  of  well-known  varieties  with 
approximate  flowering  times  for  each  from 
date  of  planting,  from  which  data  the  in- 
dividual will  be  able  to  work  out  schemes 
to  fit  his  particular  desires. 

TIME  FROM 
PLANTING 
NAME  AND  COLOR  UNTIL 

FLOWERING 

j4»ze>7c«,  fine  pink   10  weeks 

Baron  Hiilot,  dark  violet  blue 9      |] 

Cracker  Jack,  rich  crimson 9 

Golden  Queen,  light  yellow  with  carmine 

blotch 9    ;; 

Halley.  salmon-pink 8 

Jean  £)?'e«/a/o>',primrose,chocolate  blotch  9      '' 

A/rs.  Fra«c/s  A'/Hg-,  light  scarlet 11      ]' 

Mrs.  W^af/,  wine-red 11      " 

Niagara,  canary  yellow 10 

Peoce,  fine  white 10 

PrtHOMfl,  deep  pink 12      '' 

Rosy  Spray,  white  and  rose._- 11'.    " 

Srnftc,  light  rose  flaked  red 11      '] 

7"izco»;'r,  pink  marked  crimson 10 

Of  the  more  recent  developments  of  the 
Gladiolus,  attention  is  focussed  favorably 
on  what  is  known  as  Primidinas  Hybrids, 
which  introduce  us  to  a  series  of  shadings 
of  yellow  flushed  with  pink  and  rose. 
The  flov/ers  are  daintily  proportioned  and  ^• 
gracefully  set  along  the  spike  in  a  some- 
what looser  arrangement  than  is  char- 
acteristic of  the  older  stvle  of    Gladioli. 


July 
1917 


Ol)c  Mlo5ern  (5la6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

103 


As  cut  flowers  for  decorative  purposes, 
they  out-class  the  other  members  of  the 
famil}^  And,  although  of  comparatively 
recent  introduction,  have  achieved  a  de- 
cided popularity.  These  Primiiliiiits  Hy- 
brids, which  are  the  results  of  blending 
the  species  of  Gladiolus  primulinus  (yel- 
low) with  the  older  types,  flower  nine 
weeks  after  planting,  and  they  have  the 
further  advantage  that  as  each  plant 
throws  up  a  succession  of  spikes,  the 
flowering  season  is  continued  over  a  period 
of  several  weeks.  Planted  in  combination 
with  the  yellow  California  Poppy  as  a 
ground  work,  a  harmonious  study  in  yel- 
low is  assured.  As  regards  the  depth  of 
planting  Gladioli,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that,  apart  from  all  other  consid- 
erations, deep  planting  has  the  practical 
advantage  of  obviating  the  necessity  of 
staking.— G.  W.  Kerr  in  Garden  Maga- 
zine. 

Making  the  Most  of 

Your  Cut  Flowers. 

By  E.  I.  Farrington  in  Syracuse  Herald. 

If  cut  flowers  are  squeezed  into  a  vase 
so  tightly  that  the  air  is  excluded  they 
will  be  smothered  to  death.  That  is  the 
reason  why  many  bouquets  do  not  last 
as  long  as  they  should.  A  wide-mouthed 
vase  is  the  best  kind  to  use  because  it  ad- 
mits oxygen  in  plenty. 

Tall,  slender  vases  are  very  attractive 
for  long-stemmed  flowers  like  carnations, 
but  they  have  one  fault — the  water  in 
them  becomes  warm  very  quickly,  and 
this  warmth  is  transmitted  to  the  flowers, 
causing  them  to  wilt.  The  water  in  vases 
of  this  kind  should  be  changed  twice  a 
day. 

Most  flowers  last  longer  if  half  an  inch 
is  cut  from  the  stems  every  day.  This 
cutting  should  always  be  done  with  a 
sharp  knife.  It  is  well  enough  to  use 
scissors  in  the  garden  for  convenience, 
but  they  have  a  tendency  to  squeeze  the 
stems  together,  thus  reducing  the  amount 
of  water  which  can  be  taken  up.  A  di- 
agonal cut  with  a  knife  has  just  the  op- 
posite effect.  It  is  especially  important 
to  have  a  slanting  cut  if  the  stems  are  to 
rest  on  the  bottom  of  the  holder  for  other- 
wise they  will  be  sealed  by  this  contact. 

Peonies  should  be  cut  when  the  buds 
are  only  half-open,  for  then  they  will  last 
longer.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  florists 
to  keep  them  in  cold  storage  for  a  month. 
The  irises  keep  their  color  better  when 
allowed  to  unfold  in  the  house.  If  morn- 
ing glory  buds  are  cut  very  early  and 
placed  in  a  bowl  on  the  breakfast  table. 


their  unfolding  can  be  witnessed  while 
the  meal  is  in  progress,  making  a  pleasant 
day's  beginning.  Although  poppies  are 
not  usually  considered  available  for  cut- 
ting, they  will  last  fairly  well  if  the  stems 
are  singed  until  black  in  a  candle  flame. 

Roses  received  in  a  wilted  condition  can 
be  revived  by  placing  the  stems  in  very 
hot  water.  But  if  there  is  plenty  of  time 
it  is  better  to  fill  the  bath  tub  and  let  the 
flowers  float  there  over  night. 

The  best  way  to  rob  violets  of  their 
perfume  is  to  place  them  in  an  open  vase 
of  water.  The  fragrance  will  be  retained 
if  the  vase  is  covered  with  a  piece  of  tissue 
paper,  but  the  violets  will  keep  equally 
well  if  simply  wrapped  in  damp  paper 
and  laid  in  a  cool  place.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  they  take  their  moisture  through 
their  petals  and  nothing  is  gained  by  in- 
serting the  stems  in  water.  This  applies 
also  to  orchids. 

Dahlias  will  usually  keep  fresh  several 
days  if  the  stems  are  thrust  into  water  as 
hot  as  the  hand  can  bear  and  left  there 
until  the  water  cools,  then  being  placed 
in  their  regular  holders.  Of  course  the 
leaves  must  be  stripped  from  the  stem 
before  this  is  done.  The  foliage  should 
always  be  removed  from  the  lower  part 
of  all  flower  stems  or  it  will  foul  the  water 
in  the  vases. 

If  those  who  are  growing  Gladioli  as 
comparatively  new  beginners  only  knew 
what  a  great  fund  of  useful  information 
is  contained  in  the  back  issues  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  we  would 
get  more  orders  for  same.  The  supply  is, 
of  course,  limited,  and  those  who  want 
them  should  order  at  once.  The  price  is 
at  the  rate  of  50c.  per  year  for  three 
years  or  more,  or  we  can  supply  you  with 
the  bound  volumes  nicely  bound  with  in- 
dexes for  quick  reference  for  $1.25  per 
volume  or  $3.75  for  the  three  bound 
volumes  to  the  end  of  1916. 


We  are  waiting  to  hear  reports  on 
earliness  of  bloom  this  year.  Unless  we 
are  greatly  mistaken  Gladiolus  bloom  is 
going  to  be  two  weeks  late  on  the  aver- 
age. The  Gladiolus,  however,  makes  good 
use  of  its  time  by  rooting  heavily  in  cool 
weather.  Heavy  rooting  means  superior 
strength  of  flower  spike.  The  editor  does 
not  expect  bloom  from  his  Pink  Beauty 
this  year  before  July  15th,  possibly  a  little 
later  than  this.  Warm  weather,  however, 
would  bring  them  on  rapidly  as  the  stalks 
are  beginning  to  thicken  now.  The  first 
planting  of  Pink  Beauty  and  Lily  Lehmann 
was  made  on  April  12th. 


Page 

104 


Ol)e  Mlcdern  (Gladiolus  (Brower 


July 
1917 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


A  LESSON  IN  HYBRIDIZING  FOR  THE 
AMATEUR. 

It  had  rained  sometime  during  the 
night  and  when  I  first  went  out  on  the 
porch  I  was  somewhat  dismayed  by  the 
dampness  and  forbidding  aspect  of  the 
sky,  but  while  I  looked  the  clouds  parted 
and  the  sun  sent  out  long  glistening  rays 
and  the  lines  of  a  rhyme  that  I  had  heard 
a  child  recite  passed  through  my  mind: — 

A  million  little  diamonds  twinkled  on  the  trees, 
A  million  little  maidens  said — a  diamond  if  you 

please- 
But  while  they  held  their  hands  outstretched 

to  catch  the  diamonds  gay, 
A  million  little  sunbeams  came 

and  stole  them  all  away." 

But  I  was  not  after  diamonds.  The  porch 
overlooks  the  Gladiolus  field  and  I  was 
eagerly  searching  for  the  first  bit  of  color. 
It  had  been  a  good  "  growing  "  night  and 
I  felt  sure  some  buds  must  be  opening. 
Ah,  yes,  Pink  Beauty  was  waving  Good 
Morning  to  me,  and  forgetting  the  dia- 
monds, which  were  fast  being  stolen  "  all 
away,"  I  hastened  to  the  field.  Pink 
Beauty  was  not  alone,  one  large  sparkling 
snowy  bloom  of  Bertrex  turned  its  face 
skyward  and  a  little  farther  on  a  seed- 
ling boastfully  flaunted  nearly  a  full  spike 
of  its  somewhat  homely  blooms.  It  had 
been  given  me  by  an  amateur  who  observed 
the  trait  of  earliness,  and  with  its  slender 
spike  of  many  well  set  blooms  opening 
nearly  all  at  one  time,  combined  with 
earliness  it  might  be  of  value  as  a  breeding 
variety.  Like  many  ordinary  ones  it  was 
loaded  with  pollen  and  I  thought  I  must 
surely  try  a  little  hybridizing  if  only  for 
practice. 

Next  to  the  open  bloom  of  the  Ber- 
trex was  an  unfolding  bud,  and  gently 
forcing  the  petals  apart,  I  picked  out  the 
stamens  with  a  pair  of  tiny  tweezers,  be- 
ing careful  to  not  injure  the  pistil.  After 
this  operation  I  removed  the  open  flower 
and  the  remaining  buds  with  one  ex- 
ception, then  protected  the  unfolding  bud 
and  the  tight  bud  beside  it  by  covering 
them  with  a  paper  bag,  leaving  enough 
of  the  bare  spike  above  to  hold  the  bag  in 
place  and  prevent  it  from  resting  on  them. 
I  then  gathered  the  edges  of  the  bag  to- 
gether and  tied  it  below  the  buds.  I  also 
covered  the  spikes  of  the  seedling  and 
Pink  Beauty.  I  had  covered  the  Bertrex 
to  prevent  fertilization  by  bees  or  the 
windblown  pollen,  and  the  other  varieties 
which  were  not  emasculated,  to  prevent 
the  pollen  being  lost. 


The  next  morning  I  uncovered  the  seed- 
ling, selected  one  of  the  flowers  with 
stamens  freshly  opened  and  well  weighted 
with  pollen.  This  I  carried  carefully  to 
the  Bertrex  from  which  I  removed  the 
bag  and  with  the  small  blade  of  my  Gladi- 
olus knife  I  transferred  the  pollen  grains 
to  the  pistil  of  the  Bertrex  bloom  but 
found  it  was  not  fully  developed.  (By 
looking  closely  this  could  have  been  ob- 
served before  using  the  pollen.)  Later  in 
the  day  I  again  placed  pollen  on  the  stigma 
which  was  then  ready  to  receive  it,  being 
covered  with  a  substance  which  would 
retain  it.  The  flower  was  again  covered 
and  marked  by  using  a  tag  on  which  was 
written  the  date  and  names  of  the  varie- 
ties thus : 

Date 

Bertrex  x  Seedling 

The  tight  bud  of  the  Bertrex  which  had 
been  kept  covered  was  beginning  to  open 
and  I  again  went  through  with  the  pro- 
cess of  hybridizing,  using  pollen  from  the 
Pink  Beauty. 

Of  course  it  was  rather  extravagant  to 
take  a  whole  bloom  with  all  its  stamens 
for  the  crossing  but  I  had  plenty  of  them. 
When  the  pollen  is  scarce  I  scrape  it  from 
the  stamen  with  the  point  of  the  knife 
blade  into  a  small  bottle  and  use  a  tiny 
camel's  hair  brush  to  transfer  it— a  few 
grains  are  sufficient. 

Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 

Westerbeek  &   Klyn  Purchases 

Randall  Gladiolus  Farm  at 

Benton  Harbor,  Mich. 

We  are  notified  by  Mr.  A.  G.  Pruyser, 
resident  member  of  the  firm  of  Wester- 
beek &  Klyn,  Sassenheim,  Holland,  that 
his  company  has  purchased  the  Gladiolus 
farm  of  A.  L.  Randall  at  Benton  Harbor, 
Michigan. 

As  our  readers  well  know,  Westerbeek 
&  Klyn  make  a  specialty  of  the  Gladiolus. 
Difficulty  in  getting  Holland  shipments 
through  this  year  has  induced  them  to 
secure  locations  for  growing  in  this  country 
and  the  Randall  farm  at  Benton  Harbor 
will  give  them  a  fine  situation  for  this 
purpose.  Three  million  Gladiolus  bulbs 
have  been  planted  on  the  Randall  farm 
this  year,  and  Westerbeek  &  Klyn  in  ad- 
dition to  the  standard  varieties  have 
secured  some  of  the  best  novelties  and 
rare  and  high  priced  sorts. 

In  addition  to  Gladioli  the  firm  handles 
Dutch  and  French  bulbs  of  all  kinds. 
Darwin  Tulips  will  be  the  next  specialty 
which  this  enterprising  firm  will  adver- 
tise. 


July 

1917 


Ol)e  Mlo6ern  (BlaMolus  (Brower 


Page 

105 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF   THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
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Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

The  ionttnti  of  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROUPER  are  covered  by  general  copyright.  Permission  is  given  u  edifrs  to 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  proper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  follows  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROIVER,  Calcium,  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations, 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


July,    1917 


No.  7 


Gla-di'-o-lus  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-li. 

Correctly  pronounced  with  accent  on  the  syllable  ''  di." 


Publisher's  Announcement. 

It  is  our  present  intention  to  increase 
the  size  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  to  a  three  column  page  9"xl2" 
beginning  with  January,  1918.  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower  is  now  in  its 
fourth  year  and,  owing  to  its  comparatively 
small  size  page,  many  of  our  illustrations 
have  suffered  from  lack  of  space,  and  be- 
sides we  have  omitted  much  extra  good 
matter,  which  we  really  intended  to  print. 
We  have  also  promised  that  we  would  in- 
crease the  amount  of  matter  printed  on 
othersummer  flowering  bulbs  and  bulbous 
plants  in  general.  To  do  this  increased 
size  is  necessary. 

A  still  further  increase  in  subscription 
rate  will  be  necessary,  but  the  increase 
will  be  small  and  it  is  our  intention  to 
never  make  the  price  of  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  more  than  $1.00  per 
year.  Advertising  rates  will  be  unchanged 
for  the  same  area  of  space,  but  the  type 
page  will  be  about  twice  the  size  that  it 
is  at  present. 

We  make  this  announcement  thus  early 
so  that  our  many  old  friends  who  have 
been  reading  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  in  its  present  form  will  accustom 
themselves  to    the  idea    that  it    will    be 


enlarged.  Although  costs  of  publishing 
are  still  on  the  increase  yet  we  will  allow 
old  subscribers  until  January  1st  to  re- 
new their  subscription  for  as  long  a  period 
as  desired  at  the  present  rate  of  $1.50  for 
three  years. 

Madison  Cooper. 


The  Gladiolus  Adopted 

as  a  City  Flower. 

We  are  informed  by  one  of  our  sub- 
scribers, Mr.  W.  C.  Dibble,  of  Salem,  Ore., 
that  his  city  has  adopted  the  Gladiolus  as 
the  official  city  flower.  Mr.  Dibble  re- 
ports that  the  Dahlia  and  Geranium  were 
close  competitors,  but  the  Gladiolus  won 
over  every  other  flower.  Here  is  a  proof 
that  the  Gladiolus  is  gaining  in  popularity. 
From  an  almost  unknown  position  a  few 
years  ago,  it  has  during  the  past  three  or 
four  years  stepped  into  the  public  eye 
and  popular  approval  to  an  extent  which 
we  would  hardly  believe  possible.  Let 
the  good  work  go  on.  The  Gladiolus  de- 
serves it.  There  are  still  better  things  in 
store  for  this  particular  flower,  and  this 
particular  flower  has  better  things  in 
store  for  its  admirers.  The  improved 
varieties  which  have  been  introduced 
during  the  past  few  years  are    a   great 


Page 

106 


Ob<i  !5tlo6ern  (Bla6lolu5  (Brower 


July 

1917 


revelation  to  those  who  have  known  the 
Gladiolus  for  many  years.  Those  who 
were  not  before  acquainted  with  the 
Gladiolus  and  whose  pleasure  it  has  been 
to  first  become  acquainted  with  the  modern 
varieties  cannot  but  feel  that  it  compares 
most  favorably  with  any  other  flower  and 
in  almost  any  respect. 


sary.  It  is  discouraging  to  a  Gladiolus 
grower  to  lose  his  stock  of  rare  and 
cherished  varieties  from  freezing  and  be- 
sides the  loss  is  usually  total. 


Planting  Gladioli  in  Succession. 

For  a  long  period  of  Gladiolus  bloom  a 
succession  of  planting  is  essential.  It  is 
our  practice  to  begin  planting  as  soon  as 
the  frost  is  out  of  the  ground  and  con- 
tinue at  intervals  of  about  ten  days,  up  to 
June  15th  or  even  July  1st.  Corms  planted 
as  late  as  June  15th  to  July  1st  may  not 
bloom,  however,  if  an  early  frost  comes. 
Besides,  such  late  planting  does  not  give 
sufficient  time  for  the  proper  maturity  of 
a  new  corm.  It  must  be  understood, 
therefore,  that  planting  for  late  bloom 
will  result  in  very  small  increase,  if  in- 
deed, a  good  new  corm  is  secured.  Early 
planting,  which  allows  root  growth  during 
cool  weather,  results  in  the  best  bloom  of 
the  season,  and  the  largest  increase  and 
gives  the  best  development  of  new  corms 
for  the  next  year. 

From  time  to  time  subscribers  write 
with  descriptions  of  Gladiolus  bloom 
wanting  us  to  identify  the  variety.  Identi- 
fication by  a  description  is  almost  im- 
possible and  even  with  a  sample  of  the 
bloom  it  is  sometimes  difficult.  Few 
growers  indeed  are  acquainted  with  most 
of  the  varieties  in  commerce ;  and  as 
there  are  thousands  of  fine  seedlings  un- 
named, the  variety  for  identification  is 
quite  likely  to  be  an  unnamed  seedling. 


Reports  on  frost  damage  to  Gladiolus 
corms  in  storage  during  the  past  winter, 
continue  to  come  in,  and  we  beg  to  re- 
peat our  suggestion  that  with  Gladiolus 
corms  in  storage  there  should  be  located 
a  thermometer  in  the  coldest  part  of  the 
room  and  during  low  temperatures  out- 
side this  should  be  inspected  from  day  to 
day  and  artificial  heat  provided  if  neces- 


The  True  Amateur. 

Once  in  a  while  one  meets  a  real  lover 
of  plants,  one  to  whom  his  plants  are 
friends  and  pets,  with  whom  he  associates 
in  all  his  spare  time,  administers  to  their 
wants,  is  not  happy  unless  they  are  happy, 
knows  the  needs  even  of  the  most  exact- 
ing and  intricate  subject.  Such  men  or 
women  are  all  too  few.  They  should  be 
encouraged  whenever  met.  The  true 
gardening  spirit  is  a  matter  of  growth  ;  it 
can  be  caught  young,  and  it  can  be  trans- 
mitted even  to  the  elderly,  but  when  the 
love  of  flowers  and  gardens  has  taken 
root  in  the  heart  of  any  one,  we  believe 
it  is  never  lost. 

The  season  of  garden  visitations  has 
begun,  if  indeed  it  ever  ends  ;  but  in  these 
days  of  beautiful  fresh  green  nature,  the 
lambs  sporting  in  the  fields,  the  birds  in 
the  trees,  the  bees  among  the  blossoms, 
and  when  Nature  is  bedecked  in  her  most 
floriferous  guise,  the  temptation  is  irresist- 
ible to  go  gardening  and  garden  visiting. 

Why  not  talk  and  write  more  than  we 
actually  do,  even  in  our  trade  papers, 
about  famous  gardens  and  amateurs? 
It  would  seem  almost  more  logical  to  talk 
about  amateurs  than  about  our  business 
friends ;  at  any  rate  there  should  be  room 
enough  for  both.  The  amateur  demands 
our  finest  and  best ;  he  also  gives  us 
many  highly  improved  novelties,  for  he 
has  leisure  and  the  seeing  eye,  and  can 
select  and  breed  up  things  that  are  new 
and  improved,  or  different  or  rare.  He 
imports  from  European  and  other  countries 
the  things  that  it  would  not  always  pay 
the  commercial  man  to  trouble  about, 
and  by  and  by,  as  his  visitors  see  the 
novelties,  a  sufficient  circle  of  growers 
exist  to  make  it  worth  while  for  the  trade 
to  secure  and  grow  on  a  stock  of  the 
particular  plant  rarity  or  variety.  In  any 
case,  it  is  largely  through  the  enthusiastic 
amateur  that  gardening  advances.— Edi- 
torial in  Florists'  Exchange. 


There  is  a  strong  tendency  for  people 
who  maintain  gardens  to  increase  their 
plantings  of  vegetables  this  year  in  pref- 
erence to  increasing  their  plantings  of 
flowers.  Considering  the  world  shortage 
of  foods  this  tendency  is  commendable, 
but  flowers  have  their  place  and  the 
esthetical  must  not  be  given  up  entirely 
for  the  practical. 


July 

1917 


Ol)e  Modern  (Bladiolus  (Brewer 


Page 

107 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


STAKING  AND  SUPPORTING   GLADIOLI. 

In  keeping  track  of  the  different  sub- 
jects discussed  in  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower  I  have  an  additional  index 
of  my  own  besides  the  one  so  kindly  fur- 
nished by  the  publisher  at  the  end  of  the 
year.  Under  the  head  of  "  Staking  "  I 
find  where  one  of  your  correspondents 
has  as  many  as  a  thousand  stakes  for  this 
purpose.  Two  others  have  lately  sent 
photographs  of  their  Gladiolus  gardens; 
one  with  a  railing  nailed  on  stakes  at  each 
end  of  the  garden  and  double  strands  of 
string  from  one  end  of  the  garden  to  the 
other  to  hold  the  spikes  upright;  all  of 
which  must  demand  considerable  ex- 
pense, time  and  labor  and  besides  would 
be  found  very  objectionable  to  some  as 
being  unsightly. 

In  none  of  the  past  numbers  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  do  I  find 
any  mention  or  hint  as  to  a  way  I  have 
used  for  keeping  Gladioli  erect  and  which 
may  during  the  coming  summer  save  all 
the  expense  and  nearly  all  the  time  and 
labor  of  placing  the  above  strings  and 
stakes  and  not  detract  in  the  least  from 
the  tidy  and  natural  appearance  of  the 
bed. 

My  way  is  not  to  stake  at  all.  I  plant 
fairly  deep  and  in  rows  two  or  three 
corms  abreast  in  the  row  and  if  after  a 
storm  I  go  out  and  find  some  spikes  lying 
flat  I  simply,  slowly  and  gently  pull  them 
upright  and  selecting  one  of  the  topmost 
long  and  narrow  leaves  I  tie  this  leaf  in  a 
loose  double  knot  with  a  similar  leaf  of  a 
spike  that  is  near  and  seemingly  proof 
against  all  storms  and  I  find  this  answers 
for  the  rest  of  the  season.  You  can  thus 
go  over  the  row  in  a  short  time.  I  have 
sometimes  found  three  or  even  four  spikes 
near  each  other,  all  prostrate,  and  select- 
ing a  leaf  from  each  have  gently  brought 
them  to  a  perpendicular  and  after  tying 
them  they  invariably  remained  upright 
for  the  rest  of  the  season,  each  support- 
ing the  other  like  soldiers'  guns  do  when 
"stacked."  Where  Gladioli  are  planted 
in  beds  this  method  can  even  be  better 
employed  than  when  planted  in  rows. 
The  lateral  strength  of  Gladiolus  leaves 
is  very  great  and  no  wind  can  break 
them. 

I  do  not  think  I  have  ever  found  a 
Gladiolus  spike  actually  broken  or  snapped 
off  by  the  wind;  what  makes  them  topple 
over  is  the  softening  of  the  earth  by  the  ac- 
companying rain  thus  loosening  the  root- 
lets, so  amateurs  can  go  ahead  and  plant 


following  this  method  in  confidence  know- 
ing they  won't  actually  lose  the  flower 
spikes  of  their  beauties. 

Of    course     when     flower    spikes   are 

wanted     for     hybridizing     perhaps     this 

method  might  not  do,  as  greater  care  is 

necessary  and  stakes  would  be  required. 

B.  F.  Stalnaker. 

origin  of  illustration  on  cover  of 
kunderd's  catalogue. 
To  THE  Editor  :  — 

I  will  be  candid  with  you  in  my  reply 
to  your  inquiry  of  the  12th,  asking  the 
name  of  the  rufiled  Gladiolus  illustrated 
on  the  front  cover  of  our  1917  catalog, 
by  telling  you  I  do  not  know.  You  may 
be  much  more  interested  when  I  inform 
you  further  that  a  seeming  mystery  is 
connected  with  the  photo  from  which  the 
illustration  you  refer  to  was  made,  for 
neither  the  photographer  who  made  it 
nor  myself  know  how  to  account  for  its 
peculiar  appearance.  You  will  observe 
the  apparent  insert  of  one  extra  large 
bloom  at  the  top  of  the  spike.  As  the 
lower  blooms  were  at  least  four  inches  in 
diameter  the  topmost  bloom  would  have 
had  to  be  over  eight  inches  across  in 
order  to  make  the  proportions  which  you 
see  in  the  photo.  Now,  as  both  the  pho- 
tographer and  myself  are  certain  that  no 
attempt  was  ever  made  to  secure  such  a 
photo  you  will  realize  why  I  say  that  an 
apparent  mystery  is  connected  with  it. 
When  I  called  for  my  photos  the  photog- 
rapher asked  me  how  this  certain  picture 
had  been  taken.  After  looking  at  it  a 
moment  I  answered  that  it  might  be  a 
double  exposure,  but  on  studying  the 
photo  a  little  closer  we  both  agreed  that 
this  was  not  the  true  explanation  since, 
as  you  will  observe,  the  stem  belonging 
to  the  lower  flower  is  back  of  the  large 
bloom  at  the  top.  It  is  easy  to  see  how 
the  large  bloom  could  have  been  inserted 
for  a  photo  but  that  does  not  account  for 
the  discrepancy  in  the  comparative  sizes, 
nor  have  I  at  any  time  attempted  to  secure 
"freak"  photos  as  all  my  other  photos 
and  illustrations  would  show.  In  fact  I 
have  a  photo  with  the  same  lower  spike 
which  does  not  show  any  trace  of  the 
large  bloom  at  the  top.  The  variety  illus- 
trated is  an  unnamed  seedling  of  extra- 
ordinary beauty  and  ruffling  and  this  was 
my  reason  for  using  it  for  an  illustration 
of  the  ruffled  feature  in  our  1917  catalog. 

Probably  some  of  your  readers  will  be 
able  to  explain  by  natural  method  the  re- 
markable appearance  of  this  apparent 
mystery.  Were  I  a  mystic  I  could  easily 
account  for  it  on  the  theory  of  psychic 
phenomena.  A.  E.  Kunderd. 


Page 

108 


Ol)<i  Mlo6ern  (Bla6lolus  iBrower 


July 
1917 


WHAT  AILED  THESE  LILACS  ? 

We  have  shipped  cut  flowers  to  the 
trade  for  several  years,  and  never  had 
any  complaints,  and  thought  we  had  it  all 
down  fine. 

The  lilacs  being  exceptionally  fine  this 
year  for  Decoration  Day,  and  being  in 
the  pink  of  condition  a  few  days  before 
the  30th,  we  shipped  many  thousands  of 
them  from  24  to  36  hours  rail  shipment— 
not  far  for  cut  flowers  in  cool  weather 
such  as  we  have  had,  and  for  sending  fine, 
fresh  stock.  The  lilacs  were  placed  12 
hours  in  water  before  shipped ;  they 
were  then  tied  together  in  bunches  of  five 
and  soaked  newspaper  wrapped  around 
the  stems,  as  we  do  with  all  our  cut  flow- 
ers. Being  short  stemmed  the  underside 
of  the  flower  heads  might  have  gotten 
wetter  in  the  tubs  than  other  and  taller 
cut  flowers  usually  do.  They  were  then 
packed  in  wooden  boxes  that  were  pre- 
viously lined  with  newspapers  and  par- 
affine  paper,  and  from  200  to  500  were 
put  in  each  box — some  shipments  all 
lilacs,  some  had  other  flowers  with  them. 
Complaints  came  in  that  the  lilac  arrived 
in  unsalable  condition  (the  other  flowers 
were  fine)  on  account  of  being  too  old; 
one  florist  wrote  that  the  petals  were 
nearly  all  in  the  bottom  of  the  box,  al- 
though lilac  does  not  drop  its  petals  but 
turns  brown  and  withers.  Now  what 
ailed  this  lilac  ?  Was  it  packed  too  moist 
and  did  it  heat  ?  Should  there  have  been 
air  holes  bored  in  the  box,  as  we  saw  once 
recommended  for  Peonies  ?  And  should 
the  bunches  of  flowers  be  wrapped  separ- 
ately in  paper? 

Now  the  queer  thing  about  this  is,  that 
we  made  some  small  shipments  in  paste- 
board boxes  and  the  lilac  arrived  in  those 
same  towns  in  the  pink  of  condition;  it 
was  the  same  aged  lilac  and  was  treated 
the  same  way,  and  packed  the  same  way, 
(no  air  holes)  and  there  were  many  less 
to  the  box.  We  pack  and  ship  thousands 
and  thousands  of  Narcissuses,  Tulips  and 
Daffodils  every  spring,  using  entirely  the 
long  pasteboard  boxes  for  packing,  put- 
ting about  100  to  the  box  and  they  al- 
ways arrive  in  perfect  condition  as  far  as 
48  hours.  We  pack  our  Gladioli  in  the 
wooden  boxes,  six  to  the  bunch,  wrapping 
wet  papers  around  the  stems,  and  100  to 
200  to  the  box,  with  no  air  whatever,  but 
what  can  come  through  the  wooden  sides 
and  the  lining  of  newspaper  and  paraffine 
paper,  and  they  always  ship  well. 

But  what  ailed  the  lilacs  ?  Can  and 
will  anyone  be  good  enough  to  enlighten 
us  on  the  subject,  and  point  out  to  us 
what    we    did    wrong    in    the    lilac  ship- 


ments ?  And  why  did  the  small  paste- 
board shipments  arrive  in  the  pink  of 
condition  ? 

We  will  soon  commence  the  shipment 
of  cut  Peonies,  and  shall  pack  them  in 
the  same  way  we  do  our  Gladioli ;  we 
trust  with  the  same  good  luck. 

The  Pudor  Farms. 

Note  by  the  Editor- 
It  may  be  that  the  close  confinement  in 
a  non-ventilated  box  would  account  for 
the  trouble  experienced,  especially  as  the 
express  cars  might  have  been  heated  in 
transit.  Wrapping  bundles  in  paper  sep- 
arately we  believe  would  be  an  improve- 
ment as  would  also  the  ventilation  of  the 
boxes.  Live  plants  or  cut  flowers  should 
not  be  shipped  in  too  large  bulk  on  ac- 
count of  heating  and  danger  of  crushing. 
However,  we  know  that  Gladioli  are 
successfully  packed  in  perfectly  tight 
wooden  boxes  and  shipped  long  distances, 
but  in  this  case  they  are  wilted  before 
packing  and  are  packed  tightly. 

Cannot  some  of  our  readers  offer  sug- 
gestions along  this  line  which  will  be 
helpful ? 


USING   LIQUID  MANURE. 

Those  who  use  liquid  manure  for  their 
Gladiolus  beds  this  summer  will  invari- 
ably find  the  directions  are  :  "Get  a  quan- 
tity of  water  in  a  barrel  or  tub,  make  a 
bag,  put  the  manure  in  the  bag,  hang  the 
bag  in  the  water,"  etc.,  etc.  Now,  if  you 
want  liquid  manure  there  is  no  necessity 
for  all  this  fuss.  Just  get  a  tub  or  barrel, 
put  the  required  proportionate  amount 
of  water  and  manure  in  it  and  after  about 
24  hours  the  manure  will  be  found  com- 
pactly at  the  bottom  just  as  clear  of  the 
rest  of  the  water  as  if  it  were  in  a  bag. 
The  top  manure  water  can  be  dipped  off 
practically  clear,  with  a  stick  vigorously 
stir  the  manure  again  and  the  next  day 
all  the  manure  will  be  found  at  the  bot- 
tom again.  Of  course,  keep  the  tub  or 
barrel  tightly  covered  for  obvious  reasons. 
This  obviates  the  particularly  unpleasant 
job  of  fllling  and  emptying  a  bag.  When 
the  virtues  of  the  manure  have  been 
spent  the  odorless  remainder  can  be  put 
as  a  mulch  about  some  favorite  "pet"  of 
the  garden  or  on  the  Gladiolus  bed  to  be 
hoed  in.  This  is  a  time  and  trouble  saver. 
B.  F.  Stalnaker. 


The  market  for  cut  bloom  may  be 
affected  by  the  wave  of  economy  which 
war  has  brought  in  its  train,  but  it  is  to 
be  hoped  that  the  slogan  "  Business  as 
Usual  "  will  be  adhered  to. 


July 
19  17 


Ol)<2^  Modern  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Page 
109 


Growing  Gladioli  During 

a  Severe  Drought. 

The  summer  of  1916  was  perhaps  one  of 
the  most  trying  summers  ever  experienced 
in  this  country  in  growing  the  Gladiolus. 
Not  only  did  the  plants  suffer  for  want 
of  rain  (in  most  parts  of  the  country) 
but  the  excessive  heat,  which  lasted  from 
July  1st  to  August  30th,  (and  in  some 
sections  still  longer)  was  very  trying, 
especially  to  the  blooms  and  young  stock 
from  bulblets. 

In  this  section  (central  Michigan)  we 
had  very  little  rain  all  summer.  On  June 
28th  we  had  a  good  rain,  and  not  again 
until  Aug.  9th  did  we  get  one  drop  of 
rain,  and  then  only  enough  to  soak  into 
the  ground  about  three  inches.  The  next 
rain  fall  was  Sept.  10th,  when  we  had  a 
good  heavy  fall  which  lasted  several 
hours,  penetrating  the  ground  to  a  depth 
of  14  to  16  inches.  The  weather  then 
cooled  off  and  from  this  time  on  we  had 
sufficient  rains,  with  cooler  weather, 
which  helped  the  corms  grow  and  pro- 
duced some  better  blooms. 

The  excessive  heat,  from  95°  to  105,° 
day  after  day  and  the  long  drought  forced 
the  blooms  ahead  of  time,  with  the  result 
that  the  blooms  were  not  fully  matured, 
and  a  large  percentage  of  the  first  buds 
would  dry  up  on  the  spike,  and  only  the 
few  remaining  top  buds  would  open.  To 
leave  a  spike  on  the  plant  after  it  had 
started  to  show  color,  and  exposed  to  the 
hot  rays  of  the  sun  for  a  day,  simply 
meant  that  the  petals  would  be  burned 
to  a  crisp  for  at  least  half  an  inch  deep, 
which  utterly  ruined  the  bloom,  and  in 
order  to  get  any  blooms  at  all,  it  was 
necessary  to  cut  the  spike  early  in  the 
morning,  as  soon  as  the  first  bud  showed 
color,  and  place  them  in  water,  in  a  good 
light,  cool,  well  ventilated  cellar.  So  ex- 
cessive was  the  heat  at  mid-day,  that 
blooms  standing  in  water  in  the  shade  on 
a  porch  or  verandah,  would  wilt  and 
droop  until  the  night  air  cooled  the  tem- 
perature. 

Up  to  Sept.  10th,  the  corms  had  made 
very  little  growth  and  the  young  bulblets 
had  not  developed  their  natural  leaves, 
but  from  thig  time  on  all  the  stock,  first 
and  second  year,  made  rapid  growth,  and 
at  the  time  of  harvesting,  Oct.  16th  to 
25th,  had  made  an  exceptionally  fine 
growth,  a  large  percentage  of  the  second 
year  corms  measured  one  and  one-half 
to  two  inches  and  some  even  better, 
while  the  one  year  stock  from  bulblets, 
attained  a  size  of  three-quarters  to  one 
and  one-quarter  inches. 


In  order  to  retain  and  derive  the  full 
benefit  of  the  moisture  that  remained  in 
the  ground  during  this  long  dry  spell,  the 
cultivator  was  used  once  every  week,  and 
a  dust  mulch  of  over  four  inches  had  ac- 
cumulated by  the  time  rain  did  come, 
which  also  made  it  an  easy  matter  for 
the  water  to  soak  into  the  ground  to  a 
greater  depth.  Not  a  single  weed  was 
permitted  to  grow  to  rob  the  plants  of 
any  of  the  moisture,  and  the  heavy  dew 
which  we  had  many  nights  during  this 
hot  spell,  brought  temporary  relief. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  in  order 
to  retain  the  moisture  when  a  long  dry 
spell  may  be  expected,  cultivation  should 
commence  right  after  each  rain,  never 
permit  the  ground  to  become  crusted. 
To  allow  the  ground  to  become  bone-dry 
during  a  long,  dry,  hot  spell,  before  culti- 
vation is  started,  might  prove  disastrous 
if  cultivated  too  deeply. 

Early  planting  is  by  all  means  advo- 
cated, for  the  stock  then  derives  the  full 
benefit  of  the  spring  rains,  and  attains  a 
strong,  vigorous  root  growth  before  hot 
weather  sets  in,  and  the  young  plants  are, 
therefore,  able  to  better  withstand  a  long 
drought.  T.  H.  Fuller. 


If  you  are  invited  by  the  management 
of  flower  shows  or  any  one  else  interested, 
to  send  bloom  expecting  somebody  else  to 
stage  it  properly,  our  advice  is:  don't  do 
it.  We  speak  not  from  impressions  or 
hearsay,  but  from  experience.  If  you  want 
your  business  done  attend  to  it  yourself. 
If  you  do  not  care  whether  it  is  attended 
to  or  not,  send  your  flowers  for  someone 
else  to  stage.  We  may  have  something 
more  to  say  on  this  subject  next  month. 
We  have  a  personal  experience  to  relate 
which  may  be  interesting.  Furthermore  we 
have  seen  flowers  shipped  in,  expecting  the 
manager  of  the  flower  show  to  stage  them 
and  have  seen  them  badly  neglected. 
This  does  not  always  happen,  but  it  is 
quite  likely  to  as  a  flower  show  is  a  busy 
place  and  there  is  always  more  work  to 
do  than  hands  to  do  it.  Don't  be  tempted 
to  send  your  flowers  for  someone  else  to 
handle,  unless  you  know  who  that  some- 
one else  is  and  have  confidence  that  he 
will  attend  to  it  conscientiously. 

Interest  in  the  Gladiolus  is  greatly  stim- 
ulated by  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
named  varieties.  There  is  no  better  way 
to  become  posted  on  named  varieties  than 
to  attend  the  flower  shows.  The  next 
best  way  is  to  get  a  good  collection  of  cut 
flowers  with  the  varieties  properly  labeled. 
Your  nearest  grower  may  be  able  to  supply 
you. 


Page 

110 


Ol)e  Modern  (Bla6iolus  (Grower 


July 

1917 


Money  in  Flowers. 

There  is  money  in  raising  hardy  flowers 
for  sale,  and  there  are  few  pleasanter 
ways  of  making  money  for  a  woman  who 
has  the  ground  and  can  give  only  her 
spare  time  to  it.  To  be  sure,  there  must 
be  considerable  time  to  spare  if  anything 
worth  while  is  done  with  the  flowers. 
And  there  must  be  a  market  for  the 
flowers  when  they  are  ready  for  disposal. 
Flowers  are  always  in  demand  for  wed- 
dings, funerals,  luncheons  and  all  sorts  of 
solemn  or  festive  occasions.  Never  have 
flowers  been  so  much  used  as  at  the 
present  time.  The  point  is,  to  bring  the 
flowers  to  the  notice  of  the  possible  cus- 
tomer. The  best  price  for  any  product  is 
obtained  always  by  selling  direct  to  the 
consumer,  but  a  person  starting  in  to 
raise  an  acre  or  less  of  flowers  may  find 
it  a  difficult  matter  to  attract  a  sufficient 
number  of  customers  to  dispose  profitably 
of  the  flowers  during  the  few  weeks  they 
are  in  bloom.  Everything  depends  upon 
the  location.  If  there  is  no  nearby  florist 
and  the  grower  is  located  near  a  good- 
sized  town,  she  may  reach  customers  by 
advertising  in  the  local  paper  and  by 
posters.  It  is  more  likely,  however,  that 
she  will  do  best  to  contract  with  some  re- 
tail florist  in  a  neighboring  city  to  take 
her  flowers  at  so  much  a  hundred.  This 
price  will  be  low  compared  with  what  she 
could  get  selling  them  by  the  dozen  to 
her  own  retail  customers,  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  all  of  her  blooms  are  con- 
tracted for,  and  if  she  tries  to  retail  them 
herself,  unless  very  sure  of  her  market, 
many  of  them  may  go  to  waste.  If  the 
retailer  buys  the  flowers  outright  at  so 
much  a  hundred  he  will  have  to  stand 
any  loss  there  is,  but  if  the  flowers  are 
placed  with  him  on  a  commission  basis, 
the  grower  stands  the  loss,  although  there 
is  also  the  chance  that  she  may  get  a 
higher  price  for  her  wares  than  when 
selling  them  outright. 

The  woman  starting  in  to  raise  flowers 
for  the  market  will  do  well  to  select  some 
good  annual  that  will  thrive  well  on  any 
soil  and  be  not  too  particular  as  to  heat 
or  to  cold.  Also  she  should  specialize  on 
one,  two  or  three  kinds,  instead  of  dab- 
bling in  everything  and  having  no  partic- 
ular kind  of  flower  to  offer  to  a  retailer. 
Let  her  be  able  to  say  to  the  man  with 
whom  she  hopes  to  place  her  flowers: 
"At  such  and  such  a  time  my  Asters  will 
begin  blooming.  During  the  next  few 
weeks  I  shall  probably  have  several  thou- 
sand blossoms  to  dispose  of.  What  will 
you  offer  me  for  them  ?" 

There  is  probably  no  hardier  or  more 


dependable  flower  than  the  Aster  or  the 
outdoor  Chrysanthemum.  They  will  grow 
on  any  soil  that  is  soil  at  all  and  they 
withstand  frosts  well.  They  are  popular 
flowers  and  make  up  beautifully  for  al- 
most any  purpose.  The  single  China 
Aster  in  the  white  is  a  particularly  pleasing 
bloom  and  grows  on  a  long  stem.  Double 
Asters,  too,  are  good  sellers.  Both  Chrys- 
anthemums and  Asters  have  leaved  stems, 
so  they  can  be  attractively  bunched  with- 
out additional  green  matter,  and  this 
means  something  to  an  amateur  grower. 
Whichever  flower  is  decided  upon,  let 
there  be  a  large  proportion  of  white, 
with  just  enough  rows  of  the  colored  to 
give  variety  in  bunching  when  that  is 
wanted.  As  a  rule,  more  white  flowers 
will  be  called  for  than  colored. 

A  good  way  to  start  the  plants  is  from 
seeds  in  a  hotbed.  Lacking  this,  sow 
them  outside  as  soon  as  the  ground  is 
ready  to  work  and  cover  the  bed  with 
cheesecloth,  weighted  down  at  the  edges. 
The  seeds  start  as  readily  planted  thus  as 
when  sown  in  the  open,  and  the  plants 
are  more  vigorous  than  when  grown  un- 
der glass.  The  cheesecloth  is  sufficient 
protection,  however,  so  that  the  seeds  can 
be  started  several  weeks  earlier  than  if 
sown  out  of  doors  without  a  covering. 
When  the  plants  are  several  inches  high 
they  should  be  transplanted  into  rows; 
each  variety  and  color  should  be  grouped. 
The  plants  should  be  cultivated  and  kept 
free  from  weeds.  As  soon  as  they  begin 
to  blossom  the  flowers  should  be  cut. 
Neglect  in  picking  the  blossoms  causes 
the  plant  to  cease  blooming. 

The  flower  grower  should  save  her  own 
seed.  In  this  way  it  is  possible  for  her  to 
select  the  best  of  her  stock  and  perpetu- 
ate it  each  year  until  she  has  flowers  of 
a  distinctive  character  which  create  a 
demand  for  her  growing— Janet  Thomas- 
Van  OsDEL  in  National  Farmer  and  Stock 
Grower. 


The  above  article  on  growing  cut  flow- 
ers for  sale  is  worthy  of  careful  consider- 
tion.  Those  who  have  grown  Gladioli 
are  well  aware  that  there  is  no  flower 
which  is  more  satisfactory  and  which  has 
a  longer  period  of  bloom  and  gives  a 
greater  range  of  color.  If  there  is  any 
doubt  on  this  point,  just  bring  to  the  at- 
tention of  customers  for  cut  flowers  the 
Gladiolus  as  compared  with  any  other 
flower  that  they  are  familiar  with  and 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  using.  We 
know  what  the  decision  will  be.  The  ^k 
Gladiolus  is  supreme,  although  perhaps 
requiring  more  care  than  some  of  the 
better  known  flowers. 


OUERIES^^^ANSWERs 

^.^  DEPARTMENT  ^^ 


\^'  ''-'' 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.] — Editor. 


The  Tarnished  Plant  Bug 

and  Other  DahHa  Pests. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

Will  you  kindly  answer  a  question  for  me 
through  the  columns  of  your  magazine?  Last 
year  out  of  a  very  large  number  of  Dahlia  bulbs 
planted,  I  did  not  get  more  than  two  or  three 
blossoms.  A  fiying  bug,  I  believe  called  the  tar- 
nish bug,  ate  all  the  buds  off,  or  sucked  the  juice 
from  them  so  that  they  blackened  and  shriveled 
up.  What  treatment  can  I  give  my  Dahlias  this 
year  against  this  tarnish  bug  ?  I  would  much 
appreciate  it  if  you  could  advise  me.         L.  E.  M. 

Answer -.—l  think  the  correspondent  is 
right  in  determining  the  pest  attacking 
his  dahlia  plants  as  the  tarnished  plant  bug. 
This  small,  obscurely  colored,  brownish 
insect  is  abundant  everywhere  throughout 
the  summer  on  many  kinds  of  vegetation. 
Over  fifty  cultivated  plants  are  known  to 
suffer  from  its  attacks.  Dahlias  and  chrys- 
anthemums are  especially  liable  to  in- 
jury. 

The  insect  hibernates  in  the  adult  state 
under  stone  walls  and  in  dead  leaves  and 
grass  in  wood  lots  and  along  fences.  The 
bugs  come  out  from  winter  quarters  very 
early  in  the  spring  and  after  feeding  a 
time  the  female  deposits  her  eggs  in  the 
tender  portions  of  many  plants.  The 
young  bugs  are  greenish  with  black  spots. 
They  mature  in  about  a  month  thus  pro- 
ducing several  generations  each    season. 

In  feeding,  the  bugs  puncture  the  tender 
portions  of  the  plant  with  their  beaks  and 
suck  out  the  sap.  On  Dahlias  they  punc- 
ture the  tips  and  unopened  buds  and  thus 
stunt  the  plants,  causing  them  to  stool 
out  close  to  the  ground.  The  injury  also 
prevents  the  opening  of  the  blossom  buds 
or  produces  imperfect  flowers.  Many 
eggs  are  often  deposited  in  the  buds  and 
tender  tips.  The  bugs  are  shy  and  ac- 
tive and  very  resistent  to  sprays.  There 
is  no  insecticide  material  known  that  can 
be  used  successfully  to  keep  them  off 
dahlia  plants.  If  the  bed  is  not  too  large 
the  plants  could  be  protected  by  screen- 
ing with  mosquito  netting.  It  has  also 
been  noted  that  plants  are  less  subject  to 
attack  when  grown  in  partial  shade  as  on 
the  north  side  of  a  building. 

C.  R.  Crosby. 


Answer: — There  are  several  reliable 
insecticides  that  will  destroy  the  Dahlia's 
pests,  any  one  of  which  can  be  secured  in 
most  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Arsenate  of  Lead  or  Pyrox  are  as  good 
as  anything  for  all  the  pests  of  the  Dahlia, 
including  the  tarnish  bug. 

A  spraying  once  or  twice  a  week  for 
the  first  three  or  four  weeks  previous  to 
the  time  the  Dahlia  will  commence  to 
blossom  will  destroy  all  these  pests.  Any 
of  the  following  are  reliable,  either  in  so- 
lution, or  any  other  form,  solution  pre- 
ferred :  Nico-Fume  Liquid,  Tobakine, 
Whale  Oil  Soap,  Nicocide,  Pyrox,  or  Ar- 
senate of  Lead. 

Although  wood  ashes  are  not  as  effec- 
tive as  the  above  they  are  also  good,  and 
in  addition  assist  in  fertilization. 

J.  K.  Alexander. 


Growing  Tulips  Commercially. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

For  commercial  growing  should  Tulip  bulbs  be 
lifted  and  when?  Rexford  says  yes,  Mrs.  Ely 
says  no.  In  cutting  the  flowers  to  get  long  stems 
I  am  told  to  cut  right  down  to  the  bulb.  Will  the 
latter  ripen  under  these  conditions  ?  What  are 
botanic  tulips?  H.  c.  s. 

Answer: — My  experience  has  taught 
me  that  it  is  best  to  lift  the  Tulip  bulbs 
every  other  year,  for  two  reasons :  First, 
you  get  better  increase,  and  second,  the 
ground  can  then  be  newly  prepared  for 
resetting,  although,  as  with  all  bulbs,  they 
should  Ije  reset  where  bulbs  have  not 
been  planted  the  year  before,  to  get  best 
results  as  to  size  of  flowers.  The  bulbs 
should  not  be  lifted  until  all  green  has 
disappeared  from  the  tops,  or  even  better, 
when  the  leaves  have  dried  up. 

In  cutting  the  flowers,  as  with  all  bulbs, 
we  must  remember  that  the  bulbs  serve 
as  the  food  storage  organ  of  the  plant, 
and  the  starch  to  be  stored  is  manufac- 
tured by  the  leaves,  hence  you  must  leave 
at  least  the  bottom  leaf  in  cutting. 

Botanic  Tulips  are  the  original  native 
species,  from  which  the  cultivated  varie- 
ties are  produced  by  hybridizing. 

C.  S.  Sheldon. 


Page 

112 


Ol)e  ^^o6ern  (Bladlolus  (Browcr 


July 

191  7 


Frequency  of  Irrigating  Gladioli. 

To  THE  Editor:— 

How  often  should  Gladioli  be  irrigated  during 
the  period  between  blooming  and  harvesting  ? 
Here  in  California  we  have  no  rain  during  that 
period.  c.  M.  s. 

Answer: — Irrigation,  no  matter  in  what 
climate  nor  under  what  conditions,  is  a 
question  of  judgment  and  experience.  It 
depends  on  temperature,  duration  of  sun- 
shine and  character  of  soil.  We  should 
say  that  in  California  perhaps  during  the 
warmest  weather  irrigation  as  often  as 
once  a  week  might  be  desirable  and  per- 
haps at  other  times  irrigation  might  be 
necessary  only  once  in  two  weeks.  The 
quantity  of  water  applied  would  neces- 
sarily have  some  bearing  on  the  frequency 
of  application,  but  we  wish  to  caution  in 
this  connection  that  plenty  of  water  at 
longer  intervals  is  more  desirable  than 
less  water  at  more  frequent  intervals. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  ivill  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


W  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO.,  Pembroke,  N.  Y., 
''  •  .growers  of  the  finest  Gladioli,  such  as 
Pendleton,  Panama,  Niagara,  Pink  Perfection, 
Europa,  Mrs.  Fryer,  War,  Peace,  etc.  Corres- 
pondence solicited. 

pLACE  orders  now  for  Hyacinths,  Tulips 
-'■  Crocuses  and  other  fall  bulbs,  as  prices  are 
s:ure  to  advance  in  a  very  short  time.  Wm.  C. 
Pike,  18  Summer  St.,  Melrose,  Mass. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture — 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well- 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


Published  monthly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave..  New  York.N.Y. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in  the 
curious  facts  about  our  native  wildfiowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.    SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  III. 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

LIST  ON  APPLICATION. 
WHOLESALE.       RETAIL. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 


U.  Cemoine  i^  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy.  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

Vi^HICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD  YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerfield  L.  I. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.  Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


IIIIIIIIIIMIMIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 

H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 
DOVER,  N.  H. 

Send  for  beautiful  descriptive  booitlel  of  Rare  Gladioli. 

rillMllirTIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 


GLADIOLI 

Send  for  my  catalog,  containing  96  dis- 
tinct varieties  and  some  excellent  mix- 
tures. TODAY— IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Dept.  E>.  Milton,  Mass. 


Fryer's 
New  Iris 

When  my  new  seedling 
Iris  are  in  bloom  in  June 
I  shall  prepare  a  short 
description  of  those  I 
have  named. 

If  you  are  interested  in 
these  new  creations  write 
for  it  now,  and  when  it 
is  ready  I  will  send  you 
a  copy. 

Willis  E.  Fryer 

Manlorville,  -  Minnesota 


E.  L  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


Cold  Storage  for  Florists 

Good  refrigerating  facilities  are  just  as 
necessary  for  Florists,  Nurserymen, 
Seedsmen  and  Fruit  Growers  as  they 
are  for  dealers  in  butter  and  eggs. 

Let  us  send  you  a  description  of  a  florist's  plant 
installed  and  equipped  with  the  Cooper  Brine 
System  for  storing  cut  flowers  and  lily  of  the 
valley  pips. 


MADISON  COOPER  COMPANY 

Refrigerating  Engineers  and 

132  Court  St.  Architects  Calcium,  N.Y. 


Sunnyside 
Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 
Natick,  Massachusetts 


Gladioli  Exclusively 


# 

P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

^ok 

'ii>\ 

RICHARD  DIENER  CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

Originators  and  Growers  of 
the  Largest  and  Finest 

GLADIOLUS 

in  the  world. 


Kentfield,  Marin  County,  California 


Gladioli  and  Dahlias 

WE  GROW  THE  BEST  PRODUCTIONS 
FROM  ALL  THE  ORIGINATORS 

'BETTER  VARIETIES  GRO IVN  BETTER" 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville    -    -    -     Mass. 


"The  Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 
Thanks  You. 

We  desire  to  thank  our  customers  for  a  very  successful  season 
made  possible  by  their  patronage. 

09C3 

THE  BIG  FOUR 

Herada,  Gretchen  Zang, 

Evelyn  Kirtland,  Bertrex 

have  caught  on  by  leaps  and  bounds.     No  collection  complete 

without  them.  A  large  stock  of  Novelties  and  standard 

sorts  for  Fall  delivery.    Get  our  prices. 

AUSTIN -COLEMAN  CO. 

Originators  Giant  and  Distinct  Gladioli 
Wayland  -  -  -  -  Ohio 


DURIMG   THE.  LAST  FIVE  yEARS    W£  ANNUALiy  INCREASED    OUR  .SALES    90% 


THE  ABOVE  STATEMENT  is  true,  although  shipments  from  Holland  did 
not  arrive,  we  have   purchased  enormous  quantities  of  Gladioli  in  this 
country  in  order  to  fill  our  orders  where  possible.  Recently  we  have  purchased 
a  Gladiolus  farm  in  Michigan  from  where  we  expect  to  fill  orders  for   the 
coming  season.     Amount  of  salable  bulbs  around  6,000,000.     We  have    75 
acres  under  cultivation  and  are  now  prepared  to  quote  our  lowest 

Contract  Prices  on  Gladioli 

WHOLESALE  ONLY,  fall  or  spring  delivery,  payable  June  1st,  1918.      Write 

us  for  our  contract  prices.      Remember  these  SPECIAL  PRICES  will  only 

hold  until  August  1st.     GET  OUR  PRICES  NOW  while  they  are  low,  after 

August  1st  we  will  have  to  advance  them. 


HAS  IT  OCCURRED  TO  YOU  THAT  IT  IS  VERY  PROFITABLE  TO  GROW 

Darwin  Tulips? 

Leading  varieties  for  outside  planting  as  low  as  $9.00  per  1000  F.  O.  B.,  N.Y. 
If  it  pays  you  to  grow  Gladioli  for  cutting,  Darwin  Tulips  should  doubly  re- 
pay you.     Drop  us  a  post  card  for  special  prices  and  varieties. 

WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN 

2S  Beaver  St. 
NEW  YORK  CITY 

Main  Office  at  Sassenheim,  Holland. 

OUR   MOTTO:  -  QUALITY  -  ECONOMY  -  SYSTEMATIC  SERVICE. 


J 


The  Wilmorc  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr.) 

Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Growers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Irises,  Etc. 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the   best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

P  1  I  p  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
|\/l  I  ,P,  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  cf 
tJiARJEJ  y^jg  j_  jj  gj^j  jjj_  ^jjj,  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three- 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Caicium,  N.Y. 


CW.BROWN&SON 

Gladiolus  Specialists 
ASHLAND    -    -    MASS. 


WE  OFFER : 

The  World's  Best  Productions 

Including  Kunderd's  Varieties  and  Our  Own  Seedlings. 

Catalog  on  application. 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 
Gladiolus    Grower 


^a's^ 


1906  SMITH   ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


■  ■■■mi  ■■■■■■■■ 


HeadQuarters  for 

Gladiolus 

"MRS.    WATT" 

The  Brilliant 
^Vir»e   Colored   Novelty 


HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF  GLADIOLI 
WILTON  NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


■  ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■^ 


BULBS 

THAT'S  MY  HOBBY  and  you 
would  not  blame  me  if  you 
could  now  see  my  grand  Gladi- 
oli. Just  for  instance  Mrs.  F. 
Pendleton  5J  ft.  high  with  5  in. 
flowers  from  IJ  in.  bulbs;  other 
kinds  just  as  good.  I  am  grow- 
ing thousands  of  them.  Now 
cutting,  May  23rd,  America, 
Halley  and  others  with  4  to  6 
open  flowers  and  plenty  buds 
from  bulblets  planted  last 
August. 

Will  dig  my  Paper  White  Nar- 
cissus first  of  June.  Expect  to 
have  75,000  salable  bulbs  of 
this  variety  and  50,000  Trumpet 
Daffodils;  also  50,000  Amaryllis 
(Hippeastrum).  If  interested 
write  me. 


C.  S.  TAIT 


Brunswick 


Ga. 


WAYSIDE 
GLADIOLI 

ARE  KNOWN  TO  THE  TRADE  AS 

QUALITY  BULBS 

We  grow  a  selected  list  of 

Dahlias 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  IN  THE  MIDDLE 
WEST  and 

Hardy  Plants 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  ANYWHERE. 
May  we  send  our  catalog? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor  Box  G  Ohio 


Geo.  $.  Uloodruff 

Tndependena,  Towa 

Tine  Gladioli 


See  my  advertisements  in  previous  num- 
bers. Catalogue  on  application. 


Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula      -      Ohio 


MARGARET 


Vaughan's 
Specials  in 
GLADIOLI 


Margaret 

Beautiful  Carmine  with 
white  throat. 
Perdoz.,  $1.30;  per  100,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct of  all  the  Prim- 
ulinus  Type. 

Perdoz.,  $2;  per  100,  $15. 

Chicago  White 

The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz.,  35c;  per  100,  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—Grand Novelties 
in  GLADIOLI  and  CANNAS. 

Vaughan's 
Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  3 1 -33  W.RandolphSt. 
NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  St. 


Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton 

My  Stock  of  This  Popular  Variety 
is  Larger  Than  Ever 

Place  your  orders  now  for  Fall  delivery  and  the  price  will 
be  right  and  the  quality  unsurpassed. 

Read  what  one  customer  says  about  one  lot  of  10,000  Bulbs 
ordered  last  year: 

"Last  year  the  count  on  Pendleton  was  close  altho  the  bulbs 
were  fine  and  only  three  mixed.  The  season  was  terribly  dry 
here  and  all  did  not  bloom.     It  was  an  exceptionally  fine  lot." — 

Urbana  Floral  Co. 

Brookland  Gardens 

S.  E.  Spencer,  Proprietor 

Lexington  St.,      -        Woburn,  Mass. 


KIND  WORDS 

FROM   FAR  AND  NEAR 


From  Australia-  Bulbs  came  in  due  time 
and  opened  up  in  splendid  order.  They  were 
planted  at  once  (Jan.  17th)  and  are  now  up 
several  inches.  Thanks  for  promptness. 
From  Canada— The  bulbs  you  sent  me 
last  season  were  such  fine  bloomers  that  I  am 
getting  in  a  late  order  for  more.  Your  Golden 
King  was  especially  fine. 


From  Pennsylvania  I  wish  to  thank 
you  for  your  liberal  treatment. 

From  Michigan— I  want  you  to  know 
how  much  I  appreciate  your  kindness  in  send- 
ing those  two  additional  lots  without  charge. 

From  Illinois — I  will  say,  to  deal  with  such 
men  as  you,  business  is  a  pleasure. 


The  above  kind  words  are  extracts  from  letters  and  cards  recently 
received.  We  certainly  appreciate  the  many  words  of  satisfaction 
from  our  customers,  realizing  that  a  satisfied  customer  is  the  best 
advertisement. 

Send  for  our  retail  list  describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  and 
new  varieties.  All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.  Wholesale 
list  for  dealers  and  large  growers. 


G.  D.  BLACK 

GLADIOLUS    SPECIALIST 

AlberthLea        _        -        _        -         Miivrv. 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


AUGUST,  1917 


No.  8 


GLADIOLUS- /?OS£  GLORY. 

One  of  A.  E.  Kunderd's  new  ruffled  varieties.    A  very  large  and  beautiful  flower  of  purest'rose- 
pink  color  with  deeper  marking  in  the  throat. 


Page 
114 


Ob«  !!^o6erix  (Bla^lolus  i&rowcr 


Aug. 

1917 


What  Soil  and  Culture  is  Best  for  Gladioli  ? 

By  B.  F.  Stalnaker. 


FROM  my  own  past  experience,  I  greatly 
differ  with  the  writer  as  to  the  ideas 
conveyed  in  an  article  in  the  March 
issue  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower, 
under  the  caption:  "To  Grow  Prize 
Winning  Gladiolus  Bloom."  The  article 
is  in  reference  to  Mr.  Kunderd's  specific 
instructions  in  his  1917  catalog  as  to  the 
quantities  of  manure  and  other  fertilizers 
necessary  to  grow  really  fine  Gladioli. 
Commenting  on  Mr.  Kundred's  instruc- 
tions, the  writer  says:  "We  wish  to  warn 
those  interested  that,  forcing  (Gladiolus) 
growth  as  suggested,  is  likely  to  result  in 
diseased  or  worthless  corms  for  the  next 
year's  planting— if  growth  is  forced  this 
year  it  is  quite  likely  to  result  in  such  an 
exhaustion  and  possible  disease  that  the 
new  corms  cannot  be  depended  upon  for 
best  results  the  following  year,"  etc. 

I  am  unable  to  gather  from  the  above 
whether  the  writer  makes  these  assertions 
from  his  own  actual  experience  and  that 
he  has  actually  found  his  resultant  Gladi- 
olus corms  from  such  fertilization  to  be 
as  he  states;  or  that  he  only  surmises 
such  would  be  the  case.  But  my  own 
experience  has  been  that  if,  from  such 
fertilizing,  the  grower  gets  "Giant  Glad- 
ioli with  blooms  six  to  seven  inches  across 
and  spikes  five  to  eight  feet  tall,"  using 
Mr.  Kunderd's  words,  he  will  also  find 
that  the  resultant  corms  will  be  extra 
large  and  fine  and  a  large  quantity  of 
bulblets  will  be  found  around  the  corm. 
(This,  of  course,  depending  upon  the  va- 
riety, as  some  never  produce,  under  the 
best  culture,  much  increase  ;  also  the  age 
of  the  corm  planted ;  and  besides  it  is 
understood  that  the  spike  is  removed  for 
cut  fiower  purposes,  and  that  enough 
leaves  are  left  to  properly  mature  the 
corm.)  If  the  grower  is  going  to  get 
"  diseased  and  worthless  corms  "  he  will 
be  fully  apprised  of  that  fact  long  before- 
hand, during  the  summer,  from  the  in- 
ferior and  weak  growth  of  the  spikes  and 
poor  bloom.  The  worthless  corms  I  hardly 
think  will  come  from  the  magnificent 
bloom  and  spikes  five  to  eight  feet  tall. 

I  am  led  to  write  about  this  from  the 
fact  that  nearly  all  catalogs  of,  and  articles 
in  floral  magazines  on.  Gladioli  put,  it 
seems  to  me,  undue  emphasis  on  the  fact 
that  Gladioli  are  so  extra  easy  to  grow. 
This  seems  to  me  to  be  rather  pernicious 
and  bad  for  the   business  in  general,  as 


many  amateurs  will  be  discouraged  and 
will  not  buy  again  after  being  disap- 
pointed, when  the  growing  is  said  to  be  so 
easy.  In  fact,  a  great  many  varieties  are 
hard  to  grow,  and  to  make  a  real  success 
of  growing  uniformly  good  cut  flowers 
with  a  financially  profitable  increase  of 
bulbs,  bulblets  and  planting  stock  requires 
considerable  fertilization  and  manipula- 
tion of  the  soil  by  the  use  of  cover  crops, 
lime  and  seeing  that  the  three  elements 
needed  for  the  growth  of  all  vegetation : 
nitrogen,  phosphorus  and  potash,  are 
present,  in  the  proper  proportion,  in  the 
fertilizers  you  use. 

From  my  own  experience,  during  the 
past  years,  I  have  found  that  fertilizing, 
as  Mr.  Kunderd  directs,  far  from  being 
harmful,  is  the  only  way  to  get  much  in- 
crease at  all  in  size  or  multiplication  of 
corms  and  bulblets— especially  of  some 
varieties.  I  started  to  grow  Gladioli  here 
on  my  home  plot,  which  is  a  poor  piece  of 
soil  (though  I  didn't  know  it  when  I  be- 
gan.) I  found  my  original  stock  was 
dwindling,  instead  of  multiplying,  and  of 
what  few  bulblets  I  planted,  hardly  any 
came  up  at  all.  I  gave  good  culture  and 
had  the  city  water  mains  and  a  hose  to 
draw  upon  in  dry  weather.  I  fertilized 
with  bone  meal  scattered  in  the  bottom 
of  the  row,  and  sheep  manure  on  th'.  sur- 
face hoed  in,  yet  I  was  failing  to  grow 
them  satisfactorily. 

So  I  decided  that  the  soil  was  too  com- 
pact and  the  next  year  I  tried  out  a  spe- 
cial bed,  digging  out  all  the  soil  in  it  and 
replacing  with  the  following  soil  mixtures 
made  up  in  the  proportions  named.  I  was 
afraid  of  using  other  chemical  fertilizers 
and  used  what  I  thought  was  safer. 

Mixture  No.  1. — Twenty-four  parts  sifted 
ashes  from  hard  coal  (coal  ashes  have  no 
fertilizing  value;  they  merely  lighten  the 
soil)  ;  24  parts  of  the  poor  clay  soil  on  my 
place ;  18  parts  sifted  sharp  builders' 
sand ;  \\  parts  of  bone  meal. 

Mixture  No.  2  (richer  than  No.  1.)  — 
Thirty-six  parts  dark  leaf  mold  ;  18  parts 
sifted  sharp  sand;  21  parts  sifted  hard 
coal  ashes  (no  fertilizing  value)  ;  Imparts 
bone  meal ;  9  parts  sheep  manure. 

The  above  mixtures  were  piled  up  and 
turned  over  many  times. 

You  can  substitute  the  words  pint, 
quart,  gallon,  peck  or  bushel  for  the  word 
"  part "    used    above    and    mix    up    any 


Aug. 

1917 


Ol)c.  ^o6ern  (Bladlolus  (Grower 


Page 

115 


quantity  you  wish.  The  proportion  will 
always  remain  the  same. 

Besides  the  above  I  had  a  pile  of  old 
rotted  horse  manure  (not  fresh)  and  a 
pile  of  clean  builders'  sand  to  draw  upon. 

Then  1  took  the  corms  I  wanted  to  ex- 
periment with  and  planted  them  as  fol- 
lows. After  digging  out  the  beds  as 
mentioned  on  the  original  clay  subsoil,  I 
spread  the  old  horse  manure  at  the  rate 
of  one  and  one-half  gallons  upon  a  space 
14  inches  by  14  inches,  or  196  square 
inches.  I  am  giving  exact  figures  and  de- 
tails, my  planting  book  being  before  me 
as  I  write,  with  all  the  above  jotted  down 
in  it.  On  top  of  the  old  horse  manure  I 
put  exactly  one  gallon  of  mixture  No.  2 
(the  richest)  at  the  same  rate,  14  x  14 
inches  of  space ;  then  a  thin  layer  of 
sifted  builders'  sand ;  then  I  planted  my 
corms,  covering  them  again  with  clear 
sand.  On  top  of  this  I  put  mixture  No. 
1  (the  poorest)  covering  the  corms  with 
this  to  a  depth  of  about  four  inches.  The 
point  was  to  give  the  roots  the  richest 
mixture  and  to  have  the  top  merely  por- 
ous. (I  am  giving  the  fertilizers  and 
soils  that  were  available  in  my  position 
and  case.  I  am  laying  down  no  exact 
laws  nor  do  I  claim  to  at  all  to  be  an  au- 
thority, other  persons  in  other  locations 
would  probably  have  access  to  other  bet- 
ter soils  and  fertilizers.) 

Now,  let's  see  what  the  actual  results 
were.  I  will  select  at  random  from  plant- 
ing book  for  that  year.  With  my  first 
inexperienced  culture,  from  one  corm  of 
Liebesfeuer  I  got  one  corm  and  two  bulb- 
lets.  With  my  fertilizing  method  above, 
from  the  resultant  old  corm,  (not  using  a 
new  corm)  and  discarding  the  two  bulb- 
lets,  I  dug  two  corms  and  eighty  bulblets. 
From  three  corms  of  Daisy  Rand  I  got, 
with  old  culture,  three  corms  and  four 
bulblets — with  the  new  culture,  discard- 
ing the  four  bulblets  and  planting  only 
the  resultant  three  old  corms,  I  dug  six 
corms  and  thirty-eight  bulblets;  one  corm 
of  Berlinia,  old  culture,  one  corm — using 
this  same  old  corm,  with  new  culture,  one 
corm  and  twenty-two  bulblets.  Glory  of 
Holland,  four  corms,  old  culture,  I  got 
four  corms;  new  culture,  using  these 
same  old  corms,  five  corms  and  twenty- 
nine  bulblets. 

It  will  be  noted  that  in  every  case  I 
used  very  inferior,  and  what  some  would 
have  thrown  away  as  worthless,  corms 
that  I  had  grown  before ;  the  bulblets 
produced  from  old  culture  being  planted 
elsewhere,  the  last  resultant  corms  and 
bulblets  coming  from  planting  old  corms 
only. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  my  soil  was 


poor  in  the  first  place  and  many  may  have 
perhaps  a  naturally  rich  soil  and  are  able  to 
grow  fine  Gladioli  without  all  this  trouble. 
But  I  found  out  to  my  satisfaction  that 
fertilizing  when  necessary  spells  success 
and  when  growing  otherwise,  means  fail- 
ure. I  think  one  reason  for  the  improve- 
ment in  the  stock  was  the  sifted  coal 
ashes  and  the  sand  lightening  up  the  soil. 
He  who  expects  to  grow  Gladioli  with 
much  success  in  poor  soil,  as  some  of  the 
directions  would  almost  seem  to  lead  you 
to  believe,  from  my  point  of  view,  is  go- 
ing to  be  disappointed. 

The  writer  of  the  article  referred  to, 
in  the  beginning  of  this  communication, 
speaks  of  Mr.  Kunderd's  use  of  manure 
and  fertilizers  as  "  forcing  growth  "  detri- 
mentally. Hasn't  he  got  his  ideas  mixed 
with  the  thought  of  how  florists  force 
bulbs  in  the  winter,  of  other  flowers  for 
their  bloom  alone,  and  throw  away  the 
bulbs  afterwards  as  worthless?  This  is 
naturally  the  case,  as  they  make  no  at- 
tempt to  grow  them  on  afterwards  to  ripen 
the  foliage.  They  are  in  the  flower  pro- 
ducing business  and  not  the  bulb  growing 
business.  The  bulbs  they  force  are  grown 
in  another  part  of  the  world  out  of  doors 
in  a  climate  and  soil  especially  adapted 
to  that  special  flower  and  the  flower  is 
already  nestling  in  the  heart  of  the  bulb 
when  they  receive  it.  They  could  go 
right  on  after  forcing  it  and  grow  and 
ripen  it  and  little  bulblets  would  form 
around  it  and  they  could  grow  them  on 
and  produce  their  own  forcing  stock 
themselves,  but  it  doesn't  pay  them  to  do 
it  as  their  greenhouse  is  needed  for  other 
things ;  so  naturally  they  throw  them 
away  and  buy  a  fresh  supply  much  cheaper 
than  they  could  produce  it. 

But  the  Gladioli  grown  by  Mr.  K.  are, 
it  seems  to  me,  not  being  forced  in  the 
florist's  sense.  They  are  being  grown 
out  of  doors  under  the  summer  sun  in  a 
climate  and  soil  adapted  to  them  and  are 
receiving  merely  a  plentiful  supply  of 
food  elements  to  bring  them  to  great 
perfection  and  why  the  resultant  corms 
should  be  "  exhausted,  diseased  or  worth- 
less" I  can't  see  from  my  experience. 

Several  years  ago  I  visited  a  very  large 
grower's  place  on  Long  Island,  about 
fifty  miles  out  on  the  north  division 
of  the  Long  Island  railroad.  This  place 
comprises,  I  think,  about  800  acres,  being 
larger  than  Central  Park,  consisting  from 
its  appearance,  of  many  old  farms  bought 
up  and  thrown  together.  Part  of  this 
great  tract  lies  on  the  north  side  of  the 
railway  and  the  other  part  on  the  south 
side  of  it.  It  is  not  all  level,  but  consists 
of  hills  and  dales  and  winding  roads  and 


Page 

116 


iD\)&  yCiobdrn  (Gladiolus  (Brower 


Aug. 

1917 


woods  of  old  native  cedars  and  other 
forest  trees,  old  orchards  that  once  stood 
around  old  homesteads,  etc.,  so  large  in 
fact  that  the  owner  and  one  of  his  em- 
ployees one  day  got  lost  in  it  and  he  had 
to  send  the  employee  to  the  top  of  a  tree 
to  find  out  just  where  they  were.  The 
fields  of  Gladioli  are  not  all  together  but 
naturally  scattered,  as  I  suppose  the  same 
fields  are  not  used  for  Gladioli  year  after 
year;  and  it  was  a  pretty  sight  to  suddenly 
make  a  turn  on  one  of  the  well  kept  road- 
ways and  be  greeted  in  the  distance  with 
what  seemed  to  be  a  little  lake  of  beauti- 
ful pink  color,  so  solid  the  spikes  could 
not  be  distinguished  at  that  distance,  but 
you  could  guess  what  they  were.  In 
contrast  to  the  dark  velvety  green  of  the 
Junipers  (cedars)  the  view  was  quite 
effective. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  things  along 
the  railway  near  the  pretty  modern  con- 
crete stucco  depot  and  the  large  storage 
bulb  house,  upon  a  railway  siding  were 
several  freight  cars  and  dumped  on  the 
ground  next  these  cars,  were  almost 
veritable  hills  (you  could  hardly  call  them 
piles )  of  manure.  It  was  not  being  hauled 
out  at  that  time  as  it  was  the  blooming 
season  and  I  wondered  to  where  it  could 
all  go.  Since  growing  a  few  of  the  bulbs 
myself  I  can  imagine  now  to  where  a  good 
portion  of  it  went. 

Beginners,  when  they  pay  $5  to  $10  for 
what  seems  to  them  a  mere  handful  of 
corms  may  judge  from  the  foregoing  that 
the  cost  of  producing  them  and  the  ne- 
cessity of  keeping  up  the  soil  fertility  at 
all  times,  is  not  to  be  considered  lightly. 

The  reader  is  not  to  infer  from  the  fore- 
going that  I  am  insinuating  that  the  large 
grower  spoken  of  above  uses  anything  like 
the  methods  I  have  given  herewith  as  the 
way  I  improved  my  culture  of  Gladioli. 
In  the  first  place  I  specifically  stated  that 
my  soil  was  very  poor,  while  from  the 
large  grower's  extensive  area,  he  is  no 
doubt  able  to  find  many  rich  pockets  of  soil 
that  he  can  utilize  for  growing  his  Gladioli. 
In  the  second  place  it  would  be  physically 
impossible  for  him  to  pursue  any  such 
methods  as  mine.  Nor  is  it  to  be  inferred, 
when  I  mentioned  the  large  amount  of 
manure  that  I  saw  piled  alongside  of  his 
estate,  that  he  uses  any  such  crude  method 
as  merely  digging  under  this  more  or  less 
fresh  manure  and  planting  the  bulbs  in 
such  prepared  ground.  I  suppose  the 
manure  is  used  to  keep  up  the  general 
fertility  of  the  soil  and  could  not  be  used 
directly  unless  it  was  very  old  and  rotted 
which  I  specifically  stated  was  the  state 
of  the  manure  that  I  used. 

In  conclusion    will  say   that  from    my 


experience  I  have  always  found  that  when 
I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  get  spikes 
of  any  varieties  of  Gladioli  "five  to  eight 
feet  tall  "  with  very  vigorous  growth  and 
large  bloom,  no  matter  what  the  method 
used  in  getting  them,  I  have  always  been 
rewarded  with  large  healthy  bulbs  and 
plenty  of  bulblets.  Whenever  I  fertilized 
injudiciously,  using  too  much,  it  always 
showed  the  effect  in  spikes  only  a  foot  or 
less  high  with  poor  or  worthless  corms. 
Of  course,  it  is  possible  to  use  too  much 
fertilizer  to  the  detriment  of  the  plants 
but  the  sign  of  using  too  much  will  not 
be  found  to  be  blooms  "  six  to  seven 
inches  across  and  spikes  five  to  eight  feet 
tall." 

Finally  from  my  experiments  and  from 
personal  observation  of  three  or  four  large 
Gladiolus  farms  on  Long  Island,  and  in 
fact  the  gist  of  this  article  is  :  that  Gladi- 
oli do  best  in  a  rather  rich  soil  and  that 
any  old  soil  will  not  do  for  them,  the  soil 
must  be  rather  extra  carefully  prepared 
and  kept  in  a  superior  state  of  cultiva- 
tion and  fineness;  and  that  to  get  good 
results  commercially  requires  somewhat 
more  skill  and  attention  (not  to  mention 
care  to  keep  the  varieties  separate  and  true 
to  name)  than  the  field  culture  of  many 
other  flowers  and  plants  demand.  Some 
to  the  contrary,  notwithstanding,  who  al- 
most seem  to  suggest  that  any  old  soil  or 
location  or  culture  will  do  for  Gladioli. 

Note  by  the  Editoi — 

Mr.  Stalnaker  has  offered  some  sug- 
gestions which  are  interesting,  but  any- 
one who  undertakes  to  force  the  growth 
of  vegetation  by  any  kind  of  unnatural  or 
stimulating  means  is,  if  the  scheme  is 
carried  to  an  extreme,  inviting  disaster. 
The  back  files  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  show  various  troubles  resulting 
from  an  excessive  use  of  chemical  ferti 
lizers,  stable  manure,  etc.  It  will  bear 
repeating,  therefore,  that  any  one  who 
attempts  to  grow  exhibition  bloom  by 
heavy  fertilizing,  unless  he  is  unusually 
conversant  with  the  use  of  the  materials 
he  employs,  is  quite  likely  to  not  only  fail 
to  get  exhibition  bloom,  but  to  get  an  ab- 
solute crop  failure.  Some  of  our  most 
experienced  growers  have  made  mistakes 
of  this  kind  at  different  times.  We  do 
not  say  that  an  experienced  florist  can- 
not use  stimulating  methods  and  produce 
satisfactory  results,  but  even  in  this 
case,  the  resulting  corms  are  often  dis- 
eased. This  does  not  mean  that  if  fine 
bloom  is  obtained  the  corms  will  be  bad, 
but  when  an  attempt  is  made  to  force  fine 
bloom  it  often  results  in  failure  to  get  any 
bloom  at  all  and  worthless  increase  besides. 


Aug. 
1917 


ol)<^  ^JlZo6eru  (Bla5lolus  (Browcr 


Page 

117 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


CONSERVATION   AND   PREPAREDNESS. 

The  call  to  increase  the  quantity  and 
to  conserve  food  was  responded  to  with 
true  American  patriotism,  and  it  is  safe  to 
say  that  there  are  more  gardens  in  the 
United  States  this  year  than  ever  before. 
Many  of  the  war  gardeners  are  beginners 
in  soil  tilling  and  they  make  hard  work 
of  it.  After  the  ground  was  plowed  and 
harrowed,  armed  with  a  shiny  new  hoe, 
hand  cultivator  and  the  motto  "  Dig  "  in 
mind  they  started  in.  Being  unaccustomed 
to  gardening  they  tire  quickly,  the  work 
is  harder  than  they  thought.  It  looked 
easy  when  they  had  watched  a  farmer, 
but  they  stick  to  it  enthusiastically,  happy 
in  the  thought  that  they  are  doing 
something  for  their  country  by  the  sweat 
of  their  brows.  It  would  be  discouraging 
indeed  if  after  all  the  hard  work  the  crop 
would  prove  a  failure,  but  if  these  en- 
thusiasts learn  hoiv  to  garden  this  year 
they  will  have  made  a  great  success  even 
if  the  crop  is  not  a  bumper  one. 

One  of  the  first  and  most  important 
things  to  learn  is  the  conservation  of 
strength.  One  should  not  work  continu- 
ously until  nearly  exhausted,  grimly  deter- 
mined to  finish  his  row  or  the  cultivation 
of  a  certain  plot  before  he  stops  for  a 
breath  or  two.  The  farmer  who  keeps 
his  horses  in  the  best  condition  and  gets 
the  best  work  from  them  knows  that  be- 
cause of  frequent  short  rests,  perhaps 
three  to  five  minutes,  that  he  has  con- 
served their  strength,  and  yet  how  often 
do  we  see  horses  worked  until  nearly  ex- 
hausted and  then  given  a  long  rest.  A 
waste  of  strength  and  time. 

As  practice  makes  perfect,  you  new 
gardeners  have  probably  learned  that  to 
keep  the  weeds  in  check  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  strike  the  hoe  deeply,  and  perhaps 
you  have  learned  that  best  of  all  way 
and  that  is  to  kill  them  before  they  come, 
by  keeping  the  soil  worked.  Perhaps  you 
have  learned  that  the  shallow  surface  dust 
mulch,  even  less  than  an  inch  will  con- 
serve the  moisture  as  well  as  your  strength. 
Do  not  think  that  it  is  not  worth  while  to 
begin  unless  you  can  have  a  whole  or  half 
day's  time  to  work,  but  watch  for  the  little 
odds  and  ends  of  time.  Have  all  tools 
sharp  and  convenient  to  your  work  so 
that  you  can  use  those  moments  to  good 
advantage,  and  it  is  surprising  how  much 
can  be  done  in  even  five  minutes.  Study 
the  soil,  learn  the  needs  of  your  plants, 
conserve    both    time    and    strength    and 


gardening  will  not  be  hard,  disappointing 
work,  but  a  most  fascinating  pastime. 

Preparedness?  Yes;  preparedness  for 
war  and  the  war  garden  we  must  have, 
but  let  us  also  prepare  for  a  Peace  Gar- 
den. The  soldier  bids  farewell  and  as  he 
pauses  for  the  last  sweeping  glance  he 
sees  not  only  the  war  garden,  but  the 
trees,  the  vine-draped  house,  the  clumps 
of  shrubbery,  the  profusion  of  flowers 
shedding  their  sweet  fragrance.  It  is  a 
beautiful,  never  to  be  forgotten  picture, 
and  the  dear  ones  are  all  connected  with 
it.  What  a  gay  time  they  had  planting 
the  Iris.  Mother  called  it  Flower  de 
Luce,  and  how  thick  and  rank  the  rose 
hedge  is.  He  helped  to  plant  it.  His 
gaze  reaches  the  flag  and  the  terrible 
purpose  of  the  enemy  rushes  over  him. 
With  hand  raised  in  salute,  tightened  lips 
and  flashing  eyes  he  pledges  his  heart's 
blood  in  protection  of  that  flag  and  the 
preservation  of  the  American  Home,  the 
greatest  of  all  institutions. 

What  kind  of  a  picture  will  it  be  when 
he  comes  back  crowned  with  victory  ? 
Must  the  beauty  be  all  gone  and  only  the 
practical  left?  The  practical  part  that 
means  Bread  must  come  first,  but  by  con- 
serving time  can  we  not  all  add  five  or 
ten  minutes  extra  to  our  gardening  hours 
and  spend  them  in  making  the  American 
home  a  more  beautiful  haven  of  peace  and 
rest,  that  when  our  soldier  again  enters 
its  sacred  portals  he  can  say  with  eyes 
resting  on  the  flag :  It  has  been  preserved 
and  it  was  worth  the  struggle. 

Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


We  quote  from  an  editorial  in  the  Flor- 
ists' Exchange  which  gives  a  strong  en- 
dorsement to  the  work  of  the  modern 
Gladiolus  hybridizer  as  follows: 

"  Of  the  several  flowers  now  in  the  pub- 
lic eye,  which  have  responded  readily  to 
the  art  of  the  hybridist,  none  have  made 
more  rapid  and  sensational  improvement 
than  the  Gladiolus.  The  exhibitions  of  this 
flower  at  various  places  during  the  present 
season  have  brought  out  material  which 
is  nothing  short  of  marvelous  and  one  of 
the  most  interesting  facts  in  this  connec- 
tion is  that  the  varieties  showing  the 
greatest  advancement  over  the  old  types 
are  the  productions  of  American  special- 
ists. Unfortunately  for  these  earnest 
workers  the  emoluments  from  their  tri- 
umphs have  been  and  are  likely  to  be 
very,  very  small  so  long  as  conditions  are 
such  that  foreign  growers  can  swamp 
our  markets  with  stock  of  our  own  best 
productions  at  prices  with  which  home 
competition  is  next  to  impossible." 


Page 

118 


Oh<i  !5tto5ern  (Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Aug. 
1917 


Gladiolus  Growing  in  the  South. 

In  growing  Gladioli  for  market  I  find 
there  is  a  great  deal  yet  to  learn,  as  well 
as  from  an  amateur  and  a  pleasure  stand- 
point. I  am  growing  about  150  different 
varieties  for  exhibition  and  pleasure,  ( about 
two  thousand  bulbs  that  I  keep  separate 
from  my  commercial  stock),  and  every 
July  I  have  a  free  Gladiolus  show  at  my 
store.  Last  year  I  exhibited  126  varieties 
and  it  created  quite  a  sensation  and  they 
were  admired  very  much. 

I  grow  from  four  to  five  acres  of  Gladi- 
oli for  market,  ten  or  twelve  of  the  best 
commercial  varieties,  some  of  the  newer 
as  well  as  the  older  standard  varieties. 
Here  in  this  part  of  the  country  (Tenn.) 
or  in  North  Carolina  the  cormels  can  be 
planted  either  in  fall  or  spring.  I  prefer 
spring  as  sometimes  the  fall  rains  begin 
before  the  bulbs  are  cured  enough  to 
plant,  consequently  the  ground  is  too 
wet  to  plant.  I  plant  as  early  in  the 
spring  as  the  weather  permits,  from  the 
first  of  March  on  till  June.  I  plant  in 
rows,  placing  the  bulbs  from  two  to  four 
inches  apart  alternated  in  a  double  row  ; 
these  double  rows  three  feet  apart  for 
horse  cultivation.  I  plant  from  four  to 
six  inches  deep  and  as  soon  as  they  are 
one  and  one-half  to  two  feet  tall  I  hill 
them  up  a  little,  making  the  bulbs  eight 
to  ten  inches  under  the  ground.  Being  in 
a  double  row  and  so  deep  the  wind  cannot 
blow   them  over  causing  crooked   stems. 

I  am  beginning  to  cut  at  this  date,  (June 
30th)  as  they  are  beginning  to  bloom  in 
quantity.  (However,  the  season  this  year 
is  about  ten  days  later  than  usual).  I 
cut  just  as  the  first  flower  begins  to  open. 

In  packing  to  ship,  all  varieties  are 
graded  and  kept  separate,  tied  twenty- 
five  in  a  bunch  and  placed  in  water 
after  being  tied.  (You  need  not  be  in 
any  hurry  about  putting  them  in  water 
after  cutting,  if  they  wilt  a  little  so  much 
the  better  as  they  are  not  so  apt  to  break 
while  handling).  After  being  in  water  a 
short  time  they  can  be  shipped. 

My  method  of  packing  is  standing  the 
bunches  upright  in  crates.  Each  bunch 
is  wrapped  tightly  in  paper,  then  closely 
packed  upright  in  the  crate  already  pre- 
pared to  receive  them.  I  only  put  a  few 
sheets  of  old  newspaper  in  the  bottom  of 
the  crate  for  the  stem  end  of  the  bunch 
to  stand  on,  and  I  use  no  ice  whatever. 
Should  they  arrive  wilted  at  their  desti- 
nation it  will  not  injure  them  at  all.  They 
will  arrive  in  much  better  condition  than 
if  packed  in  a  flat  box  and  iced.  I  packed 
and  shipped  something  over  150,000  in  this 
way  last  season  and  did    not    have  one 


complaint.  All  of  my  customers  com- 
plimented me  very  highly  on  my  way  of 
packing  and  shipping.  Dixie. 


Annuals. 

Annually  there  is  a  story  in  these  col- 
umns about  annuals.  Persistently  and 
perpetually  the  editor  insists  that  the 
only  real  fun  in  growing  flowers  is  in 
growing  annuals.  Of  course  perennials 
like  phlox,  etc.,  are  fine  and  do  not  re- 
quire replanting  every  year,  the  Gladiolus 
if  not  the  queen  of  flowers,  is  at  heart  a 
princess  and  all  the  flowering  shrubs  we 
have  place  for  and  can  afford  are  a  de- 
light, but  for  real  enjoyment  plant  annuals. 

Heading  the  list  as  well  as  the  alpha- 
bet, comes  asters,  late  branching,  early 
branching,  ostrich  plume,  incurved,  comet 
and  a  dozen  others.  The  modest  and 
lovely  sweet  alyssum,  balsam,  coreopsis, 
celosia,  gaillardia,  heliotrope,  larkspur, 
marigold,  mignonette,  nasturtium,  petu- 
nia, phlox,  portulaca,  poppy,  ricinus  (cas- 
tor bean,)  verbena  and  ending  the  alpha- 
bet with  zinnia. 

Allowing  for  three  packets  of  good  as- 
ters the  entire  list  of  seeds  can  be  had 
for  less  than  a  dollar. 

None  of  these  are  pampered  green- 
house pets  nor  none  need  be  planted  in  jk 
boxes.  If  one  is  eager  for  very  early  as-  %; 
ters  the  seeds  must  be  planted  in  March 
or  April,  but  the  finest  asters  are  the 
ones  that  come  on  as  the  days  are  get- 
ting short  and  the  evenings  coo'.  The 
aster  belongs  to  autumn  days  and  when  we 
force  it  into  bloom  in  the  heat  of  summer 
we  lose  something  of  its  rarest  beauty. 

Plant  all  of  these  in  the  open,  in  the 
vegetable  garden  and  not  in  stingy  little 
flower  beds  or  borders. 

Plant  the  seeds  early  in  May  in  soil 
that  has  been  made  fine  with  a  garden 
rake.  Make  shallow  furrows  with  a  lath 
sharpened  on  one  edge. 

Cover  lightly,  very  lightly,  for  the 
smaller  seeds  with  soil  sifted  through  a 
fine  mesh  screen  and  press  the  soil  firmly 
over  the  seeds.  Lay  boards  over  the 
rows  for  a  few  days  and  until  plants 
appear  to  avoid  washing  and  baking  of 
the  soil. 

All  the  rest  is  just  like  caring  for  a 
patch  of  onions  or  carrots.  Thin  the 
plants,  cultivate  often  and  water  only  if 
absolutely  necessary.  The  results  will  re- 
pay you  a  hundred  or  a  thousand  fold. 
Flowers  from  July  to  frost,  and  the  finest  v 
of  all  flowers.  Nothing  can  quite  com-  ^ 
pare  with  a  garden  of  annuals.  Try  it. — 
Wisconsin  Horticulture. 


Aug. 

19  17 


Ol)e  ^^o6ern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Page 

119 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF  THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
75c.  per  vear, 
3  years  for  $1.50. 


OUR  MOTTO: 
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$1.00  per  year 


Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

The  content,  0/  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROirER  an  coverid  by  general  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  edittrs  to 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  prcper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  folti-ws  : 
"  From  THE  .MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROl^^ER.  Calcium.  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations, 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


August,    1917 


No.  8 


Gla-di'o-lus  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-Ii. 

Correctly  pronounced  with  accent  on  the  syllable  "  di." 


If  You  Would  Have  Your  Busi- 
ness Done,  Go  Yourself, 
If  Not,  Send. 

In  another  column  appears  a  note  ask- 
ing for  information  about  exhibiting  at 
fairs.  One  of  the  points  on  which  infor- 
mation is  requested  is  whether  it  is  neces- 
sary for  the  exhibitor  to  go  in  person. 

The  experience  of  the  editor  in  shipping 
flowers  to  a  Massachusetts  Fair  in  1916 
may  serve  as  a  guide.  At  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  the  superintendent  of  flow- 
ers he  sent  as  fine  a  lot  of  bloom  as  he 
ever  shipped,  to  the  extent  of  between 
200  and  300  spikes.  The  superintendent 
promised  to  make  proper  entries  for 
same  and  look  after  staging. 

The  bloom  arrived  in  good  order  and 
was,  so  far  as  we  know,  properly  staged, 
but  when  it  came  to  competing  for  prizes, 
that  seemed  to  be  another  matter.  In- 
quiry of  the  superintendent  and  of  the 
secretary  of  the  fair  in  question  has  not 
as  yet  been  able  to  determine  whether 
the  flowers  were  entered  and  were  eligi- 
ble to  win  a  prize  or  not,  but  anyway, 
the  flowers  were  not  judged  in  competi- 
tion, and  it  is  assumed  that  they  were 
not  properly  entered. 

Therefore,  the  heading  of  this  article 


tells  the  whole  story — if  you  want  any- 
thing attended  to,  do  it  yourself.  If  you 
do  not  care  whether  it  is  attended  to  or 
not,  leave  it  to  someone  else.  They  are 
more  than  likely  to  neglect  it,  and  if  they 
do  not  it  probably  will  not  be  attended  to 
as  well  as  if  you  went  yourself  and  at- 
tended to  it  yourself. 

If  any  of  our  readers  have  had  a  similar 
experience  and  care  to  relate  it  for  pub- 
lication, we  would  be  glad  to  hear  from 
them.  Abuses  of  this  kind  should  be 
thoroughly  discussed  and  measures  taken 
for  their  correction  where  possible. 

What  About  Old  Corms? 

The  question  is  often  asked  as  to  what 
happens  to  Gladiolus  corms  as  they  get 
old.  We  have  not  seen  a  complete  de- 
tailed answer  to  this  question  but  expect 
to  be  able  to  answer  it  by  our  own  ex- 
perience shortly. 

C.  G.  Morris  writes  us  that  Cornell  Ex- 
tension Bulletin  No.  10,  contains  the 
following  statement:  "With  age  the  flat 
corms  frequently  send  up  five  or  six 
shoots  causing  the  production  of  not  one 
or  two  blooming-size  corms,  but  small 
ones  that  need  a  year's  growth  before 
they  will  bloom  again." 


Page 

120 


Ob<i  Mlo6ern  <Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Aug. 
1917 


Our  own  experience  has  been  that  the 
divisions  resulting  from  old  corms  are 
quite  as  likely  to  be  first  size  as  to  be 
small  size  and  the  statement  above  quoted 
does  not  say  whether  bloom  from  the 
divisions  after  a  year's  growth  may  be 
expected  to  be  as  good  as  from  bulblet 
grown  corms. 

It  really  seems  strange  that  none  of 
the  older  growers  have  so  far  undertaken 
to  tell  what  happens  when  a  Gladiolus 
corm  gets  to  a  stage  where  it  will  divide 
into  several  corms  without  throwing  a 
flower  spike,  or  more  properly  speaking 
what  happens  to  the  divisions  in  their 
future  life  history. 


Unless  indications  fail  there  will  be  the 
finest  display  of  bloom  at  the  flower 
shows  this  year  that  we  have  ever  seen. 
The  Editor's  experience  is  that  Pink 
Beauty  planted  April  12th  opened  first 
bloom  on  July  18th.  A  correspondent 
from  the  state  of  Washington  reports 
America  and  Mrs.  Francis  King  planted 
120  days  and  not  in  bloom.  This  indi- 
cates that  when  bloom  does  come,  it  will 


be  extraordinarily  large  and  fine  unless 
some  unforeseen  weather  conditions  in- 
terfere. Therefore,  plan  to  visit  the 
flower  shows  this  year  and  see  the  finest 
display  that  has  ever  been  shown. 


One  of  our  subscribers  in  California 
reports  that  under  his  cultural  and  cli- 
matic conditions  that  he  has  had  Gladi- 
olus blooms  every  month  in  the  year  and 
some  of  the  best  ones  in  the  month  of 
January.  We  poor  Eskimos  in  the  north 
think  little  about  Gladiolus  bloom  in 
January,  but  we  certainly  would  appre- 
ciate them  just  the  same  could  we  see 
them.  This  same  subscriber  says  that  he 
has  raised  three  different  sets  of  blooms 
from  the  same  bulbs  in  one  year.  If  we 
get  one  lot  of  bloom  we  are  pretty  well 
satisfied. 

Exhibitors  at  the  Gladiolus  shows  in 
August  may  expect  keen  competition  this 
year  providing  the  weather  is  satisfactory 
from  now  on.  The  growing  season  has 
been  most  favorable  for  the  growth  of 
strong  and  vigorous  bloom. 


Part  of  the  small  stock  of  E.  M.  Smith,  East  Hartford,  Conn.  Mr.  Smith  says  his  three  girl 
friends  to  the  left  in  the  photograph  assist  him  in  caring  for  the  baby  Gladioli.  Mr. 
Smith  to  the  right  in  the  picture. 

Mr.  Smith  reports  his  first  Pitik  Beauty,  which  were  planted  on  April  8th,  in  bloom  on  July 
13th,  and  he  also  says  that  experts  declared  that  the  season  would  be  two  weeks'  later 
than  this.  The  Editor's  results  were  almost  identical  with  Mr.  Smith's,  planting  April 
12th  and  blooming  on  July  18th.    A  long  time  indeed  for  Pink  Beauty. 


Aug. 
1917 


Obe  Mlodern  (Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Page 
121 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


PLANTING  TO  BLOOMING  RECORD    1916. 


1st 

PLANTED   BLOOMING 

(Pots) 

Lilywhite Mar.  3  July     8 

Pride  of  Goshen Mar.  3  July     4 

White  Lady Feb.  12  June    5 

AHce  Carey Feb.  12  June  15 

Outdoors- 
Heavy  Clay  (Adobe.) 

Halley Feb.  22  May  25 

Chicago  White "  22  May  19 

Panama "  22  June  22 

Mrs.  F.  Pendleton...    "  22  June  29 

Alice  Carev "  22  May  27 

BaronJ.  Hulot Mar.  18  June    5 

Niagara "'  18  June  24 

Baron  J.  Hulot "  21  June  10 

White  Lady "  2fi  June  26 

America "  28  June  17 

Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer.. -Apr.  2  Aug.    2 

Mrs.  F.  Pendleton...    "  8  July  22 

Peace "  8  Aug.    4 

War "  9  July   15 

Schwaben "  9  "      13 

Mrs.   Francis  King..     "  9        "      12 

White  Lady ;;  9  "        1 

Baron  J.  Hulot- "  13  June  26 

Lily  Lehmann "  13  July     8 

Willy  Wigman "  13  "      20 

Empress  of  India "  22  "        8 

Taconic "  22  "        6 

Halley "  22  June  29 

W.  J.  COLCLEUGH,   (Ca 


PL.'^NTLNG 
TO 
BLOOM- 
ING 

127  Days 
123      " 

114      " 
125      " 


93 
87 
121 
129 
95 
79 
98 
81 
92 
81 
122 
105 
119 
97 
95 
94 
83 
74 


77 

75 

69 

ifornia 


GROWING  GLADIOLUS  SEEDLINGS  IN 
GREENHOUSE. 
To  THE  Editor  :— 

Lifted  three  large  flats  of  greenhouse 
grown  seedlings  today  (March  15)  which 
were  planted  last  November.  They  are 
beautiful  little  bulbs,  fully  ripe,  about 
three  thousand  of  them.  Shall  keep  them 
rather  dry  and  plant  out  of  doors  in  May. 
Wish  you  could  see  them. 

Have  followed  this  plan  three  years 
with  perfect  results.  I  planted  200  bulb- 
lets  of  a  rare  variety  last  fall  (which  had 
laid  in  the  ground  all  summer  and  failed 
to  sprout)  in  a  6  in.  pan  in  greenhouse, 
previously  peeling  them ;  and  all  grew 
averaging  about  one-half  inch  when  they 
ripened  a  week  ago. 

H.  E.  Meader. 


A  HYBRIDIZING  SUGGESTION. 

A  great  Hybridizing  "Secret."  "Stale 
pistil  fertilized  with  fresh  pollen  will  pro- 
duce plants  and  flowers  larger  than 
normal."  "Fresh  pistil  crossed  with  stale 
pollen  will  produce  plants  and  flowers 
smaller  than  normal."  c.  M.  s. 


TIME  from   BUDDING  TO   BLOOMING. 

To  the  man  who  has  gone  daffy  on 
Gladioli,  every  little  item  connected  with 
their  growth  is  a  matter  of  interest.  Sev- 
eral have  given  in  these  columns  lists  of 
the  length  of  time  from  planting  to  the 
opening  of  the  first  bloom.  Each  of  these 
lists  has  been  read  with  interest,  although 
beyond  the  fact  that  Pink  Beauty  is  the 
very  earliest  bloomer,  we  have  learned 
none  too  much  positively  from  them. 

After  the  precious  globules  are  hidden 
away  in  the  ground,  how  we  watch  to  see 
the  first  points  of  green  peeping  out ! 
Then  when  the  leaves  are  full  grown  we 
are  on  the  lookout  for  the  appearance  of 
the  first  flower-bud,  day  by  day  carefully 
squeezing  the  stalk  with  thumb  and  finger, 
up  and  down,  to  detect  a  swollen  spot 
which  shall  slowly  travel  higher  each  day 
until  the  tip  of  a  flower-bud  can  be  actu- 
ally seen  pushing  its  way  out  between 
the  two  central  leaves.  Then  how  long  it 
seems  from  the  sight  of  that  first  tip  of 
the  green  bud  until  the  first  flower  opens. 
Do  you  know  with  any  degree  of  certainty 
how  long  that  time  really  is? 

Last  year  I  kept  tab  on  a  number  of 
varieties,  setting  down  the  date  of  the 
first  sight  of  the  tip  of  the  bud  and  the 
date  when  the  first  floret  was  open.  I 
give  here  the  list  of  varieties  and  for 
each  variety  the  number  of  days  between 
the  two  dates : 


Baron  Hulot 7 

Chicago  White 7 

Early  Black .  7 

Giant  White 7 

Niagara 7 

Velvet  King 7 

Golden  King 8 

Golden   Measure 8 

Mary  Pickford 8 

Myrtle 8 

Pendleton S 

Princeps 8 


White  King 8 

America 9 

Empress  of  India 9 

Kunderdi  Glory 9 

Panama 9 

Red,  White  and  Gold  9 

Schwaben 9 

Europa 10 

Klondyke 11 

May 11 

Mrs.  Francis  King__ll 
Red  Amarillas 11 


The  average  of  all  is  a  little  more  than  81/2. 

There  may  be  nothing  very  positive  to 
be  learned  from  this,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  the  dates  were  recorded  with 
great  accuracy.  The  table  would  be  of 
more  value  had  all  the  varieties  been 
planted  on  the  same  day.  If  one  corm  of 
America  were  planted  in  April  and  an- 
other in  June,  likely  the  time  for  the  lat- 
ter would  be  shorter  than  for  the  former. 
Whether  planted  early  or  late,  the  warmer 
the  weather  the  shorter  the  time  might 
be.  It  may  be,  too,  that  another  time 
the  different  varieties  may  not  agree  to 
follow  the  schedule  they  did  this  time, 
varying  at  different  times  according  to 
their  fancy.  But  there's  the  list  for  what 
its  worth. 

C.  C.  Miller. 


Page 
122 


iD^^a.  Mlo6ern  <Bla6iolus  (Brower 


Aug. 
1917 


LICE  ON   GLADIOLUS  CORMS. 

In  your  June  issue  I  note  an  inquiry 
from  "J.  P.  W."  regarding  "  Lice  on  Gladi- 
olus Corms."  In  1916  I  had  very  much 
the  same  experience.  When  I  brought 
mv  bulbs  forth  last  season  for  planting  I 
found  most  all  of  them  were  inhabited  to 
some  degree  with  grey  lice,  and  in  most 
cases  the  bulbs  were  literally  covered 
with  them.  I  was  at  a  loss  to  know  just 
what  to  do,  and  having  no  time  to  lose 
I  chose  the  following  experiment: 

Procured  an  enameled  pail  and  with  it 
about  one-third  full  of  water  I  added 
about  a  pint  of  kerosene  oil.  First  I  re- 
moved all  the  husks  from  the  corms  and 
then  placed  a  good  number  in  the  pail  so 
that  all  were  covered.  While  I  was  re- 
moving husk  from  another  lot  I  allowed 
the  first  lot  to  soak  a  few  minutes,  after 
which  I  found  that  most  all  of  the  lice 
had  left  the  bulbs  and  were  floating  on 
top  of  the  solution.  I  handled  each  corm 
separately  and  if  I  found  any  lice  I  easily 
removed  them  by  swishing  the  bulbs 
through  the  solution  with  my  fingers. 
After  this  operation  I  placed  the  bulbs  on 
old  window  screens  and  set  the  screens 
on  the  grass  in  the  sun  to  dry.  The 
corms  soon  dried  and  were  ready  for 
planting.  Would  not  have  been  necessary 
to  dry  them  if  I  had  intended  planting  all 
of  them  at  one  time,  but  as  I  had  put  500 
corms  through  this  process  I  naturally 
did  not  plant  all  of  them  on  the  same 
day. 

The  treatment  caused  no  harm  to  the 
bulbs  I  am  sure  even  though  I  did  not 
have  the  best  of  luck  with  my  blooms, 
for  you  well  know  last  season  was  a 
rather  poor  one  for  growing  Gladioli. 

Most  of  my  bulbs  are  now  planted  and 
I  did  not  find  lice  on  a  single  bulb  and 
every  one  was  in  the  best  of  condition. 

I  never  had  trouble  along  this  line  be- 
fore and  I  feel  that  some  bulbs  I  bought 
very  early  last  season  must  have  been  in- 
fected and  thus  spread  through  my  entire 
collection.  E.  E.  Vroom. 


LICE  ON   GLADIOLUS  CORMS. 

The  writer  can  imagine  "J.  P.  W.'s' 
feeling  when  he  discovered  corm  after 
corm  covered  with  those  myriads  of  nasty 
grey  lice.  I  had  the  same  sensation  a 
year  ago  when  I  discovered  that  about 
fifty  corms,  purchased  from  a  so  called 
responsible  grower,  were  loaded  to  the 
gunwales  with  those  pestiferous  passen- 
gers. Now,  I  wanted  the  corms  for  which 
I  had  paid  a  good  price,  but  I  didn't  want 
the  livestock  under  any  consideration. 
For'iunately  I  had  a  quantity  of  powdered 


tobacco  and  into  this  I  threw  the  corms, 
lice  and  all.  Say  !  A  sicker  lot  of  bugs 
you  never  saw.  I  clearly  remember  all 
my  sensations  when  as  a  boy  I  endeavored 
to  learn  the  manly  (?)  art  of  tobacco 
chewing  and  the  recollection  of  my  first 
(and  last)  chew  will  always  linger.  I 
think  those  lice  from  their  actions  had  all 
the  symptoms  I  had,  and  I  was  fiendish 
enough  to  enjoy  their  misery.  Then  I 
planted  the  corms,  sprinkled  the  powdered 
tobacco  about  them,  covered  them  up  and 
they  grew  finely.  When  they  were  har- 
vested in  the  fall,  I  found  the  tobacco  had 
been  highly  effective— not  a  louse  on  the 
job — and  a  nice  plump  lot  of  corms  to 
carry  over.  c.  s. 


ORIGIN  OF  VARIETIES. 

I  would  like  to  see  published  informa- 
tion as  to  the  origin  and  when  named  of 
the  following  varieties  of  Gladioli:  Alice 
Carey,  Boitgct  D'Or,  Bern  ice,  Baltimore, 
Claude  Monnett,  Egra  Ritst,  Gil  Bias.  Lilac, 
Maize,  Mrs.  James  Lancashire,  Prophetesse 
and  Rouge  Torch. 

Would  like  to  know  further  as  to  the 
best  means  to  employ  in  harvesting  stock 
grown  from  the  cormels  first  season. 

Ray  p.  Selover. 


HINTS  ON   EXHIBITING  FLOWERS. 

One  of  our  subscribers  asks  for  infor- 
mation about  exhibiting  at  fairs  and 
wants  to  know  about  preparation,  ship- 
ping, staging,  receptacles,  etc.,  and  espe- 
cially as  to  the  necessity  of  the  exhibitor 
being  present  in  person.  If  anyone  can 
prepare  for  us  an  article  along  this  line 
we  are  sure  it  will  be  helpful  to  many 
amateur  growers  who  have  not  had  ex- 
perience. 


FORDHOOK  HYBRIDS. 

I  note  in  the  June  number  which  I  re- 
ceived today  that  "  C.  M.S."  speaks  of 
the  Fordhook  Hybrids.  I  would  say  that 
these  are  offered  by  W.  Atlee  Burpee  Co. 
in  both  seed  and  corms.  With  proper 
care  they  are  supposed  to  bloom  the  first 
year  from  seed.  In  1915  I  secured  some 
seed  from  Burpee's  which  I  planted  about 
May  10th.  None  bloomed  for  me  the 
first  year  but  I  got  about  100  small  bulbs 
which  I  planted  out  on  May  1st,  1916. 
They  all  bloomed  and  some  were  very 
fine,  equal  to  many  named  varieties  and 
in  all  colors  except  white.  I  consider  them 
worth  while  and  even  the  smallest  bulbs 
of  one-quarter  inch  and  less  bloomed  and 
made  fair  spikes.  j.  m.  k. 


Aug. 

1917 


Ob<i  Mlo6eru  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Page 
123 


Producing  Healthy 

Gladiolus  Corms. 

By  John  Lane. 

In  reading  all  the  back  numbers  of 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  I  find 
a  lot  has  been  written  regarding  disease 
in  the  Gladiolus,  and  apparently  no  one 
has  been  able  to  solve  the  problem  of 
producing  healthy  corms. 

The  following  method  has  been  followed 
by  myself  with  the  best  of  results :  First, 
procure  the  healthiest  corms  available, 
and  at  once  remove  all  the  outer  cover- 
ing or  husk,  then  examine  the  corms 
carefully  with  a  lens,  and  if  any  trace  of 
disease  is  apparent  at  once  discard  any 
so  affected.  Plant  those  that  are  healthy 
in  land  that  has  never  grown  Gladioli 
before  and  carefully  watch  their  behavior 
until  lifting  time ;  any  that  show  signs 
of  prematurely  ripening  should  be  des- 
troyed, and  only  the  corms  that  show 
perfect  health  and  vigor  should  be  used 
for  propagation  and  these  should  be 
stored  in  the  drycst  atmosphere  available, 
not  in  a  damp  and  dark  cellar,  and  this 
applies  to  both  the  corm  and  cormels; 
the  drier  they  are  kept  the  better.  We 
have  had  them  lying  out  in  our  winter 
sun  with  a  shade  temperature  of  over  70° 
for  three  months  with  the  best  results. 

The  Gladiolus  in  its  native  home  grows 
in  the  rainy  season,  ripens  off  in  the  dry, 
the  corms  lie  in  the  dusty  earth  some- 
times quite  on  the  surface  with  the 
cormels  actually  sticking  out  of  the  soil 
and  exposed  to  the  almost  tropical  sun  of 
Natal  and  Madagascar  without  injury. 
This  should  show  us  what  they  desire. 
Let  them  have  as  much  sunlight  and  keep 
them  as  dry  as  possible  and  there  will  be 
less  disease.  We  keep  our  cormels  in 
calico  bags  on  a  verandah  up  near  the 
galvanized  iron  roof,  where  the  tempera- 
ture often  rises  above  120°,  and  have 
never  had  any  trouble  about  germination. 
When  planting  time  comes  we  repeat  the 
process  of  selecting  the  best  only  and 
again  plant  in  new  land. 

With  regard  to  the  cormels  these  are 
all  peeled  and  the  perfect  ones  only 
planted.  Any  one  who  has  had  experi- 
ence with  Gladioli  must  have  noticed  at 
lifting  time  disease  spots  on  the  outer 
covering  of  both  corm  and  cormel,  while 
beneath  is  perfectly  healthy  ;  the  trouble 
is  only  on  the  surface.  To  plant  with 
this  diseased  covering  still  on  the  corm 
or  cormel  seems  to  me  the  height  of 
foolishness,  and  I  am  sure  is  largely  re- 
sponsible for  the  trouble  I  am  writing 
about. 

Another  cause  of   disease  is    planting 


and  propagating  from  old  corms.  If  the 
corm  planted  has  rotted  by  lifting  time, 
it  is  sure  to  affect  the  new  one  that  has 
formed  on  top.  The  best  thing  to  do  in 
this  case  is  to  destroy  the  lot,  better  still, 
never  plant  old  stuff. 

Any  grower  who  follows  this  method, 
and  by  it  produces  healthy  and  reliable 
stock  would,  I  am  sure,  reap  a  rich  re- 
ward. Personally  I  would  rather  pay  a 
dollar  for  one  healthy  corm  than  give  the 
same    sum  for  a  hundred  diseased  ones. 

To  sum  up,  the  main  points  are :  To 
plant  only  peeled,  healthy  corms  and 
cormels,  always  plant  in  new  land,  keep 
as  dry  as  po?sible  when  out  of  the  ground 
and  ruthlessly  destroy  all  that  is  unde- 
sirable. Nature  always  destroys  before 
she  rebuilds,  and  probably  the  greatest 
example  of  this  law  is  in  operation  in  Eu- 
rope at  the  present  time. 


Lily  of  the  Valley. 

The  plants  of  Lily  of  the  Valley  are 
perfectly  hardy,  and  will  grow  well  in 
either  a  shady  or  sunny  situation.  They 
do  especially  well  in  a  rather  deep,  moist 
soil,  but  will  thrive  also  in  a  sandy,  rather 
dry  loam.  The  plants  may  be  obtained 
either  in  the  fall  or  spring,  and  planted 
out  where  you  wish  them  to  grow.  A 
single  plant  will  soon  stool  out  and  be- 
come a  clump,  and  one  dozen  pips  set  a 
foot  apart  in  a  bed,  will  quickly  become 
a  mass  of  plants  that  will  bloom  freely 
every  season.  In  setting  the  pips  allow 
the  tip  to  be  at  the  surface  of  the  soil. 
The  plants  root  freely,  and  are  not  readily 
troubled  by  drouth.  About  almost  every 
home  there  are  shady  nooks  where  scarcely 
anything  else  will  grow.  In  such  places 
the  Lily  of  the  Valley  can  be  planted  ad- 
vantageously, as  the  plants  will  make  a 
bed  of  green  throughout  the  season, 
and  during  the  spring  the  racemes  of 
fragrant,  bell-shaped  flowers  will  be  freely 
produced.  The  bed  should  be  reset  once 
in  three  or  four  years,  or  as  soon  as  they 
crowd  each  other  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
interfere  with  the  development  of  the 
flowers. — Park's  Floral  Magazine. 


Those  who  are  strong  on  vegetable 
gardens  and  weak  on  floriculture  are  ad- 
vised to  devote  a  row  across  their  garden 
to  flowers.  Gladioli  are  as  easy  to  care 
for  as  potatoes  and  there  are  other  flowers 
as  well  that  command  a  consideration. 
A  row  of  Gladioli  in  the  garden  will  cer- 
tainly behave  better  than  in  a  stingy 
flower  bed  or  border.  Try  this  next  year 
and  see  how  it  works  out. 


nuERIES*^"ANSWERs 

•*.-=  DEPARTMENT  =-^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.]— Editor. 


Late  Planting  of  Gladiolus 

Corms  in  Greenhouse. 

To  the  Editor:— 

Is  it  practicable  to  keep  Gladiolus  corms  in 
stoiage  until  August  or  September  for  an  early 
winter  or  late  fall  crop?  Suggestions  will  be  ap- 
preciated. R.  T.  G. 

Answer  :—Your\g  corms  of  the  forcing 
varieties  of  Gladioli  which  are  of  large 
size  and  carefully  selected  may  be  carried 
in  cold  storage  at  a  temperature  of  40  to 
45- F.  and  planted  in  the  green  house  in 
August  or  September.  This  would  be 
keeping  them  dormant  for  ten  months  or 
so  from  the  time  they  are  taken  out  of  the 
ground.  There  will  be  some  deteriora- 
tion and  there  would  not  be  as  high  a 
percentage  of  bloom  as  from  the  same 
class  of  corms  planted  in  the  spring  at 
the  regular  time. 

Self  Fertility  of  Gladioli. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

Will  a  variety  cross  or  fertilize  itself  ?  In  other 
words,  will  the  stigma  of  America  receive  pollen 
from  another  America  .'  L.  H.  R. 

Answer  .-—Most  varieties  of  Gladioli 
are  self-fertile.  By  this  term  we  mean 
that  the  pollen  by  coming  in  contact  with 
the  stigma  in  the  same  bloom  or  in  an- 
other bloom  of  the  same  variety  will 
fertilize  the  embryo  so  that  seeds  will  be 
produced.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that 
there  are  only  a  few  exceptions  to  this 
general  rule.  This  is  why  it  is  essential 
that  the  anthers  which  bear  the  pollen 
be  removed  from  the  flower  before  they 
become  mature  or  ripe,  when  we  are 
hand-pollenizing  to  produce  some  desired 
cross. 

Pollen  from  another  variety  is  usually 
stronger  or  more  prepotent  for  seed  pro- 
duction than  that  from  the  same  variety. 
Fruit  growers  take  advantage  of  this  fact 
by  interspersing  varieties  in  their  plant- 
ings. 

There  are  a  few  varieties  from  which  I 
have  been  unable  to  obtain  seeds.  I  con- 
sider these  varieties  sterile.  Many  of 
the    best    varieties  are    sterile  or  nearly 


so  because  they  have  been  bred  up  and 
away  from  the  original  or  natural  form. 
The  poorest  varieties  or  seedlings  are  the 
ones  that  usually  produce  an  abundance 
of  seeds. 

A  few  years  ago  we  had  a  pure  white 
seedling  of  such  an  unusual  shape  that  it 
could  hardly  be  recognized  as  a  Gladiolus, 
but  it  was  so  constitutionally  weak  that 
it  only  survived  a  few  years  and  never 
even  produced  a  bulblet. 

G.  D.  Black. 


Cold  Storage  of  Gladiolus  Corms. 

To  THE  Editor:— 

Can  I  put  corms  of  Mr?.  Francis  King  and 
America  in  cold  storage  at  35  F.  in  the  spring  and 
hold  until  about  August  1st  and  then  plant  for 
early  winter  bloom  ?  I  have  tried  inferior  varie- 
ties and  secured  some  flowers.  Do  you  think 
that  the  varieties  mentioned  above  will  give  re- 
sults if  handled  as  stated  ?  M.  K. 

Answer:— U  the  corms  are  young,  strong 
corms  of  first  or  second  size  there  is  no 
reason  why  you  cannot  get  satisfactory 
results  by  handling  them  as  you  have 
suggested.  Would  recommend,  however, 
that  a  temperature  of  40°F.  would  give 
better  results  with  less  liability  of  de- 
stroying the  vitality  of  the  corms.  We 
tried  this  ourselves  here,  storing  at  32°F. 
and  decided  that  this  temperature  is  too 
low  for  successful  results.  Would  recom- 
mend that  you  do  not  experiment  with 
too  large  a  quantity  of  corms  to  start 
with.     Try  it  on  a  small  scale  first. 


Transplanting  a  Rose  Bush. 

I  have  a  crimson  rambler  rosebush  seven  years 
old  which  I  would  like  to  transplant  because  it  is 
in  an  undesirable  location.  How  can  this  be  suc- 
cessfully accomplished  ?  R.  M.  S. 

Answer: — This  is  not  a  difficult  task. 
Select  the  spot  where  the  rosebush  is  to 
be  replanted  and  excavate  to  a  depth  of 
two  feet.  Fill  in  with  light  rich  soil  com- 
posed mostly  of  well  decayed  stable  man- 
ure with  some  small  bones  or  pieces 
of  crushed  large  bone.  With  care  lift 
the  rosebush  and  plant  the  roots  well 
down  in  the  prepared  spot,  using  care  to 


Aug. 
1917 


Ol)(i  !5llo6ern.  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Page 

125 


press  the  roots  rather  firmly  without 
cramping  or  bruising  them.  Plant  the 
bush  an  inch  or  two  deeper  in  the  new 
location  than  it  was  ciriginally.  Water 
abundantly  for  a  few  days,  keep  all  weeds 
from  growing  near  the  bush  and  no 
further  difficulty  will  be  realized. — Suc- 
cessful Farming. 


Origin  of  Gladiolus 

Julia  M.  Fairbanks. 

To  THE  Editor  :  — 

Will  you  please  tell  me  who  originated  the 
variety  Julia  M.  Fairbanks  ?  R.  s. 

Ansiver  :—T'h\s  is  one  of  the  varieties 
recently  introduced  which  was  originated 
by  A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind. 


Gladiolus  Byzantinus. 

This  fine  old  species  has  been  planted 
in  large  groups  amongst  dwarf  Heaths, 
and  the  effect  of  the  mass  now  in  bloom 
is  very  brilliant  when  the  sun  is  shining 
on  them.  The  flowers  are  vivid  rosy- 
purple,  a  color  which  does  not  easily  har- 
monize with  other  things,  and,  therefore, 
care  should  be  exercised  in  planting.  It 
is  a  good  form  for  naturalizing  in  Grass 
and  in  warm,  sunny  places. — Gardening 
Illustrated. 

Irrigation. 

An  irrigating  system  is  a  fine  thing  in 
a  dry  time — there  is  no  doubt  about  that 
— but  there  is  also  no  doubt  but  what 
those  who  have  irrigating  systems  for 
growing  Gladioli  are  quite  likely  to  over- 
do a  good  thing.  Where  water  is  always 
on  tap  and  it  is  only  a  question  of  start- 
ing up  the  pump  to  irrigate,  few  men,  in- 
deed, have  keen  enough  judgment  to 
know  just  where  to  stop.  The  best  rule  is 
to  irrigate  heavily  at  less  frequent  inter- 
vals, but  between  times  there  should  be 
plenty  of  chance  for  the  air  to  get  into 
the  soil  and  it  should  not  be  kept  in  a 
wet  and  soggy  condition. 

Summer  Hyacinths. 

Mrs.  E.  W.  Gould  in  her  department, 
"  Garden  Helps"  in  the  Minnesota  Horti- 
culturist speaks  of  summer  hyacinths  as 
follows : 

I  grew  the  summer  hyacinth  ( Galanthus) 
this  year.  It  is  a  bulb  which  is  planted 
in  the  spring  and  can  be  used  to  fill  out 
vacant  spaces  or  as  the  center  of  a  round 
bed  to  give  height.  It  lasts  quite  well, 
having  a  period  of  bloom  of    about  two 


months.     It  looks  very  much  like  a  yucca 
when  in  bloom. 

The  summer  hyacinth  referred  to  above 
can  easily  be  raised  from  seed.  I  treated 
them  as  any  seed,  sowing  them  in  the 
open  in  early  spring.  They  were  dug  and 
stored  like  the  bulbs  of  little  Gladioli, 
being  planted  out  again  the  next  spring. 
This  year,  the  third  year,  they  have 
bloomed  as  well  as,  if  not  better  than, 
any  I  have  ever  raised  from  the  bulbs. 
They  are  quite  well  worth  while  and 
should  be  grown  more  largely,  their  tall 
spikes  of  white  bloom  filling  well  the 
place  of  foxgloves,  which  are  so  hard  to 
winter. 

The  1917  Gladiolus  Shows. 

We  understand  that  the  Preliminary 
Schedule  of  the  American  Gladiolus  So- 
ciety's annual  flower  show  as  published 
in  our  April  issue  with  one  or  two  ex- 
ceptions stands  without  change  and,  there- 
fore, the  list  of  prizes  will  not  be  reprinted. 
Those  who  are  interested  will  do  well  to 
look  up  the  issue  above  referred  to. 

The  prize  list  of  the  Gladiolus  Society 
of  Ohio  was  not  ready  up  to  the  time  of 
going  to  press  so  we  are  unable  to  publish 
their  schedule  of  prizes.  Those  who  are 
interested  will  do  well  to  write  W.  A. 
Christy,  Secretary,  Warren,  Ohio. 

With  the  hot  weather  recently  experi- 
enced there  is  no  reason  why  growers 
should  not  have  a  plentiful  supply  of 
bloom  at  the  time  of  the  shows. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


W  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO.,  Pembroke,  N.  Y., 
'*  •  growers  of  the  finest  Gladioli,  such  as 
Pendleton,  Panama,  Niagara,  Pink  Perfection, 
Europa,  Mrs.  Fryer,  War,  Peace,  etc.  Corres- 
pondence solicited. 

pLACE  orders  now  for  Hyacinths,  Tulips 
^  Crocuses  and  other  fall  bulbs.  Goods  de- 
livered at  present  prices  on  all  orders  placed  be- 
fore July  25th.  Prices  advance  August  1st  on  all 
bulbs.  Wm.  C.  Pike,  18  Summer  St.,  Melrose, 
Mass. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.  Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture- 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well- 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents, 


Published  monthly 


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QUALITY—  ECONOMY— SERVICE 


GLADIOLI 

Send  for  my  catalog,  containing  96  dis- 
tinct varieties  and  some  excellent  mix- 
tures, TODAY— IT  IS  FREE. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Dept.  D.                    Milton,  Mass. 

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H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 
DOVER,  N.  H. 

Send  for  beautiful  descriptive  booklet  of  Rare  Gladioli. 

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"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in  the 
curious   facts    about  our   native  wildflowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.     SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  JoUet,  III. 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

LIST   ON  APPLICATION. 
WHOLESALE.       RETAIL. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 


U.  Cetnoine  St  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy,  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD   YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerfield  L.  I. 


E.  L  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


m 


m 


GLADIOLI 

Betscher's  Primnlinus  Hybrids 

THE  BETSCHER  STRAIN  of  this  fetching  new  type  of 
GladioH  is  the  last  word  in  Quahty  Gladioh — all  who 
have  inspected  or  tested  them  are  loud  in  their  praise. 
Onh'  the  best  blood  of  all  types  of  Gladioli  have  been  used 
in  their  evolution. 

When  we  first  sowed  primulinus  species  we  saw  its  possi- 
bilities and  future  value — doubtless  we  have  made  more  crosses 
on  this  one  type  than  all  other  breeders  have  made  in  all  classes 
until  now.  The  finest  seedlings  in  our  early  work  were  marked 
out — the  balance  discarded.  Our  stock  of  it  is  the  largest  in 
commerce.    We  offer  in  large  lots — 

Primulinus  Species 
Primulinus   Hybrids 

Select  Yellows,  Pinks,  Reds,  \Vhites,  Old  Golds 

Our  hybrids  of  Lemoinei,  Childsi  &c.  are  very  fine. 

From  the  many  thousand  hybrids  we  have  selected  the  finest  to  color; 
hence  our  selections  of  Pinks,  Reds,  Yellows  and  Whites  excel  mixtures 
made  from  best  named  sorts.  We  have  had  over  400  sorts  representing 
all  the  noted  specialists'  best  and  latest  introductions  but  few  of  them  used 
in  our  breeding — and  breeding  and  plant  evolution  has  had  our  first  con- 
sideration for  some  years.     In  all  this  time  our  work  has  been  wholesale. 

For  1917-18  season  we  offer  large  lots  of  exceptional  mixtures 
and  named  sorts : 

Crimson  Glow,  Crimson  Giant,  Dora  Krais,  Myrtle,  Mrs.  Watt, 
Gen.  Kuroki,  Mephisto,  Negerfuerst,  Panama,  Scarsdale,  etc. 
Augusta,  Brenchleyensis,    Chicago   White,  Halley,  Minnesota, 
Niagara,  Norma  Dee  Childs,  Baron  Hulot,  etc. 

Our  list  will  be  ready  in  September. 

Betscher's  Peonies — Cream  of  1200  sorts. 

Betscher's  Hemerocallis  Hybrids — Very  fine. 

Betscher's  Cannas,  etc.— all  the  best. 

C.  BETSCHER 

Plant  Breeder  Dover,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A 


■: 


m 


Cold  Storage  for  Florists 

Good  refrigerating  facilities  are  just  as 
necessary  for  Florists,  Nurserymen, 
Seedsmen  and  Fruit  Growers  as  they 
are  for  dealers  in  butter  and  eggs. 

Let  us  send  you  a  description  of  a  florist's  plant 
installed  and  equipped  with  the  Cooper  Brine 
System  for  storing  cut  flowers  and  lily  of  the 
valley  pips. 


132  Court  St. 


MADISON  COOPER  COMPANY 

Refrigerating  Engineers  and 


Architects 


Calcium,  N.Y. 


Attention,  Growers  of 
Cut  Flow^ers ! 

Your  big  profits  are  obtained  from  your  late  blooms. 
The  variety  Gretchen  Zang  (Mrs.  Austin)  is 

one  of  the  biggest  profit  getters  in  the  business.  It  has 
three  prime  essentials:  Beautiful  Color— Lateness  of 
Bloom — Blooms  from  the  Smallest  Bulbs. 

Description:— The  blooms  are  large  and  sparkling,  and  the  most  beauti- 
ful soft  melting  shade  of  pink,  blending  into  deep  salmon  on  lower  petals. 
Strikingly  beautiful  and  likely  the  only  variety  that  approaches  closely  the 
brilliant  colorings  of  the  Beaute  Poitevine  geranium.  Spike  tall  and  graceful 
with  an  occasional  waved  one.  First  Prize  Winner  and  Award  of  Merit 
Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio. 

Our  stock  is  now  sufficient  to  offer  this  sterling  novelty  at  a 
reasonable  price.    Let  us  quote  you. 


AUSTIN -COLEMAN  CO. 


'Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli' 


Wayland 


Ohio 


Sunnyside 
Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 
Natick,  Massachusetts 


ioli  Exclusively 


RICHARD  DIENER  CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

Originators  and  Grov\rers  of 
the  Largest  and  Finest 

GLADIOLUS 

in  the  world. 


Kentfield,  Marin  County,  California 


P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

Gladioli  and  Dahlias 

WE  GROW  THE  BEST  PRODUCTIONS 
FROM  ALL  THE  ORIGINATORS 

'BETTER  VARIETIES  GRO  WN  BETTER" 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville    -    -    -     Mass. 


Fryer's 
New  Iris 


I  HAVE  tested  about  every 
variety  I  could  procure  in 
the  U.  S.,  besides  importing 
forty  varieties  from  England, 
and  my  collection  consisted 
of  over  550  varieties  before 
I  began  to  raise  seedlings. 
I  found  so  many  of  the  named 
varieties  of  no  special  merit 
that  I  made  the  atterhpt  to 
improve  them,  and  have  suc- 
ceeded far  beyond  my  expec- 
tations. 

C  Fryer's  Glory  is  one  of  the 
best  of  my  new  seedlings,  and 
this  is  a  new  strain  of  Iris  for 
all  the  red  and  near  red  that  I 
have  ever  seen  are  of  this 
strain.  The  plants  are  all  very 
robust  growers,  and  the  flower 
stalks  are  much  larger  than 
most  other  varieties.  They  will 
average  from  20  to  28  inches 
in  height,  and  all  have  large 
flowers.  In  fact  some  of  them 
have  the  largest  flowers  that 
I  have  ever  seen  on  an  Iris. 
The  plants  can  easily  be  dis- 
tinguished at  a  glance  even  by 
one  not  familiar  with  Iris.  If 
the  plant  is  good  as  well  as  the 
flowers,  it  is  a  double  improve- 
ment. 


Send  for  new  list  with  names 
and  descriptions. 


Willis  E.  Fryer 

Mantorville,  Minn. 


The  Wilmorc  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr.) 

Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Growers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Irises,  Etc. 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the  best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

n  »  I  r  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
.lAI  r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  cf 
Ur\UU  y(j,g  j^  jj  gj^j  jji_  ^ifi^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three- 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


CW.BROWN&SON 

Gladiolus  Specialists 
ASHLAND    -    -    MASS. 


WE  OFFER : 

The  World's  Best  Productions 

Including  Kunderd's  Varieties  and  OurOwn  Seedlings. 
Catalog  on  application. 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 

Gladiolus    Grower 


1906  SMITH   ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


"    IBBIBBeiSSieilBJ 


Headquarters  for 

Gladiolus 

"MRS.    WATT" 

The  Brilliant 
Wine   Colored   Novelty 


HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF   GLADIOLI 

WILTON    -    NEW^  HAMPSHIRE 


llllllllllllllll 


Narcissus 

Now  Ready 


Paper  White, 

Large     -     -     - 
Paper  White,  Med 
Emperor,  Large     - 
Empress,  Large 
Barrie  Consp.,  Large  50c. 
Sulphur  Pheonix, 

Large     -     -     - 
Fine  Mixed,  Large 

Hyacinths,  Single 
Named  Sorts    -     -      65c. 


Postpaid 
per  Doz. 

F  O.B.Here 
per  100 

45c. 

$2.00 

35c. 

L50 

60c. 

2.00 

60c. 

2.00 

;50c. 

L50 

50c. 

L50 

40c. 

L50 

4.50 


These  are  all  Georgia  grown 
bulbs.  They  are  extra  fine 
quality. — No  catalog. 

C.  S.  TAIT 
Brunswick  -    -    Ga. 


WAYSIDE 
GLADIOLI 

ARE  KNOWN  TO  THE  TRADE  AS 

QUALITY  BULBS 


We  grow  a  selected  list  of 

Dahlias 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  IN  THE  MIDDLE 
WEST  and 

Hardy  Plants 

THAT  WILL  BLOOM  ANYWHERE. 
May  ue  send  our  catalog? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor         Box  G  Ohio 


Geo.  $.  moodruff 

Independence,  Towa 

Yine  Gladioli 

See  my  advertisements  in  previous  num- 
bers. Catalogue  on  application. 


Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula      -      Ohio 


MARGARET 


Vaughan's 
Specials  in 
GLADIOU 


Margaret 

BeautifuICarmine  with 
white  throat. 
Per  doz.,  $L30;  per  100,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct of  all  the  Prim- 
uiinus  Type. 

Per  doz,  $2;  per  100,  $15. 

Chicago  White 

The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz.,  35c;  per  100,  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—Grand Novelties 
in  GLADIOLI  and  CANNAS. 

Vaughan's 
Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31-33W.RandolphSr. 
NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  St. 


A  CORDIAL 

INVITATION- 
IS  EXTENDED  TO  ALL  WHO  LOVE 
FLOWERS    TO    VISIT     MY    FIELDS 
DURING  THE   BLOOMING  SEASON. 

WOBURN  IS  TEN  MILES  FROM  BOSTON  ON  THE 
B.  &  M.  R.  R.  TAKE  WOBURN-LEXINGTON  CAR  AT 
EITHER  TERMINAL  AND  STOP  AT  WILLOW  ST. 

S.  E.  SPENCER 

BROOKLAND   GARDENS 

LEXINGTON  ST.,  COR.  WILLOW 


WOBURN 


Mass. 


KIND  WORDS 

FROM   FAR  AND  NEAR 


From  Australia-  Bulbs  came  in  due  time 
and  opened  up  in  splendid  order.  They  were 
planted  at  once  (Jan.  17th)  and  are  now  up 
several  inches.  Thanks  for  promptness. 
From  Canada— The  bulbs  you  sent  me 
last  season  were  such  fine  bloomers  that  I  am 
Retting  in  a  late  order  for  more.  Your  Golden 
King  was  especially  fine. 


From  Pennsylvania- 1  wish  to  thank 
you  for  your  liberal  treatment. 

From  Michigan— I  want  you  to  know 
how  much  I  appreciate  your  kindness  in  send- 
ing those  two  additional  lots  without  charge. 

From  Illinois— I  will  say,  to  deal  with  such 
men  as  you,  business  is  a  pleasure. 


The  above  kind  words  are  extracts  from  letters  and  cards  recently 
received.  We  certainly  appreciate  the  many  words  of  satisfaction 
from  our  customers,  realizing  that  a  satisfied  customer  is  the  best 
advertisement. 

Send  for  our  retail  list  describing  nearly  200  of  the  better  old  and 
new  varieties.  All  of  our  own  growing  at  fair  prices.  Wholesale 
list  for  dealers  and  large  growers. 


G.  D.  BLACK 

GLADIOLUS    SPECIALIST 

Albert  Lea        _        -        -        - 


Minn. 


Vol.  IV. 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 

SEPTEMBER,   1917 


No.  9 


Amethyst  has  not  been 
largely  introduced  to 
commerce  and  it  has 
behaved  poorly  under 
some  growing  condi- 
tions. With  the  Editor, 
however,  it  has  proved 
exceptionally  useful 
this  year,  1917. 
As  its  name  indicates. 
Amethyst  is  a  blend  of 
violet  and  amethyst 
and  it  has  a  yellowish 
spearhead  on  the  lower 
petal. 


It  has  a  straight  spike 
and  the  photograph 
was  doubtless  taken 
from  a  small  spike  as 
from  large  corms  a 
long  spike  is  readily 
obtainable. 

The  coloring  is  dis- 
tinctive and  it  has  a 
useful  place  in  any 
garden. 


GLADIOLUS-AMETHYST. 
Some  call  this  Early  Ametliyst.  but  it  cannot  be  classed  as  a  real  early  variety. 


Page 
128 


ioijd  yUobdvn  <&la6lolu5  (Grower 


Sept. 
1917 


The  American  Gladiolus  Society. 

Eighth  Annual  Exhibition  of  The  American  Gladiolus  Society  Held     ^ 

Under  the  Auspices  of  the  New  York  Botanical  Society,  The 

Horticultural  Society  of  New  York,  and  Florists'  Club 

of  New  York,  in  the  Museum  Building,  Botanical 

Gardens,  Bronx  Park,  New  York  City,  N.  Y., 

August  23,  24,  25  and  26,  1917. 


THE  New  York  Show  of  the  American 
Gladiolus  Society  this  year,  which 
was  the  eighth  annual  exhibition,  can- 
not be  commented  upon  as  being  equal  to 
shows  which  have  been  held  by  the  so- 
ciety in  the  past,  but  at  the  same  time 
there  were  some  outstanding  features  of 
the  show  which  made  it  equally  as  inter- 
esting as  any  preceding  one.  There  were 
various  reasons  why  the  show  this  year 
was  not  as  well  attended  and  why  it  did 
not  bring  out  as  many  entries  as  formerly. 
War  conditions  are  partly  responsible  for 
the  latter  and  the  comparatively  undesir- 
able situation  of  Bronx  Park  for  a  flower 
show  was  another  important  reason.  This 
park  is  not  only  far  from  the  center  of 
the  city,  but  it  is  not  easy  of  access  and 
the  attendance  of  the  trade  was,  there- 
fore, limited  largely  to  those  who  were 
Gladiolus  specialists.  The  show,  how- 
ever, was  a  large  one  and  a  conservative 
estimate  on  the  number  of  spikes  staged 
would  place  it  at  10,000  to  12,000. 

Two  floors  of  the  big  museum  building 
were  occupied  and  plenty  of  space  was 
available  for  proper  staging  and  under 
the  careful  supervision  of  Secretary  Nash, 
of  the  Botanical  Gardens,  the  building 
was  kept  in  neat  condition  and  the  flow- 
ers arranged  for  artistic  effect  after  the 
exhibitors  had  their  staging  completed. 

The  feature  of  the  show  was  the  prize- 
winning  group  in  Class  1.  This  was 
staged  by  B.  Hammond  Tracy,  Cedar 
Acres,  Wenham,  Mass.,  and  covered  over 
200  square  feet  of  floor  surface.  In  the 
center  of  the  circular  group  was  a  large 
palm,  around  which  were  arranged  the 
vases  and  baskets  containing  the  artistic 
display  showing  the  handiwork  of  Mrs. 
Tracy.  Rouge  Torcli  and  Prince  of  Wales 
were  prominent  among  the  varieties  staged 
in  this  group.  Violet  Perjection,  Lily  Leh- 
mann  and  Loveliness  were  also  noticeable. 
The  display  of  John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc., 
Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.  Y.,  contained  over 
100  different  varieties  and  as  usual  the 
excellence  of  the  Childsi  type  was  notice- 


able. The  Childs  exhibit  attracted  much 
attention  during  the  show  and  the  number 
of  premiums  won  by  the  stock  staged  by 
Mr.  Hendrickson  is  evidenced  by  the  prize 
list  which  follows. 

C.  Zeestraten,  Bemus  Point,  N.  Y.,  won 
many  prizes  and  showed  a  large  number 
of  the  Holland  varieties  especially.  He 
showed  among  others.  Pink  Perfection  and 
Glory  of  Nordivijk.  Coquette  and  Mahog- 
any were  the  new  ones  shown  by  Mr. 
Zeestraten.  T.  A.  Havemeyer,  Cedar  Hill 
Nursery,  Glen  Head,  N.  Y.,  showed  some 
beautiful  bloom  and  a  vase  of  Golden 
Measure  and  a  vase  of  Panama  were  es- 
pecially noticeable.  He  also  showed  25 
spikes  of  Europa  with  which  he  won  first 
in  the  white  class.  The  twenty-five  spikes 
of  Golden  Measure  made  a  very  striking 
effect. 

The  seedlings  shown  by  JohnScheepers 
&  Co.,  Inc.,  were  of  pronounced  merit. 
Two  certificates  of  merit  were  awarded 
them,  one  for  a  collection  of  colored  seed- 
lings and  one  for  a  collection  of  white 
seedlings. 

The  PrimuUnus  Hybrids  shown  by  B. 
Hammond  Tracy,  Wenham,  Mass.,  and 
Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  were  of 
many  shades  and  were  much  admired. 

The  new  ruffled  variety  Miss  Helen 
Franklin  shown  by  Thomas  Cogger  took 
first  prize  in  the  25  spikes  of  ruffled  class. 
This  variety  is  one  of  A.  E.  Kunderd's. 

The  exhibit  of  Vaughan's  Seed  Stores, 
New  York  and  Chicago,  containing  about 
sixty  varieties,  won  a  silver  medal  and, 
considering  that  these  blooms  were  shipped 
from  Chicago,  they  were  in  excellent  con- 
dition and  the  enterprise  of  this  firm  in 
undertaking  so  difficult  a  task  is  to  be 
greatly  commended.  Hyde  Park,  Sphinx 
and  Florence  were  especially  to  be  noted 
in  this  group. 

William  Sim,  Cliftondale,  Mass.,  was 
awarded  a  silver  medal  for  his  fine  dis- 
play of  seedlings. 

The  variety  Myrtle  shown  by  H.  E. 
Meader,     Dover,    N.    H.,    was    awarded 


Sept. 
1917 


Ol)e  !ltto6erit  (Bla6iolus  (Brower 


Page 

129 


certificate  of  merit.  Myrtle  is  doubtless 
already  well  known  to  our  readers.  It  is 
of  a  fine  May-flower  pink,  almost  exactly 
like  the  trailing  arbutus.  A  silver  medal 
was  awarded  this  variety  at  the  Boston 
show  last  year  and  it  took  first  prize  in 
the  pink  section.  This  is  another  of  Mr. 
Kunderd's  new  things. 

Mills  &  Co.,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  had 
a  display  of  two  hundred  varieties  of 
Dahlias  and  Dahlia  lovers  were  greatly 
interested  in  this  exhibit. 

Baer  Bros.,  New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I.,  N.  Y., 
made  a  special  display  of  their  variety, 
Crystal  White  which  attracted  much  atten- 
tion. 

In  the  non-commercial  classes  there 
were  but  three  exhibitors,  P.  W.  Popp, 
Gardener  for  Mrs.  H.  Darlington,  Mama- 
roneck, N.  Y.,  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.  Y.,  and  J.  P.  Sorensen,  Gardener  for 
Wm.  Shillaber,  Essex  Falls,  N.  J.  The 
number  of  amateurs  competing  at  the 
annual  flower  show  is  certainly  diminish- 
ing and  it  is  hoped  to  secure  a  list  of 
prizes  and  an  adjustment  of  the  classifi- 
cations for  next  year's  show  which  will 
not  only  draw  out  a  much  larger  number 
of  amateurs  but  give  them  a  reasonable 
chance  to  win  prizes.  The  prize  list  here- 
tofore has  been  such  as  to  favor  the  large 
grower  and  the  large  grower  should  not 
be  allowed  to  compete  with  the  small 
grower. 

However,  the  stock  staged  by  the  three 
exhibitors  in  the  non-professional  classes 
was  most  excellent  and  Mr.  Popp  is  es- 
pecially to  be  commended  for  his  enter- 
prise in  entering  many  classes.  He  secured 
fifteen  first  prizes  which  gave  him  The 
Garden  Magazine  Achievement  Medal  and 
he  richly  deserves  it.  We  are  too  modest 
to  say  much  about  the  editor's  stock  but 
the  twelve  spikes  staged  singly  in  class 
75  were  worthy  of  mention  and  were  in 
practically  perfect  condition  on  the  second 
day  of  the  show. 

SCHEDULE  OF  PRIZES. 

OPEN   TO   ALL. 

Prizes  offered  by  the  New  York  Botani- 
cal Garden,  The  Horticultural  Society 
of  New  York  and  The  Florists'  Club  of 
New  York. 

1st    2nd 

No.  1— $50  $25— For  the  most  artistic  display 
covering  not  less  than  250 
sq.  feet,  any  decorative  ma- 
terial may  be  used.  First 
won  by  Cedar  Acres,  Wen- 
ham,  Mass. 

No.  2—  40  20— Best  and  largest  collection  of 
named  varieties,  6  spikes  of 
each  variety.  First  won  by 
John  Lewis  Childs,  Flower- 
field,  L.  L,  N.  Y. 


1st    2nd 

No.  3—  20  10-Fifteen  Vases,  15  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each  First  won  by 
John  Lewis  Childs,  Flower- 
field.  L.  L,  N.  Y. 

No.  4—  20  10— Ten  Vases,  10  varieties,  Priimt- 
linus  Hybrids,  12  spikes  of 
each.     (No  entries.) 

No.  5 —  15  10— Twenty-five  Vases,  25  varie- 
ties, 3  spikes  of  each.  First 
won  by  C.  Zeestraten,  Be- 
mus  Point,  N.  Y.  Second 
won  by  Thos.  Cogger,  Mel- 
rose, Mass. 

No.  6—  10  5 — Twenty-five  spikes  artistically 
arranged,  receptacle  to  be 
furnished  by  the  exhibitor. 
First  won  by  Thomas  Cog- 
ger, Melrose,  Mass.,  with 
variety  Miss  Helen  Franklin. 

No.  7—10  5— Vase  25  spikes.  White,  one  va- 
riety. First  won  by  Cedar 
Hill  Nursery,  Glen  Head, 
N.  Y.,  with  variety  Europa. 
Second  won  by  C.  Zeestraten, 
Bemus  Point,  N.  Y.,  with 
variety  L'lmmaritlee. 

No.  8—  10  5— Vase  25  spikes.  Red,  one  va- 
riety. First  won  by  C.  Zees- 
traten, Bemus  Point,  N.  Y., 
with  variety  Chatauqua. 
Second  won  by  Thos.  Cog- 
ger, Melrose,  Mass.,  with 
variety  Liebesfeuer. 

No.  9—  10  5— Vase  25  spikes.  Crimson,  one 
variety.  First  won  by  John 
Lewis  Childs.  Inc.,  Flower- 
field,  L.  L,  N.  Y.,  with  va- 
riety Negerfeurst. 

No.  10—  10  5— Vase  25  spikes.  Pink,  one  va- 
riety. First  won  by  Cedar 
Hill  Nursery,  Glen  Head, 
N.  Y.,  with  variety  Panama. 
Second  won  by  H.  E.  Mead- 
er,  Dover,  N.  H.,  with  variety 
Panama. 

No.  11—  10  5— Vase  25  spikes.  Yellow,  one 
variety.  First  won  by  Cedar 
Hill  Nursery,  Glen  Head, 
N.  Y.,  with  variety  Golden 
Measure.  Second  won  by 
John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc., 
Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.Y.,  with 
variety  Sulphur  King. 

No.  12—  10  5— Vase  25  spikes,  Blue  or  Laven- 
der, one  variety.  First  won 
by  John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc., 
Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.Y.,  with 
variety  Mary  Fennell;  2nd 
won  by  C.  Zeestraten,  Be- 
mus Point,  N.Y.,  with  variety 
Dick. 

No.  13—  10  5 — Vase  25  spikes.  Purple,  one 
variety.  First  won  by  H.  E. 
Meader,  Dover,  N.  H.,  with 
variety  Baron  J.  Hulot;  2nd 
won  by  Cedar  Acres,  Wen- 
ham,  Mass.,  with  variety 
Violet  Perfection. 

No.  14 —  10  5 — Vase  25  spikes,  any  other  col- 
or, one  variety.  First  won  by 
Cedar  Hill  Nursery,  Glen 
Head,  L.  I.,  with  variety 
Peace.  Second  won  by  C. 
Zeestraten,  Bemus  Point, 
N.  Y.,  with  variety  Mahog- 
any. 

No.  15 —  10  5— Vase25  spikes,LemoineiType, 
one  variety.  First  won  by 
John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc., 
Flowerfield,  L.  I..  N.Y.,  with 
Willy  Wigman.  Second  won 
by  Cedar  Hill  Nursery,  Glen 
Head,  L.  I.,  with  variety 
Gen.  Langlois. 


Page 

130 


Ol)e  ^o^ern  <Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Sept. 
1917 


1st    2nd 

No.  16 —  10  5 — Vase  25  spikes,  Primulinus 
Hybrids,  Yellow.  First  won 
by  John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc., 
Flowerfield,  L.  I..  New  York. 
Second  won  by  Madison 
Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y. 

No.  17 —  10  5 — Vase  25  spikes,  Primulinus 
Hybrids,  Orange.  First  won 
by  Cedar  Acres,  Wenham, 
Mass.  Second  won  by  Madi- 
son Cooper,  Calcium,   N.  Y. 

No.  18 —  10  5— Vase  25  spikes,  Primulinus 
Hybrids,  any  other  color. 
First  won  by  Madison  Coop- 
er, Calcium,  N.  Y.  Second 
won  by  Cedar  Acres,  Wen- 
ham,  Mass. 

No.  19—  10  5— Vase  25  spikes,  Ruffled,  one 
variety.  First  won  by  Thos. 
Cogger,  Melrose,  Mass.  with 
variety  Miss  Helen  Franklin. 
Second  won  by  John  Lewis 
Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L. 
L,  N.  Y.,  with   White  Glory. 

No.  20—  10  5 — Vase  25  spikes,  any  variety  not 
in  commerce  previous  to 
1917.  First  won  by  Cedar 
Acres,  Wenham,  Mass.,  with 
variety  Sunset.  Second  won 
by  Riverbank  Gardens,  Sax- 
onville,  Mass.,  with  Beacon. 

No.  21 —  10  5 — Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each.  First  won  by 
Thomas  Cogger,  Melrose, 
Mass.  Second  won  by  John 
Lewis  Childs,  Inc.,  Flower- 
field, L.  I.,N.  Y. 

No.  22—  10  5— Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  White. 
First  won  by  John  Lewis 
Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L. 
I.,  N.  Y. 

No.  23 —  10  5— Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  Pink. 
First  won  by  Cedar  Hill 
Nursery,  Glen  Head,  N.  Y. 
Second  won  by  John  Lewis 
Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L. 
I.,N.  Y. 

No.  24 —  10  5 — Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  Red  or 
Crimson.  First  won  by  John 
Lewis  Childs,  Inc.,  Flower- 
field, L.  I.,  N.  Y. 

No.  25 —  10  5 — Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom,  Purple, 
Blue,  Lavender  or  Mauve. 
First  won  by  John  Lewis 
Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L. 
I.,  N.  Y. 

Prizes  offered  by  Charles  F.  Fairbanks. 
1st    2nd 

No.  26— $10  $5— Five  vases,  5  varieties,  12 
spikes  of  each,  predominat- 
ing color  of  bloom  Yellow. 
First  won  by  John  Lewis 
Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L. 
I.,  N.  Y.  Second  won  by 
Cedar  Hill  Nursery,  Glen 
Head,  N.  Y. 

No.  27 —  20  10 — Best  new  seedling,  one  spike. 
First  won  by  John  Scheepers 
&  Co.,  Inc.,  New  York,  N.Y. 
Second  won  by  Cedar  Hill 
Nursery,  Glen  Head,  N.  Y. 

No.  28—  5  3— Vase  12  spikes,  any  one  variety 
not  in  commerce.  First  won 
by   Cedar   Acres,  Wenham, 


1st    2nd 

Mass.  Second  won  by  River- 
bank  Gardens,  Saxonville, 
Mass. 
No.  29 —  3  2 — Vase  6  spikes,  any  one  variety 
not  in  commerce.  First  won 
by  John  Scheepers  &  Co., 
Inc.,  New  York,  N.  Y.,  with 
variety  Mrs.  John  Titrnbull. 
Second  won  by  Cedar  Acres. 
Wenham,  Mass. 

Prize  offered  by  T.  A.  Havemeyer. 

1st    2nd 
No.  30— $10      $5— Best  collection  of  Montbretias. 
(No  entries.) 

H.  E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.H. 

No.  31— Cut  glass  vase,  value  $5,  best  new  Yel- 
low Primulinus  Hybrid  seedling,  purity  of 
color  and  size  to  count.  Not  less  than  5  spikes. 
First  won  by  John  Scheepers  &  Co.,  Inc., 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

W.  E.  Fryer,  Mantorville,  Minn. 

No.  32— Twenty-five  bulbs  of  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer 
for  best  12  spikes  of  that  variety.  First  won 
by  Jno.  Scheepers  &  Co.,  Inc.,  New  York,  N.Y. 

Hitchings  &  Co.,  Elizabeth,  N.  J. 

No.  33 — A  silver  cup,  value  $10,  for  the  most 
artistically  arranged  basket  or  hamper  of 
blooms  ;  not  more  than  25  spikes  First  won 
by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y. 

Austin-Coleman  Co.,  Wayland,  Ohio. 

No.  34 — Silver  Cup— Best  Yellow  seedling,  never 
before  exhibited,  one  or  more  spikes.  First 
won  by  Cedar  Hill  Nursery,  Glen  Head,  N.  Y. 

Munsell  &  Harvey,  Ashtabula,  Ohio. 

No.  35 -First  prize,  30  bulbs;  second  prize,  20 
bulbs  of  Hazel  Harvey,  for  best  vase  any  Red 
variety  not  less  than  10  spikes.  First  won  by 
E.  M.  Smith,  East  Hartford,  Conn.,  with  va- 
riety Mrs.  Watt. 

C.  Betscher,  Dover,  Ohio. 

No.  36— First  prize,  $5  ;  second  prize,  $3,  for  best 
25  spikes  Primulinus  Hybrids,  not  less  than  4 
inch  blossoms.  First  won  by  Cedar  Acres, 
Wenham,  Mass. 

No.  37 — First  prize  $10  ;  second  prize,  $7.50,  for 
best  25  spikes  Crimson  Glow.  First  won  by 
Cedar  Acres,  Wenham,  Mass. 

No.  38— One  New  Peony,  E.  B.  Browning,  value 
$25,  best  vase  10  spikes  Crimson  Glow.  First 
won  by  Cedar  Acres,  Wenham,  Mass. 

No.  39-One  New  Peony,  F.  E.  Willard,  value 
$15,  best  vase  6  spikes  Crimson  Glow.  (No 
entries.) 

No.  40— One  New  Peony,  Chestine  Gowdy,  value 
$5,  best  vase  3  spikes  Crimson  Glow.  First 
won  by  Cedar  Acres.  Wenham,  Mass. 

No.  41— One  New  Peony,  Chestine  Gowdy,  value 
$5,  best  10  spikes  Europa.  First  won  by  John 
Lewis  Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.Y. 

No  42— One  New  Peony,  M.  M.  Cohusaac,  best 
10  spikes  Negerfurst.  First  won  by  John 
Lewis  Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.  Y. 

G.  D.  Black,  Albert  Lea,  Minn. 

No.  43  -First  prize,  60  bulbs;  second  prize,  40 
bulbs  of  Golden  King,  for  best  12  spikes  that 
variety.  First  won  by  John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc., 
Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.  Y. 

Clark  W.  Brown  &  Son,  Ashland,  Mass. 

No.  44— First  prize,  $3  ;  second  prize,  $2,  best 
vase.  Mauve,  Lilac  or  Violet  seedling,  never 
before  shown.  First  won  by  Cedar  Acres, 
Wenham,  Mass. 


Sept. 

1917 


Ol)c^  Mlo6ern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Page 

131 


W.  Atlee  Burpee  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

No.  45~$10— Best  collection  10  varieties,  6 
spikes  each.  First  won  by  Thomas  Cogger, 
Melrose,  Mass.  Second  won  by  John  Lewis 
Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.  Y. 

A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind. 

No.  46— First,  Gold  Medal ;  2nd,  Silver  Medal; 
3rd,  Bronze  Medal.  Best  collection  Kunderd's 
varieties;  plain  and  ruffled.  First  won  by  H. 
E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.  H. 

Earl  Edgerton,  Lansing,  Mich. 

No.  47— Bulbs  to  the  value  of  $5,  winner's  selec- 
tion, for  best  vase  3  spikes  Lilywhite.  Won 
by  H.  E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.  H. 

The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,   Cal- 
cium, N.Y. 

No.  48 — To  every  exhibitor  in  the  Open  Class, 
not  already  a  subscriber,  a  one  year  sub- 
scription to  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 

FOR  NON-COMMERCIAL  GROWERS. 

Prizes  offered  by  the  New  York  Botanical 
Garden,  The  Horticultural  Society  of 
New  York  and  The  Florists'  Club  of 
New  York. 

No.  50— First,  $30 ;  second,  $15— For  the  most 
artistic  display  covering  not  more  than  150 
sq.  ft.  any  decorative  material  may  be  used. 
First  won  by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y. 

No.  51— First,  $15  ;  second,  $10 -Best  and  largest 
display  named  varieties,  6  spikes  of  each.  (No 
entries.) 

No.  52-First,$15  ;  second,  $10— Best  table  decor- 
ation. (No  entries.) 

Prizes  offered  by  Charles  F.  Fairbanks. 

No.  53— First,  $5;  second,  $3- Vase  12  spikes. 
White,  one  variety.  First  won  by  Madison 
Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety    White 

ExCB  IstOT. 

No.  54— First,  $5;  second,  $3— Vase  12  spikes. 
Pink,  one  variety.  First  won  by  P.  W.  Popp, 
Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  with  variety  Mrs.  Frank 
Pendleton.  Second  won  by  Madison  Cooper, 
Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety  Myrtle. 

No.  55-First,  $5;  second,  $3  -Vase  12  spikes. 
Red  or  Crimson,  one  variety.  First  won  by 
P.  W.  Popp.  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  with  variety 
Mrs.  Francis  King.  Second  won  by  J.  P. 
Sorenson,  Essex  Falls,  N.  J.,  with  variety  Mrs. 
Francis  King. 

No.  56— First,  $5 ;  second,  $3— Vase  12  spikes. 
Yellow,  one  variety.  First  won  by  Madison 
Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety  Schwa- 
ben.  Second  won  by  P.  W.  Popp.  Mamaro- 
neck, N.  Y.,  with  variety  Niagara. 

No.  57-First,  $5;  second,  $3- Vase  12  spikes. 
Blue,  Purple  or  Lavender,  one  variety.  First 
won  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with 
variety  Baron  J.  Hulot. 

Prizes  offered  by  T.  A.  Havemeyer. 

No.  58— First,  $5  ;  second,  $3— Vase  12  spikes, 
any  other  color,  one  variety.  First  won  by 
P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  with  variety 
Mrs.  Watt.  Second  won  by  Madison  Cooper, 
Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety  Loveliness. 

No.  59 -First,  $5;  second,  $3— Vase  12  spikes, 
Lemoinei  type,  one  variety.  First  won  by  P. 
W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  with  variety 
Golden  King, 

No.  60-First,  $5;  second,  $3-Vase  12  spikes, 
Primulinus  Hybrids.  First  won  by  P.  W.  Popp, 
Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.  Second  won  by  Madison 
Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y. 


No.  61— First,  $5;  second,  $3 -Vase  12  spikes. 
Ruffled,  one  variety.     (No  entries.) 

No.  62— First,  $3  ;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes. 
White,  one  variety.  First  won  by  Madison 
Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety  Mrs.  L. 
Merton  Gage.  Second  won  by  P.  W.  Popp, 
Mamaroneck.  N.  Y.,  with  variety  Albion. 
No.  63- First,  $3;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes. 
Pink,  one  variety.  First  won  by  P.  W.  Popp, 
Mamaroneck,  N.Y.,  with  variety  Daisy  Rand. 
Second  won  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.Y.,  with  variety  Panama. 

No.  64— First,  $3 ;  second,  $2  Vase  6  spikes. 
Red  or  Crimson,  one  variety.  First  won  by 
Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety 
Czar  Peter.  Second  won  by  P.  W.  Popp, 
Mamaroneck,  N.Y.,  with  variety  Nezinscott. 

No.  65 -First,  $3;  second,  $2  -Vase  6  spikes. 
Yellow,  one  variety.  First  won  by  P.  W.  Popp, 
Mamaroneck,  N.Y.,  with  variety  Schwaben. 
Second  won  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.  Y..  with  variety  ElCapitan. 

No.  66  -First,  $3 ;  second,  $2  -Vase  6  spikes. 
Blue,  Purple  or  Lavender,  one  variety.  First 
won  by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.Y.,  with 
variety  Baron  J.  Hulot. 

No.  67-First,  $3 ;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes 
any  other  color,  one  variety.  First  won  by 
Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety 
Loveliness.  Second  won  by  P.  W.  Popp, 
Mamaroneck,  N.Y.,  with  variety  Mrs.    Watt. 

No.  68— First,  $3 ;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes, 
Lemoinei  Type,  one  variety.  First  won  by 
Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  varietv 
Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton.  Second  won  by  P.  W. 
Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.Y.,  with  variety  Annie 
^^igynan. 

No.  69— First,  $3 ;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes, 
Primulinus  Hybrids.  First  won  by  P.  W. 
Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.  Second  won  by 
Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.Y. 

No.  70— First,  $3  ;  second,  $2— Vase  6  spikes. 
Ruffled,  one  variety.  First  won  by  Madison 
Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  variety  White 
Glory.  Second  won  by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaro- 
neck, N.Y.,  with  variety  No.  151. 

No.  71— First,  $5;  second,  $3— Six  vases.  6  va- 
rieties, 3  spikes  of  each.  First  won  by  P.  W. 
Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.  Second  won  by 
Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.Y. 

No.  72— First,  $5 ;  second,  $3— Best  collection  of 
Montbretias.     (No  entries.) 

K.  Velthuys,  Hillegom,  Holland. 

No.  73— Most  artistically  arranged  group- 
quality  of  flowers  to  count  more  than  num- 
bers. First,  $12  ;  second,  $8.  First  won  by 
P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  with  Prim- 
ulinus Hybrids. 

L.   Merton  Gage,  Natick,  Mass.     Sunny- 
side  Gladiolus  Gardens. 

No.  74— For  best  6  spikes  of  Mrs.  Frank  Pendle- 
fow— First,  50  bulbs  of  same  variety;  second, 
30  bulbs  ;  third,  20  bulbs.  First  won  by  Madi- 
son Cooper,  Calcium,  N.Y.  Second  won  by 
P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.Y. 

Carter's   Tested    Seeds,    102  Chamber  of 
Commerce  BIdg.,  Boston,  Mass. 

No.  75— First,  $8 :  second,  $3— Best  10  named 
varieties,  1  spike  each.  First  won  by  Madison 
Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.  Second  won  by  P. 
W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.Y. 

H.  E.  Meader,  Dover,  N.  H. 

No.  76 — 12  bulbs  Gladiolus  Myrtle,  for  best  vase 
5  spikes  ^Iwmca.    (No  entries.) 

Raymond  W.  Swett,  Saxonville,  Mass. 
No.  77 — First,  Bulbs  to  the  value  of  $5  ;  second. 
Bulbs  to  the  value  of  $3 ;  third.  Bulbs  to  the 
value  of  $2— For  best  3  spikes  named  varieties 


Page 
132 


Ob<2^  Modern  (Bladlolus  (Grower 


Sept. 

1917 


in  one  vase.    First  won  by  Madison  Cooper. 
Calcium,  N.Y. 

Willis  E.  Fryer,  Mantorville,  Minn. 

No.  78— Twenty-five  bulbs  of  Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer, 
for  12  best  spikes  of  that  variety.  ( No  entries. ) 

Michells  Seedhouse,  518   Market   Street, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

No.  79— First,  Silver  Medal ;  second.  Bronze 
Medal,  for  best  seedling  never  before  ex- 
hibited, not  less  than  3  spikes.      (No  entries.) 

Herman  H.  Baer,  New  Hyde  Park,  L.  I., 
N.  Y. 
No.  80— $5  in  gold  for  best   12    spikes    Crystal 
White.     (No  entries. ) 

Homer  F.  Chase,  Wilton,  N.  H. 

No.  81— $5  for  best  3  spikes  Mrs.  Watt.  First 
won  by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.Y. 

Arthur  Cowee,  Berlin,  N.  Y. 

No.  82— $5  cash  for  best  vase  25  spikes  Peace. 

First  won  by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.  Y. 
No.  83 — $5  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  Peachblow. 

(No  entries.) 
No.  84 — $5  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  Papileo 

Rose.    (No  entries.) 
No.  85— $5  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  Daivn. 

(Groff.)     (No  entries.) 
No.  86— $10  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  After- 
glow.    (No  entries.) 
No.  87 — $10  cash  for  best  vase  6  spikes  La  Luna. 

(No  entries.) 
No.  88— $10  cash  for  best  vase  1  spike  each  of 

the  varieties  War,  Peace  and  Prosperity.     (No 

entries. ) 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Flowerfield,  L.  I.,  N.Y. 

No.  89— First,  $10  ;  second.  $5— Best  and  largest 
collection  Childsi  type,  named.     (No  entries. ) 

B.  Hammond  Tracy,  Cedar  Acres,  Wen- 
ham,  Mass. 

No.  90— $5  in  gold  for  best  Pink  Gladioli  in  the 
show.     (No  entries.) 

American  Gladiolus  Society. 

No.  91— First,  Silver  Medal ;  second.  Bronze 
Medal — Best  exhibit  of  at  least  15  varieties,  3 
spikes  each,  correctly  named.  Won  by  Madi- 
son Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  with  22  varieties. 

A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind. 

No.  92— First,  Gold  Medal  ;  2nd,  Silver  Medal ; 
3rd,  Bronze  Medal — For  best  exhibit  Kun- 
derd's  Priniulinus  Hybrids,  open  to  those  who 
have  never  exhibited  before  the  A.  G.  S.  First 
won  by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.Y. 

The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,   Cal- 
cium, N.  Y. 

No.  93— For  the  best  display  of  Gladioli  consist- 
ing of  not  less  than  ten  spikes  nor  more 
than  twenty  spikes.  Not  more  than  three 
spikes  of  any  one  variety.  No  preference  to 
be  given  to  named  varieties.  First  prize,  A 
Life  Subscription  to  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  ;  second  prize,  a  five  year  subscrip- 
tion to  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  ; 
third  prize,  a  two  year  subscription  to  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower.  First  won  by 
P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck,  N.Y. 

The  Garden  Magazine,  Garden  City,  N.  Y. 

No.  94 — The  Garden  Magazine  Achievement 
Medal  to  the  winner  of  the  most  first  prizes 
in  non-Professsional  Class,  3  or  more  com- 
petitors. Won  by  P.  W.  Popp,  Mamaroneck, 
N.Y.,  with  fifteen  first  prizes. 


Paeonies. 

September  is  a  good  month  for  handling 
Paeonies.  Perhaps  in  some  localities  the 
tops  will  be  quite  green  and  the  plants  ^ 
hardly  ripe  enough  to  dig,  but  each  nurs-  " 
eryman  will  have  to  decide  this  for  him- 
self. If  they  are  handled  before  they  are 
ripe,  there  will  be  great  danger  of  shrivel- 
ling if  the  weather  is  very  dry  and  they 
are  subjected  to  very  much  exposure, 
but  the  nurseryman  cannot  always  do 
work  just  when  he  would  like  to,  and  if 
there  is  any  transplanting  to  be  done  the 
sooner  it  is  attended  to  and  out  of  the 
way  the  better,  as  the  fall  shipping  season 
will  soon  be  here. 

There  is  no  plant  that  pays  better  for 
deep  cultivation  and  thorough  prepara- 
tion of  the  ground  than  the  Paeony.  It  is 
a  deep  rooting  plant  and  a  voracious 
feeder,  and  much  of  the  trouble  known 
as  coming  blind  is  caused  by  poor  condi- 
tion of  soil  and  too  close  propagation, 
weakening  the  plants. 

The  Paeony  is  undoubtedly  a  coming 
flower,  and  when  there  is  the  same  care 
and  attention  given  to  raising  stock  for 
Paeonies  and  in  the  selection  of  variety 
as  there  is  in  the  roses,  carnations  and 
other  lines  of  plants  we  shall  have  very 
different  results  from  what  are  being 
generally  produced  now.  Just  because  ^ 
the  Paeony  is  a  plant  that  will  often  thrive  K 
with  very  little  attention  and  produce  fair 
results,  is  no  reason  why  it  should  be 
neglected,  in  fact  the  reverse  is  true, 
there  is  no  plant  that  responds  quicker  to 
cultivation  and  intelligent  treatment. — 
National  Nurseryman. 


The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  un- 
dertook an  experiment  this  year  during 
the  blooming  season  which  has  proved  a 
great  success  and  which  will  doubtless 
have  great  educational  value  and  it  is 
hoped  to  extend  the  plan  next  year. 
Boxes  of  cut  Gladiolus  bloom  about  25  to 
30  spikes,  have  been  sent  out  within  cer- 
tain postal  zone  limits  in  connection  with 
new  subscriptions  or  renewal  subscrip- 
tions, and  we  believe  that  it  will  be  pos- 
sible for  us  to  extend  the  zone  limit  next 
year  and  give  more  of  our  subscribers  the 
opportunity. 

The  securing  of  a  suitable  package  for 
shipping  was  one  of  the  chief  factors  in 
the  success  of  the  experiment.  Special 
Parcel  Post  flower  boxes  were  secured 
and  these  have  proven  remarkably  satis- 
factory  as  a  protection  to  the  bloom.  As  ^ 
a  matter  of  fact  we  have  not  had  a  single 
complaint  of  arrival  of  bloom  in  poor 
condition. 


Sept. 
1917 


<d\)ii  ytlobdrn  (biabloius  (Brower 


Page 
133 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF   THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
75c.  per  year, 
3  years  for  $1.50. 


OUR  MOTTO: 
Special  favors  to  none,  and  a  square  deal  to  all. 


Canadian  and  Foreign 

Subscription  Price 

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Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

The  contents  of  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GR01VER  are  covered  by  ieneral  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  editors  to 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  prcper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  luolation,  as  follows  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROM-^ER.  Calcium.  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations. 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3.  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


September,    1917 


No.  9 


Gla-di'  o-liis  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-li. 

Correctly  pronounced  ivith  accent  on  the  syllable  " di." 


"  Not  True  to  Name." 

Those  who  have  occasion  to  purchase 
nursery  stock,  bulbs,  seeds  and  things  to 
grow  generally,  know  what  it  means  to  be 
disappointed  in  the  results  of  their  pur- 
chase, and  the  question  of  getting  stock 
true  to  name  is  a  very  serious  one  and 
probably  always  will  be. 

This  year,  the  editor's  experience  and 
the  reports  coming  to  him,  indicate  that 
there  has  been  a  great  deal  of  trouble 
from  mixture  of  varieties  or  wrong  label- 
ling. It  is  possible  that  this  is  owing  to 
scarcity  of  help  and  the  employing  of 
incompetent  help  in  the  caring  for  and 
grading  of  stock. 

Cases  have  been  reported  which  indi- 
cate that  some  growers  have  sent  out  stock 
which  was  wrongly  labelled.  Whether 
from  carelessness,  ignorance  or  some 
other  cause,  this  is  difficult  to  determine 
but  it  would  seem  that  reports  this  year 
indicate  an  unusual  prevalence  of  getting 
stock  untrue  to  name  and  that  some 
growers  may  have  been  guilty  of  substi- 
tution. However,  we  want  to  caution 
purchasers  that  they  should  be  sure  be- 
fore condemning  a  grower.  Sometimes 
stock  which  is  mixed  with  the  true  variety 
will  bloom  before  the  true  variety  blooms. 


This  would  lead  the  purchaser  to  believe 
that  all  the  stock  was  of  the  kind  which 
bloomed  first.  Purchasers  should  not  re- 
port on  stock  until  practically  all  of  it  has 
bloomed. 

In  event  of  trouble  of  this  kind,  a  full 
report  should  be  made  to  the  party  from 
which  the  stock  was  purchased.  Most 
growers  do  not  sell  all  their  stock,  and 
can  check  any  error  if  such  has  been 
made,  and  actual  errors  are  always  made 
good  by  reliable  growers. 

Another  caution  to  purchasers  is  care 
in  handling  stock  after  received.  Cases 
have  been  known  where  the  purchaser 
got  the  labels  mixed  himself  and  then 
blamed  the  grower.  Do  not  be  too  anx- 
ious to  blame  the  grower.  There  are 
probably  dishonest  growers,  but  surely 
they  are  not  numerous  and  the  editor  has 
yet  to  find  a  case  where  substitution  with 
deliberate  intent  has  actually  been  prac- 
ticed. Madison  Cooper. 


It  is  pointed  out  by  one  of  our  subscrib- 
ers in  California  that  Eastern  growers 
who  fill  orders  for  shipment  to  California, 
should,  when  so  ordered,  get  the  stock 
out  in  the  fall  of  the  year.  This  subscriber 
reports  that  stock  ordered  for  shipment 
December  1st  was  not  sent  until  January 


Page 

134 


Ob<i  ^o5ern  (BlaMolus  (Brower 


Sept. 
1917 


and  then  arrived  in  a  frozen  condition 
We  beg  to  suggest  to  commercial  growers 
that  they^cater  to  fall  orders.  Good  stock 
delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  purchaser 
in  the  fall  puts  the  responsibility  of  stor- 
age on  the  purchaser  and  besides  the 
purchaser  has  the  advantage  of  knowing 
what  stock  he  will  have  for  the  spring. 
Late  spring  shipments  are  a  poor  thing 
from  both  the  standpoint  of  the  seller 
and  the  buyer. 


Gladiolus  growers  who  purchase  plant- 
ing stock  for  the  first  time  are  sometimes 
disappointed  at  the  size  of  it.  Planting 
sizes,  for  instance,  ranging  from  J"  to  J", 
look  rather  big  on  paper,  but  the  actual 
corms  look  rather  small.  These  young 
chaps,  however,  if  well  grown  have  great 
vitality  and  increase  to  large  size  corms 
the  first  year.  The  purchase  of  planting 
stock  is  the  cheapest  way  to  increase  a 
person's  plantings  largely  unless  indeed 
one  wants  to  purchase  bulblets  and  wait 
still  another  year  for  bloom. 


One  of  our  correspondents  reports  com- 
plete success  in  the  planting  of  Gladiolus 
cormels  with  a  layer  of  sand  above  and 
below,  about  5"  to  J"  in  thickness.  He 
says  that  when  digging,  the  ground  parted 
at  the  layer  of  sand  like  a  moulder's 
flask  and  that  the  roots  seemed  to  have 
no  trouble  in  reaching  through  the  sand 
to  the  feeding  soil  below.  This  is  a  good 
suggestion  for  those  who  have  a  difficult 
hard  clay  soil,  as  the  digging  of  cormels 
in  the  fall  out  of  hard  clay  is  not  an  easy 
task. 

We  have  before  suggested  that  Gladi- 
olus growers  should  order  their  bulbs  in 
the  fall.  It  will  save  disappointment  on 
spring  orders  and  those  who  have  good 
storage  will  find  it  decidedly  to  their  ad- 
vantage to  order  now.  Besides,  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  prices  will  be  higher 
in  the  spring.  We,  of  course,  will  not 
guarantee  that  the  prices  will  be  lower 
this  fall  than  next  spring,  but  this  is  al- 
ways the  tendency  of  the  market. 


Late  Gladioli. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  an  article  on 
Gladioli  from  The  Florists'  Exchange  of 
New  York  City  of  June  23rd :  ^ 

"  If  you  can  purchase  some  Gladiolus  bulbs 
reasonably  at  this  time  (the  article  is  addressed  to 
florists  in  general)  get  them  and  plant  out  for  late 
crop.  From  June  18  to  25  is  not  too  late  to  plant 
bulbs  and  get  good  results.  Bear  in  mind  that 
Gladioli  love  moisture  but  don't  want  wet  feet. 
We  had  a  batch  on  a  sloping  piece  of  land  last  year; 
on  the  upper  end  the  plants  produced  excellent 
spikes  of  flowers,  while  on  the  lower  part,  with 
poor  drainage,  they  proved  to  be  a  failure.  Plant 
the  bulbs  fully  five  inches  deep  and  keep  the  soil 
around  the  plants  cultivated.  The  late  planted 
bulbs  should  receive  more  attention  than  the 
early  ones.  If  the  plants  have  to  struggle  along 
in  heavy  soil  with  a  hard  crust  on  top,  and  suffer 
for  the  want  of  moisture,  you  won't  get  the  money 
back  that  the  bulbs  cost  you." 

Commenting  on  the  above  I  would  like 
to  say  that  it  seems  to  me  that  in  any 
low  place  in  a  field,  as  mentioned  in  the 
above  article,  (and  in  looking  over  several 
large  farms  of  Gladioli  I  have  observed 
such  low  places)  if  the  grower  would  be 
careful  to  hill  up  the  plants  somewhat 
higher  in  such  low  places,  making  the 
trenches  between  the  ridges  a  little  extra 
deep  so  that  the  water  would  always  drain 
off  and  away  from  the  bottom  of  the  bulb, 
he  ought,  from  the  extra  amount  of  mois- 
ture available  in  such  spots,  get  Gladioli 
equal  if  not  superior  to  those  in  the  other 
parts  of  the  field.  I  am  led  to  make  this  ^, 
statement  from  the  fact  that  in  the  fields  ^| 
I  saw  there  was  no  effort  seemingly  made 
to  make  the  ridges  higher  in  such  low 
places  but  almost  exactly  the  same  cul- 
ture was  given  as  in  the  rest  of  the  field. 
I  also  noted,  as  the  writer  of  the  above 
article  states,  that  in  the  low  places  in  the 
fields  I  saw  the  Gladioli  seemed  to  be 
worthless  and  practically  a  total  loss. 
B.  F.  Stalnaker. 


There  are  certainly  many  new  things  to 
be  found  out  about  growing  Gladioli 
every  year  and  weather  conditions  during 
1917  season  were  most  unusual.  We  pre- 
dicted early  in  the  season  that  the  quality 
of  bloom  at  the  New  York  Flower  Show 
would  be  fine.  Although  there  was  some 
fine  bloom  exhibited,  yet  the  average  was 
far  from  fine.  Variable  weather  condi- 
tions keep  a  person  who  is  interested  in 
growing  any  kind  of  a  crop  guessing  on 
the  future,  and  surely  if  weather  condi- 
tions are  carefully  watched,  much  infor- 
mation may  be  gleaned  after  years  of 
experience.  The  hot,  dry  spell  in  July 
and  August  this  year  following  the  rather  ^ 
cold  although  not  extremely  wet  spell  \j 
early  in  the  season  was  very  disastrous 
to  many  classes  of  vegetation. 


Sept. 

1917 


Ob<2^  Modern  (BlaMolus  (Brower 


Page 
135 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


FROST  DAMAGE. 

During  the  past  winter,  as  is  well  known, 
the  frost  was  very  severe  in  England,  and 
on  more  than  one  night  I  registered  over 
20°  of  frost.  Owing  to  want  of  labor, 
quantities  of  Gladioli  had  to  be  left  in 
the  ground.  According  to  all  accepted 
teaching  they  should  have  been  killed. 
On  the  contrary,  they  are,  if  anything, 
better  looking  than  those  that  were  lifted 
and  replanted  this  Spring.  They  include 
Pink  Beauty  (in  bloom  today,  8th  July), 
Halley,  America  and  May.  I  also  had  one 
or  two  pots  of  America  which  had  been 
left  out  in  the  open.  On  shaking  these 
out  I  found  the  mother  bulbs  rotten,  but 
the  bulblets  apparently  sound.  I  replanted 
some  of  these  in  a  pot  and  quite  90%  of 
them  are  growing.  In  another  spot  in 
the  garden,  where  some  Childsi  have  been 
growing  for  years,  the  ground  being  wanted 
for  other  things,  the  bulbs  were  dug  up, 
but  quantities  of  bulblets  have,  notwith- 
standing, made  their  appearance.  The 
early  Gladioli  had,  however,  made  too 
much  growth  and  were  cut  down  by  the 
frost.  These  also  suffered  in  the  same 
way  in  1912,  but  did  not  die.  G.  C. 


TIME  FOR  PLANTING  AND  DIGGING  GLADIOLI. 

There  is  considerable  discussion  as  to 
the  proper  time  to  plant  and  dig  the 
Gladiolus,  and  to  the  amateur  or  beginner, 
it  may  seem  a  rather  difficult  matter  to 
know  just  when  to  do  this. 

If  one  would  use  good  sound  judgment, 
and  not  rely  too  much  upon  the  advice 
and  ideas  of  others,  perhaps  hundreds  of 
miles  away,  where  the  climatic  conditions 
may  be  entirely  different,  they  should 
be  able  to  judge  the  time  for  this  work 
about  right. 

The  following  rules  for  planting  and 
harvesting  should  apply  in  any  locality. 
Plant  the  bulblets  first,  as  early  as  the 
ground  can  be  worked  properly.  Plant 
about  the  same  time  as  you  would  for 
Sweet  Peas.  Soaking  the  bulblets  for  two 
or  three  days  before  planting  will  assist 
germination.  Next  plant  the  small  corms, 
three-eighths  to  three-quarters  inches,  as 
soon  as  the  ground  commences  to  warm 
up.  Digging  the  trenches  and  leaving 
them  exposed  to  the  sun  for  several  days 
will  materially  assist  in  warming  the 
ground  to  a  considerable  depth.  Next 
should  follow  all  larger  corms.  The  latter 
will  bloom  first  and  the  smaller  ones 
later,  excepting  in  a  few  varieties. 


Harvesting  the  young  stock  grown  from 
bulblets  may  be  started  when  the  leaves 
begin  to  fall,  and  will  be  much  easier  to 
handle  than  if  left  in  the  ground  until  the 
young  leaves  begin  to  dry  up  and  break 
off.  Earlier  digging  of  this  stock  does  no 
harm,  simply  stops  the  growth.  The 
second  year  corms  and  all  larger  stock 
will  be  benefited  if  left  in  the  ground  as 
late  as  possible,  but  not  so  long  that  the 
tops  become  too  dry  and  break  off  easily. 
One  should  judge  the  time  to  do  this  by 
the  size  of  the  crop  to  be  harvested  and 
not  be  caught  napping  when  snow  and 
freezing  weather  set  in.  In  some  locali- 
ties October  is  the  month  for  this  work, 
while  in  some  parts  of  the  country  the 
time  may  extend  into  November,  thus  the 
advisabilty  of  judging  these  things  for 
oneself. 

A  great  deal  may  be  learned  from  read- 
ing reliable  articles  on  the  care  and  cul- 
ture of  Gladioli,  as  published  in  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  but  one 
must  use  his  own  judgment  to  a  certain 
extent,  especially  when  it  is  a  matter  of 
climatic  conditions.  T.  H.  Fuller. 


ON  STORING   gladiolus  CORMS. 

When  I  dug  my  bulbs  last  fall,  I  spread 
them  out  for  two  or  three  weeks,  until 
they  were  thoroughly  dry.  Then  I  put 
them  in  the  cellar.  My  mixture  I  placed 
in  a  large  box.  The  named  varieties  I 
placed  in  paper  boxes  or  envelopes,  using 
in  most  cases  the  same  ones  in  which  the 
original  bulbs  had  come  to  me.  I  had 
about  twenty  named  varieties,  and  wished 
to  keep  them  each  separate,  and  also  to 
keep  them  in  the  best  possible  condition 
for  use  in  the  spring.  About  February 
1st  I  discovered  that  some  of  the  bulbs 
were  moldy,  and  investigation  showed 
me  that  all  those  which  had  been  stored 
in  paper  bags  were  rotten.  My  explana- 
tion is  that  the  paper  prevented  evapora- 
tion, and  the  moist  air  of  the  cellar  kept 
the  bulbs  damp.  It  may  save  someone 
else  loss  to  know  of  this  experience.  The 
mixture  in  the  open  box  is  apparently  all 
right.  R.  E.  Boomhower. 

Note  by  the  Editor — 

A  damp  cellar  is  not  a  good  place  to 
store  Gladiolus  corms.  Dampness  may 
sometimes  be  obviated  by  careful  ventila- 
tion. If  there  is  a  tendency  to  dampness 
it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the 
corms  be  spread  out  thinly,  or  what  is 
better  supported  on  wire  bottomed  trays. 
During  storage  it  is  well  to  examine  the 
corms  at  frequent  intervals  to  see  in 
what  condition  they  are  keeping. 


Page 

136 


Obe  Modern  (Bladlolus  (Grower 


Sept. 
1917 


One  of  our  Iowa  growers  who  has  pro- 
duced several  fine  GladioH  sent  me 
samples  last  spring  of  a  new  Gladiolus 
which  I  planted  late^alongin  June.  Con- 
sequently I  had  the  flowers  to  show  at  the 
Cedar  Valley  Exposition,  where  it  at- 
tracted more  attention  than  almost  any 
other  sort.  I  did  not  remember  at  the 
time  where  it  came  from,  but  the  label 
was  Titanic.  Judging  from  this  limited 
trial,  it  is  remarkably  fine  and  almost 
unique  in  color,  belonging  to  the  magenta- 
crimson  class,  with  very  large,  wide  open 
flowers  and  of  strong,  tall  growth.  It  has 
never  been  disseminated  and  I  do  not 
know  whether  it  is  likely  to  be,  but  I  am 
advised  that  it  has  been  purchased  by 
several  amateur  growers  for  trial  or,  per- 
haps, after  trial.  I  would  like  to  hear  of 
the  experience  of  any  who  have  tried  it. 
Geo.  S.  Woodruff. 


origin  of   illustration   on  cover    of 
kunderd's  catalogue. 

Was  much  interested  in  reading  the 
article  in  my  July  number  of  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower  from  A.  E.  Kun- 
derd  in  reply  to  your  inquiry  concerning 
the  title  page  illustration  of  Kunderd's 
catalogue  for  1917.  Having  sent  for,  and 
having  just  received  a  copy  of  the  cata- 
logue, I  have  studied  the  engraving  from 
every  angle,  and  have  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  it  is  a  combination  of  three 
if  not  four  separate  blooms,  possibly  ar- 
ranged by  some  exhibitor  for  the  novelty 
of  it,  with  the  spike  at  the  top  of  the 
picture  being  inserted  as  a  brace  while 
the  photo  was  being  taken,  and  possibly 
as  a  "  blind  "  to  make  it  appear  as  an  en- 
tire bloom.  As  you  will  observe  there 
are  the  stamens  or  pistils  of  three  blooms 
— the  lower  one,  the  one  in  the  center, 
and  one  at  the  right,  while  the  stamens 
of  the  top  bloom  are  concealed  by  the 
one  in  the  center.     Am  I  right  ? 

R.  J.  Patterson. 


dividing  gladiolus  corms. 

I  have  practised  dividing  Gladiolus 
corms  more  or  less  for  more  than  twenty 
years.  Sometimes  dividing  thousands, 
and  often  cutting  only  a  few,  mainly  in 
an  effort  to  more  rapidly  multiply  new  or 
scarce  varieties,  I  have  a  few  times  cut  a 
large  corm  into  as  many  pieces  as  there 
were  good  prominent  eyes,  with  a  root 
germ  attached.  My  conclusion  is  that  as 
a  rule  it  does  not  pay,  as  the  growth  of 
the  division  is  not  as  strong  usually  as 
when  the  entire  corm  is  planted.  T. 


DIVIDING  gladiolus  CORMS. 

In  the  May  issue  of  The  Modern  Gla- 
diolus Grower,  I  note  with  interest  an 
inquiry  regarding  the  cutting  of  corms  to  ^ 

hasten  increase.  Although  I  do  not  pose  as  ■ 
an  expert  on  this  matter,  it  seemed  that  my 
experience  might  prove  of  interest.  Last 
year  and  year  before  I  cut  several  large 
corms  in  two,  three  and  four  pieces.  The 
result  was  that  the  cut  sprouts  did  not 
appear  above  ground  for  about  two  weeks 
after  the  other  uncut  ones  planted  at  the 
same  time.  The  spikes  of  bloom  were 
small,  the  resulting  corms  were  small, 
and  there  were  no  bulblets  to  speak  of. 
It  seems  to  me  that  the  method  is  not 
very  valuable.  However,  I  am  going  to 
try  it  again  this  year.  D. 


promoting  increase  by  DIVIDING  CORMS. 

This  year  I  cut  some  big  bulbs  into 
pieces,  each  with  an  "eye."  Every  one 
grew  a  good  bulb  and  a  few  of  them 
bloomed.  They  were  kinds  that  pro- 
duced few  bulblets  and  I  wanted  to  see  if 
I  could  get  good  increase  in  this  manner. 
Minnie  E.  Main. 


Transplanting  Peonies. 

Peonies  being  such  a  universal  favorite 
with  all  flower  lovers,  it  is  very  important         ^ 
that  we  should  understand  a  few  of  the         ^ 
vital    points   relative  to  their    successful 
culture. 

The  proper  time  to  plant,  or  lift  and 
reset  the  Peony  is  in  September  or  Oc- 
tober. In  southern  latitude  or  when  we 
have  a  fine  late  autumn,  a  little  later  will 
do,  but  on  account  of  the  plant  having 
such  heavy  foliage,  and  bearing  such  im- 
mense flowers,  it  is  necessary  that  there 
be  a  strong  root  growth  in  the  autumn 
as  the  foliage  and  flowers  tax  the  plant, 
and  draw  so  heavily  on  the  vitality  in  the 
spring. 

The  Peony  loves  a  light  sandy  soil,  and 
a  well  drained  location,  where  there  will 
be  abundant  sunshine. 

Low,  undrained,  or  sour  soil  will  not 
produce  Peonies  to  any  degree  of  perfec- 
tion. 

If  the  earth  is  inclined  to  be  a  little 
wet,  make  a  Peony  bed  by  elevating  the 
soil  to  at  least  eight  inches  above  the 
surrounding  ground  ;  in  doing  this,  use 
some  sand,  and  there  will  be  much  better 
blooms  the  coming  season. 

Peonies  that  have  remained  for  several 
years  in   one  position  ought  to  be  lifted         JT 
and    reset.      The    improvement    will    be         V 
very  noticeable.— J.    T.    T.    in    Successful 
Farming. 


Sept. 

1917 


Ol)e  ^Jllo6ern  (&la6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

137 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


JUST   HOLLYHOCKS. 

"  Get  a  lunch  ready  and  let's  go  on  a 
picnic  trip."  Something  in  the  expression 
of  his  face  made  me  wonder  if  I  had  lost 
my  old  time  recipe  for  spiced  marble  cake, 
(a  favorite  of  his)  and  if  I  had  forgotten 
how  to  make  banburies  which  are  really 
little  crescent  shaped  pies,  the  filling  of 
which  is  a  delicious  mixture  of  lemons, 
raisins,  etc. 

While  the  chicken  was  frying  and  I 
tried  my  latest  formula  for  summer  frost- 
ing my  thoughts  wandered  to  pleasure 
trips  of  bygone  years.  There  were  more 
woods  by  the  roadside  then  and  better 
places  for  picnicing.  There  were  so  many 
birds  too,  the  trees  seemed  full  of  them. 
The  horse  looking  into  the  wood  as  he 
munched  his  feed  of  grain  appeared  to 
enjoy  the  outing  as  much  as  we.  Dear 
old  "Cap,"  with  check  rein  unfastened  and 
lines  loose,  he  chose  his  own  gait,  a  long 
swinging  stride  that  carried  us  smoothly 
for  many  a  mile.  It  was  easy  for  him 
for  wasn't  he  a  magnificent  Hambletonian 
and  his  ancestors  leaders  in  Sherman's 
march  to  the  sea  ?  With  a  jolt  I  was  back 
to  the  present  for  it  had  been  ivar,  and 
wasn't  it  war  now,  and  even  our  own 
helpers  drafted.  Warbirds  testing  planes 
in  aviation  grounds,  autos  and  noisy  mo- 
torcyles  rushing  by  and— O,  dear,  the 
chicken  scorching ! 

At miles  an    hour   we  quickly    left 

our  own  county  and  as  we  slowed  down 
saw  what  had  seemed  to  be  great  splashes 
of  color  were  just  hollyhocks.  It  was  al- 
most a  surprise  to  see  such  beauty.  We 
had  taken  trips  when  June  had  given  us 
a  paradise  of  roses,  but  hollyhocks,  just 
hollyhocks,  had  not  appealed  to  us  as 
anything  to  be  compared  with  roses  and 
yet  never  had  we  seen  a  more  gorgeous 
display  of  color  or  the  country  look  more 
beautiful.  Perhaps  the  season  had  been 
exceptionally  good  for  hollyhocks,  or  that 
people  have  been  awakening  to  the  value 
of  them  in  landscape  effect,  perhaps  we 
have  been  napping  when  hollyhocks 
bloomed,  anyway  the  hollyhock  has  cer- 
tainly come  into  its  own.  There  were 
great  clumps  of  the  old  fashioned  singles 
and  doubles  screening  barnyards,  hiding 
unsightly  fences,  standing  like  sentinels 
by  the  kitchen  doorway.  They  lighted 
up  the  shrubbery  row  or  formed  a  back- 
ground for  the  smaller  shrubs,  perhaps  a 
stately  row  the  entire  length  of  the  garden. 
They  were  everywhere  and  their  uses  in- 


numerable. A  large  planting  of  a  won- 
derful pink  variety  proved  to  be  the  new 
Newport  Pink  an  improvement  over  the 
older  sorts,  possessing  longer  spikes  of 
bloom,  and  if  planted  inside  in  Aiarch 
will  produce  blooms  the  following  July. 
Another  beautiful  strain  is  the  Allegheny 
hollyhock  which  has  semi-double  flowers 
the  petals  of  which  resemble  the  sheerest 
silk.  These  may  be  had  in  the  various 
colors  of  the  older  varieties. 

The  first  thing  we  did  upon  our  return 
home  was  to  look  for  a  place  to  plant 
hollyhocks  and  it  did  not  take  us  long  to 
find  one.  Although  the  weather  was  hot 
and  dry  and  the  soil  of  the  place  selected, 
quite  hard,  by  working  it  over  several 
times  we  succeeded  in  getting  it  fine  and 
planted  some  good  seedling  plants.  They 
were  carefully  shaded,  kept  well  watered 
and  are  now  strong  thrifty  growers  which 
goes  to  show  that  the  hollyhock  will  stand 
transplanting  out  of  season  and  in  rather 
poor  soil. 

It  should  have  a  rich  well-drained  soil 
such  as  Gladioli  require.  Any  soil  full  of 
humus,  sweetened  with  lime  made  light 
with  leaf  mold,  will  produce  grand  flowers 
in  any  good  garden  soil. 

They  may  be  propagated  by  dividing 
old  roots  or  grown  from  seed.  Seed 
planted  in  the  garden  at  the  time  veg- 
etable seeds  are  will  make  strong  plants 
that  will  bloom  the  second  year.  If  not 
wanted  to  bloom  where  the  seed  was 
planted  they  should  be  transplanted  in 
the  fall  or  early  spring  before  growth 
commences.  Old  roots  should  be  divided 
in  the  fall.  There  are  very  few  perennials 
that  will  give  greater  returns  in  floral 
display  for  so  little  attention,  but,  of 
course,  will  give  greater  bloom  from  the 
best  of  soil  and  cultivation. 

Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


Don't  forget  that  the  proper  sunning  of 
Gladiolus  corms  after  digging  is  of  the 
utmost  importance  in  connection  with  the 
safe  keeping  of  the  corms  over  winter. 
The  so-called  curing  process  which  means 
the  freeing  of  the  corm  of  surplus  mois- 
ture is  only  a  part  of  the  story.  The 
stalk  should  be  cut  off  close  to  the  corm 
at  digging  time  and  the  corms  placed  on 
trays  not  more  than  a  couple  of  inches 
in  depth  and  turned  over  each  day  and 
exposed  to  the  sun-light.  This  has  not 
only  a  drying  but  a  strong  purifying  effect 
which  will  prevent  disease  and  the  rot- 
ting of  corms  in  storage.  Of  course  suit- 
able storage  is  important,  but  anyone  can 
look  after  the  proper  sunning  in  the  field. 
From  three  to  six  days  is  necessary  for  best 
results  depending  on  weather  conditions. 


**-=  DEPARTMENT  =-^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.]— Editor. 


Forcing  Gladioli. 
To  THE  Editor  :— 

First.  Is  there  any  different  method  used  to 
grow  Gladiolus  bulbs  for  forcing  for  blooms  for 
Easter  than  ordinary  field  culture?  Second.  Are 
they  planted  extremely  early?  Please  give  as 
much  information  as  you  can.  I  sell  thousands  of 
bulbs,  and  have  a  demand  for  forcing  bulbs,  but 
know  nothing  about  that  end  of  the  game. 

F.  O.  G. 

Anstvef^ : — So  far  as  I  know  there  is  no 
difference  in  the  method  used  in  growing 
Gladiolus  bulbs  for  forcing  for  Easter 
than  that  of  ordinary  field  culture.  They 
should  be  given  the  kind  of  culture  and 
fertilizers  which  would  make  them 
thoroughly  matured  when  they  are  dug, 
which  means  that  they  should  be  given 
frequent  cultivation  early  in  the  season, 
and  then  allowed  to  have  their  foliage 
thoroughly  matured  before  digging.  It  is, 
of  course,  advantageous  to  plant  them  as 
early  as  possible  in  order  that  they  may 
complete  their  growth,  mature,  and  then 
have  a  period  of  rest  before  they  are  planted 
indoors.  Gladioli  seem  to  bloom  nicely 
after  having  been  forced  once.  If  the 
question  is,  "  Will  bulbs  which  have 
bloomed  in  the  Summer  bloom  again 
when  forced  ?"  The  answer  is  that  they 
no  doubt  would.— A.  C.  H.  in  Florists'  Ex- 
change. 

Proper  Curing  of  Gladiolus  Corms. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

This  year  I  received  a  lot  of  the  cleanest  and 
brightest  planting  stock  that  I  ever  received  and 
if  it  isn't  intruding  into  trade  secrets  would  like 
to  know  how  such  beautiful  stock  is  grown  and 
cleaned.  Are  the  bulbs  washed,  and  if  so,  how 
and  when?  L.  s.  N. 

Answer  :—Froper  curing,  which  means 
exposure  to  sun  and  proper  drying  at 
digging  time  is,  we  believe,  at  least  to  an 
extent,  the  secret  of  eliminating  Gladiolus 
corm  disease  and  producing  bright,  clean 
corms.  Corms  dug  during  a  wet  time 
necessarily  will  be  dirty  and  this  is  espe- 
cially true  if  they  are  grown  in  a  clay  or 
heavy  loam  soil.  Corms  grown  in  sand 
necessarily  will  be  much  cleaner,  every- 
thing else  being  equal,  than  corms  grown 


in  any  heavy  soil.  Ideal  digging  condi- 
tions when  the  soil  is  reasonably  dry  and 
the  weather  bright  and  sunny  should  re- 
sult in  clean,  bright  corms  which  may 
look  as  though  they  were  actually  washed 
with  water  after  digging. 

To  properly  cure  corms  in  the  field  a 
shallow  tray  with  a  fine  galvanized  wire 
screen  bottom  may  be  used.  These  trays 
should  be  raised  off  the  ground  at  least 
two  inches  for  a  circulation  of  air.  At 
night  or  during  a  rainy  time  they  should 
be  piled  up  and  covered  with  a  waterproof 
canvas.  Each  morning  the  trays  should 
be  uncovered  and  spread  out  on  the 
ground  and  the  corms  stirred  and  turned 
in  the  trays.  If  the  weather  is  clear, 
three  or  four  days  of  such  treatment  is 
ordinarily  sufficient  before  putting  them 
into  the  cellar,  but  if  damp,  humid  weather 
is  encountered  a  much  longer  period  may 
be  necessary. 

Corms  dug  late  in  the  fall,  say  about 
November  1st,  are  very  difficult  to  cure 
as  the  days  are  short,  and  cloudy  weather 
is  likely  to  be  encountered.  There  is  also 
danger  of  freezing  and  it  is  often  neces- 
sary to  hurry  the  corms  into  the  cellar 
soon  after  digging.  It  has  been  noticed 
that  stock  which  was  dug  last  is  most 
subject  to  the  various  rots  and  scab  dis- 
eases and  we  attribute  this  largely  to  in- 
sufficient sunning  and  curing. 


California  Grown 

Gladioli  in  Indiana. 

To  the  Editor:— 

Would  you  expect  California  grown  Gladiolus 
corms  and  seed  to  do  well  in  Indiana  ?        C.  F.  G. 

Anstver : — We  certainly  would  expect 
Gladiolus  corms  or  seed  grown  in  Cali- 
fornia to  do  well  in  Indiana.  Gladiolus 
corms  are  sent  from  the  East  to  the  West 
and  from  the  West  to  the  East  inter- 
changeably and  so  far  as  we  are  aware, 
with  the  very  best  of  results.  We  have 
no  real  information  on  the  question  of 
growing  from  seed,  but  see  no  reason 
why  the  results  should  not  be  entirely 
satisfactory. 


Sept. 
1917 


Obe  !5tlo6erR  (Bladlolus  (Grower 


Page 
139 


American  Gladiolus  Society. 

Annual  Meeting. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  society  was 
held  in  the  Museum  Building  of  the  New 
York  Botanical  Gardens  at  Bronx  Park, 
New  York  City,  on  August  24th  at  2:30 
P.  M.  In  the  absence  of  President  Chas. 
F.  Fairbanks,  Vice  President  T.  A.  Have- 
meyer  presided.  Secretary  Henry  Youell, 
of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  was  absent  owing  to 
his  having  met  with  an  accident  shortly 
before  the  meeting.  H.  E.  Meader,  of 
Dover,  N.  H.,  was  appointed  secretary 
pro  tem. 

Dr.  Britton  of  the  New  York  Botanical 
Gardens  welcomed  the  members  of  the 
society  and  stated  that  it  was  hoped  that 
The  Gardens  would  establish  a  Gladiolus 
garden  similar  to  the  Iris  garden  which 
was  already  established,  and  that  a  stand- 
ard collection  of  Gladioli,  which  would  be 
of  educational  value  to  visitors  to  the 
Botanical  Gardens,  might  be  built  up  by 
contributions  from  stock  from  prominent 
Gladiolus  growers,  in  addition  to  what 
The  Gardens  was  empowered  to  buy. 

Secretary  Youell's  report  was  then  read 
and  filed. 

Treasurer  A.  E.  Kunderd  filed  his  re- 
port and  $742.05  was  reported  in  the  bank 
with  only  a  few  small  current  bills  out- 
standing. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as 
follows :  President,  A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen, 
Ind.;  Vice  President,  H.  E.  Meader,  Dover, 
N.  H.;  Treasurer,  Madison  Cooper,  Cal- 
cium, N.  Y.;  Secretary,  Henry  Youell, 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Youell  has  been 
secretary  since  the  society  was  organized. 

Vice  President  Havemeyer  referred  to 
an  arrangement  between  the  society  and 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  which 
matter  had  been  taken  up  at  last  year's 
meeting  at  Boston.  Mr.  Havemeyer 
stated  that  the  matter  had  been  acted 
upon  favorably  by  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee and  so  far  as  he  knew  was  ready 
for  closing.  It  was  decided  to  refer  it 
to  the  new  Executive  Committee  to  be 
appointed  by  President  Kunderd. 

Considerable  discussion  was  had  with 
reference  to  the  desirability  of  obtaining 
new  members  and  many  suggestions  were 
made  by  members  present.  The  ques- 
tion of  changing  classification  so  as  to 
encourage  amateurs  to  exhibit  at  shows 
was  also  brought  up  and  a  vote  was  taken 
and  $50  was  provided  to  be  used  for 
publicity  purposes  to  start  the  work  of 
obtaining  new  members.  Mr.  Joseph 
Lane  of  the  American  Dahlia  Society 
spoke  on  what  that  society  had  done  in 


the  way  of  increasing  its  membership 
and  it  was  suggested  that  the  services  of 
Mr.  Lane  be  secured  to  co-operate  with 
the  new  Executive  Committee  in  the  work 
of  obtaining  new  members  and  promoting 
the  flower  shows.  Mr.  Lane  agreed  to 
undertake  the  work. 

The  annual  discussion  as  to  the  status 
of  the  amateur  grower  was  brought  up 
and  the  editor  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  offered  a  number  of  suggestions 
as  to  changes  in  the  classification  so  as  to 
encourage  the  small  amateur  to  exhibit 
at  the  annual  shows.  Many  other  help- 
ful suggestions  were  made  and  the  editor 
promised  to  do  everything  he  could  through 
the  columns  of  his  paper  to  help. 

Prof.  A.  C.  Beal,  of  the  Nomenclature 
Committee  of  the  society,  spoke  of  the 
Gladiolus  test  garden  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.  He 
reported  that  nothing  had  been  done  during 
the  past  year  for  several  reasons,  but  that 
his  department  was  now  in  position  to 
take  up  the  work  again.  Prof.  Beal  in 
replying  to  a  question  stated  that  al- 
though a  test  of  longer  than  a  year  would 
be  desirable,  yet  many  objected  even  to 
the  one  year  test,  feeling  that  registration 
should  be  given  on  application  as  is  done 
by  other  societies ;  and  further  that  the 
object  of  the  test  was  to  decide  whether 
the  variety  in  question  differed  enough 
from  others  to  warrant  registration  rather 
than  to  determine  actual  merit  and  secure 
descriptions. 

The  location  for  the  next  show  was  dis- 
cussed and  the  desirability  of  various  cities 
for  this  purpose  was  talked  over.  Nothing 
was  arrived  at,  but  it  seemed  the  senti- 
ment of  the  meeting  that  President  Kund- 
erd should  appoint  an  executive  commit- 
tee with  one  or  more  western  members 
and  that  the  next  annual  show  should  be 
held  further  west  than  any  recent  show. 
Mr.  J.  C.  Vaughan,  of  Vaughan's  Seed 
Stores,  was  present  and  offered  some  help- 
ful suggestions  about  the  shows  in  general 
and  the  holding  of  the  next  show  in  the 
West. 

Although  owing  to  circumstances  com- 
paratively few  members  were  present, 
yet  the  meeting  was  one  of  much  interest 
and  there  is  no  doubt  but  what  an  in- 
teresting future  for  the  society  is  at  hand. 


One  of  our  subscribers  reports  that  he 
has  considerable  trouble  |,with  ants  this 
year.  He  plowed  up  part  of  his  land  and 
made  a  garden  of  it  and  planted  bulbs 
before  the  ants  had  begun  to  work.  He 
wants  some  remedy  for  ants  which  will 
not  damage  the  bulbs.  If  any  of  our 
readers  can  offer  suggestions,  will  be  glad 
to  hear  from  them. 


As  suggested  in  another  column,  fall 
ordering  of  Gladiolus  corms  is  the  right 
thing  providing  you  can  order  from  a 
grower  who  will  deliver  the  corms  when 
you  order  them  or  somewhere  near  it.  It 
is  pretty  safe  to  ship  Gladiolus  corms  all 
winter  by  Parcel  Post  by  guarding  against 
cold  snaps  and  even  express  on  larger 
packages  is  quite  safe.  It  is  quite  safe  if 
a  corrugated  box  is  used  and  well  lined 
with  newspapers.  Careful  packing  will 
do  a  great  deal  toward  protecting  against 
frost,  but  it  seems  that  Parcel  Post  is 
much  safer  than  express  on  the  small 
packages. 

CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


W  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO.,  Pembroke,  N.  Y., 
''  •  growers  of  the  finest  Gladioli,  such  as 
Pendleton,  Panama,  Niagara,  Pink  Perfection, 
Europa,  Mrs.  Fryer,  War,  Peace,  etc.  Corres- 
pondence solicited. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture- 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
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In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well- 
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and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
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THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave..  New  York.N.Y. 

W.  E.  Woodward  &  Son 

—  GROWERS  OF  — 

Choice  Gladioli 

Saxonville,  Mass. 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

LIST   ON  APPLICATION. 
WHOLESALE.       RETAIL. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 


U.  Cemoine  ^  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy.  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE  WOULD  YOU  LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerf  ield  L.  I. 


GLADIOLI 

Send  for  my  catalog,  containing  96  dis- 
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tures, TODAY— IT  IS  FREE. 

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Gladiolus  Specialist 
DOVER,  N.  H. 

Send  for  beautiful  descriptive  booi<iel  of  Rare  Gladioli. 

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Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.  Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


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GLADIOLI 

Betschers  Primnlinus  Hybrids 

THE  BETSCHER  STRAIN  of  this  fetching  new  type  of 
Gladioli  is  the  last  word  in  Quality  Gladioli — all  who 
have  inspected  or  tested  them  are  loud  in  their  praise. 
Only  the  best  blood  of  all  types  of  Gladioli  have  been  used 
in  their  evolution. 

When  we  first  sowed  primulinus  species  we  saw  its  possi- 
bilities and  future  value — doubtless  we  have  made  more  crosses 
on  this  one  type  than  all  other  breeders  have  made  in  all  classes 
until  now.  The  finest  seedlings  in  our  early  work  were  marked 
out — the  balance  discarded.  Our  stock  of  it  is  the  largest  in 
commerce.    We  offer  in  large  lots — 

Primulinus  Species 
Primulinus   Hybrids 

Select  Yellows,  Pinks,  Reds,  W^hites,  Old  Golds 

Our  hybrids  of  Lemoinei,  Childsi  &c.  are  very  fine. 

From  the  many  thousand  hybrids  we  have  selected  the  finest  to  color; 
hence  our  selections  of  Pinks,  Reds,  Yellows  and  Whites  excel  mixtures 
made  from  best  named  sorts.  We  have  had  over  400  sorts  representing 
all  the  noted  specialists'  best  and  latest  introductions  but  few  of  them  used 
in  our  breeding — and  breeding  and  plant  evolution  has  had  our  first  con- 
sideration for  some  years.     In  all  this  time  our  work  has  been  wholesale. 

For  1917-18  season  we  offer  large  lots  of  exceptional  mixtures 
and  named  sorts : 

Crimson  Glow,  Crimson  Giant,  Dora  Krais,  Myrtle,  Mrs.  Watt, 
Gen.  Kuroki,  Mephisto,  Negerfuerst,  Panama,  Scarsdale,  etc. 
Augusta,  Brenchleyensis,    Chicago   White,  Halley,  Minnesota, 
Niagara,  Norma  Dee  Childs,  Baron  Hulot,  etc. 

Our  list  will  be  ready  in  September. 

Betscher's  Peonies — Cream  of  1200  sorts. 

Betscher's  Hemerocallis  Hybrids — Very  fine. 

Betscher's  Cannas,  etc. — all  the  best. 

C.  BETSCHER 

Plant  Breeder  Dover,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 


in 


m 


Cold  Storage  for  Florists 

Good  refrigerating  facilities  are  just  as 
necessary  for  Florists,  Nurserymen, 
Seedsmen  and  Fruit  Growers  as  they 
are  for  dealers  in  butter  and  eggs. 

Let  us  send  you  a  description  of  a  florist's  plant 
installed  and  equipped  with  the  Cooper  Brine 
System  for  storing  cut  flowers  and  lily  of  the 
valley  pips. 


MADISON  COOPER  COMPANY 

Refrigerating  Engineers  and 

132  Court  St.  Architects  Calcium,  N.Y. 


Attention,  Growers  of 
Cut  Flowers ! 

Your  big  profits  are  obtained  from  your  late  blooms. 
The  variety  Gretchen  Zang  (Mrs.  Austin)  is 
one  of  the  biggest  profit  getters  in  the  business.  It  has 
three  prime  essentials:  Beautiful  Color— Lateness  of 
Bloom — Blooms  from  the  Smallest  Bulbs. 

Description:— The  blooms  are  large  and  sparkling,  and  the  most  beauti- 
ful soft  melting  shade  of  pink,  blending  into  deep  salmon  on  lower  petals. 
Strikingly  beautiful  and  likely  the  only  variety  that  approaches  closely  the 
brilliant  colorings  of  the  Beaute  Poitevine  geranium.  Spike  tall  and  graceful 
with  an  occasional  waved  one.  First  Prize  Winner  and  Award  of  Merit 
Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio. 

Our  stock  is  now  sufficient  to  offer  this  sterling  novelty  at  a 
reasonable  price.     Let  us  quote  you. 

AUSTIN- COLEMAN  CO. 


"Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 


Wayland 


Ohio 


An  Introduction 

to  our  Peonies  &  Iris  can   be 
had  thru  this  special  offer— 

1  Peony  root.     Large,    soft   pink   flowers, 

25c.,  5  for  $1.00. 
1  Iris  root.    Velvety  purple  flowers.  10c. , 

12  for  $1.00. 

Only  strong  divisions  will  be  sent. 

Our  list  is  not  large,  but  contains  only  the 
best  varieties.   Send  for  it. 

Orchadotte  Farms 

Box  M  West  Point,  Pa. 


I      Box  M 


RICHARD  DIENER  CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

Originators  and  Growers  of 
the  Largest  and  Finest 

GLADIOLUS 

in  the  world. 


Kentlield,  Marin  County,  California 


P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

1 

Ms. 

Gladioli  and  Dahlias 

WE  GROW  THE  BEST  PRODUCTIONS 
FROM  ALL  THE  ORIGINATORS 

'BETTER  VARIETIES  GROWN  BETTER" 

Riverbank  Gardens 

Saxonville    -    -    -     Mass. 


I E.  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


Home  Grown  1917  Seeds 

"SUPERIOR  QUALITY" 
OF  THE  BEST 

Cut-Flower  Perennials  and  Annuals 

WHOLESALE  and  RETAIL 

SEND  FOR  LIST 

Are  you  a  lover  of  Delphiniums 

the  most  heavenly  blue  flower  that  grows? 

Then  you  want  a  package  of  our 

Grand  Mixture  of  Gold   Medal 

Hybrids.    We  grow  them  by  the 

thousands. 

Trade  packet,  20c.;  %  oz.,  35c. 

SEPTEMBER  IS  SOWING  TIME 
FOR  PERENNIALS. 

THE  PUDOR  FARMS 

Plant,  Seed  and  Bulb  Growers 

Puyallup     -    -    -    Wash., U.S. A. 


The  Wilmore  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr.) 

Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Growers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Irises,  Etc. 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the  best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

P  1  I  P  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
iiAl.r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  cf 
UXlAiU  y^jg  j_  jj  gj^j  jjj^  ^i(j^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three- 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 

Gladiolus    Grower 


w 


^n\^ 


1906  SMITH   ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


CW.BROWN&SON 

Gladiolus  Specialists 
ASHLAND    -    -    MASS. 

WE  OFFER  : 

The  World's  Best  Productions 

Including  Kunderd's  Varieties  and  OurOwn  Seedlings. 
Catalog  on  application. 


■  ■■mini  1 1 1 1 1 1 


Headquarters  for 

Gladiolus 

"MRS.    WATT" 

The  Brilliant 
■Wine   Colored   Novelty 


HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF  GLADIOLI 

WILTON    -    NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


rillilillllllllll 


Narcissus 

Now  Ready 

Paper  White, 

Large     -     -     - 
Paper  White,  Med 
Emperor,  Large     - 
Empress,  Large 
Barrie  Consp.,  Large  50c. 
Sulphur  Pheonix, 

Large     -     -     - 
Fine  Mixed,  Large 

Hyacinths,  Single 
Named  Sorts     -     -      65c. 


Postpaid 
per  Doz. 

F,  O.B.Here 
per  100 

45c. 

$2.00 

35c. 

1.50 

60c. 

2.00 

60c. 

2.00 

2  50c. 

L50 

50c. 

1.50 

40c. 

1.50 

4.50 


These  are  all  Georgia  grown 
bulbs.  They  are  extra  fine 
quality. — No  catalog. 

C.  S.  TAIT 
Brunswick  -    -    Ga. 


Geo.  $.  moodruff 

IndcpenaeHce,  Towa 

Tine  Gladioli 

See  my  advertisements  in  previous  num- 
bers. Catalogue  on  application. 


Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula      -      Ohio 


A  GARDEN 

PLANTED    NOW    WITH 

Wayside 

Hardy 

Perennials 

WILL  BE  A  GARDEN  OF  BEAUTY 
IN  JUNE. 

THE  PLANTS  ARE  READY. 
WILL  YOU  TRY  THEM? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor        Box  G  Ohio 


Vaughan's 
f    Specials  in 
GLADIOLI 


Margaret 

Beautiful  Carmine  with 
white  throat. 
,  Per  doz.,  $1.30;  per  100,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct of  all  the  Prim- 
ulinus  Type. 

Perdoz.,  $2;perl00,  $15. 

Chicago  White 

The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz.,  35c;  per  100,  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—Grand Novelties 
in  GLADIOLI  and  CANNAS. 

Vaughans 
Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31-33W.RandolphSL 
NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  St. 


MARGARET 


WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN 

BULB    GROWERS 

SASSENHEIM,  HOLLAND 

25  Beaver  Street,     New  York  City 
QUALITY—  ECONOMY— SERVICE 


Sunnyside 
Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 
Natick,  Massachusetts 


ioli  Exclusively 


Order  Gladiolus  Bulbs  Now 

W^e  are  booking  wholesale  orders  at  special 
lovsr  cash  prices  for  autumn  delivery. 

If  you  will  send  us  a  list  of  your  wants  stating  size  and 

quantity  desired  we  will  quote  prices.     We  grow  most 

of  the  standard  and  new  varieties. 


G.  D.  BLACK, 


Albert  Lea,  Minn. 


Pallida 
Daltnatica 

SEPTEMBER  is  the 
month  to  plant  this 
beautiful  lavender 
blue  Iris. 

Strong  divided  roots 
by  mail  $1.50  per  doz. 

Special  price  on  quan- 
tities to  growers. 

Write  at  once  to 

Brookland  Gardens 

Lexington  St. 
Woburn,  -         -         Mass. 


Iris 
Phlox 
Peonies 
Delphinium 

and  other  hardy  plants 
in  large  supply. 

Fall  is  a  favorable  time 
to  plant  them. 

Willis  E.  Fryer 

Mantorville,  -  Minnesota 


Ni 


DBPPxurm^:!^ 


fiir>TTj{^E 


-w<^ 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


OCTOBER,  1917 


No.  10 


GLADIOLUS-  WHITE  IVORY. 


Originated  by  A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind.  Color,  snow  white  with  beautiful  red  blotches  on  lower 
petals  and  still  more  intensely  ruffled  than  Ivory.  It  is  also  taller  than  Ivory,  otherwise  somewhat 
similar.  The  photograph  gives  a  good  idea  of  the  ruffling,  but  being  of  a  shortened  spike,  it  hardly 
does  justice  to  the  subject. 


Page 
142 


Ol)C^  Mioddrn  <Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Oct. 
1917 


How  to  Enrich  the  Soil. 


Two  things  are  essential  for  the  suc- 
cessful tillage  of  the  soil  and  the 
feeding  of  the  crops  grown  therein. 
The  first  is  to  see  that  the  soil  is  ren- 
dered as  perfect  a  rooting  medium  as 
possible.  By  this  is  meant  making  the 
texture  porous,  getting  rid  of  stagnant 
moisture,  and  keeping  it  well  supplied 
with  humus.  Soil  in  clods  or  lumps  is  in 
an  unsuitable  condition  for  good  culture. 

Manures  judiciously  applied,  in  con- 
junction with  decayed  vegetable  matter 
and  gritty  substances,  help  to  achieve  this 
desirable  object.  Thus,  in  the  case  of 
heavy  soils  horse  manure,  vegetable  re- 
fuse, and  grit  help  to  break  up  the  plastic 
clay,  create  openings  in  the  solid  mass 
through  which  surface  water  can  readily 
pass  into  the  subsoil,  the  sunshine  and 
rains  gain  easy  access  to  the  interior  to 
sweeten  and  purify,  and  at  the  same  time 
chemically  change  certain  latent  foods 
existing  in  the  soil  into  a  soluble  form  for 
the  sustenance  of  the  crops.  Cow  manures 
benefit  the  lighter  soils,  bind  the  particles 
closer  together,  and  maintain  a  cool  con- 
dition in  hot  weather.  Moreover,  all  sup- 
ply humus,  vegetable  mould  which,  owing 
to  its  dark  color,  absorbs  the  sun  and 
warms  the  soil,  and  also  provides  a  home 
for  the  essential  bacteria  organisms  which 
are  increasingly  working  at  transforming 
certain  substances  in  the  soil  into  valu- 
able plant  food.  The  office  of  manures, 
then,  is  to  primarily  maintain  the  texture 
in  good  condition,  provide  a  healthy  pab- 
ulum for  the  roots,  and  yield  a  little  food 
for  the  crops. 

The  reader  must,  therefore,  clearly  un- 
derstand that  he  cannot  continue  to  grow 
good  crops  without  the  addition  of  animal 
manure  or  vegetable  substances  of  some 
kind.  We  emphasize  this  point  because 
some  amateurs  imagine  that  they  can  dis- 
pense with  manure  and  rely  upon  artificial 
fertilizers  alone.  If  manures  are  difficult 
to  get,  collect  all  the  leaves,  weeds,  lawn 
mowings,  and  refuse,  put  this  into  a  heap 
till  winter,  then  dig  them  in. 

Fertilizers  or  plant  foods,  as  their  name 
correctly  implies,  supply  food  for  crops 
only;  they  do  not  assist  in  any  way  to 
improve  or  maintain  the  texture  of  the 
soil  in  a  proper  condition.  They  are 
either  absorbed  by  the  plants  or  crops,  or 
dissolved,  and  pass  away  into  the  drain- 
age. This  fact  should  be  carefully  noted. 
Be  it  known  that  three  main  elements 
are  essential  foods  for  crops.    These  are 


nitrogen,  phosphates  and  potash.  Some 
crops  require  a  little  magnesia,  but  well- 
tilled  soils,  as  a  rule,  have  sufficient  of 
this  element  to  meet  all  requirements. 
Clay  soils,  too,  contain  potash  in  a  latent 
state,  but  if  lime  be  added  occasionally 
the  former  will  be  liberated  in  sufficient 
quantity  to  supply  the  needs  of  crops. 
Light  soils  are  deficient  in  potash,  and  so 
it  must  be  supplied  in  the  form  of  wood 
ashes,  since  kainit  and  sulphate  of  potash 
are  practically  unobtainable. 

Some  cultivators  believe  in  the  theory 
of  supplying  each  plant  with  a  special 
formula,  but  there  is  no  real  necessity  to 
do  this  unless  certain  crops,  like  sweet 
peas  or  roses,  are  made  a  specialty.  The 
various  compound  fertilizers  advertised 
are  far  more  efficacious  and  far  more  handy 
to  use  on  allotments  and  in  average  gar- 
dens than  home-made  mixtures.  The 
different  elements  have  been  prepared  and 
blended  in  accurate  and  due  proportion  by 
means  of  special  machinery,  and  hence 
are  capable  of  being  utilized  more  promptly 
and  effectively  by  the  roots  than  rough  and 
ready  mixtures  prepared  by  the  grower. 
The  science  and  skill  of  the  chemist,  based 
on  the  accurate  knowledge  of  the  propor- 
tions of  food  required  by  crops,  has  enabled 
him  to  exactly  determine  the  ideal  com- 
bination of  food  that  will  yield  the  best 
results.  So,  then,  the  reader  will  be  well 
advised  to  take  advantage  of  scientific 
knowledge,  and  use  any  of  the  prepared 
fertilizers  advertised. 

A  word  of  caution  to  novitiates.  Re- 
member that  fertilizers  are  plant  foods 
for  immediate  use,  and  hence  these,  to  be 
used  to  the  greatest  advantage,  must  not 
be  applied  to  the  soil  in  autumn  or  winter, 
like  animal  manures,  but  during  the  grow- 
ing seasons,  when  roots  are  in  active 
growth,  and  can  at  once  commence  their 
absorption  through  the  medium  of  the 
fine  hair-like  root  fibres.  To  apply  other- 
wise means  loss  of  the  food,  as  it  would 
be  dissolved  by  the  moisture  and  filtered 
away  into  the  subsoil.  A  little  fertilizer 
sprinkled  along  the  drills  before  sowing 
the  seeds  is  always  a  helpful  encourage- 
ment to  successful  germination  and  robust 
growth  of  the  resultant  seedlings.  Another 
point,  avoid  applying  fertilizers  in  excess 
of  the  quantities  stated  in  the  accompany- 
ing directions  for  use. 

In  a  general  way  apply  fertilizers  to 
vegetable  crops  when  thinned,  and  again 
a    month  later.     Crops  like   celery,  mar- 


Oct. 

1917 


Ob<2^  Modern  (Gladiolus  <5rower 


Page 
143 


rows,  leeks,  lettuce,  etc.,  are  benefited  by 
frequent  applications.  Hardy  flowers  are 
also  benefited  by  applications  once  a 
week  until  the  plants  are  in  flower.  Roses, 
too,  may  be  treated  similarly.  Green- 
house plants  may  be  given  doses  fre- 
quently, once  the  plants  are  well  rooted, 
discontinuing  the  supply  when  in  flower. 
If  given  when  plants  are  in  flower,  their 
flowering  period  is  often  shortened.  To- 
matoes feed  frequently  after  the  first 
bunch  of  fruit  has  formed. — Gardening 
(English). 


The  Modern  Gladiolus. 

The  Gladiolus  is  the  most  beautiful, 
adaptable  and  useful  flower  in  the  whole 
range  of  modern  floriculture,  writes  H. 
H.  Groff  in  The  Canadian  Florist.  It  is 
the  most  beautiful  because  it  embraces 
every  known  color  in  unexcelled  purity 
and  intensity,  and  also  tens  of  thousands 
of  combinations  of  these  in  every  pos- 
sible shade,  variation  and  modification, 
not  only  of  the  primary  colors,  but  in 
many  thousands  of  examples  peculiar  to 
itself. 

It  is  adaptable  for  the  reason  that  it 
will  thrive  under  a  greater  variation  in 
condition  in  soil,  climate  and  location, 
than  any  other  flower  of  such  desirable 
qualities.  Local  conditions  can  be  over- 
come by  methods  that  are  today  the  basic 
principles  of  modern  and  scientific  agri- 
culture. In  other  words,  be  sufficiently 
interested  in  the  success  of  your  effort  to 
conform  to  its  simple  demands,  and  the 
prize  is  yours.  It  will  be  valued  more 
highly  by  you  because  you  have  achieved, 
which,  after  all,  is  the  highest  and  best 
incentive  in  human  endeavor. 

The  spikes  of  bloom  when  properly 
prepared  for  a  few  days  in  water,  give 
an  effect  and  a  result  in  decorative 
beauty  that  is  impossible  to  fitly  portray 
in  this  brief  recital,  of  that  which  has 
earned  itself  the  title  of  the  people's 
flower. 

The  period  of  bloom  as  a  cut  flower  is 
largely  under  the  control  of  the  user. 
Its  use  in  this  respect  can  be  extended 
infinitely  beyond  that  of  any  other  flower, 
while  in  table  decoration  for  effect  and 
usefulness  it  has  no  equal. 

The  Gladiolus  is  not  exacting  in  its  de- 
mands upon  the  soil.  I  have  grown  it  on 
one  block  of  land  yearly  for  over  fifteen 
years,  the  only  fertilizer  used  being  well- 
rotted  stable  manure  and  hardwood  ashes 
applied  before  ploughing  in  the  autumn. 
No  fertilizers  are  needed  on  strong  new 
soils  as  a  rule. 

Profuse  watering  at  intervals  is  desir- 


able where  local  peculiarities  of  soil  and 
limited  rainfall  prevail  during  the  season 
of  active  plant  growth  and  blooming. 
A  brief  period  of  ripening  hardens  the 
plant  tissues  and  assures  flowers  and 
spikes  of  increased  durability  and  quality. 
Excessively  succulent  growth  is  not  ben- 
eficial to  plant,  flower  or  corm. 

For  best  results,  plant  in  full  exposure 
to  the  sun,  in  locations  having  free  cir- 
culation of  air,  avoid  crowding  by  other 
plants  or  overshadowing  by  trees,  build- 
ings or  hedges.  Plant  from  two  to  four 
inches  deep  according  to  the  size  of  the 
corms — matured  corms  never  less  than 
four  inches — two  to  four  inches  apart  in 
double  rows,  which  may  be  made  as  close 
as  twelve  inches  in  beds  or  borders. 

Cut  the  spike  when  the  first  flower 
opens  and  place  in  water  without  over- 
crowding. Remove  the  terminal  buds 
soon,  as  this  checks  stalk  development 
and  throws  the  strength  into  the  larger 
and  earlier  maturing  flowers.  The  end 
of  the  stalk  should  be  shortened  and  the 
water  removed  daily  with  frequent  cleans- 
ing of  the  vases.  In  shortening  the  stalk, 
cut  diagonally  to  insure  free  absorption 
of  water  by  the  spike  without  the  con- 
tamination and  obstruction,  caused  by 
sediment,  if  cut  at  a  right  angle. 

The  fact  that  blooming  the  spikes  in  the 
shade  of  room  or  piazza  modifies  the  field 
colors,  from  bright  shades  and  tints  to 
delicate  flushes  and  shadings,  also  reduc- 
ing the  latter  types  to  the  faintest  tinge 
of  color  or  white,  is  well  known  to  ex- 
perienced growers. 

To  ensure  this  desirable  result,  place 
the  vases  of  the  highly  colored  types  in 
the  early  morning  sun  for  an  hour  or  two 
daily,  preferably  after  renovation  and  re- 
newal of  the  water.  This  practice  will 
also  enable  the  retention  and  normal  pre- 
sentation of  the  original  delicate  tints  and 
shadings  referred  to,  if  so  desired. 

As  it  takes  about  three  days  after  cut- 
ting to  bring  the  spikes  into  strong  bloom- 
ing condition,  this  should  be  allowed  for 
in  advance  of  the  date  of  intended  use. 
The  spikes  can  be  shipped  a  thousand 
miles  by  standing  them  on  end  in  suitable 
baskets  or  boxes.  On  arrival,  cut  off  the 
end  of  the  stalk,  and  remove  the  terminal 
buds  before  placing  in  water.  They  will 
then  revive  quickly  and  with  proper  care 
give  pleasure  for  a  week  or  more. 


The  Wayside  Gardens  have  an  Iris  list 
that  is  a  work  of  art.  The  front  cover 
page  is  one  of  the  finest  cuts  that  we 
have  seen  used  for  printing.  Send  for  this 
catalogue  if  interested.  The  Wayside 
Gardens,  Box  G,  Mentor,  Ohio. 


Page 

144 


iDh^  Mlo6eru  (Bla6lolu5  (Grower 


Oct. 

1917 


In  My  Husband's  Garden. 

We  are  admonished  to  give  even  "  the 
devil  his  due,"  so  why  not  husbands? 

When  the  man  of  the  house  riseth  in 
the  dewy  morn  and  goes  forth  to  slay  and 
slaughter,  to  dig  and  hoe,  while  his  better 
half  sleepeth,  credit  should  be  given  and 
it  should  be  his  garden,  not  "  ours." 

I  for  one  freely  confess  a  dislike  of  per- 
sonal contact  with  soil,  and  bugs  and 
woolly  worms  that  crawl,  but  I  do  love  to 
cull  the  choice  blossoms— as  is  my  privi- 
lege—to plan  new  ways  of  arranging  and 
adorning  the  home. 


balance  us  and  in  the  garden,  no  matter 
how  small,  you  find  heartease  and  quiet 
joy  and  in  the  endless  study  of  Gladioli 
one  gets  so  absorbed  as  to  almost  forget 
meal  time. 

Before  the  war  one  variety  in  Holland 
sold  for  $8,000,  putting  Gladioli  on  a  par 
with  Orchids,  with  this  difference,  that 
even  the  poorest,  humblest  of  us  can 
have  Gladioli  when  we  cannot  aspire  to 
the  Orchid.  We  mortals  are  not  the  only 
ones  to  enjoy  the  garden.  In  the  sunny 
daytime  the  bumble  bee  seems  to  think 
the  Gladioli  his  especial  treasure  and  how 
he  buzzes  and  fusses  if  you  disturb  his 


-  i^HM 

^^■■SHi^^P 

MH 

^^^^^^^^^—    ■■'     ■■       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Krff^^^^^^^^^^l 

1^ 

^S^Ih^^^^^^^^^^HI 

MKj^M|fAui|^^ 

Gladiolus  Garden  of  Harmon  W.  Marsh. 


Of  all  the  flowers  that  bloom  for  our 
pleasure,  give  me  Gladioli.  First  to  greet 
us  this  year  was  Halley  in  her  party  frock 
of  salmon  pink.  Next  came  Baron  Hnloi 
in  his  robes  of  royal  purple  velvet,  the 
dye  of  which  took  twenty  years  of  work 
to  perfect.  Then,  beautiful  beyond  words 
to  express,  Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton,  our  own 
Indiana  product,  Princeps,  Glory,  America, 
Peace,  Red  Wing  and  Mrs.  Francis  King 
with  her  glorious  coloring,  and  the  many, 
many  others. 

In  our  little  amateur  garden  of  2,000 
bulbs,  we  have  thirty  named  varieties  and 
as  I  walk  among  them  I  do  not  agree 
with  a  recent  writer  that  "while  God 
made  the  world  He  has  gone  away  and 
left  us."  It  is  not  true,  for,  worldweary 
people,  you  will  find  Him,  if  you  will  only 
look  into  the  heart  of  the  flowers. 

In  this  age  when  the  peace  of  the  entire 
world  is  at  stake  and  life  seems  one  vast 
slaughter  house,  we  need    something  to 


majesty.  Then  in  the  hush  of  twilight  if 
you  will  walk  softly,  I  can  show  you  two 
tiny  humming  birds  that  come  for  their 
evening  feast  of  sweets.  There  is  even 
an  old  black  cat  whose  sense  of  the  es- 
thetic is  such  that  he  loves  to  roll  down 
the  rows  of  blossoms  and  even  though  he 
bends  some  of  the  stalks,  he,  with  his 
good  luck,  is  welcome. 

Then,  too,  the  joy  of  giving — the  sprays 
for  the  sick  room,  the  adorning  of  the 
bride  and  the  choicest  blossoms  of  all 
that  we  pick  in  memory  of  the  loved  ones 
now  invisible.— Rose  Blair  Marsh  in  In- 
dianapolis Sunday  Star. 


In  the  Editor's  garden  this  year  first 
class  blooms  of  the  Gladiolus  were  cut  as 
late  as  the  last  of  September  and  some 
fair  bloom,  which  were  chilled,  during 
early  October.  Up  in  this  northern  country 
this  does  not  occur  many  years. 


Oct. 

1917 


^^e  Mto6ern  <Bla6lolu5  (Grower 


Page 
145 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


COAXING  THE  AMATEUR  TO  EXHIBIT  HIS 
FLOWERS. 

Yes,  we  have  attended  some  of  the  fairs 
and,  of  course,  the  floral  exhibits  claimed 
first  attention.  Years  ago  the  floral  de- 
partment was  supposed  to  be  of  interest 
mostly  to  "the  wimmen,"  but  an  occas- 
sional man  who  really  loved  flowers  might 
be  caught  admiring  them  and  sometimes 
casting  sheepish  glances  at  the  fancy 
work.  Now  the  men  walk  boldly  in,  tell 
you  what  a  bright  spot  mother's  dooryard 
used  to  be  and  that  they  always  loved 
flowers,  when  they  did  not  at  all  until  they 
learned  they  were  of  commercial  value. 

They  give  more  than  a  passing  glance  at 
the  fancy  work  for  wife  tats  and  crochets, 
and  some  try  to  make  quilts  copying  the 
patterns  of  their  great  grandmothers,  but 
none  other  than  an  expert  can  do  the 
design  quilting  so  beautifully  as  that  seen 
on  the  genuine  old-time  quilts.  But  to 
return  to  the  flowers.  Madame  in  town 
depends  on  the  florist  to  give  her  living 
room  the  floral  touch  that  every  home 
— ,.      requires.     The  busy  country  woman  can- 

■  'j  not  do  this  so  she  grows  her  own.  It  is 
she  who  slips  out  to  the  garden  after 
supper  and  works  among  her  pets  as  the 
day  cools.  If  friends  call  they  know  where 
to  find  her,  and  her  modest  statement,  "  I 
was  only  fussing  with  flowers  a  little," 
means  that  she  was  coaxing  them  into 
new  beauty.  Quite  often  such  "loved-up" 
flowers  grown  by  either  man  or  woman, 
are  so  carefully  watched,  each  peculiarity 
of  form  or  color  noted  and  improved, 
seed  or  bulb,  whichever  it  may  be,  selected 
from  the  best  each  season  that  ere  long 
the  grower  has  a  strain  that  is  quite  su- 
perior but  does  not  know  its  value  because 
he  has  not  exhibited  or  compared  them 
with  others.  It  is  just  a  part  of  home 
and  would  not  think  of  taking  them  to 
the  fair  or  a  flower  show,  so  only  friends 
with  similar  interests  are  privileged  to 
see  them.  There  can  be  no  doubt  but 
that  if  the  hidden  beauties  were  brought 
out,  the  floral  department  would  be 
changed  to  a  flower  show  well  worth 
visiting.  How  can  such  amateurs  be  in- 
duced to  bring  out  their  flowers?  It 
might  be  by  special  invitation  to  bring 
\      flowers  not  only  to  exhibit  in  competition 

^  /  for  a  reasonable  premium,  but  to  see 
them,  perhaps  their  very  own,  arranged 
by  a  skilled  florist,  who,  using  those  fur- 


nished him  would  give  demonstrations  in 
various  arrangements.  The  florist  might 
be  employed  by  the  Fair  Association,  or 
Floral  Societies.  If  he's  a  live  one  he 
surely  would  be  a  member  of  the  S.  A.  F. 
and  the  labor  and  time  spent  might  be  a 
part  of  his  bit  toward  Universal  advertis- 
ing. It  surely  would  be  good  advertising 
for  himself. 

If  it  pays  the  "  barker  "  on  the  "  pike  " 
to  scream  himself  hoarse  to  attract  at- 
tention to  his  "  greatest  wonder  on  earth," 
then  floral  demonstration  by  an  artistic 
decorator  would  create  an  educational 
interest  that  would  be  far  reaching. 

While  it  is  true  that  the  hybridist  has 
worked  wonders  in  the  improvement  of 
flowers  especially  the  Gladiolus,  the  masses 
know  very  little  about  arrangement.  Great 
velvety  pansies  stuck  closely  together  in 
sand  in  the  cover  of  an  old  time  cheese 
box  are  not  beautiful,  neither  are  "table 
bouquets"  built  dome  shape  a  foot  or 
more  in  height  made  up  of  hollyhocks, 
garden  pinks,  hardy  phlox,  tea  roses,  etc., 
all  jammed  together  in  a  colonial  bouquet. 
I  am  sure  our  grandmothers  would  blush 
for  shame  to  have  such  monstrosities  on 
their  tables.  The  dinner  table  is  of  in- 
terest to  every  human  being  and  even 
the  most  practical  cannot  help  but  notice 
the  difference  between  the  absence  of 
table  flowers  and  at  least  a  simple  decor- 
ation. As  new  uses  are  learned  so  are 
new  demands  and  new  interest  created 
all  of  which  help  to  induce  the  amateur 
to  bring  his  flowers  before  the  public. 
Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


French  Fruit  Fund. 

Horticulturists  the  world  over  are  ad- 
vised that  a  fund  is  being  accumulated  to 
help  the  orchardists  and  horticulturists  of 
France  to  renew  their  plantings  devas- 
tated by  the  war.  As  is  well  known  from 
newspaper  reports,  there  has  been  a  vast 
amount  of  damage  done  to  the  horticul- 
tural industry  of  France  in  the  terri- 
tory occupied  by  the  Teuton  armies.  A 
part  of  this  is  doubtless  necessary  war 
damage  from  the  fact  of  occupation  by 
an  armed  force  and  war  operations,  but 
if  reports  are  reliable  it  seems  evident 
that  a  systematic  devastation  has  been 
practiced  which  wiU  need  a  vast  fund  for 
its  rebuilding. 

Those  who  wish  to  contribute  to  this 
fund  may  correspond  with  the  secretary 
of  the  Horticultural  Society  of  New  York, 
Museum  Building,  Bronx  Park,  N.Y.,  or 
with  the  secretary  of  the  National  Horti- 
cultural Society  of  France,  Paris,  France. 


Page 

146 


X3b^  Modern  <Bla6iolu5  (Brower 


Oct. 
1917 


Irises  in  the  Southwest. 

The  Iris  or  flag,  fleur  de  lis  of  the 
French,  is  among  the  oldest  of  our  culti- 
vated flowers,  writes  J.  J.  Thornber  in 
California  Garden.  He  says  :  "  Its  name, 
signifying  'rainbow,'  was  given  to  it  by 
the  Greeks.  The  Iris  is  related  botanic- 
ally  to  orchids  on  one  side  and  to  the 
amaryllis  and  lilies  on  the  other.  It  is  a 
favorite  flower  with  the  Japanese. 

"  Irises  constitute  one  of  our  largest 
groups  of  hardy  perennial  flowers ;  there 
are  in  cultivation  now  more  than  100 
species,  with  varieties  almost  too  numer- 
ous to  mention.  When  once  established 
an  Iris  bed  should  not  be  disturbed  any 
more  than  is  necessary,  since  ordinarily 
the  plants  do  not  blossom  well  the  first 
year  after  being  set. 

"  Because  of  their  general  hardiness, 
and  especially  the  drought  resistant  quali- 
ties of  a  large  number  of  them,  particu- 
larly the  German  Irises,  they  are  admirably 
adapted  for  planting  in  Southwestern 
gardens.  There  are  few  flowers  that  are 
as  uniformly  successful  in  Arizona,  with 
its  wide  range  of  growing  conditions,  as 
the  Iris.  They  can  endure  some  alkali, 
strong  light,  thrive  in  heavy  or  light  soils, 
grow  with  much  or  little  irrigation  and 
endure  prolonged  drought  and  heat.  With 
their  surface  growing  rhizomes  they  can 
even  tolerate  poor  drainage.  To  be  mod- 
erately successful,  they  require  only  the 
most  ordinary  culture.  On  account  of 
the  ease  and  success  with  which  they 
grow,  they  should  find  a  place  in  every 
garden.  It  is  interesting  to  know  that  a 
number  of  rare  Irises  from  Palestine  and 
Syria  which  are  grown  with  difficulty  in 
the  Eastern  states,  blossom  and  come  to 
perfection  in  the  mild  climates  of  Ari- 
zona and  California. 

"  The  writer  knows  of  plants  that  have 
grown  for  several  years  on  dry  Arizona 
mesas  with  only  the  scant  rainfall  and  the 
occasional  flood  water  that  collected  in 
the  basins  surrounding  them.  In  the 
heavy  red  clay  soil  in  the  cemetery  of 
one  of  our  larger  Arizona  mining  towns, 
Irises  are  much  planted  and  succeed  be- 
yond expectation.  When  established  there, 
they  grow  and  blossom  year  after  year 
with  little  care,  and  they  have  come  to 
be  known  to  the  children  as  '  Easter 
lilies.'  I  know  of  no  other  flower  that 
would  thrive  so  well  under  the  same  try- 
ing conditions. 

"Irises  are  used  to  advantage  in  many 
kinds  of  planting,  including  massing,  set- 
ting along  borders  of  walks  and  drives, 
and  also  for  naturalizing  in  back  yards, 
in  woods  and  along  brooks.    With  their 


showy  flowers  and  strict  habit  of  growth, 
they  are  excellent  for  formal  bedding  and 
they  lend  themselves  well  to  artistic 
effects.  In  addition  to  Irises  heretofore 
mentioned  should  be  noted  the  several  S 
dwarf  Irises  which  are  splendid  for  low 
borders,  and  the  Spanish  and  English 
Irises,  the  two  latter  bulbous  species 
indigenous  to  Spain." 


Digging  and  Storing  DahUas. 

I  endeavor  in  this  location  (Washing- 
ton, D.  C.)  to  lift  my  Dahlia  tubers  be- 
fore a  killing  frost.  I  think  it  is  better 
to  cut  the  stalks  off  as  close  to  the  ground 
as  possible.  The  tubers  are  left  exposed 
to  the  air  over  night  to  dry,  preferably  in 
an  open  shed,  and  then  stored  in  sand  in 
a  cool  cellar.  Last  winter  I  used  sifted 
coal  ashes  and  had  good  results  except 
that  the  roots  became  rather  too  dry. 
Next  winter  I  expect  to  use  sand  and 
have  it  very  slightly  moist. 

W.  A.  Orton. 

Note  by  the  Editor - 

Whatever  small  success  the  editor  has 
made  as  a  Gladiolus  grower  he  has  never 
been  able  to  duplicate  even  in  a  small 
measure  as  a  Dahlia  grower,  and  the 
storage  of  tubers  over  winter  has  doubt- 
less been  the  sticking  point.  However, 
there  are  others  in  the  same  boat.  Prof.  ^. 
Orton's  suggestion  above  leads  to  the  w^ 
thought  that  clean  sand  such  as  is  used 
for  cement  work  would  be  better  than 
garden  soil.  A  good  way  to  moisten  sand 
is  to  make  a  depression  in  the  top  of  the 
pile  and  pour  water  into  it,  just  enough 
to  make  the  sand  moist  and  not  soggy 
wet.  The  storing  of  Dahlias  through  the 
winter  if  properly  attended  to  is  neces- 
sarily somewhat  of  a  task  and  the  space 
required  considerable  as  compared  with 
storing  Gladiolus  corms.  Each  grower 
must  necessarily  experiment  for  himself 
and  some  claim  to  have  good  results  in 
storing  in  boxes  or  barrels  without  sand 
or  other  protective  material.  The  kind 
of  a  cellar  or  storage  available  doubtless 
has  much  to  do  with  how  the  tubers 
should  be  stored. 


A  subscriber  asks  the  question  as  to 
whether  a  spike  of  Gladioli  kept  covered 
with  cheesecloth  is  fertile  from  its  own 
pollen.  That  is,  will  the  pollen  from  the 
stamens  carefully  placed  on  the  pistils 
cause  it  to  bear  seed?  If  anyone  can 
answer  this  question  definitely  would  be 
glad  to  hear  from  them.  We  understand  0\ 
that  some  varieties  are  self  fertile  but  we  ^ 
are  in  doubt  whether  all  varieties  may  be 
classed  in  this  way. 


Oct. 
1917 


^b^  Mlod^rn  <&la6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

147 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF  THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


Subscription  Price : 
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Growers  are  invited  to  contribute  articles  or  notes  over  their  own  signatures,  but  the  Editor  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

The  contents  of  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROtVER  are  covered  by  general  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  editors  It 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  prcper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  follows  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROWER,  Calcium.  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrationi. 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


October,    1917 


No.  10 


Gla-di' -o-lus  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-li. 

Correctly  pronounced  with  accent  on  the  syllable  " di." 


War  Gardens. 

This  year  there  are  many  people  who 
have  made  a  garden  that  either  never  had 
one  before  or  who  do  not  ordinarily  make 
a  garden.  This  work  has  had  several  in- 
fluences, all  of  which  have  been  for  good. 
The  gardens  have  produced  crops  which 
have  been  valuable  and  which  are  needed 
to  supplement  the  regular  source  of  food 
supply.  Those  who  are  unused  to  mak- 
ing a  garden  have  learned  how  the  work 
is  done  and  will  in  future  have  more  re- 
spect for  the  tiller  of  the  soil  and  also  do 
less  complaining  about  the  high  cost  of 
food  products.  Another  influence,  which 
from  an  esthetic  standpoint  will  be  far- 
reaching,  is  the  fact  that  those  who  have 
made  war  gardens  for  the  production  of 
edibles  this  year  have  come  in  contact 
with  the  soil  and  will  naturally  in  future 
years  become  interested  in  floriculture. 

While  it  is  doubtless  true  that  some  who 
ordinarily  grew  flowers  only  or  flowers 
mostly,  this  year  have  grown  vegetables 
only  or  vegetables  mostly,  yet  we  do  not 
believe  that  the  real  flower  lover  has  lost 
his  interest  in  the  subject  nor  do  we  be- 
lieve that  his  affection  for  beautiful  flow- 
ers will  be  alienated  for  any  length  of 
time. 


Therefore,  it  is  our  impression  that  the 
spring  of  1918,  even  though  we  be  still 
further  involved  in  war,  will  see  flowers 
grown  to  a  greater  extent  than  ever  be- 
fore. There  is  no  reason  why  we  should 
neglect  our  flower  garden  even  though 
we  produce  more  edibles.  Keep  up  the 
growing  of  flowers  and  at  the  same  time 
increase  the  garden  by  planting  more 
food  stuffs. 

Madison  Cooper. 


Commercial  Growers  Should  Help 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 

Gladiolus  growers  who  issue  catalogues 
will  confer  a  personal  favor  on  the  Edi- 
tor and  help  themselves  at  the  same 
time  by  mentioning  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower  in  their  printed  matter, 
and  giving  the  name  and  address  of  the 
publisher.  We  believe  that  none  will 
dispute  the  fact  that  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower  has  greatly  increased  the 
popularity  of  the  Gladiolus.  It  has  done 
more  than  any  other  one  influence  in  re- 
cent years  in  this  direction  and  it,  there- 
fore, deserves  the  help  of  all  who  are 
interested. 

Don't  forget  that  the  subscription  price 
of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  will 


Page 

148 


I3l)e  5tta6erii  <5la6lolus  (Browc^r 


Oct. 
1917 


be  $1.00  per  year,  and  three  years  for 
$2.00,  beginning  with  January,  1918.  Give 
the  subscription  price  and  the  name  and 
address  of  the  publisher.  It  will  occupy 
little  space  in  your  catalogue  and  will  be 
helpful  to  all  concerned. 


We  have  just  learned  of  the  death  of 
Benjamin  F.  White,  of  Terryville,  Conn., 
which  occurred  on  June  11,  1917.  Mr. 
White  had  been  in  declining  health  for 
several  years  and  his  demise  was  not  un- 
expected. He  was  a  Gladiolus  hybridizer 
of  considerable  experience  and  his  varie- 
ties are  well  known  to  some  of  our  read- 
ers ;  among  the  varieties  are  September, 
America's  Lady,  King  Philip,  Harwinton, 
Dr.  Goodwin,  Farmington,  etc. 


We  are  in  receipt  of  the  first  issue  of 
Journal  of  the  International  Garden  Club. 
This  publication  is  edited  by  Norman 
Taylor,  Brooklyn  Botanic  Garden,  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.  The  Journal  is  a  finely  printed 
semi-annual  publication  of  nearly  300 
pages.  While  we  are  not  familiar  with  the 
purposes  and  scope  of  the  International 
Garden  Club,  judging  by  the  copy  of  the 
Journal'm  our  hands,  the  work  which  it  has 
undertaken  must  be  an  important  one  and 
we  are  pleased  to  have  the  assistance  of 
the  club  in  the  field  of  promoting  interest 
in  gardening. 

Newport  Horticultural  Society. 

AUTUMN   EXHIBITON. 

The  Newport  Horticultural  Society  tried 
a  new  experiment  this  year  and  held  their 
autumn  exhibition  at  Newport  Beach. 
The  hall  was  well  adapted  for  this  pur- 
pose and  the  light  was  especially  good. 

The  quality  of  all  the  exhibits  was  very 
high,  the  best  to  be  had  from  many  of  the 
private  estates  being  shown. 

Mrs.  E.  B.  Andrews,  (V.  May,  gar- 
dener) won  first  for  group  of  Palms  and 
also  Silver  Cup  for  group  of  Ferns. 

Mr.  Vincent  Astor,  (Jas.  Boyd,  gar- 
dener) was  awarded  first  for  six  plants  in 
pots  shown  in  jardinieres  and  also  first 
for  a  specimen  Palm. 

Mrs.  T.  O.  Richardson,  (Jas.  Robertson, 
gardener)  won  a  first  on  a  magnificent 
specimen  of  Palm. 

One  of  the  finest  exhibits  in  the  show 


was  that  of  Mrs.  W.  G.  Weld,  (Jas.  Watt, 
gardener).     A  display  of  bulbous  flowers 
shown    both    cut    and    growing    in    pots. 
These  included  Lilies,  Gladioli,  Gloxianas,    ^; 
etc.  r 

In  Dahlias,  Miss  Fannie  Foster  won 
first  for  12  Cactus,  W.  D.  Hathaway  first 
on  12  decorative;  Mrs.  T.  O.  Richardson 
first,  20  Cactus  and  first  25  Cactus;  Geo. 
L.  Stillman  firsts,  20  Peonv,  20  show,  20 
Collarette;  Mrs.  W.  G.  Weld  first,  20 
Pompon ;  Fred  P.  Webber  firsts,  25  decor- 
ative, 25  Collarette  and  collection  of  Pom- 
pon. 

The  Gladioli  shown  were  remarkable 
for  size  and  length  of  stem.  The  follow- 
ing are  the  awards: 

Six  varieties,  15  of  each— Mrs.  French 
Vanderbilt,  (Daniel  Hay,  gardener)  first, 
showing  Mrs.  Pendleton,  Niagara,  Mrs. 
A.  E.  Kunderd,  America,  Early  Pink  and 
Europa.  The  second  was  won  by  Mr.  Stu- 
art Duncan  (Wm.  McGillivray,  gardener), 
and  third  by  C.  W.  Brown  &  Son. 

Three  varieties,  15  of  each — Mr.  French 
Vanderbilt  first,  showing  Schtvaben,  Mrs. 
A.  E.  Kunderd  and  Mrs.  Pendleton.  C. 
W.  Brown  &  Son,  second.  The  name  of 
the  third  was  omitted  from  the  card. 

Six  spikes,  red— C.  W.  Brown  &  Son 
first,  with  Liebesfeucr.  Second,  T.  Suf- 
fern  Tailer  (Wm.  Edward,  gardener)  with 
variety  Mrs.  Francis  King.  S 

Six  spikes,  white— Mr.  Stuart  Dun- 
can, first,  with  Europa.  Miss  Fannie 
Foster,  second  with  Europa. 

Six  spikes,  pink — Mr.  Stuart  Duncan 
first,  with  Mrs.  Pendleton.  Mr.  French 
Vanderbilt,  second  with  America. 

Six  spikes,  yellow — Mr.  French  Van- 
derbilt, first  with  Schtvaben.  C.  W.  Brown 
&  Son,  second  with  Niagara. 

25  spikes  Primulinus  Hybrids — Name 
not  on  card,  first.  C.  W.  Brown  &  Son, 
second. 

Commercial  grower  collection— C.  W. 
Brown  &  Son,  first.  Silver  Medal,  Thomas 
Cogger,  second.  Bronze  Medal. 


Many  growers  of  Gladioli  have  a  sur- 
plus of  bloom  at  certain  seasons  of  the 
year  and  it  is  perhaps  within  our  province 
to  call  their  attention  to  the  fact  that 
many  people  enjoy  flowers  who  have  no 
opportunity  of  growing  them  and  this 
applies  especially  to  those  who  are  sick  or 
who  cannot  move  about  out  of  doors.  The 
thought  has  been  expressed  that  flowers 
to  the  living  are  better  than  flowers  to  the 
dead,  but  we  cannot  agree  that  one  should  M 
have  precedence  over  the  other.  A  floral 
tribute  to  the  dead  is  certainly  appropri- 
ate, but  none  the  less  flowers  to  the  living 
are  equally  appropriate. 


Oct. 

19  17 


Ob<i  Mto6ern  (Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Page 

149 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


PRONUNCIATION  OF  GLADIOLUS. 

When  you  nailed  your  preference  re- 
garding the  pronunciation  of  the  word 
Gladiolus  to  the  masthead,  so  to  speak, 
it  seemed  to  me  that  a  long  step  had  been 
taken  in  permanently  settling  the  ques- 
tion. The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
is  the  best  exponent  of  the  flower  that  we 
have,  and  many  of  us  look  upon  it  as 
authority  in  matters  of  this  kind.  As  its 
editor,  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  be 
interested  in  the  following  incident  which 
in  my  opinion,  confirms  your  position. 

A  short  time  ago  on  a  visit  to  the  Agri- 
cultural Department  at  Washington,  Dr. 
David  Griffiths,  Agriculturalist,  and  my- 
self disagreed  as  to  its  correct  pronunci- 
ation, he  cited  Dr.  Beal  as  his  authority  as 
evidenced  in  the  Extension  Bulletin  No.  9 
of  Cornell  University  (page  93),  I  stuck 
by  my  old  friend  Webster.  The  argu- 
ment resolved  itself  into  whether  the  "i" 
was  long  or  short  and  whether  it  should 
be  pronounced  "die"  or  "dee." 

The  Bulletin  coming  from  such  an  au- 
thorative  source  made  me  desirous  of 
making  sure  of  my  position,  so  I  wrote 
Dr.  Mann,  Dean  of  the  New  York  State 
College  of  Agriculture,  Cornell  University 
asking  whether  Dr.  Beal  or  the  Dictionary 
was  correct.     Here  is  his  reply  : 

I  have  your  letter  asking  about  the  use  of  the 
word  "Gladiolus"  referred  to  in  one  of  our  bul- 
letins. The  name  "Gladiolus"  is  variously  pro- 
nounced, as  Dr.  Beal  says,  and  neither  the  accent 
nor  the  vowel  sound  seems  to  "stay  put."  All  of 
the  dictionaries  I  have  consulted  give  the  long  "i" 
when  the  syllable  in  which  it  occurs  is  accented, 
or  a  short  "i"  when  the  "o"  is  accented.  Phyfe's 
"  10,000  Words  Often  Mispronounced  "  gives  both 
pronunciations. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  the  dictionaries  do  not  make 
a  pronunciation  ;  they  merely  record  the  generally 
accepted  usage,  which  is  really  the  determining 
factor.  Dr.  Beal  records  his  preference,  and  his 
reasons  seem  good  and  well-sustained.  Possibly 
the  dictionaries  may  come  to  his  point  of  view. 
I  must  confess,  however,  that  the  other  authori- 
ties I  have  seen  prefer  "die"  to  "dee,"  except 
where  the  accent  is  on  the  penult.  To  accent  the 
penult  is  wrong  by  all  the  rules,  yet  it  is  the  com- 
mon or  popular  pronunciation,  and  is  so  recorded 
in  the  dictionaries. 

The  editor  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
puts  the  pronunciation  "  Gladi'-o-lus"  as  part  of 
the  regular  heading  of  his  paper.  Dr.  Beal  is 
evidently  in  a  minority,  but  I  am  not  prepared  to 
say  that  he  is  not  right.  A.  R.  Mann. 

From  a  careful  perusal  of  the  above  I 
quite  agree  with  Dr.  Mann  "  that  accepted 
usage  is  the  determining  factor "  which 
convinces  me  that  your  position  (which 
is  also  my  position)  is  correct. 

Possibly  the  tendency  of  the  flower  to 
break  out  in  some  unexpected  color  at  an 
unexpected    time    might    extend    to    the 


pronunciation  of  the  word  which    would 
explain  why  it  refuses  to  "  stay  put." 

To  quote  from  a  customer  (florist):  "If 
you  want  to  sell  any  of  them  things  around 
here  you  better  call  them  'Gladio'-lus'  or 
they  won't  know  what  you  are  talking 
about." 

Now,  Mr.  Editor,  please  drive  another 
nail  into  that  sign  you  have  in  your  paper 
and  let  us  see  if  we  cannot  get  enough  to 
hold  it  good  and  firm. 

Geo.  p.  Buck. 


ORIGIN  OF  varieties  MAIZE,  ROUGE  TORCH, 

MRS.  JAMES  LANCASHIRE,  EZRA  RUST, 

CLAUD  MONNET  AND  BALTIMORE. 

In  page  122  of  the  August  issue  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  I  note  an 
inquiry  concerning  varieties,  amongst 
them  Maize,  Mrs.  James  Lancashire,  and 
Rouge  Torch.  As  three  of  these  have 
been  named  by  me,  I  trust  my  informa- 
tion may  be  acceptable. 

Mrs.  James  Lancashire  and  Rouge  Torch 
were  both  segregated  at  Cedar  Acres. 
Maize  was  raised  by  Mr.  John  Umpleby 
of  Lake  View,  N.  Y.,  named  and  put  upon 
the  market  by  me.  Rouge  Torch  was 
named  at  Cedar  Acres,  taking  its  name 
from  the  brilliant  red  torch-like  tongue 
on  inferior  petals.  The  other  was  named 
for  Mrs.  James  Lancashire,  formerly  of 
Alma,  Mich.,  now  of  Manchester,  Mass., 
where  she  has  a  beautiful  garden  at  her 
summer  home,  "  Graftonwood." 

I,  too,  should  be  glad  to  know  where 
Ezra  Rust,  Claud  Motinet  and  Baltimore 
originated  and  if  same  can  be  procured 
in  quantity.  B.  Hammond  Tracy. 


IS  there  a  double  gladiolus  ? 

Have  any  of  your  readers  produced  a 
double  Gladiolus? 

A  letter  from  Col.  Sandeman  was  read 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Scientific  Commit- 
tee of  the  R.  H.  S.,  London,  on  the  26th 
of  August,  1913,  in  connection  with  the 
alleged  doubling  of  Gladioli.  As  no  speci- 
men came  with  the  letter,  the  Committee 
could  not  decide  the  point  raised.  Inci- 
dentally, Dr.  Bateson  remarked  that  if 
the  fact  were  established  it  would  be  in- 
teresting, as  there  were  several  families, 
or  orders ;  such,  for  example,  as  the 
Labiatae,  that,  although  having  peloric 
form,  do  not  show  true  doubling  of  the 
flower. 

In  1915  I  planted  Doublet,  described  as 
"the   best    and    most   dependable  double 


Page 
150 


O^e  Mlo6crtt  (Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Oct. 
1917 


flowered  variety,"  but  it  failed  to  produce 
a  double  flower  for  me.  It  would  be  in- 
teresting to  learn  how  it  earned  its  de- 
scription. G.  c. 


SOME   CORMLETS. 

Last  January  I  planted  two  of  Richard 
Diener's  Gladiolus  bulbs,  Thos.  T.  Kent, 
one  of  them  IJ  and  the  other  a  2  inch  size. 
Both  bulbs  sent  up  two  stalks  each. 
Aug.  4  they  had  ripened  and  on  digging 
I  found  from  the  smaller  bulb  two  2  inch 
bulbs  and  180  cormlets;  from  the  other 
bulb  there  were  two  2^  inch  bulbs  and 
495  cormlets— 675  from  the  two  bulbs 
planted,  and  the  four  flower  stalks  were 
allowed  to  make  24  seed  pods.  How's 
that  for  some  increase  ?         C.  S.  Tait. 


ORIGIN  OF  VARIETIES. 

I  note  request  of  Ray  P.  Selover  for  in- 
formation as  to  the  origin  and  name  of 
several  varieties  of  Gladioli,  Ezra  Rust  be- 
ing among  the  list  mentioned.  This 
variety  originated  in  the  garden  of  Fred 
H.  Stevens  of  Saginaw,  Mich.,  and  was 
named  by  him  after  one  of  our  well 
known  and  highly  esteemed  citizens.  Mr. 
Stevens  also  developed  and  named  the 
varieties  W.  R.  Burt  and  Jos.  W.  Fordney. 
Jno.  J.  Spencer. 


TREE  LEAVES  FOR  HEAVY  SOIL  -  COAL 
ASHES— CULTURAL   HINTS. 

Those  of  our  friends  who  have  a  heavy 
soil  to  contend  with  in  their  gardens  will 
find  it  beneficial  to  work  in  a  liberal 
amount  of  leaves  this  fall  after  gathering 
them  up  from  the  lawn.  Tree  leaves  are 
one  of  the  best  of  fertilizers  to  be  found  and 
can  be  used  freely  on  any  soil  with  good 
results. 

Coal  ashes  should  never  be  used  in  the 
garden  under  any  conditions.  Sand, 
char-coal  and  wood  ashes  are  much  bet- 
ter. Coal  ashes  absorb  fertilizers;  the 
small  roots  which  feed  the  plants  cannot 
penetrate  it,  as  a  result,  if  too  much  is 
used  the  plants  turn  yellow  and  die.  A 
liberal  application  of  the  hoe  or  cultivator 
used  prudently,  is  the  best  fertilizer  known 
and  quite  essential  to  success.  n.  t. 


BURLAP  SACKS   FOR   CURING   AND    STORING 
GLADIOLUS  CORMS. 

To  avoid  injury  from  moisture  in  Gladi- 
olus corms  while  dormant  I  have  used 
for  several  years  sacks  made  of  burlap  of 
proper   size    to    hold    the    bulbs,  from  a 


dozen  to  a  half  peck  or  so.  The  bulbs  as 
dug  are  placed  in  the  sack,  carefully  la- 
belled and  tied.  The  sacks  can  be  placed 
in  the  sunshine  during  warm  days,  and 
piled  into  baskets  for  carrying  in  in  the 
evening,  without  mixing,  and  again  spread 
out  until  cured.  E. 


REMOVING  TOPS  FROM  GLADIOLI  AT 
DIGGING  TIME. 

It  will  soon  be  time  to  dig  Gladioli.  I 
sometimes  see  exact  and  explicit  instruc- 
tions as  to  the  best  method  of  cutting  off 
the  tops  in  harvesting  the  corms. 

I  have  grown  the  Gladiolus  for  50  years 
or  more,  acres  of  them  sometimes.  I 
always  twist  off  the  top  as  I  pick  up  the 
corm,  which  is  not  injured  in  one  case  in 
one  thousand. 

I  have  not  always  been  able  to  have 
the  corms  exposed  to  the  sun  and  wind 
to  dry  them  the  very  best,  but  have  al- 
ways cured  them  thoroughly.  t. 
Note  by  the  Editor — 

We  use  an  ordinary  pruning  shears  (a 
cheap  one  is  pretty  nearly  as  good  as  a 
more  expensive  one)  and  cut  the  tops 
off  as  they  are  removed  from  the  ground. 
The  pruning  shears  become  dull  rather 
rapidly  but  they  are  easily  sharpened  and 
they  do  not  injure  the  hands  as  an  ordi-  ^ 
nary  shears  would  do.  Twisting  off  the  r 
tops  as  suggested  by  "T"  would  be  satis- 
factory where  only  a  few  hundred  or 
possibly  a  few  thousand  were  to  be  dug. 


POTATO  DIGGER  FOR  GLADIOLUS  CORMS. 

I  have  often  wondered  if  any  of  the 
Gladiolus  growers  use  the  potato  digger. 
I  use  the  digger  in  the  morning  and  let 
the  bulbs  lay  on  top  of  the  ground  to  dry 
for  a  day  or  two,  then  put  into  trays  to 
dry.  All  large  growers  must  use  some 
machine  to  get  the  bulbs  out  of  the  ground 
in  the  shortest  possible  time  and  I  think 
the  potato  digger  does  the  work  fairly 
well.  The  only  fault  is  that  the  little 
bulbs  are  shaken  loose  from  the  large 
bulbs  and  must  be  picked  up  the  same  as 
onion  sets.  F.  X.  Wallner. 


PINK  PROGRESSION. 

I  wonder  how  many  have  tried  Pink 
Progression.  I  found  it  as  claimed,  earlier 
than  Pink  Beauty,  but  lighter  than  I  had 
supposed  from  the  description  ;  rather  a 
flesh  color  than  rose,  with  a  distinct  blotch 
and  the  spike  quite  long. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff. 


Oct. 

1917 


Ol)e  Mlo6erix  <&la6lolu5  (Grower 


Page 

151 


Henry  Youell. 

The  death  of  Henry  Youell,  Secretary 
of  the  American  Gladiolus  Society,  oc- 
curred September  20,  1917,  and  his  asso- 
ciates in  the  society  mourn  his  death  as 
a  loss  not  only  to  the  society  but  to  the 
entire  horticultural  and  floricultural  in- 
terests of  this  country. 

Mr.  Youell  was  born  in  Great  Yarmouth, 
England,  July  16,  1844,  and  was  thus  73 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


HENRY  YOUELL. 

His  father,  whose  name  was  also  Henry 
Youell,  was  with  the  Royal  Nurseries  for 
many  years.  These  nurseries  were  started 
by  the  grandfather,  John  Youell,  A.  L.  S , 
and  later  turned  over  to  his  three  sons. 
The  firm  specialized  in  the  Gladiolus  and 
accomplished  much  to  make  this  flower 
well  known  and  popular  throughout  Eng- 
land. The  firm  was  instrumental  in  dis- 
seminating that  grand  old  variety  Breiicli- 
leyensis,  still  a  favorite  with  many,  and 
their  collection  of  Gladioli  became  the 
largest  in  England. 

At  an  early  age  Mr.  Youell  started  to 
learn  the  business  of  his  grandfather  in 
all  its  branches.  He  had  the  advantage 
of  being  placed  under  one  of  the  best 
propagators  and  plantsmen  of  that  time. 
He  was  educated  in  private  schools  and 


was  third  of  a  generation  of  florists  who 
were  distinguished  in  one  branch  or  an- 
other of  floriculture. 

Henry  Youell  came  to  this  country  in 
1872,  making  his  home  first  in  Boston 
where  he  was  in  charge  of  the  grounds 
and  gardens  of  the  Boston  City  Hospital, 
and  later  he  came  to  Syracuse  where  he 
has  since  resided.  Mr.  Youell  was  elected 
Secretary  of  the  American  Gladiolus  So- 
ciety in  May,  1910,  and  has  served  in 
that  capacity  faithfully  and  efficiently  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  also 
President  of  the  Syracuse  Florists'  Club 
and  for  many  years  was  Syracuse  cor- 
respondent for  the  Florists'  Exchange  of 
New  York.  Mr.  Youell  was  elected  sec- 
retary of  the  American  Gladiolus  Society 
for  the  seventh  consecutive  time  at  the 
recent  annual  meeting  of  the  society  in 
New  York. 

He  was  married  in  1867  to  Emily  Rose 
Hubbard  who  died  in  1909.  There  are 
four  surviving  children :  Miss  Mabel 
Youell,  of  Syracuse,  who  succeeds  to  the 
retail  Gladiolus  business  of  her  father. 
Henry  Robert  Youell,  of  Syracuse,  and 
Mrs.  Ernest  C.  Edwards,  of  Lyndon,  and 
Mrs.  C.  J.  Lambert,  Pierrepont  Manor, 
N.  Y.  There  are  ten  grandchildren  of 
whom  Lieut.  Robert  S.  Lambert  and  Paul 
C.  Lambert  are  both  serving  in  the  U.  S. 
army,  having  volunteered  since  the  dec- 
laration of  war. 

We  know  that  the  many  friends  and 
associates  of  Henry  Youell  throughout  the 
United  States  will  join  us  in  sincere  ap- 
preciation of  his  work  and  in  extending 
sympathy  to  his  surviving  relatives. 


Beginning  with  January,  1918,  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  will  be  en- 
larged to  the  new  standard  magazine 
size  with  the  page  9"  x  12".  The  reasons 
for  this  change  are  several,  the  chief  of 
which  is  that  there  is  a  large  amount  of 
matter  always  pressing  for  publication 
which  we  cannot  find  space  for  in  the 
present  limited  form  of  the  magazine. 
Another  good  reason  for  increasing  the 
size  page  is  that  our  illustrations  will  be 
more  effective  if  they  can  be  used  without 
so  much  reduction.  Still  another  reason 
is  that  we  want  to  print  matter  about 
other  summer  flowering  plants  as  well  as 
the  Gladiolus  and  without  in  any  way 
neglecting  the  Gladiolus. 

With  the  increased  size  of  page  we  ex- 
pect also  to  use  a  somewhat  larger  type 
which  will  certainly  be  appreciated  by 
some  of  those  who,  like  the  Editor,  are 
beginning  the  journey  on  the  shady  side 
of  the  hill  of  life  and  whose  eyes  may 
perhaps  not  be  as  keen  as  they  once  were. 


OUERIESail^ANSWERs 

**-=  DEPARTMENT  =^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.] — Editor. 


Rose  Bushes  in  Cold  Storage. 

To  the  Editor:— 

We  have  had  inquiries  about  holding  rose 
bushes  in  storage  for  late  spring  or  summer 
planting. 

Can  you  give  us  information  as  to  accurate 
temperature,  method  of  packing,  etc  ?  Should 
the  roots  be  packed  in  moss  ?  What  basis  is  used 
for  storage  charges?  Any  information  that  vou 
can  give  us  will  be  appreciated.  R.  D.  S. 

Answer  .—Rose  bushes  should  be  stored 
at  a  temperature  not  lower  than  30°F. 
From  30°F.  to  34°F.  is  considered  the 
best  temperature.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
anything  under  40°F.  will  give  satisfactory 
results  for  retarding  rose  bushes  for  late 
planting. 

Rose  bushes  should  be  packed  in  paper 
lined  boxes  with  the  roots  protected  by 
damp  moss  or  excelsior  or  similar  material. 

Storage  charges  for  goods  of  this  kind 
should  be  figured  on  a  basis  of  so  much 
per  cubic  foot  per  month,  probably  in  the 
neighborhood  of  2c.  to  4c.  per  cubic  foot 
per  month,  depending  on  length  of  time 
in  storage.  Or,  a  charge  of  4c.  per  cubic 
foot  per  month  for  the  first  month  and 
2c.  for  each  subsequent  month  might  be 
a  fair  charge. 


Gladiolus  Bulb  Diseases. 

Ed.  American  Florist  : 

Some  of  my  Gladiolus  bulbs  are  diseased,  the 
trouble  showing  as  brown  spots  on  the  bulbs. 
Can  you  suggest  a  remedy?  j.  w.  F. 

Answer: — This  form  of  scab  or  dry  rot 
is  apparently  caused  by  a  fungus,  Myri- 
ococeus  fusan,  that  infects  most  varieties 
of  Gladioli  and  allied  bulbs,  such  as 
watsonias,  antholyzas,  ixias  and  freesias, 
where  they  are  grown  in  soil  too  rich  and 
moist.  The  best  practical  method  of  con- 
trolling it  is  to  plant  in  fresh  and  not  over 
rich  soil,  using  chemical  potato  fertilizer 
rather  than  stable  manure.  Like  the 
potato  and  beet  scabs,  it  is  worse  on  rich 
alkaline  soils.  Ordinary  corn  ground  with 
a  dressing  of  potato  fertilizer  containing  a 
good  percentage  of  acid  phosphate  will 
be  suitable. 


The  diseased  bulbs  may  be  treated  be- 
fore planting  by  soaking  them  12  minutes 
in  a  solution  of  copper  sulphate,  1  oz.  to 
10  gallons  warm  water;  bichloride  of 
mercury,  |  oz.  to  10  gallons  water ;  or 
commercial  formalin,  4  oz.  to  15  gallons 
water.  Either  solution  is  quite  effective. 
The  husks  or  skins  should  be  removed 
from  the  bulbs  before  treatment,  and 
they  should  be  planted  as  soon  as  fairly 
well  dried  off.  The  scabs  do  not  usually 
prevent  the  corms  from  growing  unless 
they  are  so  numerous  as  to  destroy  the 
rooting  surface. 

In  the  case  of  rare  varieties  the  scabs 
may  be  cut  out,  going  well  into  the  sound 
flesh,  treated  with  one  of  the  above  anti- 
septic solutions  and  rolled  in  powdered 
sulphur  before  planting. 

As  a  rule  never  plant  Gladiolus  bulbs 
successive  years  on  the  same  soil. — W. 
Van  Fleet  in  Am.  Florist. 


Keeping  Dagger  and  Other  Ferns. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

Could  you  give  me  any  information  as  to  the 
best  way  to  keep  ferns.  Dagger  and  other  varie- 
ties, over  winter?  Should  they  be  kept  in  cold 
storage  as  the  only  way  ?  Would  they  do  well  if 
kept  in  a  cellar  with  a  temperature  below  freez- 
ing ?  Y.  F.,  N.  Y. 

Answer: — Dagger  and  fancy  ferns  for 
florists'  use  are  almost  universally  now 
kept  over  winter  in  cold  storage.  They 
keep  so  much  better  under  that  treat- 
ment that  all  other  methods  of  preserving 
them  over  winter,  unless  it  be  on  a  very 
small  scale,  have  become  obsolete.  Un- 
doubtedly they  may  be  kept  in  a  cellar 
where  the  temperature  ranges  from  32  to 
40°,  but,  of  course,  that  practically  means 
cold  storage. — Florists'  Exchange. 


These  are  war  times  and  florists  who 
have  waste  space  among  their  carnations 
will  do  well  to  try  some  of  the  Colvillei 
family  of  Gladioli  for  early  forcing.  Effi- 
ciency in  utilizing  space  in  expensive 
green-house  temperature  means  additional 
profits. 


Oct. 

1917 


Ol)*^  Mlo6ern  <5la6lolus  i&rower 


Page 
153 


Planting  Sweet  Peas  in  the  Fall. 

Good  results  from  fall  planting  of  sweet 
peas  have  been  quite  common  and  as  the 
work  in  connection  with  same  is  in  the 
most  respects  the  same  as  for  the  spring 
sown  crop,  we  are  glad  to  give  an  outline 
of  how  the  fall  planting  is  conducted. 

In  the  fall  seed  should  be  sown  just  late 
enough  to  insure  its  successful  germina- 
tion which  would  ordinarily  in  the  latitude 
of  New  York  State  be  from  the  15th  of 
October  to  November  1st.  The  sweet 
pea  is  a  native  of  Sicily  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean and  yet  it  is  hardy  enough  to  stand 
the  severe  winters  of  Northern  New 
York.  If  the  seeds  are  well  germinated 
with  but  little  growth  above  ground  be- 
fore hard  frost  sets  in  the  best  results  are 
secured,  and  hard  freezing  weather  holds 
the  plants  in  a  dormant  condition.  Cov- 
ering with  straw,  leaves,  tree  branches  or 
light  boards  is  desirable  after  the  ground 
is  frozen. 

When  the  weather  turns  warm  in  the 
spring  by  the  middle  to  the  end  of  March 
or  the  first  of  April  the  protective  ma- 
terial may  be  removed  and  the  soil  along 
the  rows  forked  and  loosened.  Sweet 
peas  planted  in  this  way  if  they  get  the 
proper  start  in  the  fall  will  bloom  from 
two  to  four  weeks  in  advance  of  spring 
planted  peas  and  besides,  they  are  re- 
ported as  being  of  stronger  growth  and 
that  they  will  bloom  longer  and  are  in 
every  way  preferable.  Sometimes  if  the 
winters  are  very  severe  winter  killing  will 
result,  but  on  well  drained  soils  there  is 
little  danger  of  this. 


Lansing,  Michigan, 

has  Gladiolus  Show. 

The  Gladiolus  is  now  an  important  part 
of  the  commercial  activities  of  the  en- 
terprising city  of  Lansing,  Mich.  The 
Capital  National  Bank  recently  extended 
an  invitation  to  the  florists  of  Lansing  to 
use  its  lobby  for  a  Gladiolus  exhibition  so 
that  the  people  of  the  city  might  better 
become  acquainted  with  this  new  industry. 
The  show  was  held  the  week  of  Sept.  10th 
and  was  a  great  success.  The  manage- 
ment of  the  bank  considers  making  it  an 
annual  affair. 

The  lobby  of  the  bank,  which  is  finished 
in  marble,  made  an  excellent  background 
for  the  show  and  the  Lansing  florists 
helped  with  the  decorations.  A  large 
crowd  of  Lansing  people,  many  of  whom 
viewed  the  Gladiolus  for  the  first  time, 
attended  the  show  and  doubtless  many  of 
them  will  become  Gladiolus  enthusiasts. 

Earl    Edgerton,    probably    the    largest 


grower  of  Gladioli  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Lansing,  had  a  large  exhibit  and  showed 
an  attractive  display  of  all  the  standard 
varieties  and  many  of  the  new  sorts  in- 
cluding the  Kunderd  productions. 

L.  W.  Hoisington,  who  also  makes  a 
specialty  of  Gladioli,  likewise  made  a  fine 
display,  also  showing  Asters  and  other 
annuals. 

Fred  W.  Baumgras,  a  third  exhibitor, 
had  fine  stock  and  in  good  quantity. 

The  amateurs,  or  private  gardeners, 
turned  out  well  and  a  number  of  them  ex- 
hibited fine  flowers  as  a  part  of  the  show. 

Here  is  an  example  which  may  be  well 
followed  by  other  cities  and  which  will 
help  popularize  the  Gladiolus.  Gladiolus 
growers  should  make  an  effort  to  start 
annual  exhibitions  wherever  possible, 
either  in  connection  with  some  other 
regular  flower  show  or  exhibition  of  some 
kind  or  separately  as  above  described. 


Subscription  Premium 

Corms  Bring  Fine  Bloom. 

One  of  our  subscribers  who  made  one 
attempt  at  growing  the  Gladiolus  and  had 
poor  success  was  induced  to  try  it  again 
through  our  special  premium  offer  of 
Gladiolus  corms  with  a  subscription  to 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  and  we 
are  pleased  to  report  her  success  as  follows: 

I  wish  to  thank  you  for  the  bulbs  of 
the  variety  Mrs.  Francis  King  sent  me  as 
premium  for  subscription  to  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower.  There  were  134 
and  they  all  bloomed  with  spikes  three 
and  four  feet  tall  and  each  flower  ex- 
tremely large.  They  were  planted  in 
open  ground  with  no  shade  and  in  pre- 
viously uncultivated  soil  which  had  been 
in  grass  and  weeds. 

For  two  years  before  I  had  been  much 
interested  in  the  Gladiolus,  but  after  pur- 
chasing one  hundred  bulbs  which  proved 
to  be  infected  with  gray  lice,  I  was  quite 
disheartened.  I  treated  these  bulbs  with 
sulphur  and  planted  them,  but  only  one 
or  two  survived. 

Having  had  such  success  from  the  bulbs 
you  sent,  I  am  again  much  interested. 
Mrs.  C.  M. 

It  should  be  noted  in  this  connection 
that  the  corms  sent  to  the  subscriber 
were  of  mixed  sizes,  some  of  them  indeed 
were  quite  small  down  to  |".  This  goes 
to  show  the  great  blooming  qualities  of 
small  corms  of  the  variety,  Mrs.  Francis 
King. 


We  were  late  in  getting  out  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower  last  month  nearly 
two  weeks  and  the  only  excuse  is  the 
great  demand  on  the  time  of  the  Editor 
for  all  sorts  of  work.  This  month  we  are 
again  late,  but  not  quite  as  late  as  last 
month  and  next  month  we  hope  to  be 
still  nearer  on  time. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stock  for  sale  tvill  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


pALL  BARGAIN  LIST  of  Gladiolus  Bulbs  for 
-*■  Cash.  Mixture  of  named  varieties  and  Childsi 
seedlings  V4  to  1/2  inch  per  1000,  $3.00  ;  V2  to  %  in., 
$5.00 ;  Panama,  V2  inch  and  less  $5.00.  No  order 
taken  for  less  than  500  bulbs.  Woodside  Gladioli 
Gardens,  San  Mateo,  California. 


"My  New  'Glad'  Catalog" 

will  be  mailed  to  you  as  soon  as  it  is 
ready,  if  you  will  send  me  your  name 
and  address. 

JELLE  ROOS 

Dept.  D.  Milton,  Mass. 


H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 
DOVER,  N.  H. 

Send  for  beautiful  descriptive  booklet  of  Rare  Gladioli. 

iiiiiiiillliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 


W  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO.,  Pembroke,  N.  Y., 
"'  •  growers  of  the  finest  Gladioli,  such  as 
Pendleton,  Panama,  Niagara,  Pink  Perfection, 
Europa,  Mrs.  Fryer,  War,  Peace,  etc.  Corres- 
pondence solicited. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  co'umns  of 

The  Gardeners*  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture — 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well- 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


Publisfiel'inontbly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave..  New  York,  N.Y. 


W.  E.  Woodward  &  Son 

—  GROWERS  OF  — 

Choice  Gladioli 

Saxonville,  Mass. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in  the 
curious  facts   about  our   native  wildflowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.     SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  III. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.  Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

LIST   ON   APPLICATION. 
WHOLESALE.       RETAIL. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 


U.  Cemoine  ii  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy,  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoinei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE   WOULD   YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flow^erfield  L.  I. 


GLADIOLI 

BetschersPrimnlinusHybrids 

THE  BETSCHER  STRAIN  of  this  fetching  new  type  of 
Gladioli  is  the  last  word  in  Quality  Gladioli — all  who 
have  inspected  or  tested  them  are  loud  in  their  praise. 
Only  the  best  blood  of  all  types  of  Gladioli  have  been  used 
in  their  evolution. 

When  we  first  sowed  primulinus  species  we  saw  its  possi- 
bilities and  future  value — doubtless  we  have  made  more  crosses 
on  this  one  type  than  all  other  breeders  have  made  in  all  classes 
until  now.  The  finest  seedlings  in  our  early  work  were  marked 
out — the  balance  discarded.  Our  stock  of  it  is  the  largest  in 
commerce.    We  offer  in  large  lots — 

Primulinus  Species 
Primulinus   Hybrids 

Select  Yellows,  Pinks,  Reds,  Whites,  Old  Golds 

Our  hybrids  of  Lemoinei,  Childsi  &c.  are  very  fine. 

From  the  many  thousand  hybrids  we  have  selected  the  finest  to  color; 
hence  our  selections  of  Pinks,  Reds,  Yellows  and  Whites  excel  mixtures 
made  from  best  named  sorts.  We  have  had  over  400  sorts  representing 
all  the  noted  specialists'  best  and  latest  introductions  but  few  of  them  used 
in  our  breeding — and  breeding  and  plant  evolution  has  had  our  first  con- 
sideration for  some  years.     In  all  this  time  our  work  has  been  wholesale. 

For  1917-18  season  we  offer  large  lots  of  exceptional  mixtures 
and  named  sorts : 

Crimson  Glow.  Crimson  Giant,  Dora  Krais,  Myrtle,  Mrs.  Watt, 
Gen.  Kuroki,  Mephisto,  Negerfuerst,  Panama,  Scarsdale,  etc. 
Augusta,  Brenchleyensis,    Chicago  White,  Halley,  Minnesota, 
Niagara,  Norma  Dee  Childs,  Baron  Hulot,  etc. 


Betscher's  Peonies — Cream  of  1200  sorts. 

Betscher's  Hemerocallis  Hybrids — Very  fine. 

Betscher's  Cannas,  etc.— all  the  best. 

C.  BETSCHER 

Plant  Breeder  Dover,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 


IS 


Attention,  Growers  of 
Cut  Flowers ! 

Your  big  profits  are  obtained  from  your  late  blooms. 
The  variety  Gretchen  Zang  (Mrs.  Austin)  is 
one  of  the  biggest  profit  getters  in  the  business.  It  has 
three  prime  essentials:  Beautiful  Color— Lateness  of 
Bloom — Blooms  from  the  Smallest  Bulbs. 

Description:— The  blooms  are  large  and  sparkling,  and  the  most  beauti- 
ful soft  melting  shade  of  pink,  blending  into  deep  salmon  on  lower  petals. 
Strikingly  beautiful  and  likely  the  only  variety  that  approaches  closely  the 
brilliant  colorings  of  the  Beaute  Poitevine  geranium.  Spike  tall  and  graceful 
with  an  occasional  waved  one.  First  Prize  Winner  and  Award  of  Merit 
Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio. 

Our  stock  is  now  sufficient  to  offer  this  sterling  novelty  at  a 
reasonable  price.    Let  us  quote  you. 


AUSTIN -COLEMAN  CO. 


"Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 


Wayland 


Ohio 


An  Introduction 

to  our  Peonies  &  Iris  can   be 
had  thru  this  special  offer — 

1  Peony  root.     Large,   soft   pink  flowers, 

25c.,  5  for  $1.00. 
1  Iris  root.    Velvety  purple  flowers.  10c. , 

12  for  $1.00. 

Only  strong  divisions  will  be  sent. 

Our  list  is  not  large,  but  contains  only  the 
best  varieties.   Send  for  it. 

Orchadotte  Farms 
Box  M  \Vest  Point,  Pa. 


RICHARD  DIENER  CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

Originators  and  Growers  of 
the  Largest  and  Finest 

GLADIOLUS 

in  the  world. 


KentHeld,  Marin  County,  California 


E.  E  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


Myrtle  and 

Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton 

Our  weather  conditions  were 
favorable,  and  we  expect  to 
harvest  a  large  crop  of  the 
above  named  varieties. 

A.  P.  Bonvallet  &  Co., 

Wichert,  111. 


P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

^!^ 

-?!'«*! 

BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

O  1  I  P  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
iiAl.r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  of 
i^iKUU  y^jg  j_  jj  gjjj  jjj_  ^jj^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three. 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


Home  Grown  1917  Seeds 

"SUPERIOR  QUALITY" 
OF  THE  BEST 

Cut-Flower  Perennials  and  Annuals 
Plants  also 

SEND  FOR  LIST 

Are  you  a  lover  of  Delphiniums 

the  most  heavenly  blue  flower  that  grows? 

Then  you  want  a  package  of  our 

Grand  Mixture  of  Gold   Medal 

Hybrids.    We  grow  them  by  the 

thousands. 

Trade  packet,  20c.;  %  oz.,  35c. 

OCTOBER  IS  STILL  TIME  FOR 
SOWING    PERENNIAL    SEEDS. 

THE  PUDOR  FARMS 

Plant,  Seed  and  Bulb  Growers 

Puyallup Wash.,  U.S.  A. 


The  Wilmorc  Floral  Co. 

(Successors  to  W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr.) 

Denver,  Colorado 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

GroiA^ers  of  Bulbs  and  Plants 

Gladioli,  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Irises,  Etc. 

Awarded  Gold  Medal  at  Panama-Pacific  Inter- 
national Exposition  for  the  best  display  of 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Bronze  Medal  on  dis- 
play of  Gladioli. 

OUR  NEW  CATALOGUE  NOW  READY.  SEND  FOR  IT. 


THE  KING 


You  probably  remember  that  we 
bought  the  entire  stock  of  this 
variety  of  Mr.  J.  L.  Moore  last  winter 
and  offered  some  of  the  bulbs  in  the 
columns  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower.  We  find  this  fall  upon  this 
stock  coming  into  bloom  that  there 
is  about  5'/r  of  a  salmon  red  mixed 
in  with  it.  We  are  sorry  that  we  sold 
any  of  this  stock  until  we  had  grown 
it  for  a  year  and  cleaned  it  up  but 
we  stand  ready  to  make  good  to 
anyone  who  bought  any  of  this 
stock  from  us. 

Our  price  for  the  above  variety  will  be  the 
same  as  last  year— 

1  st  size  bulbs  $  1  per  doz. 

Planting  size.  $1   per  1  OO 

Bulblets  $2  per  lOOO 

C.  W.  Brown  &  Son 

Ashland,   Mass. 

P.  S.    We  have  a  good  stock  of  PrimuHnus 
Hybrids  in  all  sizes. 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 

Gladiolus    Grower 


1332  ECKART  ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


■  ■■■mjijjjijM 


Headquarters  for 

Gladiolus 

"MRS.    WATT" 

The  Brilliant 
Wine   Colored   Novelty 


HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF  GLADIOLI 

WILTON    -    NE^V  HAMPSHIRE 


rrnrmnirnTi 


Bulbs 


I  have  sold  out  on  1st  size 
NARCISSUS  except  Barrii 
Consp.,  $1.50;  Sulphur  Pheonix, 
$1.50;  Pearl  White,  $1.50;  Soldi 
d'Or,  $1.50. 

In  2nd  size  I  have  Horsfieldi, 
Empress,  Sulphur  Phoenix  at 
$1.00. 

All  per  100— f.  o.  b.  here. 

Gladioli 

I  am  now  digging  some  very  fine 
bulbs.  If  interested  let  me  know 
your  wants. 

C.  S.  TAIT 
Brunswick  -    -    Ga. 


Geo.  $.  Uloodruff 

independeita,  Iowa 

?ine  gladioli 

See  my  advertisements  in  previous  num- 
bers. Catalogue  on  application. 


Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula      -      Ohio 


A  GARDEN 

PLANTED    NOW    WITH 

Wayside 

Hardy 

Perennials 

WILL  BE  A  GARDEN  OF  BEAUTY 
IN  JUNE. 

THE  PLANTS  ARE  READY. 
WILL  YOU  TRY  THEM? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor        Box  G  Oiiio 


Vaughan's 
iff    Specials  in 
GLADIOLI 


Margaret 

Beautiful  Carmine  with 
white  throat. 
Perdoz..  $1.30;perl00,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct of  all  the  Prim- 
ulinus  Type. 

Perdoz.,  $2;  per  100,  $15. 

Chicago  White 

The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz.,  35c;  per  100,  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—^Grand  Novelties 
in  GLADIOU  and  CANNAS. 


MARGARET 


Vaughans 
Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31-33W.RandolphSt. 
NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  Si. 


WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN 

BULB     GROWLERS 

SASSENHEIM,  HOLLAND 

25  Beaver  Street,     New  York  City 
QUALITY—  ECONOMY— SERVICE 


Sunnyside 
Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 
Natick,  Massachusetts 


ioli  Exclusively 


GLADIOLUS  BULBS 

of  our  own  growing— wholesale  and  retail 
—best  standard  and  new  varieties: 

Notice — We  have  as  many  orders  as  we  can  nandle  for  fall  de- 
livery, but  will  be  glad  to  send  you  our  new  price  list  as  soon   as 
printed  in  exchange  for  your  name  and  address. 


G.  D.  BLACK, 


Albert  Lea,  Minn. 


Surplus  Stock— 

WRITE  NOW  FOR  SPECIAL 
QUOTATIONS  ON 


Pendleton 

Peace 

Niagara 

Pink  Perfection 

Halley 

AND  A  DOZEN  OTHER  GOOD 
ONES. 

Brookland  Gardens 

Choice  Gladioli 

Woburn,         -         -         Mass. 


Iris 
Phlox 
Peonies 
Delphinium 

and  other  hardy  plants 
in  large  supply. 

Fall  is  a  favorable  time 
to  plant  them. 

Willis  E.  Fryer 

Manlorville,  -  Minnesota 


EPSnTCQCll'r 


9> 


Vol.  IV. 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 

NOVEMBER,   1917 


No.  11 


GLADIOLUS—  WINIFRED. 

This  is  a  seedling  of  Merceiia  and  was  originated  by  Matthew  Crawford.  It  is  of  medium  size  and 
with  a  strong  stem  that  is  never  likely  to  be  broken  down  by  the  wind.  The  spike  is  always  strong  and 
not  liable  to  crook. 

The  color  is  an  intense  scarlet  with  a  white  blotch  as  indicated  by  the  photograph.  Matthew  Craw- 
ford, the  originator,  states  that  of  all  the  red  varieties  this  is  perhaps  the  only  real  scarlet. 


Page 

156 


I5b<t  ^o6(trn  <&la6lolu5  (Grower 


Nov. 
1917 


Uses  of  the  Gladiolus  and  its  Culture. 

By  B.  Hammond  Tracy  in  The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America. 


THINGS  happen  so  quietly  in  the 
floral  world  that  the  general  public 
knows  little  about  the  development 
along  some  special  line ;  and  this  is  very 
noticeably  true  of  the  Gladiolus— the  aris- 
tocrat of  the  summer  garden,  the  good 
old-fashioned  "gladiola"  of  our  grand- 
mothers' gardens.  From  the  time  that 
M.  Souchet,  the  gardener  for  Napoleon 
III,  introduced  the  Gladiolus  as  a  florist's 
flower,  the  progress  in  its  culture  and 
development  has  been  most  remarkable. 
The  results  of  the  outpourings  of  nature's 
horn  of  plenty  are  shown  in  no  flower 
more  than  the  Gladiolus,  and  the  garden 
glory  of  this  magnificent  flower,  no  longer 
called  "too  stiff,"  makes  it  a  pleasure  all 
through  the  summer. 

The  modern  Gladiolus  is  a  flower  of  the 
future,  for,  though  much  is  known  of  it 
as  a  florist's  flower,  its  possibilities  as  a 
decorative  asset  in  both  homes  and  gar- 
dens are  as  yet  little  known  or  appreci- 
ated. It  is  perhaps  more  essentially  a  cut 
flower,  but  most  satisfactory  effects  may 
be  achieved  by  judicious  planting. 

Planted  in  clumps  in  front  of  shrubbery, 
or  in  the  hardy  border,  they  will  give  a  mass 
of  color  from  early  July  until  cut  down 
by  the  first  envious  frost,  this  continued 
period  of  bloom  being  made  possible 
by  successive  plantings,  or  by  planting  dif- 
ferent sized  bulbs.  In  this  position  nothing 
gives  greater  satisfaction  than  the  bril- 
liant rose  of  Gladiolus  Independence,  which 
in  coloring  and  lasting  qualities  is  un- 
surpassed. Brenchleyensis,  Isaac  Buchanan, 
and  Augusta  are  all  especially  fine  for 
garden  work  and  are  not  prohibitive  in 
price.  The  variety  Niagara,  with  its  most 
remarkable  coloring,  a  very  clear  nankeen 
or  creamy  buff,  with  just  a  pencil  mark 
of  the  faintest  lavender  in  the  throat, 
commands  attention  whether  seen  in  the 
garden  or  in  the  vase.  Planted  above  a 
carpet  of  purple  Petunias  or  surrounded 
by  the  rich  tones  of  Salpiglossis,  it  is  most 
effective.  The  buff  of  Niagara,  with  the 
brown  of  Africa,  gives  an  unusual  floral 
color  combination  and  a  most  attractive 
one.  A  truly  lovely  vase  of  pastel  colors 
may  be  had  with  Niagara,  Pink  Perfection 
and  Baron  Hulot  or  Badenia. 

The  soft  coral  pink  of  Gladiolus  Dawn 
and  the  sensational  effect  produced  by 
masses  of  this  coloring,  coupled  with  its 
wonderful  vitality,  make  it  an  indispens- 
able adjunct  in  any  garden  scheme.  Baron 
Hulot  and  Badenia  are  the  finest  of  the 


blue  Gladioli.  The  deep,  rich,  blue-purple 
of  Baron  Hulot  and  the  true  lavender  of 
Badenia  bring  to  mind  endless  color  com- 
binations for  the  garden  and  the  house — 
Badenia,  planted  with  Spring  Song,  with 
pink  snapdragons  at  the  base,  or  Badenia 
and  Baron  Hulot  blooming  above  branch- 
ing Daybreak  Asters.  A  most  successful 
combination  has  been  Baron  Hulot  with 
the  soft  apricot  pink  of  Hollandia  or 
Scarsdale  and  Schwaben. 

Panama,  the  brilliant  new  rose  pink, 
with  its  sister  bloom,  America,  placed  in 
a  vase  with  Gladiolus  Lily  Lehman  needs 
only  to  be  tried  to  prove  its  beauty. 

In  all  the  gorgeous  array  of  colors  to  be 
found  in  the  lists  of  Gladioli,  the  variety, 
Mrs.  Francis  King,  that  wonderful  flame 
pink,  is  unsurpassed.  For  brilliancy  of 
coloring  and  fine  form  it  has  no  rivals  in 
decorative  effect. 

Equally  as  beautiful  and  of  the  same 
graceful  form,  with  a  softer  coral  color- 
ing, is  Halley,  a  magnificent,  large-flow- 
ered variety  and  especially  popular  because 
of  its  early  and  extended  season  of  bloom. 

The  Primulinus  Hybrids  in  all  their 
daintiness  of  form  and  coloring  give  an  ^ 
entirely  new  note  to  Gladiolus  produc-  ^ 
tions.  The  attractive  shape  of  the  blooms 
and  the  wide  range  of  color,  from  the 
lightest  yellow,  through  bronze  and  or- 
ange, to  deepest  rose,  have  made  these 
hybrids  very  desirable. 

The  gorgeous  coloring  of  Mrs.  Frank 
Pendleton  finds  a  pleasing  foil  in  the 
silvery  whiteness  of  Glory  of  Holland  or 
Queen  of  Whites. 

A  porch  vase  of  Jean  Dieulafoy  or  Maize 
arranged  with  the  carmine  of  Jesse  Pal- 
mer or  the  brilliant  crimson  of  Lillian 
Morrisey  breathes  a  very  hearty  welcome. 

No  collection  or  garden  will  be  quite 
complete  without  the  glorious  blue  of 
Marie  de  Ruyter  or  Violet  Perfection,  the 
yellow  of  Schwaben  or  Glory  of  Nordwijk. 
The  royal  Rajah,  Red  Emperor,  and  Em- 
press of  India  are  the  very  finest  of  the 
rich,  deep  reds  and  are  particularly  de- 
sirable. 

A  point  of  interest  is  the  selection  of 
bulbs.  It  is  a  mistake  to  entertain  the 
notion  that  size  is  virtue.  It  is  essential 
that  the  bulbs  should  be  of  the  proper 
age,  fully  developed  and  healthy  rather  ^ 
than  over- fed,  soft,  and  punky,  though  W' 
large. 

In  cutting  the  flower  spikes,  it  is  ruin- 
ous  to  cut  the  stalk  where  the  flowers 


Nov. 
1917 


Ob^  Modern  (Bla6iolu5  (Brower 


Page 

157 


end.  There  must  be  some  foliage  to  lend 
grace.  Cut  the  spikes  so  as  to  leave  two 
or  three  leaves  on  your  bulb  root,  thus 
giving  you  a  flower  spike  sometimes  nearly 
four  feet  long,  leaving  plenty  of  strength 
for  the  bulb,  and  beauty  for  the  decora- 
tion. 

The  Gladiolus  in  the  garden  is  an  un- 
sightly object  if  left  to  bloom  to  its  limit. 
The  flower-loving  public  must  be  educated 
to  a  willingness  to  cut  the  spikes  when 
they  have  bloomed  a  little  while  in  the 
garden,  then  to  finish  their  development 
in  the  house.  Nothing  is  more  unsightly 
than  a  mass  of  ragged,  betasseled  Gladioli 
bending  in  the  wind,  when  it  is  so  easy  to 
pick  off  the  withered  blooms,  if  one  does 
not  wish  them  for  house  decoration. 

The  Gladiolus  is  a  flower  of  easy  cul- 
ture and  does  well  in  any  soil,  but  should 
be  planted  in  full  exposure  to  the  sun. 
It  will  do  well  planted  in  the  hardy  bor- 
ders or  in  front  of  shrubbery.  Many  of 
the  best  varieties  produce  small  bulbs  and 
the  largest  bulbs  do  not  always  give  the 
best  results.  It  is  essential  that  the  bulb 
should  be  of  blooming  age  rather  than 
size.  Soil  should  be  well  prepared  in  the 
early  spring,  with  a  good  coating  of  agricul- 
tural lime  and  bone  meal  thoroughly 
worked  into  the  soil,  but  fresh  stable 
manure  should  never  be  used,  except 
where  the  ground  may  be  manured  the 
previous  fall  and  well  worked  over  in  the 
spring  before  planting. 

The  various  ways  in  which  the  Gladi- 
olus can  be  planted  make  it  one  of  the 
most  showy  and  attractive  garden  flowers. 
Planted  in  round,  oblong  or  square  beds, 
planting  bulbs  from  four  to  six  inches 
apart,  so  that  they  may  be  weeded  and 
hand-hoed,  they  will  give  a  wealth  of 
color  not  equalled  by  any  other  flower. 

Plantings  for  cut  flowers  should  be 
made  in  rows  eighteen  inches  apart,  with 
bulbs  three  inches  apart  in  the  row,  cov- 
ering from  four  to  six  inches,  according 
to  the  size  of  the  bulbs;  press  the  earth 
firmly  around  each  bulb.  Care  should 
be  taken  to  plant  the  bulbs  right  side  up, 
so  that  the  new  bulb,  which  forms  on  top 
will  not  be  pushed  too  near  the  surface. 
For  succession  of  bloom,  plant  from  the 
time  the  ground  can  be  worked  until 
July  1. 

After  the  spike  begins  to  show,  all 
weeds  should  be  removed,  and  if  the  soil 
is  kept  thoroughly  worked,  watering  will 
hardly  be  necessary ;  they  are  great 
drinkers,  however,  and  respond  quickly 
to  water.    Always  water  after   sundown. 

The  lower  bulb,  the  one  you  plant,  dies 
away  and  a  new  one  forms  on  top,  before 
blossoming,  and  if  not  planted  deep,    it 


will  be  so  close  to  the  top  of  the  ground 
after  forming,  that  there  will  be  no  ground 
support  for  the  bloom  spike.  Because  of 
this  lack  of  support,  it  is  easily  blown 
over  and  the  roots  loosened  or  broken  off. 
By  deep  planting  you  do  away  with  stak- 
ing.   

A  Simple  Flower  Holder  for 

a  Shallow  Bowl  or  Dish. 

The  following  will  be  found  a  most 
effective  and  at  the  same  time  inexpen- 
sive flower  holder : 

Procure  a  yard  of  the  finest  wire  net- 
ting and  cut  it  into  pieces  each  one  foot 
square ;  each  of  these  pieces  will  make  a 
flower  holder. 

Take  each  piece  and  bend  the  corner 
towards  the  centre,  then  place  it  in  the 
bowl,  corners  downwards,  and  gradually 
crumple  it  up  until  it  roughly  fits  and 
fills  the  receptacle. 

It  should  be  covered  with  a  layer  of 
moss,  and  will  then  be  found  to  be  a 
really  satisfactory  flower  holder. 

In  thrusting  the  stems  of  the  flowers 
through  the  moss  the  several  layers  of 
wires  hold  them  firmly  in  their  place,  so 
that  each  day  it  is  easy  to  lift  the  whole 
at  once,  and  empty  and  refill  the  bowl 
with  fresh  water. 

A  very  artistic  effect  may  be  obtained 
by  using  just  a  few  flowers  with  their 
foliage ;  in  this  way  they  appear  to  be 
growing  in  the  bowl. 

It  will  make  an  agreeable  change  from 
the  tall  vases  usually  employed  for  flow- 
ers with  long  stems,  and  will  be  found 
most  effective  in  grouping  Narcissus, 
Sweet  Peas,  Iris  and  similar  flowers. — 
The  Home  Gardener  (Australia). 


In  the  October  issue  was  a  description 
of  the  Gladiolus  show  at  Lansing,  Mich. 
Earl  Edgerton,  one  of  the  exhibitors, 
sends  us  a  card  which  was  furnished  to 
all  exhibitors  to  designate  their  exhibits 
and  varieties.  This  card  was  about  2J" 
X  3|"  in  size  and  about  as  follows : 


GROWN  BY 

EARL  EDGERTON 

Gladiolus  Specialist. 

The  top  line  is  for  writing  in  the  name 
of  the  variety  and  this  is  a  suggestion 
which  should  be  generally  adopted  for 
flower  shows. 


Page 

158 


t3l)e  ^tto6crn  (Bla6iolu5  (Grower 


Nov. 
1917 


The  Value  of  Peonies. 

These,  the  most  gorgeous  of  all  hardy 
herbaceous  flowers,  are  also  the  most 
neglected  by  modern  gardeners.  It  may 
be  that  their  robustness  and  brilliancy  are 
their  undoing,  for  nobody  would  grudge 
them  the  space  they  require  while  in  their 
full  glory  of  gorgeous  blossoming,  but 
when  the  flowers  have  fallen,  and  the 
foliage  begins  to  ripen,  past  favors  are 
soon  forgotten  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
break  in  the  floral  scheme.  This  objec- 
tion can  easily  be  overcome  by  intelligent 
anticipation  in  preparing  summer  and 
autumn  flowering  plants  to  place  around 
the  Peony  clumps,  to  furnish  the  positions 
for  the  remainder  of  the  season.  For  this 
purpose  no  plants  are  more  suitable  than 
Antirrhinums,  which,  as  they  thrive  in 
dry  and  poor  soils,  will  not  necessitate 
much  root  disturbance  of  the  Peonies. 
These  remarks  apply  to  the  herbaceous 
Peonies,  chiefly  to  the  wonderful  hybrids 
raised  by  crossing  the  European  and 
Chinese  species.  As  the  season  of  the 
former  is  May  and  the  latter  usually 
throughout  June  and  well  into  July,  the 
union  has  increased  the  season  of  the 
Peony  to  a  great  extent. 

But,  although  the  natural  place  of  the 
herbaceous  Peony  would  seem  to  be  in 
the  flower  border,  this  is  by  no  means  the 
only  place  where  they  can  be  used.  No 
one  can  be  a  greater  admirer  than  my- 
self of  the  glorious  masses  of  color  given 
by  the  double  red  varieties  which  have 
much  of  Peony  ojftcinalis  in  them,  nor  of 
the  more  delicate  charm  of  many  of  P. 
albiflora  parentage,  but  all  of  these  can 
be  even  more  effective  elsewhere.  Dur- 
ing the  season  of  flower,  herbaceous 
Peonies  planted  either  as  a  mass  of  one 
variety  or  in  tasteful  mixtures  in  a  large 
lawn  bed,  make  a  splendid  attraction,  but 
this  method  makes  difficulties  for  the 
rest  of  the  year.  For  the  most  part  this 
may  be  overcome  by  associating  them 
with  standard  Pyruses  or  peaches,  and 
carpeting  or  bordering  them  with  Violas. 
On  the  margin  of  the  lawn,  or  where 
garden  and  woodland  meet,  bold  groups, 
though  they  should  not  be  too  large,  of 
the  brightest  colored  varieties,  are  ex- 
ceedingly attractive,  and  in  such  positions 
need  cause  no  anxiety  when  not  in  flower. 
The  ample  foliage,  bold  habit,  and  showy 
blossoms  of  many  varieties  make  herba- 
ceous Peonies  eminently  suitable  for  plant- 
ing in  the  shrubbery  borders  or  near  the 
carriage  drive. 

The  herbaceous  Peony  is  deserving  of 
much  more  attention  in  wild  gardening 
than  it  at  present  receives.     Peony  offici- 


nalis is  particularly  valuable,  as  at  the 
first  approach  of  spring  the  ground  is 
brightened  by  the  beautiful  red  shoots, 
which  retain  their  welcome  coloring  until  ^ 
the  flower  buds  become  prominent.  P.  i^ 
lobata,  said  to  be  merely  a  variety  of  P. 
officinalis,  of  a  lovely  satiny  pink  color; 
P.  tenuifolia,  which  has  the  charm  of 
graceful  funnel  like  leaves  in  addition  to 
dark  crimson  flowers;  or  P.  albiflora,  the 
Oriental  species  from  which  many  hy- 
brids get  their  erect  habit,  are  a  few  of 
the  most  useful  sorts. 

Unlike  the  herbaceous  Peonies,  which 
may  be  planted  in  shady  places  in  full  ex- 
pectation that  they  will  flourish  there. 
Peony  Mountain  must  have  a  place  in  the 
sun  if  it  is  expected  to  thrive,  though  both 
types  are  alike  in  loving  the  good  things 
of  the  soil,  and  should  have  liberal  treat- 
ment. While  they  are  somewhat  im- 
patient of  root  disturbance,  the  herba- 
ceous sorts  may  be  relied  upon  to  soon 
make  a  good  show,  but  the  tree  Peony 
is  of  slower  growth,  and  requires  several 
years  before  much  effect  is  produced. 
In  the  garden  Peony  Mountain  and  its 
many  splendid  varieties  are  seen  at  their 
best  as  lawn  plants  where  they  receive 
plenty  of  sunshine,  but  shelter  from  east- 
erly winds  is  necessary.  If  young  plants 
are  being  used,  an  effect  is  obtained 
soonest  when  three  or  five  are  planted  M- 
moderately  near  together  in  the  same  ^ 
bed.  Although  it  is  a  shrub,  the  Moun- 
tain Peony  is  not  suitable  for  culture  in 
the  shrubbery ;  it  requires  isolation. — 
Gardeners '  Magazine  ( English ) . 


Cleaning  Out  Hedges. 

A  hedge  should  always  command  care 
and  attention.  Very  often  they  are  al- 
lowed to  become  over-run  by  long  grasses 
and  weeds,  and  probably  a  collecting  spot 
for  dust,  twigs,  and  an  assortment  of 
rubbish  blown  about  by  the  wind. 

Besides  making  their  appearance  un- 
sightly, this  state  of  affairs  checks  the 
growth  of  the  hedge. 

It  should  also  be  remembered  that  the 
neater  the  hedge  the  better  set-off  it  is  to 
the  flowers  and  shrubs  within  its  bounds. 

The  present  is  a  good  time  for  clearing 
away  all  weeds  and  foreign  matter  that 
collects  at  the  base.  Hedges  as  a  rule 
receive  very  little  thought  as  regards 
manuring.  Of  course  it  is  not  advisable 
to  induce  a  rank  growth,  but  a  consist- 
ently healthy  one  cannot  be  maintained  ^ 
without  manure  and  a  quantity  of  good  ^' 
loam  annually  after  about  four  or  five 
years  from  the  time  of  planting. — The 
Home  Gardener  (Australia.) 


Nov. 

1917 


Ol)e  !5llo6erR  <Bla6iolu5  (Grower 


Page 

159 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


THE  BUCKEYE  TREE. 

The  first  thing  I  remember  was  a 
dreamy  sense  of  warmth  and  comfort 
which  was  quickly  followed  by  a  feeling 
of  being  smothered  and  a  desire  to  leave 
my  snug  bed.  In  furlher  awakenment  I 
cautiously  pushed  a  foot  forth  until  it 
pressed  down  into  the  soft  soil  which 
seemed  to  grasp  and  hold  it  firmly.  Then 
with  a  tremendous  effort  I  threw  the 
coverings  from  my  head  and  obtained  my 
first  glimpse  of  this  beautiful  world. 
That  was  fifty-five  years  ago  last  spring 
and  it  was  the  previous  fall  that  my  owner 
planted  the  seed,  a  buckeye,  from  which 
I  grew.  I  was  healthy  from  the  start,  due 
partly,  I  imagine,  to  my  being  planted  on 
my  native  soil,  but  I  might  feel  a  little 
more  at  home  if  nearer  the  middle  of  the 
state,  for  my  owner  says  the  Aesculus 
Glabra,  which  is  my  botanical  name,  is  a 
native  of  central  Ohio  and  no  other  place. 
However,  we  stand  transplanting  well,  for 
Buckeye  trees  are  now  growing  in  many 
different  states.  Perhaps  I  am  not  as 
large  a  tree  as  you  might  expect  for  one 
of  my  age  but  I  have  poise  and  dignity  be- 
fitting my  years.  I  have  had  my  share 
of  joys  and  sorrows  and  could  relate  many 
interesting  incidents. 

My  greatest  grievance  is  in  mistaken 
identity  for  I  am  constantly  being  mis- 
taken for  the  Horse-chestnut  tree.  I  sup- 
pose I  ought  not  to  notice  such  trifling 
things  and  perhaps  I  would  not  if  I  were 
growing  on  foreign  soil  but  to  have  the 
Horse-chestnut,  who  is  a  genuine  foreigner, 
an  Asiatic,  come  right  here  into  my  own 
dear  Ohio  and  from  a  young  stripling  at- 
tain my  size  in  less  than  half  the  time  I 
require  and  then  pass  himself  off  as  a 
Buckeye,  is  certainly  galling.  Of  course, 
it  is  only  ignorant  people  that  do  not 
know  the  difference  between  us  and  I 
would  not  care  a  rap  for  their  opinions  if 
the  Horse-chestnut  was  not  so  conceited 
and  when  someone  speaks  of  the  great 
Buckeye  State  in  his  presence  he  bows 
and  rustles  his  leaves  as  much  as  to  say  : 
"This  is  a  Buckeye  Tree." 

Our  resemblance  is  only  in  our  flowers 
and  fruits  and  any  one  fairly  observant 
can  easily  see  the  difference.  My  flowers 
are  a  beautiful  pale  yellow  and  the  nuts, 
of  which  there  is  seldom  more  than  one 
in  a  burr,  are  smooth  and  remain  smooth 
no  matter  how  long  they  are  kept,  and 
you  know  that  some  people  think  they 
must  always  have  a  Buckeye  about  them. 


to  keep  rheumatism  away,  they  say, 
which,  of  course,  makes  me  smile.  I 
think  a  bit  of  my  bark  would  be  more 
liable  to  keep  diseases  away  for  it  does 
not  smell  very  nice.  Some  people  call  it 
a  fetid  odor,  and  a  bit  of  it  fastened  to  a 
cord  and  worn  at  the  neck  might  (just 
might,  you  know)  possess  the  same 
virtue  as  the  little  ill  smelling  bags  chil- 
dren used  to  wear  to  keep  diseases  away. 

The  flowers  of  the  Horse-chestnut  are 
similar  to  mine  in  form  but  the  color  is 
white  with  purple  markings  and  there 
are  sometimes  two  or  three  nuts,  which 
wrinkle  with  age  or  when  old  and  dry,  in 
a  burr. 

Our  manner  of  growth  is  entirely  dif- 
ferent. My  branches  grow  so  as  to  form  a 
spear  shaped  top  and  make  my  entire 
season's  growth  in  three  or  four  weeks' 
time,  very  early  in  spring,  then  rest.  But 
my  beautifully  lanciated  leaves  are  busy 
planning  a  joyous  autumn  gown  which  I 
don  early,  for  I  am  one  of  the  first  to  do 
my  bit  in  protection  of  mother  earth  dur- 
ing the  winter. 

The  Horse-chestnut  works  all  summer 
pushing  its  branches  outward  and  form- 
ing a  round  top  while  its  smooth  uncut 
leaves  seem  to  have  no  interest  only  to 
hang  on  as  long  as  possible. 

The  above  are  some  of  the  differences 
between  us,  and  now  that  I  have  told  you 
about  them,  the  next  time  you  happen 
along  please  notice  my  form,  foliage, 
fiowers  and  fruit  and  do  not  call  me  a 
Horse-chestnut  for  I  am  a  Buckeye. 

Now,  I  am  going  to  tell  you  the  greatest 
of  all  things  about  myself.  It  is  something 
of  which  I  am  very  proud.  It's  a  tradi- 
tion. An  Indian  tradition.  When  my 
owner  was  a  very  small  boy,  and  he  says 
he  can  remember  it  as  well  as  if  it  hap- 
pened yesterday,  a  very  strange  looking 
man  visited  his  father.  He  was  dressed 
much  like  woodsmen  are,  but  called  him- 
self a  missionary  and  said  that  he  taught 
religion  to  the  Indians.  He  lived  with 
them  a  large  part  of  his  time  and  learned 
their  ways  and,  he  said,  that  when  they 
wanted  to  catch  fish,  they  would  take  the 
kernel  from  inside  the  Buckeye  nuts, 
pound  fine,  and  throw  upon  the  water. 
The  fish  would  eat  and  become  stupefied, 
turning  on  their  sides  and  coming  to  the 
surface  where  they  were  easily  caught. 
The  effects  were  not  lasting  and  not  harm- 
ful and  if  left  in  the  water  they  would 
soon  be  as  lively  as  ever. 

Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


It  has  been  a  wet  fall  for  digging  here 
in  New  York  State  but  we  hope  for  a  mild 
and  dry  November. 


Page 
160 


O^e  Mlo6ern  iBladlolus  (Grower 


Nov. 

1917 


Gladiolus  Growing  in  the  South. 

By  C.  S.  Tait. 

Why  not  ?  We  have  the  soil  and  climate. 
The  writer  planted  four  bushels  of  corm- 
lets  in  Aug.,  1916,  that  were  dug  in  October 
1915.  In  this  lot  were  America,  Halley 
and  other  kinds.  By  December  they  were 
nice  bulbs  and  were  left  in  the  ground 
over  winter.  When  the  freeze  came  first 
week  in  February  they  were  up  and  grow- 
ing fine,  but  were  killed  to  the  ground. 
In  a  few  days  they  were  up  again.  In 
May  we  were  cutting  some  fine  spikes. 
Sending  photo  of  five  Americas  cut  from 
lot.  This  bunch  had  a  spread  of  fifteen 
inches.  Some  Hoi  land  ia  heads  were  20 
inches  long  with  14  inches  of  open  flowers. 


Five  spikes  of  America  grown  by  Mr,  Tait  from 
cormels  planted  in  August  1916.  The  flowers  were 
cut  in  the  last  week  of  May,  1917.  The  bunch  is 
15  inches  across. 

Other  kinds  were  equally  as  good.  In 
November  I  planted  four  bushels  more  of 
the  same  lot  of  cormels ;  they  are  now 
coming  into  bloom.  They  were  left  un- 
disturbed over  winter.  No  mulch  or 
extra  dirt  put  on  them  These  will  make 
first  and  second  size  bulbs  by  fall.  For 
information,  would  say  that  these  cormels 
were  planted  in  a  moist  soil,  covered  about 
6"  deep,  and  about  ten  days  later  half  the 
soil  was  raked  off  and  I  never  saw  cormels 
come  up  as  well.  Last  July  I  sowed  some 
Gladiolus  seed.  They  are  now  (June)  com- 
ing into  bloom.     Bulbs  were   left   in  the 


ground  over  winter.  Last  March  I  sowed 
some  seed.  They  were  blooming  in  July 
and  kept  at  it  until  October.  This  year  I 
made  my  first  planting  January  10th  and 
have  planted  about  every  two  weeks  since 
then,  and  expect  to  keep  at  it  until  the 
middle  of  August.  I  now  have  thousands 
of  little  seedlings  up  and  growing  fine. 
The  seed  can  be  sowed  here  out  doors 
every  month  except  December  and  Janu- 
ary. I  would  prefer  planting  cormlets  in 
the  fall  about  two  to  three  weeks  after 
digging.  This  gives  them  a  chance  to 
ripen  and  I  believe  they  sprout  quicker 
than  when  planted  as  soon  as  dug.  Ten 
months  out  of  twelve  to  plant  and  grow 
Gladioli-^- what  more  do  you  want? 


Charm  of  Flowers. 

Barring  the  equally  ancient  and  allur- 
ing pastime  of  going  afishing,  no  hobby 
has  a  stronger  grip  on  its  devotees  than 
gardening.  At  4  o'clock  of  a  summer 
morning  Celia  Thaxter  could  be  found  at 
work  in  her  radiant  little  island  plot,  a 
sister  in  spirit  to  old  Chaucer  when  on 
his  knees  in  the  grass  at  dawn  to  watch 
a  daisy  open.  And  these  were  not  ex- 
ceptional, not  extraordinary,  cases  of 
devotion.  They  were  merely  typical  ex- 
ponents of  the  true  gardener's  passion. 

Nor  is  this  tense  enthusiasm  fleeting. 
Not  in  the  least.  It  is  not  more  transient 
than  the  bibliomaniac's  passion,  no  more 
evanescent  than  the  collector's  zeal,  which 
only  death  can  quench.  It  is  no  sudden, 
youthful  fervor.  Indeed,  it  is  rarely  found 
in  youth  at  the  storm  and  stress  period, 
while  it  may  be  observed  to  be  strongest 
in  those  for  whom  the  days  of  wild  en- 
thusiasm are  over.  The  bachelor  clergy- 
man or  the  quietest  of  spinsters,  for  whom 
other  passion  is  nonexistent,  will  yet 
lavish  on  their  gardens  enough  devotion 
to  have  on  the  heart  of  the  most  obdurate 
of  persons,  enough  tenderness  to  have 
sufficed  for  the  mothering  of  a  dozen  little 
ones.  A  garden  is  the  world  of  the  re- 
cluse, the  passion  of  the  lone  man  or 
woman,  the  diversion  of  statesmen,  the 
recreation  of  poets  and  artists  of  all  ages, 
except  perhaps  musicians,  who  may  be 
overcareful  of  their  hands. — Frances 
Duncan  in  Scribner's. 


The  subscription  rate  of  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  after  Jan.  1,  1918,  will 
be  %2  for  three  years.  Renewals  will  be 
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three  years  until  January  1st.  There  is 
no  easier  way  to  make  money  than  to 
renew  for  any  period  you  wish  at  the 
present  rate. 


Nov. 
19  17 


Ob<2^  ^^o5crn  (Bla6iolu5  (Browcr 


Page 

161 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF  THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


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the  right  to  reject  anything  which  in  his  judgment  is  not  conducive  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  business. 

Copyright  1917  by  Madison  Cooper. 

The  content!  of  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROH'ER  are  covered  hy  general  copyright.  Permission  is  given  to  editors  to 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  prcper  credit  is  gix'en  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  follows  : 
"  From  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROIVER,  Calcium.  N.Y."  Special  permission  necessary  for  reprinting  illustrations, 
long  extracts  or  articles  entire. 

Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879 


Vol.  IV. 


November,    1917 


No.  11 


Gladi'  o-lus  is  the  singular  of  Gladi'-oli. 

Correctly  pronounced  with  accent  on  the  syllable  "di. 


Business  Announcement. 

Beginning  with  January,  1918,  the  size 
of  the  page  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  will  be  9"x  12".  The  type  page 
will  be  just  about  twice  the  area  of  what 
it  is  at  present  and  there  will  be  three 
columns.  The  present  type  is  eight  point. 
The  type  we  will  use  in  the  larger  size 
will  be  nine  point  or  one  size  larger.  We 
expect  to  maintain  the  typographical  ex- 
cellence which  has  always  characterized 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  and 
the  larger  type  will  make  the  matter 
more  easily  read  and  be  more  appro- 
priate for  the  size  of  the  page.  There 
will  be  no  material  change  in  advertising 
rates  for  the  same  amount  of  space,  but 
as  the  size  of  the  page  will  be  about 
double  what  it  is  now,  the  page  rate  will 
necessarily  be  about  double  the  present 
rate. 

As  we  have  pointed  out  before,  there 
are  a  number  of  important  advantages  in 
the  larger  size  page.  The  chief  advan- 
tage is  an  artistic  one.  We  can  use  half- 
tones of  proper  size  to  suitably  illustrate 
any  given  subject  which  is  not  possible 
now.     A  second  advantage  is  the  matter 


of  economy  in  printing.  A  given  type 
area  in  the  new  size  will  cost  less 
than  the  same  type  area  in  the  pres- 
ent size  as  there  is  less  press-work  and 
less  paper  required.  The  Gladiolus  has 
always  been  our  specialty,  but  we  have 
printed  also  considerable  matter  on  other 
subjects  as  well.  The  present  size  page 
doesn't  give  us  space  to  print  matter  about 
other  flowers  as  we  would  like.  With  the 
changed  size,  the  Gladiolus  will  not  in  any 
way  be  neglected,  but  more  matter  on 
other  subjects  will  be  used. 

The  December  issue  will  complete  the 
fourth  volume  of  the  present  size  maga- 
zine. We  dislike  to  break  the  uniform  size 
of  the  bound  volumes,  but  it  cannot  well  be 
avoided  and  there  seems  to  be  a  decided 
tendency  of  all  monthly  publications  to 
adopt  the  new  magazine  size,  9"  x  12". 
We  feel  that  the  advantages  outweigh 
the  disadvantages  of  the  change  and  that 
the  9"x  12"  page  should  be  maintained  as 
a  permanent  size. 

Our  friends  have  for  the  most  part 
commented  favorably  on  the  proposed 
change  and  we  believe  that  it  will  work 
out  to  good  advantage  and  with  satisfac- 
tion all  around.  Madison  Cooper. 


Page 
162 


Obe  ^o6erti  (&la6lolus  (Grower 


Nov. 

1917 


Under  head  of  "  Gladiolus  Growing  in 
the  South,"  Mr.  Tait  makes  out  a  strong 
case  in  favor  of  the  South  as  a  rapid 
grower  of  Gladiolus  corms.  We  wonder 
whether  there  may  be  some  offsetting  dis- 
advantage. We  will  be  glad  to  hear  from 
Gladiolus  growers  who  have  had  experi- 
ence both  in  the  North  and  South  as  to 
comparative  possibilities  of  the  two  sec- 
tions. 


Commenting  on  the  article  by  B.  F. 
Stalnaker  in  the  August  issue  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  A.  E.  Kun- 
derd,  of  Goshen,  Ind.,  has  promised  to 
write  more  about  his  cultural  methods. 
Mr.  Kunderd  disclaims  any  intention  in 
what  is  said  in  his  catalogue  about  grow- 
ing exhibition  Gladioli  to  have  it  inferred 
that  the  directions  there  given  are  his 
own  field  culture. 


Mrs.  Austin's  Talks  this  month  tells  us 
about  the  Buckeye  tree  from  which  the 
state  of  Ohio  gets  its  distinctive  appella- 
tion, "  The  Buckeye  State."  Not  many  of 
us  know  what  the  Buckeye  tree  is  as 
compared,  for  instance,  with  the  horse- 
chestnut,  with  which  we  are  all  more  or 
less  familiar,  and  Mrs.  Austin,  therefore, 
tells  us  in  her  usual  pleasing  way  just 
what  the  Buckeye  tree  is. 


Antirrhinums. 

The  Antirrhinums,  popularly  known  as 
Snapdragons,  are  among  the  most  useful 
of  our  summer  flowering  plants.  As  they 
thrive  best  when  grown  in  warm  dry 
situations,  they  are  particularly  suitable 
for  our  Australian  gardens,  and  for  mak- 
ing a  bright  display  at  a  moderate 
cost  there  are  not  many  fiowers  which 
can  excel  them.  The  range  of  coloring 
in  the  different  varieties  is  now  much 
greater  than  it  was  a  few  years  ago.  The 
size  of  blooms,  and  habit  of  plants  has 
also  been  much  improved  of  late  years 
by  the  efforts  of  hybridisers  and  other 
enthusiasts,  who  have  turned  their  atten- 
tion to  this  popular  fiower.  The  modern 
Snapdragons  are,  therefore,  greatly  in  ad- 
vance of  the  old-fashioned  ones,  for 
whatever  purpose  in  the  garden  they  may 
be  used.  They  thrive  well  as  rockery 
plants,  and  will  push  their  roots  down  in 


crevices  between  rocks,  where  they  seem 
to  feel  quite  at  home. 

Antirrhinums  are  divided  into  three  sec- 
tions— first,  tali,  which  grow  up  to  three 
feet  in  height,  and  bear  long  spikes  of  w^' 
bloom.  These  should  be  staked  before  ^ 
they  come  into  bloom,  as  they  are  apt  to 
suffer  from  strong  winds.  Second,  semi- 
tall.  This  is  the  most  popular  section  for 
bedding,  as  they  can  be  had  in  separate 
colors,  and  they  do  not  usually  require 
staking.  They  grow  from  15"  to  18" 
high,  and  are  of  stiffer  habit  and  more 
floriferous  than  the  tall  kinds.  The  third 
section  is  the  Dwarf,  or  "  Tom  Thumb  " 
varieties.  These  grow  about  nine  inches 
high  and  are  the  best  for  edgings  and 
small  beds.  If  given  space  enough  these 
will  spread  out  into  compact  bushes,  and 
flower  profusely  all  summer. 


The  soil  most  suitable  for  the  growth 
of  Antirrhinums  is  one  that  is  light,  well 
drained,  and  not  over  rich.  But  almost 
any  garden  soil  will  grow  them,  provided 
it  is  free  from  stagnant  moisture.  Strong 
manure  should  never  be  used  in  their 
cultivation,  as  it  tends  to  promote  a  rank 
growth  of  foliage  at  the  expense  of  the 
flowers.  The  best  way  to  propagate  them 
is  from  seed,  which  may  be  sown  either 
in  autumn  or  early  spring  in  boxes  or  ^■ 
pans  of  fine  sandy  soil.  The  seed,  being  \ 
fine,  should  be  sprinkled  on  the  surface 
of  the  soil  and  barely  covered  with  fine 
sand.  The  boxes  should  be  covered  with 
glass  and  kept  in  a  warm  place  such  as  a 
sunny  verandah,  and  care  must  be  taken 
that  the  surface  of  the  soil  in  the  boxes 
does  not  become  dry  until  germination 
has  taken  place.  When  the  seedlings 
have  become  large  enough  to  handle,  they 
should  be  transplanted  into  other  boxes, 
giving  them  room  enough  to  develop  into 
sturdy  plants  ready  for  planting  out  into 
their  flowering  positions.  They  must  not 
be  over  watered  at  any  stage  of  their 
growth,  as  they  are  liable  to  "  damp  off." 
When  planting  out,  allow  the  semi  dwarf 
kinds  to  stand  12"  apart,  the  dwarfs  about 
the  same  distance,  and  the  tall  kinds  18" 
or  2'  apart.  They  will  not  need  much 
after  attention  beyond  keeping  down 
weeds,  keeping  the  flower  spikes  cut  out 
as  soon  as  they  have  finished  blooming, 
and  an  occasional  watering  in  dry  weather. 
Choice  varieties  may  be  propagated  from 
cuttings  or  slips  taken  off  near  the  ground 
and  planted  in  sandy  soil,  where  they  can  ^ 
be  partially  shaded  until  rooting  takes  •' 
place.— By  E.  Gray,  Public  Gardens,  ^ 
Kyneton. — From  The  Home  Gardener 
(Australia.) 


Nov. 

1917 


Ob<i  Modern  (Gladiolus  (Brewer 


Page 

163 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


«v        DIVIDING   GLADIOLUS  CORMS    TO    PROMOTE 
^  INCREASE. 

The  September  number  of  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  is  to  hand,  and  in  it 
I  see  below  a  statement  by  another  sub- 
scriber, an  extract  from  a  letter  sent  you 
some  time  ago  in  regard  to  cutting  Gladi- 
olus corms  for  increase.  Well,  this  fall  I 
can  give  concrete  evidence  : 

Last  year  and  year  before  I  had  a  stand 
of  Americas  that  disgusted  me  completely  ; 
they  came  blind,  or  not  at  all,  and  they 
dawdled  along  if  they  did  come,  and  then 
the  foliage  yellowed  and,  altogether,  they 
were  an  unlovely  lot.  I  suspect  they  were 
Holland  stock,  and  old  corms  at  that,  al- 
though supposed  to  be  American  grown. 
This  spring  I  had  to  plant  in  early  April 
because  in  May  I  would  be  away  from 
home,  and  I  came  to  those  Americas 
when  I  was  tired  from  planting  1,000 
corms,  more  or  less.  I  got  a  knife  and 
split  every  corm  in  two  pieces,  some  of 
them  in  three,  and  planted  them.  When 
I  returned  in  June  the  Glads  were  just 
appearing,  but  those  Americas  were  not 
to  be  seen.  By  the  first  of  July  they  were 
up  and  growing  finely,  however,  and  the 
^  first  of  August  they  began  to  bloom.  If 
B  Glads  could  get  "hidebound"  I  should 
think  that  was  what  had  ailed  them,  for 
out  of  the  whole  lot  there  were  but  six 
that  failed  to  give  very  good  spikes  of 
bloom  with  good  foliage.  The  ground 
had  not  been  well  fertilized,  and  I  had  to 
use  phosphate  on  the  Glads  twice  to  help 
them  along,  but  they  have  done  finely,  I 
think.  It  has  been  an  untoward  season. 
If  I  were  anxious  to  increase  my  stock 
of  any  one  kind  quickly,  I  should  not 
hesitate,  after  my  experience  of  this  year, 
to  cut  the  corms  to  a  single  "eye"  pro- 
vided I  had  the  ground  well  enriched  with 
good  stable  manure  in  addition  to  the 
phosphates  to  be  used.  Good  soil  makes 
a  great  deal  of  difference  I  find.  I  am 
now  wondering  how  the  increase  by  bulb- 
lets  will  turn  out.  They  have  produced 
very  few  in  the  two  years  I've  had  them. 
Severe  frosts  have  already  visited  us 
here,  (Sept.  18th)  and  one  light  freeze, 
but  the  good  old  Glads  were  right  on  the 
job,  uninjured  and  ready  for  the  fair  this 
week.  Dahlias  in  some  places  are  totally 
destroyed   as  to  bloom,  and  when  I  look 

^at  the  fussy  things  I  say  to  myself  that 
others  may  place  their  affections  on  them 
and  see  the  first  frost  cut  them  down 
when  they  are  just  getting  down  to  busi- 
ness, but  give  me  the  Glads.     I  have  a 


good  collection  of  Dahlias,  but  I  never  keep 
many  roots.  The  Glads  I  grow  on  from 
the  increase  by  bulblet  and  so  have  al- 
ways some  to  flower  very  late  even  if 
planted  early  since  they  are  slower  in 
maturing. 

I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  tell  you  my 
slicedup  corms  did  well,  but  I've  been 
so  busy  I  shouldn't  have  thought  of  writ- 
ing, most  likely,  if  I  hadn't  seen  the  items 
in  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 
Minnie  E.  Main. 


digging  gladioli  —removing  tops   at 
digging  time,  etc. 

I  notice  in  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower,  just  received,  a  question  as  to 
the  method  of  removing  the  tops  of 
Gladioli.  We  Independence  growers  al- 
ways remove  the  tops  immediately,  while 
they  are  fresh  and  brittle,  breaking  them 
quickly  across  the  thumb.  The  men  are 
not  allowed  to  twist  them  off,  but  if  any 
are  tough  they  are  cut  off  across  the  edge 
of  the  box  with  a  short  knife,  usually 
such  as  is  used  in  the  kitchen.  If  the 
tops  are  left  to  dry  they  become  too 
tough  and  have  to  be  cut  off;  which 
takes  more  time  than  we  can  spare.  In 
digging  very  small  stock,  grown  from  the 
cormel,  we  remove  the  top  soil  with  a 
sharp  spade,  cutting  as  low  as  possible 
without  cutting  the  corms,  then  loosen 
the  soil  very  close  to  the  row  of  corms, 
preferably  on  both  sides.  The  soil,  bulbs 
and  bulblets  are  then  scooped  out  length- 
wise the  row  and  are  dropped  into  the 
sieve.  In  digging  the  larger  corms  we 
use  a  fork,  putting  it  down  quite  perpen- 
dicularly just  below  the  depth  of  the 
corms,  then  dropping  the  handle  so  as  to 
give  a  pry  to  raise  and  loosen  the  roots. 
Then  they  can  be  pulled  out  in  bunches 
of  half  a  dozen  or  more  and  nearly  all 
the  bulblets  come  with  them.  When  the 
sieves,  homemade,  rectangular  affairs, 
are  full  as  we  can  carry  them,  the  tops 
are  broken  off  and  the  soil  shaken  out. 
The  cut  off  tops  are  used  at  night  to  pro- 
tect the  drying  crates  if  there  is  any 
danger  of  frost  or  rain.  These  crates  are 
of  lath  bottom,  about  four  feet  long  and 
two  feet  wide. 

Mr.  Black,  to  save  the  labor  of  loosen- 
ing with  a  fork,  used  a  one  horse  plow, 
removing  the  mould  board  and  readjust- 
ing the  plow  and  beam  so  as  to  give  the 
plow  a  strong  turn  to  the  left.  A  curved 
board  which  he  happened  to  have,  was 
attached  to  the  beam  so  as  to  run  on  the 
ground  as  a  sort  of  guide.  The  whole 
thing  was  crudely  made,  in  a  hurry,  but 


Page 
164 


Obe  Mlo6ern  (&la6lolu5  (Grower 


Nov. 

1917 


worked  fairly  well,  not  turning  the  bulbs 
out  of  ground  but  loosening  them  so  that 
they  were  easily  pulled  up.  As  labor  is 
dear  in  Minnesota  I  have  no  doubt  he  is 
using  some  such  thing  this  year.  Per- 
haps he  will  tell  us  more  exactly  how 
the  contrivance  was  made.  I  have  just 
begun  digging  today,  Oct.  15th. 

Geo.  S.  Woodruff. 


BLUE  GLADIOLI. 

I  have  been  much  struck  with  the  in- 
terest taken  by  the  general  public  in  blue 
Gladioli  at  the  various  shows  I  have  at- 
tended from  time  to  time.  Invariably 
when  I  have  asked  a  lady  whether  she 
would  like  to  take  a  few  spikes,  I  have 
received  the  reply:  "  Thank  you,  I  should 
like  to  have  a  blue  one,  if  I  may  ?"  I  have 
been  anxious  to  add  some  more  blues  to 
my  collection,  but  it  is  very  difficult  to 
do  so  from  a  catalogue.  I  purchased  all 
the  blue  varieties  listed  by  one  grower 
but  have  not  yet  had  much  success.  So 
many  of  them  are  violet.  It  would  be 
interesting  if  you  could  prevail  on  your 
readers  to  send  in  a  report  early  in  No- 
vember covering  all  the  blue,  or  so-called 
blue,  varieties  grown  by  them.  The  in- 
formation should  include:  (a)  Name; 
(b)  date  of  blooming;  (c)  quality  of 
spike;  (d)  height;  (e)  state  or  county 
where  grown;  (f)  the  order  of  merit  ac- 
cording to  the  individual  grower. 

My  suggestion  may  be  too  late  for  this 
year  except  for  those  growers  who  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  keeping  records. 

If  anything  should  come  of  this  sug- 
gestion, it  might  be  followed  next  year 
with  a  report  on  the  named  varieties  of 
the  Primitlinus  Hybrids.  Smilax. 


PRONOUNCING  GLADIOLUS. 

This  is  the  point  about  that  Gla-di'  -olu? 
argument.  A  common  name  is  one  used 
commonly  for  the  plant.  Therefore,  since 
the  plant  is  commonly  known  as  Gla-di- 
o'  lus  that  is  the  name  of  the  plant,  in 
spite  of  the  dictionaries  or  the  sciolists. 
So  is  a  certain  other  plant  properly  called 
trailing  ar-bu'tus.  I  have  no  quarrel 
with  the  individual  who  insists  that  the 
generic  name  is  properly  Gladi'-o  lus. 
He  is  quite  right.  But  who  is  talking 
about  the  generic  name  ?  Not  the  man 
in  the  street,  surely,  who  calls  the  plant 
Gladi-o'lus  and  is  just  as  correct  as  the 
scientist.  Doubtless  the  common  people 
ought  to  have  placed  the  accent  on  the  i 
but  they  didn't.     The  common  people  call 


Erythronium  dog-tooth-violet,  but  it  isn't 
a  violet.  It  is,  however,  the  common 
name  of  the  plant.  Are  these  sticklers 
for  Gladi'o-lus  going  to  insist  that  we 
call  the  queen  of  flowers  Rosa  instead  of  ^ 
rose.  Is  Polyanthes  tuberosa  the  tuber-  x_ 
o-sa,  the  tuberose,  or  the  tuber-ose? 
See  the  point?  A  common  name  is  the 
name  (and  the  pronunciation  commonly 
given  the  name)  by  the  common  people. 
If  anybody  likes  the  sound  of  Glad-i-o'-lus, 
let  him  stick  to  it.  I'm  strong  for  it  my- 
self! 

WiLLARD  N.  ClUTE. 


ORIGIN  OF  CLAUDE  MONNET  AND 
BALTIMORE. 

On  page  149  of  the  October  number  of 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  the 
question  is  asked  as  to  where  the  varie- 
ties Claude  Monnet  and  Baltimore  origi- 
nated. The  first  mentioned  originated 
with  V.  Lemoine  and  Sons  prior  to  1899, 
in  which  year  I  purchased  some  of  this 
stock  direct  from  the  originators.  The 
variety  Baltimore  is  a  Groff's  Hybrid  and 
was  named  by  me  at  the  Convention  of 
the  S.  A.  F.  &  O.  H.  held  at  Baltimore. 
The  variety  Claude  Monnet  does  not  mul- 
tiply rapidly.  Baltimore,  however,  is  a 
good  breeder.  Arthur  Cowee. 


ORIGIN  OF  illustration    ON  COVER  OF 

kunderd's  catalogue. 

Referring  to  an  article  in  your  Septem- 
ber issue  regarding  the  question  as  to 
how  the  photo  from  which  our  front 
cover  illustration  for  our  1917  catalog 
was  made,  please  permit  me  to  say: 
Your  correspondent  proceeds  to  describe 
how  he  thinks  a  fake  stem  might  have 
been  built  up  by  the  use  of  several  dif- 
ferent flowers.  The  facts  are  as  stated 
by  me  in  my  former  article.  Why  the 
building  of  a  false  spike  would  be  neces- 
sary, or  how  the  anthers  would  have  any- 
thing to  do  in  explaining  the  apparent  mys- 
tery, is  not  clear.  No,  Mr.  Patterson, 
there  was  no  deception  practised  in  pro- 
ducing the  photo  in  question.  Your  an- 
swer is  not  correct  and  wholly  ignores 
my  statement  of  facts.  Read  again  my 
story  and  try  to  solve  the  riddle  from 
that  standpoint.  Your  answer  is  the  one 
generally  given  by  the  man  who  cannot 
explain  but  only  assumes  to  by  a  general 
denial  or  ignoring  of  the  facts.  To  deny  M, 
what  one  cannot  explain  is  no  explana-  V 
tion. 

A.  E.  Kunderd. 


Nov. 
1917 


Ol)C^  Mlo6ern  (&la6lolus  (Browcr 


Page 

165 


Joy  of  the  Gladiolus  Grower. 


By  Rose  Blair  Marsh  in  Indianapolis  Sunday  Star. 


OH,  FOR  A  FORTUNATUS'  PURSE  ! 
Kunderd's  catalogue  is  before  me 
and  the  very  newest,  dearest  Gladi- 
olus of  all,  Indian  Summer,  is  for  sale,  and 
only  one  bulb  to  a  customer  and  only  $25 
a  bulb.  If  it  were  only  a  watermelon 
perhaps  some  one  would  go  partners  and 
we  could  divide,  but  a  Gladiolus  corm — 
never. 

Why  is  it  we  are  never  satisfied  ?  I 
know  that  if  I  am  content  to  wait  long 
enough  the  coveted  bulb  will  be  mine  for 
a  price  within  the  reach  of  a  poor  woman's 
pocketbook.  Am  I  not  the  proud  owner 
of  blue-blooded  Prhiccps,  whose  parents 
are  one  of  American  stock  and  the  other 
from  the  Killimanjara  mountain  in  cen- 
tral Africa !  I  thought  I  could  not  ex- 
ist without  it,  and  here  I  am  pining  for 
another.  That  is  the  trouble  with  Gladioli ; 
they  get  into  your  blood  and  make  you 
so  glad,  glad,  glad  that  you  want  to  keep 
on  being  gladder. 
There  is  one  consolation.  Mr.  Hoover 
1^  may  read  the  same  story  that  I  did,  and 
™  declare  them  edible  and  with  restrictions 
as  to  the  number  on  hand.  Perhaps  it  is 
just  as  well  not  to  have  too  many  at  one 
time.  A  new  Chinese  cook,  after  the 
first  few  days  of  service,  put  before  the 
family  a  dainty  dish,  but  peculiar  in  flavor. 
The  family,  thinking  it  was  a  surprise  in 
the  way  of  some  oriental  concoction,  ate 
it — but  the  real  surprise  came  when  they 
later  found  he  had  creamed  the  choice 
Gladiolus  bulbs  so  carefully  stored  on  the 
cellar  shelf  by  the  man  of  the  house. 

I  wish  I  could  convey  to  the  reader 
some  idea  of  the  joy  in  raising  the  Gladi- 
olus—the perfect  flower -no  odor,  no 
pollen  to  offend,  and  when  picked  at  the 
first  of  the  blooming  will  last  for  two 
weeks  or  more,  with  new  buds  opening 
daily  before  your  eyes;  a  constant  joy 
and  pleasure. 

In  Japan  the  girls  are  taught  the  art  of 
arranging  flowers.  Their  education  is 
not  complete  without,  and  the  graceful 
sprays  of  cherry  blossoms  and  wisteria 
bear  witness  to  their  art,  while  in  this 
country  the  one  object  seems  to  be  a 
-^  compact  mass  of  as  many  flowers  as  can 
_y  be  crowded  into  a  vase.  Place  your  flow- 
ers in  the  house  as  nearly  as  possible  as 
nature  planned  them  in  the  garden  ;  only 
two    or    three    sprays,    or    even    one    of 


Gladioli,  with  the  green  leaves,  in  a  clear 
glass  receptacle,  if  possible.  For  a  low 
dinner  piece  the  top  blooms  can  be 
massed.  These  also  make  the  ideal  cor- 
sage bouquet,  keeping  fresh  through  long 
hours  in  heated  rooms  and  smiling  at 
you  next  morning,  if  you  have  not  been 
too  sleepy  to  place  them  in  water  over 
night. 

Some  years  ago  a  well  known  writer 
gave  me  this  advice :  "  Make  your  friends 
among  your  books,  for  if  they  bore  you 
they  can  be  cast  aside  and  taken  up  again 
at  will,  without  hurt  feelings."  Excellent 
advice  for  the  winter  months,  but  in  sum- 
mer, live  with  your  flowers;  there  is  no 
snobbery  among  them,  and  they  cannot 
wound  like  once-loved  old  friends,  who  so 
often,  when  fortune  knocks  at  their  door, 
forget  the  former  friendships. 

Like  begets  like  and  association  with 
flowers  breeds  gentleness  and  kindly 
thoughts  for  each  other,  and  we  cannot 
help  but  absorb  some  of  their  beauty  into 
our  own  natures. 

The  gambling  instinct  inherent  in  most 
of  us  is  aided  and  abetted  by  the  Gladi- 
olus grower.  Right  now  one  New  York 
grower  offers  a  thousand  dollars  to  the 
person,  either  amateur  or  professional, 
who  can  produce  a  better  white  variety 
than  he  now  has  on  the  market. 

There  is  the  scientific  poUinization  of 
flowers,  and  two  years  ago  didn't  I  care- 
fully follow  instructions,  and  didn't  the 
colored  maiden  then  in  our  employ  find 
and  burn  my  two  precious  pollenized 
stalks,  in  an  unheard  of  outburst  of  clean- 
ing the  attic  in  midwinter?  She  is  still 
in  the  land  of  the  living,  but  her  escape 
was  a  narrow  one. 

From  the  window,  where  I  write,  I  look 
down  on  War,  not  the  grim,  hideous 
spectacle  now  before  us,  but  the  crimson- 
hearted,  wonderful  flower  by  that  name. 
The  grower  who  produced  it  by  years  of 
patient  toil,  if  he  never  accomplished 
more,  has  performed  a  mission  for  all 
mankind. 

In  the  beginning,  God  placed  man  in  a 
garden,  and  if  Adain  had  been  attending 
strictly  to  the  Gladiolus  bed.  Eve  might 
have  passed  by  with  a  whole  bushel  of 
apples  and  he  never  would  have  noticed 
her.  There  are  modern  Adams  who 
would  do  well  to  heed  my  words. 


Page 
166 


Ol)e  ^>tlo6ern  (Bla6lolus  (Brewer 


Nov. 
1917 


Winter  Protection  for  Roses. 

As  soon  as  hard  freezing  sets  in  it  will 
be  well  to  cover  our  roses,  not  so  much 
against  the  cold  as  to  protect  them  against 
the  effect  of  alternate  freezing  and  thaw- 
ing and  against  the  drying  caused  by  the 
severe  winter  winds. 

Tea  roses,  being  less  hardy,  are  best 
taken  up  in  the  fall,  planted  or  healed  in 
boxes  with  moist  earth  and  placed  in  a 
cool  but  frost-proof  and  airy  cellar  over 
winter,  to  be  set  out  again  in  the  spring 
in  beds  or  borders.  They  should  be  kept 
slightly  moist  at  the  roots  over  winter, 
just  enough  so  the  wood  will  not  shrivel, 
but  not  too  moist,  or  the  canes  will  get 
mouldy  or  the  roots  decay ;  and  not  too 
warm,  or  they  will  start  into  growth  too 
early.  Of  course,  tea  roses  can  be  potted 
up  and  put  in  the  window  of  a  dwelling 
and  kept  growing  there  all  winter,  but 
most  houses  are  not  well  suited  for  grow- 
ing roses,  the  temperature  being  too  un- 
even and  the  air  too  dry  and  the  plants 
usually  grow  spindly,  become  diseased, 
and  covered  with  lice  and  red  spiders. 

The  tea  hybrids  and  Hybrid-perpetual 
ro=es  are  best  left  outdoors,  cut  back 
about  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  above 
ground,  and  covered  over  with  leaves, 
straw,  or  manure,  or  the  earth  is  simply 
hilled  up  around  the  plants.  This  will 
carry  the  plants  over  winter  usually  in 
good  condition  and  prevent  too  early  a 
start  in  the  spring,  with  a  freeze  back 
later  on.  The  cutting  back  of  the  plants 
can  be  left  until  spring  if  desired,  but  the 
plants  are  usually  easier  to  cover  up  when 
cut  back  in  the  fall.  Where  leaves  or 
straw  is  used  for  covering,  it  might  be 
necessary  to  put  some  poisoned  wheat 
around  the  plants  to  prevent  the  mice 
from  girdling  the  canes.  Rugosa  and 
Wichuraiana  hybrids  usually  do  not  need 
any  covering  at  all,  being  entirely  hardy 
even  in  severe  winters  but  even  here  a 
hilling  up  is  of  advantage,  as  it  will  pre- 
vent the  winds  from  working  loose  the 
plants  at  the  roots  and  the  ice  water  from 
running  down  along  the  stems  to  the 
roots  and  causing  decay.  Climbing  roses 
are  best  laid  down  and  covered  with  soil 
or  manure,  so  some  varieties  of  the 
rambler  type  seem  to  do  just  as  well  if 
left  where  they  are  and  not  covered  at 
all,  but  much  depends  here,  on  locality 
and  age  of  plants.  Very  little  pruning 
is  needed  with  these  roses  and  it  is  best 
done  only  every  other  year  and  then  after 
flowering  time  when  some  of  the  old  canes 
are  cut  out  and  the  young  canes  are  left 
to  take  their  place.  — Farm,  Stock  and 
Home. 


One  of  our  subscribers  has  kindly  sent 
the  above  photograph  and  asked  us  to  in- 
dicate where  the  proper  point  is  to  cut 
the  flower  spike  and  leave  a  sufficient 
amount  of  foliage  attached  to  the  corm 
to  properly  mature  it. 

We  have  indicated  on  the  photograph 
the  proper  place  to  cut  the  stalk.  Of 
course,  it  is  understood  that  all  the  foliage 
might  be  left  on  the  corm  to  good  ad- 
vantage, but  four  leaves  left  to  mature 
the  corm  will  give  satisfactory  results. 
Experiments  have  proved  that  leaving  four 
leaves  will  produce  practically  as  good 
results  as  leaving  all  the  foliage  of  the 
plant. 

Now,  if  any  of  our  readers  have  further 
suggestions  along  this  line  based  on  longer 
and  more  extensive  experience  than  we 
have  had,  we  would  be  glad  to  hear  from 
them.  The  photograph  is  not  an  ideal 
one  to  illustrate  the  idea  of  cutting,  but 
we  have  done  the  best  we  could  with  it 
and  comment  from  growers  who  make  a 
specialty  of  cut  flowers  will  certainly  be 
helpful. 


Nov. 
1  917 


Ol)e  ^o6ern  (Bla5lolus  (Brower 


Page 

167 


Gladioli  at  the  New  Eng- 
land Fair,  Worcester,  Mass. 

At  the  New  England  Fair,  held  at 
Worcester,  Mass.,  Sept.  3-6,  C  W.  Brown 
&  Son  made  practically  a  clean  sweep  of 
prizes  offered  for  Gladioli.  They  were 
awarded  first  for  a  collection  of  10  un- 
named varieties,  3  spikes  of  each.  In  the 
class  of  20  bottles,  one  spike  of  each  there 
was  heavy  competition  and  the  above 
firm  won,  showing  among  others  Panama, 
Liebesfeiier,  Schivabe)i,  Princeps,  El  Cap- 
itnn,  Magnifictis,  Europa,  Gigantic,  The 
King,  Mytilene,  Scarsdale,  Purple  Glory 
and  Pink  Perfection. 

They  were  also  awarded  first  for  12 
pink,  showing  America,  second  and  third 
prizes  going  to  Panama. 

First  for  12  yellow  with  Mongolian, 
second  and  third  being  given  to  vases  of 
Schwaben. 

First  for  12  blue  with  Baron  Hulot. 

For  12  white,  they  won  third  with 
Rochester  White,  both  first  and  second  be- 
ing won  by  Europa. 

A  large  basket  with  handle  was  ar- 
ranged with  Mrs.  King  and  Primiilinus 
Hybrids  as  the  principal  flowers  and  was 
awarded  second  prize. 

A  large  display  of  Gladioli  was  also 
made  but  was  disqualified  as  the  Judges 
decided  that  a  display  of  Gladioli  alone 
could  not  be  called  "a  display  of  flowers." 
Here  is  a  chance  for  a  discussion.  They 
take  the  stand,  that  a  display  of  Gladioli 
is  a  display  of  a  flower. 


Tree  Leaves  Useful. 

In  some  situations  fallen  leaves  are  a 
source  of  much  trouble  and  labor  to  the 
gardener,  but  they  can  be  made  a  positive 
asset  instead  of  a  liability  if  treated 
properly. 

Select  a  place  in  one  corner  of  the 
garden  and  as  the  leaves  are  gathered 
they  should  be  dumped  and  covered  with 
a  layer  of  soil.  They  will  decay  quite 
quickly  and  a  very  useful  soil  can  thus 
be  created  which  can  be  used  on  heavy 
ground  or  any  other  ground  for  that 
matter.  A  quantity  of  this  leaf  mold  will 
prove  useful  in  seed  beds  and  for  mixing 
with  potting  soil. 


As  usual  with  the  month  of  December, 
there  will  be  a  large  number  of  expiring 
subscriptions.  This  is  because  it  is  the 
end  of  the  year  and  volume.  Some  people 
fail  to  renew  promptly  and  we  are  print- 
ing this  little  note  for  the  benefit  of  those 
who  are  negligent  in  this  respect. 


Statement  of  the  Ownership,  Management,  Cir- 
culation, etc.,  required  by  the  Act  of  Congress 
of  August  24,  1912,  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower  published  monthly  at  Calcium,  N.  Y., 
for  Oct.  1,  1917. 

State  of  New  York   ) 

[  ss: 
County  of  Jefferson  ) 

Before  me,  a  Notary  Public  in  and  for  the  State 
and  County  aforesaid,  personally  appeared  Madi- 
son Cooper,  who,  having  been  duly  sworn  accord- 
ing to  law,  deposes  and  says  that  he  is  the  Owner 
of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  and  that  the 
following  is,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  be- 
lief, a  true  statement  of  the  ownership,  manage- 
ment, etc.,  of  the  aforesaid  publication  for  the 
date  shown  in  the  above  caption,  required  by  the 
Act  of  August  24,  1912,  embodied  in  section  443, 
Postal  Laws  and  Regulations,  printed  on  the 
reverse  of  this  form,  to  wit : 

1.  That  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  pub- 
lisher, editor,  managing  editor,  and  business 
managers  are: 

PubHsher— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.Y. 

Editor— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  N.  Y. 

Managing  Editor— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.Y. 

Business  Manager— Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N.Y. 

2.  That  the  owner  is  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium, 
N    Y. 

3.  That  the  known  bondholders,  mortgagees 
and  other  security  holders  owning  or  holding  1 
per  cent,  or  more  of  total  amount  of  bonds,  mort- 
gages, or  other  securities  are  : 

None. 

4.  That  the  two  paragraphs  next  above,  giving 
the  names  of  the  owners,  stockholders,  and 
security  holders,  if  any,  contain  not  only  the  list 
of  stockholders  and  security  holders  as  they  ap- 
pear upon  the  books  of  the  company  but  also,  in 
cases  where  the  stockholder  or  security  holder 
appears  upon  the  books  of  the  company  as  trustee 
or  in  any  other  fiduciary  relation,  the  name  of  the 
person  or  corporation  for  whom  such  trustee  is 
acting,  is  given ;  also  that  the  said  two  para- 
graphs contain  statements  embracing  affiant's  full 
knowledge  and  belief  as  to  the  circumstances  and 
conditions  under  which  stockholders  and  security 
holders  who  do  not  appear  upon  the  books  of 
the  company  as  trustees,  hold  stock  and  securities 
in  a  capacity  other  than  that  of  a  bona  fide  owner; 
and  this  affiant  has  no  reason  to  believe  that  any 
other  person,  association,  or  corporation  has  any 
interest  direct  or  indirect  in  the  said  stock,  bonds, 
or  other  securities  than  as  so  stated  by  him. 

(Signed)  Madison  Cooper. 

Sworn  to  and    subscribed  before  me  this  28th 
day  of  Sept.,  1917. 
[Seal.]  (Signed)  C.  Howard  Greene. 

(My  commission  expires  April,  1918.) 


Those  who  have  had  some  years'  ex- 
perience in  growing  Gladioli  perhaps  have 
noticed  that  some  of  the  varieties  that  are 
apparently  weak  growers  early  in  the 
season  come  on  much  stronger  later  and 
usually  give  good  bloom  late.  This  is 
not  true  of  all  varieties  by  any  means, 
but  many  of  them  behave  in  just  this 
way.  While  Europa,  for  instance,  cannot 
be  called  a  strong  grower  at  any  time, 
yet  the  bloom  which  will  come  late  in  the 
season  often  is  quite  contrary  to  the 
promise  that  it  makes  when  it  first  starts 
growth  in  the  spring. 


oueriesa^^answers 

"*,=  DEPARTMENT  =^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  be  given,  but  not  for  publication.]— Editor. 


Separating  Corms  from 

Cormlets  for  Storage. 

To  the  Editor  :  - 

I  am  just  digging  my  bulblet  grown  stock  of 
Gladioli  and  wish  to  know  if  all  bulbs,  no  matter 
how  small,  should  be  separated  from  the  bulblets, 
or  if  it  is  all  right  to  let  small  bulbs,  half  inch  in 
diameter  and  under,  remain  with  the  bulblets, 
dirt,  etc.,  for  storage  and  kept  in  a  moist  condi- 
tion, p.  G. 

Ansiver:— AW  corms  or  bulbs,  as  they 
are  commonly  called,  should  be  separated 
from  the  cormels  or  bulblets,  and  pref- 
erably at  digging  time.  If  small  corms 
are  stored  with  the  bulblets  in  a  moist 
condition  they  are  likely  to  rot,  or  if  they 
do  not  rot,  they  are  likely  to  sprout  and, 
therefore,  be  damaged  or  spoiled. 

Cormels  separated  from  the  corms  at 
digging  time  should  be  stored  in  moist 
sand,  preferably  clean  builders'  sand 
slightly  moist,  but  not  wet.  If  the  cormels 
are  allowed  to  cure  with  the  corms  the 
shell  becomes  hard  and  they  are  injured 
for  germination.  A  moderate  drying  will 
do  no  damage,  but  they  should  not  be 
allowed  to  dry  for  any  length  of  time. 

Of  course  many  growers  store  their 
corms  and  cormels  in  paper  bags  or  other- 
wise all  together  and  do  not  even  break 
off  the  old  corms  and  the  roots  before 
planting  time  in  the  spring,  but  the  above 
is  the  very  best  way  of  handling  the 
matter. 

Digging  and  Curing 

Gladiolus  Corms. 

To  THE  Editor  :— 

Will  you  please  give  brief  instructions  about 
digging  and  curing  Gladiolus  corms  before  stor- 
age? V. 

Ansiver : — Loosen  the  soil  under  the 
row  with  a  spading  fork,  pull  the  bulb 
out  of  the  ground  by  the  stalk  and  cut 
off  the  stalk  close  to  the  corm  with  the 
pruning  shears.  The  stalk  should  be 
cut  close  to  the  corm,  not  more  than  ^" 
long.  Allow  the  corms  to  lay  in  the  sun 
for  two  or  three  days,  preferably  on  open 
bottom  slat  trays.  Cover  at  night  to  pro- 
tect  from  dew,    rain  or  frost.     After  ex- 


posure to  the  sun  for  a  few  days,  if  the 
corms  are  placed  in  an  open  shed  or 
under  cover  for  a  week  or  two,  they  are 
ready  for  shipment  or  storage.  It  is,  of 
course,  understood  that  the  old  corm  and 
roots  should  be  removed  from  the  new 
corm  before  shipping  and  this  is  best 
done  after  the  new  corm  is  fairly  well 
cured  or  dried.  If  too  dry  it  is  more  diffi- 
cult to  remove  and  if  too  green  it  is  also 
difficult  to  remove.  Just  the  right  stage 
of  curing,  perhaps  a  month  or  two  after 
digging,  is  the  best  time  to  remove  the 
old  corm  and  the  roots. 


Removing  Husk  of  Gladiolus 

Corms  Before  Planting. 

To  THE  Editor:  — 

Is  it  good  practice  to  remove  the  husk  of  Gladi- 
olus corms  before  planting?  c.  M.  s. 

Ansiuer: — Few  growers  recommend  such 
a  practice  and  we  do  not  believe  it  is  at 
all  necessary.  Someone  has  suggested 
that  it  is  a  good  practice  to  remove  the 
husk  so  as  to  see  what  condition  the  corm 
is  in,  but  when  growing  on  anything  like 
a  commercial  scale  it  would  be  entirely 
out  of  the  question  to  carry  out  a  prac- 
tice of  this  kind. 


Drying  up  of  Gladiolus  Foliage. 

To  THE  Editor:  — 

Where  the  stock  shows  signs  of  drying  very 
rapidly,  in  order  to  save  the  bulb  do  you  advise 
immediate  lifting?  e.  t.  e. 

A}7siver  : — Usually  where  the  foliage  of 
the  Gladiolus  plant  shows  browning  in 
color  or  drying  up  it  indicates  some  dis- 
ease with  the  corm,  but  not  necessarily. 
It  may  be  a  natural  ripening  or  owing  to 
dry  weather.  Anyway  it  is  quite  proper  to 
dig  the  corm  when  this  occurs. 


Catalogues  and  Price  Lists. 

Wayside  Gardens,  Mentor,  Ohio,  sent  us  their 
catalogue  of  hardy  plants  and  bulbs  for  fall  1917. 
They  list  a  very  selected  lot  of  hardy  stock  in- 
cluding Delphiniums,  Iris  and  Phlo.x. 


Nov. 
1917 


Oh<i  !^o6ern  (5la6iolus  (Brower 


Page 

169 


Iris  Notes. 

As  W.  E.  Fryer  once  pointed  out  to  us 
in  the  columns  of  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower,  the  Iris  can  be  set  any 
month  in  ihe  year,  but  preferably  in  Sep- 
tember or  October.  They  are  best  set 
rather  early  so  that  they  can  get  rooted 
in  their  new  home  before  the  ground 
freezes,  but  they  can  be  set  as  late  as  it 
is  possible  to  set  them  in  the  fall.  If  they 
are  well  rooted  it  is  best  to  spread  out 
the  roots  as  much  as  possible,  but  an  Iris 
is  a  pretty  hardy  thing  anyway  and  will 
grow  most  any  way  you  place  it. 

Do  not  plant  too  deeply.  The  Iris  pre- 
fers to  grow  near  the  surface  of  the 
ground  and  if  planted  too  deep  the  eyes 
or  sprouts  may  be  smothered.  Irises  are 
at  their  best  the  second  and  third  years 
after  planting.  After  ihat  they  usually 
need  dividmg  for  best  results.  An  Iiis 
bed  that  gets  crowded  is  of  no  use  for 
good  bloom  and  will  give  little  bloom 
anyway.  Therefore,  it  is  necessary  to 
divide  the  Iris  frequently. 

Sell  some  to  your  friends.  If  you  can- 
not sell  them,  give  them  away.  The  Iris 
is  extremely  early  and  a  grand  flower. 
The  newer  sorts  are  a  great  pleasure  to 
those  who  are  only  familiar  with  the  old- 
fashioned  kinds. 


Don't  forget  that  the  time  to  advertise 
is  all  the  time,  but  especially  from  De- 
cember until  spring.  Let  us  have  your 
copy  by  return  mail  as  we  are  again  late 
for  November  but  want  the  December 
issue  out  before  the  fifth  of  the  month. 


Plan  your  war  garden  for  next  year, 
but  don't  neglect  the  flower  garden  in 
doing  so.  If  you  flgure  out  a  war  garden 
do  it  as  an  extra  and  not  at  the  expense 
of  your  ornamental  planting. 


GLADIOLUS  Niagara,  Panama,  Em- 
press of  India,  Pink  Progression, 
Halley,  Prince  of  Wales,  Electra,  Glory 
of  Holland,  America.       Ask  for  price. 

Planting  size  a  specialty.    No  catalogue. 

JOHN  ZEESTRATEN, 
Mansfield        -         -         -         -         Mass. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in   the 
curious  facts   about  our    native  wildfiowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.     SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  111. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stork  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effective  in  disposing  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  words)  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


W  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO.,  Pembroke,  N.  Y., 
' '  •  growers  of  the  finest  Gladioli,  such  as 
Pendleton,  Panama,  Niagara,  Pink  Perfection, 
Europa,  Mrs.  Fryer,  War,  Peace,  etc.  Corres- 
pondence solicited. 

T7OR  SALE— Ten  acres  of  unexcelled  land  for 
■•■  Gladiolus  growing  or  truck  farming.  House 
and  garage  worth  $2, .500.  Spring  water  piped  into 
bath  room,  natural  gas  for  fuel,  situated  on  State 
road  between  Olean  and  Hornell.  Price,  three 
thousand  dollars  ($3,000).  Inquire  of  Lester 
Bellamy,  Belmont,  NY. 

r^THER  lines  of  work  taking  all  my  time  must 
^-^  sell  my  entire  stock  of  Gladioli  and  Peonies. 
About  100  clumps  of  Peonies  and  quarter  acre  of 
bulbs  of  all  sizes.  No  cull  stock  I  am  trying  to 
work  off,  but  a  splendid  lot  that  will  make  money 
either  as  a  side  line  or  entire  time  business.  Act 
now  as  delivery  must  be  made  this  falL 

P.  L.  W.^RD.  Hillsdale,  Mich. 

"\^ANTED— Gladiolus  America,  Mrs.  Francis 
''  King,  Augusta,  IV2  and  1%  inches.  Quote 
lowest  prices  and  quantities  for  sale.  Address 
"W,"  care  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture- 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well- 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


Published  monthly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave..  New  York.  N.Y. 


DOZ. 

America  or  F.  King, 

@    .35 

Niagara 

.75 

Pendleton 

1.00 

War 

1.00 

Myrtle         .         .        _ 

2.00 

These  are  a  few  from  my  condensed  list  to 

be  issued  soon.     Get   your  name  on   my 

mailing  list. 

EARL  EDGERTON 

Gladiolus  Specielisl 
207  E.  Ml    Hope  Ave.  Lansing.  Mich. 


Kunderd's  Gladiolus 

Catalogue  for  1918 
will  be  out  early. 

IT  WILL  CONTAIN  the  best  cultural  notes  and  other  valuable  infor- 
mation for  all.    We  will  offer  a  long  list  of  magnificent  new  varieties 
(both  ruffled  and  plain  petaled),  in  Kunderdi  Primulinus  and 

large  flowered  kinds, — altogether  the  largest   collec.ion  of   high   class 
varieties  in  the  world. 

Our  1918  catalog,  with  many  new  illustrations,  is  free 
for  a  postal  request.     Special  offer   for  early  orders. 

(Address  the  Originator    of  the    Ruffled    Gladiolus) 

A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind.,  U.S.A. 


W.  E.  Woodward  &  Son 


GROWERS  OF  — 


Choice  Gladioli 

Saxonville,  Mass. 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

LIST   ON   APPLICATION. 
WHOLESALE.       RETAIL. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 


Ill  iiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiHiMiii  III  mill  III  nil  III  nil  III  III  III  Mil  iiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii  Mil  iiiiiniii 

H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 
DOVER,  N.  H. 

Send  for  beautiful  descriptive  booklet  of  Rare  Gladioli. 

IIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIMIMIMIIIIMIIIMnillllinillllllllllllllMlllllllllllinillllllllMIIIIIIIIIIMIII 


U.  Centoine  ^  Son 

nurserymen,  Hancy,  france 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoitiei  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


deGroat  &  Stewart     GLADIOLI 


Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 


WHICH   C.A,TALOGUE   WOULD   YOU   LIKE, 

WHOLES./\LE  OR    RET.AIL  ? 


We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 

French  varieties.  Catalogue  on  request.       John  LcWlS  Chllds,  IllC. 

Bath,  N.Y.  Flowerfield  L   I. 


19  Awards  and  Certificates 

Silver  Guilt  Medal,  Haarlem,  1917;    Silver  Guilt 

Medal,  Amsterdam,  1917,  were  given  to 

-__™ ♦ 

J.  J.  Gruliemans'  Sons,  Gladioli  Specialists 


ESTABLISHED  1854 


Royal  West  End  Nurseries,       Lisse,  Holland 

For  their 

NEW    GLADIOLI 


Our  NEW  PRIMULINUS  varieties  were  awarded  nineteen  awards 
{Awards  of  Merit  and  First  Class  Certificates)  in  two  seasons. 

We  are  the  only  stockholders  of  the  self-colored  Primulinus,  includ- 
ing over  twenty  five  distinct  varieties  of  GOLDEN  YELLOW,  some 
growing  tall,  others  medium  in  size. 

Then  we  are  the  only  stockholders  of  the  beautiful  pink  colored 
Primulinus  MAIDEN'S  BLUSH.  At  the  Amsterdam  meeting  it 
was  unanimously  admitted  that  this  was  the  finest  and  most  at- 
tractive Gladiolus  ever  shown.  (For  description  see  our  Wholesale 
price  list.) 

Then,  too,  we  are  the  only  stockholders  of  Primulinus  ORANGE 
BRILLIANT,  an  unsurpassable  variety  in  this  color. 

Still  we  are  the  only  stockholders  of  the  beautiful  Golden  Yellow 
variety,  MRS.  GRULLEMANS. 

Our  stock  of  Primulinus  Hybrids,  mixed,  we  can  highly  recom- 
mend, as  this  mixture  consists  of  only  the  light-colored  varieties, 
including  plenty  of  pure  yellow. 

Ask  for  our  new  list  for  season  1917-1918,  now  ready,  wliich 
is  to  be  had  postfree  on  application. 

All  correspondence 

Grullemans  c/o  Maltus  &  Ware, 
14  Stone  St.,  New  York 

Until  May  the  1  5th,  1918 


■»»«,JB»t,»>Lll.L^-MIMP— 


Richard  Diener  Co..  Inc. 


Orldinators  and  6rowcr$  of  tbe  Cargest 
and  finest  Gladioli  in  \U  iUorld 

We  herewith  offer  the  following  varieties  for   immediate 
shipment,  New  Crop  Bulbs  - 

Dr.  Frederick  J.  V.  Skiff,  flesh  rose  pink,  6  inches  diameter,   Gold   Medal 

P.  P.  I.  E..  Bulb,  25c.;  Dozen,  $2.50. 
Diener's  White,  milk  white,  6  inches  diameter.  Gold  Medal  P.  P.  I.  E.,  Bulb, 

$1.00;  Dozen,  $10.00. 
Captain   Asher    Carter   Baker,    bright    scarlet,   5   inches  diameter.  Silver 

Medal  P.  P.  I.  E.,  Bulb,  25c.;  Dozen,  $2.50. 
Mrs.  William  Kent,   fawn  pink,   exquisite,   6  inches  diameter.    Bulb,    75c.; 

Dozen,  $7.50. 
Anna  Eberius,  dark  velvety  Nellrose,  6  inches  diameter,  Bulb,  25c.;  Dozen, 

$2.50. 
Diener's   American    Beauty,    brilliant    American  beauty  color,    6   inches 

diameter,  Bulb,  75c.;  Dozen,  $7.50. 
Jack  London,    salmon,   brilliant  orange  striped,  5  inches  diameter.    Bulb, 

$3.00;  Dozen,  $30.00. 
Richard  Diener,  pure  rose  salmon,  6  inches  diameter.  Bulb,  $25  00. 
Thomas  T.  Kent,  rose  pink  ruby  center,  8  inches  diameter,  Bulb  25c.;  Dozen, 

$2.50. 
Adaline  Kent,  ruffled  delicate  rose  pink,    5  inches    diameter.    Bulb,    $1.00; 

Dozen,  $10  00. 
Lilian  Webb,  strawberry  pink,  maroon  center,  5  inches  diameter,  Bulb,  25c.; 

Dozen,  $2.50. 
Mrs.  Mary  Siearns  Burke,  apricot  on  yellow,  5  inches  diameter.  Bulb,  50c.; 

Dozen,  $5.00. 
Sir  Roger  Casement,  ruffled  dark  maroon,  4   inches  diameter.   Bulb,    75c.; 

Dozen,  .j;7.50. 
Mixed  Seedlings,  Grand  Prize  P.  P.  I.  E.,  Largest  bulbs  50c.  per  doz.,  $4.00 

per  100;  Medium  size,  $3.50  per  100;  Small  size,  $3.00  per  100. 
Mixed  Seedlings,  Grand  Prize  P.  P.  I.  E.,  Cormels  or  Bulblets,  $1.00  per  1000. 

The  cormels  (or  bulblets)  of  all  our  varieties  will  flower  five  months  after  planting. 
Selected  delicate  shades  for   Cut    Flowers,    Largest    bulbs,    per  doz.,    $7.00 

per  100;  Medium  size,  $6.00  per  100;  Small  size,  $5.00  per  100. 
Selected  delicate  shades  for  Cut  Flowers,  Cormels  or  Bulblets  $1.50  per  1000. 

The  cormels  (or  bulblets)  of  all  our  varieties  will  flower  five  months  after  planting. 
Gladiolus  Seed  of  all  our  varieties,  mixed,  which  will   flower  5  to  6  months 
after  sowing,  package  of  1000  seeds— $1.00. 

Reasonable  discount  on  larger  quantities.     Now  ready. 

Kcntfield,  marin  County,  Calif. 


Still  on  hand- 
American  grown  Hyacinths, 
Tulips, 

Darwin  Tulips, 
Spanish  Iris, 
Narcissi. 

Ask  for  Special  quotations.  Also 
on  hand  nearly  all  the  leading  and 
choicest 

Gladiolus  varieties. 

Ask  price  for  planting  size  from  the 

Chautauqua  Floweriields, 
R.  R.  69  Bemus  Point,  N.Y. 


A  GARDEN 

PLANTED    NOW    WITH 

Wayside 

Hardy 

Perennials 

WILL  BE  A  GARDEN  OF  BEAUTY 

IN  JUNE. 

THE  PLANTS  ARE  READY. 
WILL  YOU  TRY  THEM? 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor        Box  G  Ohio 


My  New  "Glad"  Catalog 

MY  GLADIOLUS  CATALOG  for  1918  is  now 
being  printed.  Three  superb  sorts  are  shown 
in  natural  color  on  the  cover.  The  inside  cover 
pages  show  the  soft-colored  Mary  Fennell  and 
the  handsome  Daisy  Rand  in  natural  colors. 
The  list  of  varieties  is  larger  and  more  complete 
than  before. 

I  will  mail  a  copy  to  you,  when  it  is  ready,  if  you 
send  me  your  name  and  address. 
Will  you  do  it— today  ? 

JELLE    ROOS 

Department  »  IVlilton,   MaSS. 


GLADIOLI 

Betschers  Primulinus  Hybrids 

THE  BETSCHER  STRAIN  of  this  fetching  new  type  of 
Gladioh  is  the  last  word  in  Quahty  Gladioh — all  who 
have  inspected  or  tested  them  are  loud  in  their  praise. 
Onh'  the  best  blood  of  all  types  of  Gladioli  have  been  used 
in  their  evolution. 

When  we  first  sowed  primulinus  species  we  saw  its  possi- 
bilities and  future  value — doubtless  we  have  made  more  crosses 
on  this  one  type  than  all  other  breeders  have  made  in  all  classes 
until  now.  The  finest  seedlings  in  our  early  work  were  marked 
out — the  balance  discarded.  Our  stock  of  it  is  the  largest  in 
commerce.    We  offer  in  large  lots — 

Primulinus  Species 
Primulinus   Hybrids 

Select  Yellows,  Pinks,  Reds,  W^hites,  Old  Golds 

Our  hybrids  of  Lemoinei,  Childsi  &c.  are  very  fine. 

From  the  many  thousand  hybrids  we  have  selected  the  finest  to  color; 
hence  our  selections  of  Pinks,  Reds,  Yellows  and  Whites  excel  mixtures 
made  from  best  named  sorts.  We  have  had  over  400  sorts  representing 
all  the  noted  specialists'  best  and  latest  introductions  but  few  of  them  used 
in  our  breeding — and  breeding  and  plant  evolution  has  had  our  first  con- 
sideration for  some  years.     In  all  this  time  our  work  has  been  wholesale. 

For  1917-18  season  we  offer  large  lots  of  exceptional  mixtures 
and  named  sorts : 

Crimson  Glow,  Crimson  Giant,  Dora  Krais,  Myrtle,  Mrs.  Watt, 
Gen.  Kuroki,  Mephisto,  Negerfuerst,  Panama,  Scarsdale,  etc. 
Augusta,  Brenchleyensis,   Chicago   White,  Halley,  Minnesota, 
Niagara,  Norma  Dee  Childs,  Baron  Hulot,  etc. 

Betscher's  Peonies — Cream  of  1200  sorts. 

Betscher's  Hemerocallis  Hybrids— Very  fine. 

Betscher's  Cannas,  etc.— all  the  best. 

C.  BETSCHER 

Plant  Breeder  Dover,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 

B  ^ 


Myrtle  and 

Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton 

Have  started  digging  bulbs 
of  above  varieties  and  we 
find  promise  of  quality  of 
crop  verified. 

A.  P.  Bonvallet  &  Co., 
Wichert,  111. 


3 


1 

P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

Fred  W.  Baumgras 

Gladiolus  Grower 

STANDARD  and    FANCY    VARIETIES 

20  fine  named  kinds,  all  different, 
for  $1.00,  post  paid. 

SEND  FOR  PRICE  LIST. 

423  Pearl  St.  Lansing,  Mich. 


3 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

n  1  I  p  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
.>  A I  .r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  of 
UXIAJU  y^jjg  j_  jj  gj^j  ijj_  .^jjj^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three. 

MADISON  COOPER.  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


$1.25  Will  Buy 

1    doz.  Dahlia  roots. 

These  roots  had  their  identification  lost 
in  digging.  Please  remember  that  these 
are  clumps  as  taken  from  the  field  and  not 
divisions  as  ordinarily  sold.  You  take  them 
as  they  come,  as  long  as  they  last. 

Express  prepaid  to  your  station. 

Orchadotte  Farms 

Box  M  W^est  Point.  Pa. 


Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 


Attention,  Growers  of 
Cut  Flowers ! 

Your  big  profits  are  obtained  from  your  late  blooms. 
The  variety  Gretchen  Zang  (Mrs.  Austin)  is 
one  of  the  biggest  profit  getters  in  the  business.  It  has 
three  prime  essentials:  Beautiful  Color— Lateness  of 
Bloom — Blooms  from  the  Smallest  Bulbs. 

Description:— The  blooms  are  large  and  sparkling,  and  the  most  beauti- 
ful soft  melting  shade  of  pink,  blending  into  deep  salmon  on  lower  petals. 
Strikingly  beautiful  and  likely  the  only  variety  that  approaches  closely  the 
brilliant  colorings  of  the  Beaute  Poitevine  geranium.  Spike  tall  and  graceful 
with  an  occasional  waved  one.  First  Prize  Winner  and  Award  of  Merit 
Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio. 

Our  stock  is  nowr  sufficient  to  offer  this  sterling  novelty  at  a 
reasonable  price.    Let  us  quote  you. 

AUSTIN- COLEMAN  CO. 

"Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli" 

Wayland  -  -  -  -  Ohio 


Wc  Arc  Pleased 

with  the  results  from  A.  W.  Clifford 
this  season  as  it  has  paid  us  well. 
It  comes  into  bloom  so  early,  along  with 
Pink  Beauty  and  Halley,  that  the  blooms 
sell  readily  at  the  top  price.  It  is  a  quick, 
strong  grower  and  increases  rapidly,  good 
commercial  points. 


Hoover 

Says: 

"Prices  on  foods 

ARE  TOO   HIGH." 

Perhaps  so,  but  we  have  reduced  the  price 

on  many  of  our  bulbs  this  season 

and  the 

quality  is  the  best  we 

ever  had. 

Per  Doz. 

Per  100 

A.  W.  Clifford 

$2.50 

$10.00 

Mongolian 

7.00 

30.00 

Mrs.  0.  W.  Halladay 

5.00 

25.00 

Halley 

.50 

2.00 

Master  Wietse 

1.50 

5.00 

Peace 

1.00 

3.50 

Princepine 

.50 

2.25 

Rochester  White 

1.50 

6.00 

These  are  first  size  bulbs  and  are  sent 

post  free  at  the  dozen  price  to  any 

point  in  the  U.  S. 

Is  your  name  on  our  mailing  list  ? 

C.  >V.  Brown  &  Son 

Ashland,   Mass. 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 
Gladiolus   Grower 


1332  ECKART  ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■I 


Gladiolus 

"MRS.    WATT" 

Bulb  stock  in  all  sizes 
now  ready. 

Write  for  trade  list,   including   standard 
varieties. 

HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF  GLADIOLI 

WILTON    -    NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


iiiiiiiiiiiHini 


Gladiolus 

20  Named  Sorts    -    -    $1.00 

Pansy  Plants 

40  Nice  Plants    -    -       $1.00 

POST  PAID  IN  U.  S. 

Amaryllis 

Nice  Stock,  Large  Bulbs, 
$4.00,  $5.00  and  $6.00  a  Doz. 

F.  O.  B.  HERE 

The  most  Gorgeous    Flowers 
of  all  bulbous  plants. 

C.  S.  TAIT 
Brunswick   -    -    Ga. 


6eo.  $.  lUoodruff 

independence,  Towa 

Tine  Gladioli 


See  my  advertisements  in  previous  num- 
bers. Catalogue  on  application. 


Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula      -      Ohio 


L  L  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


MARGARET 


Vaughan's 
Specials  in 
GLADIOLI 


Margaret 

Beautiful  Carmine  with 
white  throat. 
.Perdoz.,  $1.30;perlOO,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct of  all  the  Prim- 
ulinus  Type. 

Perdoz.,  $2;  per  100,  $15. 

Chicago  White 

The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz.,  35c;  per  100,  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—Grand Novelties 
in  GLADIOLI  and  CANNAS. 

Vaughan's 
Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  3 1 -33  W.RandolphSL 
NEW  YORK.  43  Barclay  St. 


WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN 

BULB    GROWERS 

SASSENHEIM,  HOLLAND 

25  Beaver  Street,     New  York  City 
QUALITY—  ECONOMY— SERVICE 


Sunnyside 
Gladiolus  Gardens 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 
Natick,  Massachusetts 


Gladioli  Exclusively 


GLADIOLUS   BULBS 

of  our  own  growing— wholesale  and  retail 
—best  standard  and  new  varieties: 

Notice — We  have  as  many  orders  as  we  can  handle  for  fall  de- 
livery, but  will  be  glad  to  send  you  our  new  price  list  as  soon   as 
printed  in  exchange  for  your  name  and  address. 


G.  D.  BLACK, 


Albert  Lea,  Minn. 


Surplus  Stock— 

WRITE  NOW  FOR  SPECIAL 
QUOTATIONS  ON 


Pendleton 

Peace 

Niagara 

Pink  Perfection 

Halley 

AND  A  DOZEN  OTHER  GOOD 
ONES. 

Brookland  Gardens 

Choice  Gladioli 

Woburn,         -         -         Mass. 


The  Gladiolus 
MRS.  W.  E.  FRYER 

Mr.  Clarence  Wedge  of  Albert  Lea,  Minn., 
who  visited  me  when  it  was  in  bloom 
wrote  The  Farmer  of  St.  Paul  as  follows : 
"I  believe  I  have  made  a  discovery  in  Gladi- 
oli. I  can  at  least  say  of  all  the  varieties  I 
have  ever  grown  or  seen  growing  on  the 
grounds  of  other  people,  nothing  has  ap- 
proached its  luxuriance  of  bloom,  a  va- 
riety which  Mr.  Fryer  named  for  his  wife, 
Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer. 

"A  row  of  this  variety  spreads  out  into  a 
plume-like  flower  three  feet  wide.  This  is 
caused  by  unusual  branching  of  the  main 
flowering  stem,  it  being  common  to  find 
as  many  as  four  branches  besides  the 
main  stem,  growing  from  a  good  sized 
bulb.  I  take  pleasure  in  calling  attention  to 
a  flower  of  such  unusual  qualities  and 
general  value  for  outside  planting,  and  it 
does  not  detract  from  the  pleasure  that 
it  should  be  introduced  by  one  of  the  en- 
terprising ornamental  nurserymen  of  our 
own  state." 

I  have  a  large  supply  of  this  valuable  varicly. 
Both  wholesale  and  retail. 

WILLIS  E.  FRYER, 

Mantorville      -  -      Minn. 


For  Both  Amateurs  and  Professionals. 
Published  Monthly  by  Madison  Cooper,  Calcium,  New  York. 


Vol.  IV. 


DECEMBER.   1917 


No.  12 


GLADIOLUS— 

GRETCHEN  ZANG. 
This  variety  was  origi- 
nated by  Mrs.  A.  H.Aus- 
tin, Wayland,  Ohio.  It 
is  a  large  growing  variety 
of  a  most  beautiful  soft 
melting  shade  of  pink 
blending  into  deep  salm- 
on on  the  lower  petals. 
Mrs.  Austin  describes 
the  coloring  as  approach- 
ing the  brilliant  coloring 
of  the  Beaute  Poitevine 
geranium. 


Gretchen  Zang  has  a 
tall  graceful  spike  and 
there  is  occasionally  a 
waved  one.  The  color- 
ing makes  it  especially 
valuable  for  florists'  use. 

Free  producer  of  corm- 
lets.  Blooms  from  small 
bulbs.    Late  to  bloom. 

First  prize  winner  at 
the  flower  shows  of  the 
Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio 
and  has  been  given  an 
award  of  merit  by  the 
same  society. 


GLADIOLUS- GRETCHEN  ZANG. 


Page 

172 


O^e  Modern  (Bladlolus  (Brower 


Dec. 

1917 


The  Iris. 


Written  for  California  Cultivator  by  Mrs.  J.  J.  Dean. 


THE  IRIS  is  becoming  more  popular 
every  year.  The  formation  is  most 
interesting,  the  fragrance  of  most  va- 
rieties delightful  and  the  soft  restful  colors 
of  so  many  are  a  delight  to  the  eye,  or  is 
it  the  soul,  for  as  one  writer  in  describing 
the  natural  beauties  of  a  certain  location 
remarked  :  "  There  are  those  who  see 
all  this  wonderful  display  from  year  to 
year  and  yet  it  has  no  apparent  attraction 
to  them.  Clearly  it  is  not  the  eye  but  the 
soul  that  sees." 

Probably  no  one  who  has  attempted 
to  interest  the  public  in  the  Iris  in  a  com- 
mercial way  but  has  often  met  with  a 
rebuff  in  one  way  or  another.  "Flags 
are  so  common — they  grow  wild  back 
East  where  I  lived."  Offer  some  large 
gorgeous  flower  and  it  will  appeal  to  those 
people.  We  have  often  thought  when  we 
have  heard  someone  speak  almost  dis- 
dainfully of  "  flags,"  that  the  common 
name  should  have  an  added  charm,  and 
we  were  delighted  recently  when  reading 
the  description  of  the  blue  flag  by  that 
student  and  lover  of  nature,  Gene  Strat- 
ton  Porter.  After  describing  the  wonder- 
ful formation  of  the  flower,  she  says : 
"  Nature  is  very  frank,  and  these  marvels 
are  spread  closely  over  her  face  for  any 
one  who  cares  to  learn.  I  think  those 
who  understand  and  really  appreciate 
these  delicate  processes  among  the  flow- 
ers never  again  doubt  that  there  is  a 
Supreme  Being.  The  Creator  said:  'And 
a  bow  shall  be  set  in  the  cloud ;  and  I 
will  look  upon  it,  that  I  may  remember  the 
everlasting  covenant  between  God  and 
every  living  creature  of  all  flesh  that  is 
upon  the  earth.'  So  he  evolved  the  rain- 
bow. On  the  painted  lily  faces  the  bot- 
anists of  early  Greece  saw  reproduced 
these  wonderful  colors,  and  so  they  named 
the  plant  '  Iris,'  the  rainbow. 

"  Because  the  sky  is  blue,  eternal  and 
never  changing,  men  have  adopted  this 
color  to  express  friendship,  which  also 
should  be  eternal  and  never  changing. 
True  blue  is  dear  to  all  hearts  and  con- 
veys an  express  meaning ;  so  again  these 
wonderful  flowers  are  baptized  with 
truth.  And  as  if  no  honor  might  be  lack- 
ing, to  the  blue  is  added  'flag.'  Never 
was  other  flower  more  highly  honored  in 
its  naming.  Sometimes  beautiful  plants 
and  vines  are  insulted  by  scientists  ap- 
plying to  them  careless,  contradictory, 
and    incongruous    terms.      Here    is   one 


embarrassed  by  riches  both  in  its  scien- 
tific and  common  name.  Think  what  his 
flag  symbolizes  to  a  man  !  It  means  so 
much  that  for  it  he  severs  the  dearest 
ties  of  earth,  leaves  a  home  of  comfort 
and  faces  untold  hardships,  exposes  his 
body  to  sickness,  wounds,  and  many 
forms  of  death.  For  it  he  sacrifices  every- 
thing else  on  earth,  yielding  with  smiling 
lips  life  itself. 

"  So  when  the  slender,  exquisite  leaves 
of  the  Iris  waved  on  the  free  winds  of  the 
marsh  with  the  abandon  and  grace  of  the 
flag,  some  one  caught  the  resemblance, 
and  to  the  symbol  of  eternal  truth  was 
added  that  of  liberty,  and  the  rainbow 
lily  became  the  blue  flag,  the  true  flag." 

The  West  does  not  seem  to  be  keeping 
pace  with  the  East  in  the  cultivation  of 
the  Iris,  and  it  seems  the  more  strange 
when  we  consider  that  our  climatic  con- 
ditions are  much  better  suited  to  their  re- 
quirements, particularly  the  fine  large 
Asia  Minor  and  Eastern  species  and  their 
hybrids.  It  is  doubtful  if  there  is  another 
location  where  they  grow  to  greater  per- 
fection, producing  fine  large  rhizome^ 
with  no  root  rot  trouble ;  no  drenching 
rain  to  ruin  the  blossoms ;  and  an  un- 
usually long  blooming  period.  Some  va- 
rieties too  bloom  more  than  once ;  most 
of  the  true  Germanicas  make  three  crops 
of  bloom ;  in  early  spring  and  late  spring 
or  early  summer  and  again  in  the  fall  or 
early  winter.  By  proper  selection  we  can 
have  Irises  a  greater  part  of  the  year. 

One  of  the  most  valuable  for  Southern 
California,  as  well  as  for  locations  that 
are  not  so  mild,  is  the  Unguicularis 
group,  more  commonly  known  as  I.  sty- 
losa.  They  are  natives  principally  of 
Algeria  and  Greece,  are  delicately  beauti- 
ful and  possess  perhaps  the  most  delightful 
fragrance  of  the  whole  genus.  They  have 
a  pretty  grassy  evergreen  foliage,  two 
feet  in  length  in  some  varieties,  shorter 
in  others,  and  a  well  developed  clump 
will  occupy  a  space  some  two  to  three 
feet  in  diameter.  This  Iris  can  scarcely 
wait  for  the  cool  weather,  and  we  occa- 
sionally see  blossoms  in  the  summer,  but 
usually  by  September  it  can  wait  no 
longer  if  watered  and  then  flowers  at 
more  frequent  intervals  until  in  Decemj_ 
ber  or  January  it  is  at  its  height,  and  a  lara 
clump  will  be  a  mass  of  bloom  nestling 
among  the  foliage.  The  stem  is  very 
short,  but  the  perianth  tube  is  very  long. 


Dec. 
1917 


Ol)e  Modern  (Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Page 

173 


six  inches  and  sometimes  even  twelve  in- 
ches in  length,  so  that  answers  for  a 
stem.  In  gathering  it  is  best  to  gather 
just  before  the  flower  opens,  grasping  the 
^ube  firmly  and  pulling  gently  so  as  not 
^o  pull  up  the  immature  buds  which  will 
develop  later.  They  come  in  various 
shades  of  lilac,  purple  and  white,  and 
have  a  central  band  of  orange  or  yellow. 
The  markings  of  some  are  much  finer 
than  others.  Both  plant  and  flower  re- 
semble somewhat  many  of  our  native 
Californian  Irises  although  the  flowers 
average  somewhat  larger  in  most  varie- 
ties. After  January  they  gradually  de- 
crease until  March  or  a  little  later.  Some 
varieties,  Speciosa,  for  instance,  do  not 
come  into  bloom  so  early  and  consequently 
bloom  later.  It  does  not  seem  possible 
that  anyone  who  cares  for  flowers  would 
not  like  this  Iris,  and  the  fact  that  it 
blooms  in  mid-winter  when  flowers  are 
scarce,  makes  it  so  much  more  valuable. 
It  is  a  fitting  companion  to  the  violets, 
and  the  two  combine  very  nicely  for  table 
decorations. 

Again  in  our  climate  some  of  the  Asia 
Minor  Irises  of  the  Germanica  type  come 
into  bloom  in  March,  others  in  April  and 
May,  and  it  is  the  last  of  June  before 
they  are  all  gone. 

During  July  and  August  we  do  not  ex- 
pect to  see  many  Irises  as  that  is  their 
.natural  resting  time.  In  the  fall  and 
'early  winter,  however,  quite  a  number 
bloom. 

We  have  referred  only  to  the  large 
flowered  Germanica  type  as  these  are  the 
most  popular  perhaps  of  the  genus,  and 
the  pretty  Stylosa  which  because  of  its 
blooming  habit  is  doubly  valuable. 


An  Appropriate  Christmas  Gift. 

What  could  be  better  than  a  box  of 
Gladiolus  corms  nicely  labeled  and  sent 
direct  from  the  grower  to  your  friend  as 
a  Christmas  gift,  as  advertised  in  this 
issue  ?  There  is  just  one  thing  that  could 
be  better  and  that  is  to  accompany  this  gift 
with  a  year's  subscription  to  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower.  This  will  keep 
up  your  friend's  interest  in  the  Gladiolus 
the  year  through  and  remind  him  (or 
her)  of  your  thoughtfulness  every  month 
in  the  year.  Order  now.  The  subscrip- 
tion rate  advances  January  1st  and  you 
can  also  extend  your  own  subscription 
until  January  1st  at  the  present  rate  for 
as  long  as  you  care  to.  If  you  send  in  a 
subscription  for  a  friend  along  with  your 
I  own  renewal  for  three  years  or  more,  we 
will  accept  the  combination  at  the  rate  of 
50c.  per  year. 


Wintering  Dahlia  Bulbs. 

Dahlias  are  popular  farm  flowers.  They 
grow  readily  from  seeds,  blooming  the 
first  season,  with  a  fair  proportion  of 
choice  flowers  from  the  ordinary  grade  of 
seeds,  and  they  can  be  increased  rapidly 
when  fine  specimens  are  produced.  Then 
the  tubers  can  be  easily  kept  over  winter 
in  any  cellar  or  cave,  or  in  a  room  where 
they  will  not  freeze. 

Dahlia  tubers  will  not  stand  any  freez- 
ing, but  the  tops  should  be  killed  by  frost 
before  they  are  dug.  Dig  carefully  so 
the  tubers  will  not  be  loosened  from  the 
stalks,  for  without  a  part  of  the  stalk  the 
tubers  are  valueless.  Cut  the  stalk  off 
so  several  inches  is  left  attached  to  the 
bulbs  and  they  will  be  much  easier 
handled. 

Pack  the  tubers  in  a  box  of  sand  or 
dust  as  soon  as  you  dig  them.  If  you 
wish  to  label  each  tuber,  fasten  the  label 
to  the  stalk  so  it  will  be  above  the  soil  in 
which  they  are  packed.  If  you  have  a 
number  of  one  kind  it  is  best  to  separate 
the  sorts  with  a  piece  of  cardboard  and 
label  only  one  of  the  plants  in  each  bunch. 
Some  label  only  the  colors,  and  group  all 
the  shades  of  each  color,  thus  saving  la- 
beling, and  enabling  them  to  plant  in 
color  groups  as  well  as  if  fully  labeled. 

It  is  not  necessary  for  the  soil  or  sand 
to  be  kept  moist,  but  slightly  damp  will 
make  the  bulbs  keep  more  perfectly.  If 
too  wet  they  will  start  to  grow  if  the  cel- 
lar is  warm  enough  to  permit  it,  or  they 
may  rot.  Dust,  dry  soil  or  sand  will 
cause  them  to  shrivel  a  little  but  does  no 
particular  hurt  except  making  them  a 
little  slower  in  starting. 

Do  not  save  any  detached  tubers,  for 
no  tuber  without  a  piece  of  the  stem  will 
grow,  as  the  eyes  are  in  the  old  stalk 
just  where  the  tubers  attach  to  it.  In 
dividing  for  planting  split  the  stalks  so 
each  tuber  gets  a  piece. — L.  H.  Cobb  in 
Rural  Life. 

"  Tall  Bearded  Iris." 

Walter  Stager,  Sterling,  111.,  sends  us 
his  booklet  entitled,  "  Tall  Bearded  Iris." 
This  is  not  a  catalogue  but  a  booklet  of 
descriptive  matter.  The  Iris  in  poetry 
and  literature  is  given  a  prominent  place 
at  the  beginning  of  the  booklet,  followed 
by  classification  of  species,  structural 
characteristics  and  general  suggestions 
on  planting,  culture  and  propagation. 
The  final  chapters  consist  of  the  use  of 
the  Iris  as  a  garden  plant  and  for  cut 
flowers  with  the  names  of  a  few  varie- 
ties. 


Page 
174 


t3l)e  Mto6ern  <Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Dec. 
1917 


Dates  of  Blooming  in   1917. 


[Alverstoke,  England.] 


c  c 


Name 


M  u  ! 


E     IE 


3  C 


4-.-^ 


CQ    ffii; 


D.M.  D.M. 

Afterglow 16.4  20  16.8  3.3 

Albion 7.4      7%  7.8  30 

Alice  Tiplady 7.4  20  1.8  3.3 

Angola   7.4      41/2  1.8  3.7 

Anita 7.4  11  28.7  3.5 

Ariadne 74  16  31.7  3.2 

Ariel 7.4  121/2  4.8  3.0 

Banshee 7.4 

Belle  Aliance 1.3*15  29.7  4.6 

Berkshire 13.4      9  9.8  3.5 

Bluelsle 1.3  13%  6.8  4.6 

Blue  Orchid 1.3  I31/2  6.8  4.0 

Butterfly 7.4 

Canopus 7.4      91/2  2.8  3.2 

Cappella 7.4  15  5.8  4.0 

Concolor 9.4  IO1/2  1.8  4.3 

Couronne  Bleue _^  1.3  12^/2  28.7 

DucDeMassa 13  11  25.7 

Duke  of  Richmond 10.4  17%  13.8  4.8 

Early  Morn 7.4 

EarlySunnse 10.4  I51/2  22.7  3.11 

Eldorado 13.4      8  7.8  3.0 

Elberton 7.4  14  24.7  4.5 

Emile  Gebhart 15.3  I21/4  2.8  3.0 

Erectus 7.4  II1/2  29.7  3.6 

Erwin  Mayer 31.3  14  21.8  3.6 

Firefly 7.4  12  22.7  3.4 

Forain 313  16  24.7  3.5 

Fragonard 31.3  I71/4  28.7  4.0 

G.A.Kuijk     1.3      81/2  30.7  4.0 

General  Stoessel 10  4  14  6.8  2.6 

Glory  of  Noordwijk 16.4  12'/2  6.8  3.0 

Gold  Drop 7.4      61/2  9.8  4.8 

GoldenGate 7.4  111/2  30.7  2.9 

GoldenKing 13.4  15  13.8  4.0 

GoldenGirl 7.4      6  10.8  3.3 

Golden  Measure 13.4  14  18.8  3.6 

Halley 10.4  15  18.7  3.9 

Helen  Goldman 13.4      8  17.8  2.6 

Heliotrope 1.3  10  27.7  2.6 

Hohenzolleni 16.4  I51/2  18.8  3.0 

Herman  Sielcken 16.4  14  3.8  3.3 

Incontestable 16.3  13  24.7  3.9 

Jean  Dieulafoy    16.4  16  28.7  3.0 

Jules Toussaint  1.3  12  78  3.0 

King  of  Gladiolus 10.4  17  8.8  4.6 

King  of  the  Blues 1.3  11  24.7  3.0 

Lacordaire 16.4  14  6.8  3.3 

Lemoine  1.3  16  26.7  4.6 

LadyF'Cecil 12  4  16  9.8  3.6 

Letitia     16.4  16  7.8  4.0 

Liebesfeuei 16.4    15  5.8  ^6 

Lily  Lehmann 16.3    13  29.7 

Linton 7.4    16  26.7  3.7 

Loveliness : 13.4    19  14.8  3.9 


■a     °- 
Name  c     mo;^ 

D.M. 

Maculatus 7.4  10 

Marie 15.3  19 

Mary  Fennell__ 16.4  III/2 

MaryPickford.^ ..16.3  15 

Master  Wiesse 6.3  UV2 

Mephisto 16.4  14 

Misanthrope 31.3  91/2 

Mozart 13.4  12 

Mrs.  Brewster      .   .   13.4  13 

Mrs.  Francis  Kmg  _  31.3  13 

Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton  .     16.4  14 

Mrs.  J.  M.  Skittery 13.4  16 

Mrs.  RobertWordsworth.  16.3  13 

Mrs.  W.  E.  Fryer 31.3  9% 

Murillo 6.3  15 

Myrtle 13.4  15 

Negro  Prmce 16.4  IIV4 

Nezinscott 16.4  18 

Oberammergau 16.3  14 

Panama 16.4  21 

Paris 12.4  11 

Peace 16.3  17 

Phoebus 6.3  14 

President  Braun 12.4  I51/2 

President  Magnaud     10.4      91/2 

Pride  of  Hillegom 16.4  17 

Primunella 9.4      8 

Prince  of  Wales 10.4  21 

Quasimodo 12.4  IOV2 

Regulus 9.4  10 

Rev.  Ewbank 6.3  16 

Rigel 9.4  12 

Roi  Leopold 10.4  18% 

Rose  Queen 16.4  I71/2 

Safrano 13.4  18 

Salmoneus 9.4  10 

Salmon  Excelsior 10.4  13 

Saphir 6.3  IO1/4 

Schwaben 12.4  I21/4 

Sea  Mouse 14.4  18 

Sedan 9.4  14 

Seneca 9.4  13 

Silvis 9.4      9 

Sinus 9.4     SV2 

Spica 9.4  12 

Tolstoi 10.4  14 

Tyran 31.3  13 

Valmy 10.4  I43/4 

Vega 9.4  12% 

Vierge  Lorraine 16.3  IQ1V4 

Vivid ....15.3  11 

War 16.4  I2V2 

White  Glory 16.3  13% 

Zeppelin 16.4  III/4 


CQ    334: 


D.M. 

29.7 

4.8 

9.8 

14.8 

3.8 

5.8 

7.8 

21.1 

3.8 

6.8 

9.8 

12.8 

24.7 

26.8 

6.8 

21.7 

15.8 

1.8 

27.8 

22.7 

28.8 

21.8 

2.8 

17.8 

27.8 

2.8 

7.8 

22.7 

2.8 

1.8 

23.7 

11.8 

25.8 

21.8 

14.8 

2L7 

24.7 

25.7 

18.8 

22.8 

30.7 

26.7 

14.8 

5.8 

2.8 

188 

98 

7.8 

29.7 

25.8 

2.8 

7.8 

1.9 

16.8 


4.0 
4.0 
2.9 
3.3 
5.0 
4.0 
3.6 
3.6 
3.0 
4.2 
3.8 
3.4 
3.8 

4.6 
3.0 
3.6 
3.6 
4.0 

3.10 
2.6 
5.0 
4.0 
3.0 
3.3 
36 
3.3 

3.10 
3.4 
3.6 
4.3 
3.4 
3.6 

3.9 
3.9 
3.9 

3.0 
3.6 
2.0 
3.2 
3.0 
2.6 
2.5 
4.0 
4.0 
3.4 
4.2 
4.0 
4.0 
3.3 
2.8 
3.6 


*  The  number  preceding  the  name  denotes  the  raiser,  as  follows :  1,  Alkemade ;  2,  Barr ;  3,  Cowee; 
4,Groff;  5,  Hoeg;  6,  Kelway;  7,  Kunderd  ;  8,  Lemoine ;  9,  Pfitzer;  10,  Zeestraten;  11,  Black;  12, 
Velthuys;  13,  Childs. 

Planting  could  not  be  started  as  soon  as  in  previous  years  owing  to  the  late  frosts, 
and  it  was  further  delayed  in  consequence  of  wet  weather.  The  dates  of  blooming 
are  from  nine  to  fourteen  days  later  than  last  year.  Smilax. 


Dec. 
1917 


Ol)<2^  Modern  <Bla6iolu5  (Grower 


Page 

175 


MRS.  AUSTIN'S  TALKS. 


A   FEW   LESSONS. 

For  the  last  six  or  eight  months  the 
weather  in  this  vicinity,  northeastern 
Ohio,  has  been  a  safe  gamble.  In  the 
dry  districts,  when  threatening  clouds 
shadowed  the  skies  to  inky  darkness  and 
gave  every  promise  of  a  flood  of  rain, 
the  anxious  Gladiolus  grower  could  safely 
wager  his  last  cent  that  not  a  drop  would 
fall  on  his  thirsty  fields,  while  in  the  de- 
luged sections  a  grower  had  good  reason 
to  become  apprehensive  when  a  cloud  the 
size  of  his  hand  appeared  on  the  horizon. 

One  might  call  it  a  year  of  warnings  or 
lessons.  One  of  those  seasons  when  ex- 
perience decides  to  teach  the  new  grow- 
ers that  there  are  many  unexpected 
obstacles  to  prepare  for  and  overcome  be- 
fore success  will  smile  upon  him,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  jog  the  memory  of  older 
ones.  It  brought  to  mind  a  number  of 
lessons  learned  from  experience  in  our 
own  work  and  in  observing  the  methods, 
and  some  mistakes,  of  other  growers. 

One  of  the  Springtime  lessons  was  to 
get  the  black  bulblets  planted  early  while 
the  soil  was  moist  so  that  the  shell  could 
soften  and  start  into  growth  early,  for  if 
planted  late  and  dry  weather  came,  they 
would  lie  in  the  soil  until  late  rains 
caused  them  to  sprout,  which  would  be 
too  late  to  make  size,  and  frosts  destroy 
the  tender  growth. 

A  (dry)  summer  warning  was  to  give 
the  most  intensive  cultivation  or  lose  the 
crop.  The  cultivator  had  to  be  kept  go- 
ing both  to  keep  the  weeds  out  and  the 
moisture  in.  The  work  to  be  done  in 
such  a  way  that  the  soil  would  be  thrown 
upon  each  side  and  in  between  the  bulbs 
forming  a  complete  dust  blanket.  Such 
cultivation  is  done  more  thoroughly  with 
a  walking  cultivator  which,  of  course, 
makes  more  work  but  the  extra  growth  is 
worth  it.  General  cultivation  between 
rows  is  all  right  for  a  season  of  fairly 
good  rainfall  but  during  drouth  frequent 
stirring  close  to  the  row  helps  put  on  the 
size. 

Early  planted  bulblets  can  be  dug  early, 
and  one  important  lesson  learned  was  to 
do  it,  getting  them  out  of  the  ground  in 
late  August  or  early  September.  Although 
green  and  still  growing  there  would  be  less 
loss  of  the  small  bulbs  in  the  soil  and  no 
injury  to  them.  Dug  early  and  put  in  a 
warm  airy  place  they  would  cure  quickly 
and  be  stored  where  they  were  to  stay 
until  cleaned. 


With  the  bulblet  stock  curing,  the  next 
step  was  the  digging  of  larger  bulbs,  and 
there  were  as  many  lessons  to  learn  as 
there  are  variations  of  weather.  How  to 
get  them  harvested  in  a  rainy  season  be- 
fore grim  winter  locked  the  soil  was  a 
particularly  serious  proposition,  and  we 
once  happened  to  visit  a  grower  when  he 
was  experiencing  that  special  difficulty. 

The  grower  worked  desperately  and  the 
helpers  thought  they  did.  Snowstorms 
came,  followed  by  heavy  freezing  and  days 
of  mud.  They  tried  forking  but  it  seemed 
dangerously  slow  and  to  save  time  plowed 
them  loose,  and  right  there  came  another 
lesson,  for  the  plow  had  been  set  too 
deep.  It  raised  so  much  of  the  soil  with 
the  bulbs  that  they  could  not  separate 
from  it.  The  tops  broke  off  and  bulbs 
and  soil  were  gathered  up  together  and 
heaped  in  the  trays. 

A  storage  lesson  was  to  shake  and 
toss  with  a  fork,  the  bulbs  from  the  soil 
when  putting  them  into  the  trays  from 
the  wagon  leaving  the  dirt  and  loosened 
bulblets  in  a  pile  until  they  could  be 
screened.  The  large  bulbs  free  from  soil 
would  soon  be  ready  for  cleaning  and 
early  shipping. 

Mrs.  a.  H.  Austin. 


This  shows  seven  new  corms  resulting 
from  division  of  a  single  old  corm.  Can 
anyone  tell  us  if  these  divisions  will  be 
as  satisfactory  for  blooming  as  young 
stock  grown  from  bulblets  ?  Our  own 
experience  is  that  these  multiple  divisions 
are  more  than  likely  to  come  blind  when 
planted.     Let  us  hear  from  others. 


Page 

176 


Obc^  ^o6ern.  (Bla6lolus  (Grower 


Dec. 
1917 


New  Peonies  from  Seed. 

There  are  a  great  many  lovers  of  that 
old  favorite,  the  Peony,  who  apparently 
do  not  know  that  new  beautiful  varieties 
are  easily  grown  from  the  seed.  The  ex- 
perience of  Mrs.  Austin  Powers  of  White- 
side county,  Illinois,  in  growing  seedlings, 
will  show  the  possibilities  open  to  anyone 
with  a  little  time  and  patience  to  give  to 
the  work. 

Seven  years  ago,  while  working  around 
a  bush  of  the  old  common  white  Peony. 
Mrs.  Powers  discovered  several  tiny  plants 
coming  up  in  the  sod  at  the  edge  of  the 
old  clump.  She  dug  them  up  and  found  the 
seeds  still  attached  to  the  roots,  so  that 
the  little  plantlets  were  easily  identified 
as  Peony  seedlings.  Curious  to  know 
what  they  would  produce,  she  planted 
them,  tended  them  carefully,  and  reset 
the  plants  as  they  became  larger.  The 
fourth  year  after  the  discovery  of  the 
seedlings  she  was  rewarded  by  seeing  one 
plant  produce  a  bloom ;  and  the  next  year 
several  others  began  to  bloom. 

The  new  varieties  were  all  of  some 
shade  of  pink,  from  the  most  delicate 
salmon  to  a  dark  pink,  almost  like  the 
old-fashioned  red  Peony.  They  ranged 
from  beautiful  singles  to  immense  double 
forms  nearly  nine  inches  in  diameter,  and 
all  from  a  perfectly  white  parent.  Every 
one  of  them  was  well  worth  perpetuating. 
A  local  florist  and  nurseryman  pronounced 
one  of  them  a  really  splendid  Peony. 
Another  set  of  seedlings  has  since  been 
found  under  the  same  white  parent,  but 
none  of  these  have  yet  reached  the  bloom- 
ing age.  A  year  ago  a  large  number  of 
seedlings  were  discovered  under  various 
ones  of  the  original  seedling.  These  have 
been  set  out  as  before  and  the  result  is 
anxiously  awaited. 

The  reader  must  not  expect  to  find 
seedlings  under  every  Peony  bush,  for 
some  of  them  do  not  seem  to  produce 
seed.  The  seeds  do  not  all  grow  the  first 
year,  some  of  them  failing  to  germinate 
until  the  second  year,  or  possibly  even 
later.  It  will  be  about  four  years  before 
the  seedlings  can  be  expected  to  bloom, 
although  with  good  care  they  may  bloom 
the  third  year.  Mrs.  Powers'  experience 
with  these  seedlings  is  only  an  instance 
of  what  any  Peony  lover  could  do  by 
exercising  a  little  care  and  patience.  The 
result  will  be  very  interesting  to  say  the 
least,  and  there  is  a  possibility  of  making 
considerable  profit  by  the  production  and 
introduction  of  some  choice  new  varieties. 
Many  neighbors  to  whom  Mrs.  Powers 
has  shown  these  flowers  have  declared 
that  they  never  knew  of  Peonies  producing 


seed  in  this  way,  and  even  one  of  the 
local  florists  would  not  believe  it  to  be  a 
fact,  and  had  never  before  seen  a  variety 
bearing  single  blooms.  In  fact  it  was 
just  a  chance  discovery  in  this  case,  but  ^• 
one  which  when  followed  up  has  proved  ^ 
to  be  of  great  interest.— L.  F.  P.  in  Suc- 
cessjiil  Farming. 


Manure  Can  Replace 

Costly  Fertilizers. 

Can  barnyard  manure  be  worth  $8  to 
$9  a  ton  for  use  on  farm  crops  ?  At  pres- 
ent prices  for  commercial  fertilizers,  it 
has  had  this  value  in  tests  conducted  by 
the  Ohio  Agricultural  Experiment  Station. 

Eight  tons  of  manure  reinforced  with 
320  pounds  of  acid  phosphate  has  been  as 
effective  in  increasing  crop  yields  as  the 
same  quantity  of  acid  phosphate  mixed 
with  480  pounds  of  nitrate  of  soda  and 
260  pounds  of  muriate  of  potash,  in  tests 
covering  20  years  at  the  experiment  Sta- 
tion at  Wooster. 

Nitrate  of  soda  now  costs  nearly  four 
cents  a  pound,  and  muriate  of  potash  20 
cents.  At  such  prices  the  eight  tons  of 
manure  has  had  a  replacement  value  of 
at  least  $70. 

Every  pound  of  manure  saved  and  used 
with  the  utmost  economy  will  relieve  the 
fertilizer  situation  this  year  and  put  crop  - 

yields    on    a   higher   level.— Florists'  Ex-         f 
change. 

Moving  Flower  Plants. 

J.  O.  G.,  Pine  Co.,  Minn.,  writes:  "I 
have  some  Peonies,  Roses,  Lilies  and 
other  flowering  plants  that  I  wish  to 
move  this  fall,  and  would  like  to  know  if 
it  is  safe  to  do  it  and,  if  it  is,  what  is  the 
best  time  to  do  the  moving.  Can  I  break 
up  the  Peonies  and  set  several  colors  in 
one  bunch,  or  is  it  best  to  leave  them  as 
they  are  ?" 

One  of  the  best  times  for  moving 
Peonies,  Lilies,  Iris  and  nearly  all  her- 
baceous plants  is  early  in  September  or 
late  in  August,  as  soon  as  the  heat  of 
mid-summer  is  past  and  the  days  begin 
to  be  cool  and  the  weather  moist.  Herb- 
aceous plants  include  all  of  those  that  die 
down  to  the  ground  in  the  close  of  the 
season  and  start  from  the  root  in  the 
spring.  Woody  plants,  such  as  Roses  and 
flowering  shrubs,  cannot  be  moved  very 
safely  in  our  climate  except  in  spring. 

You  can  readily  divide  your  Peonies, 
and    very    likely    the    other    perennials,  ^ 

when  you  move  them  this  fall.     I  would  ▼ 

not  set  the  peonies  closer  than  two  feet 
apart. —  The  Farmer. 


Dec. 

191  7 


iD\)z  ytZob(irn  (Gladiolus  (Grower 


Page 

177 


FOR  BOTH  AMATEUR  AND  PROFESSIONAL  GROWERS  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY  ON  THE   FIRST   OF  THE  MONTH  BY 
MADISON  COOPER,  CALCIUM,  N.Y. 


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Copyright  1917  by  Madii 


Cooper. 


The  contents  of  THE  MODERN  GLADIOLUS  GROWER  art  covered  by  general  copyright.  PermissUn  is  given  f  editors  f 
use  not  more  than  one-third  of  any  article  providing  frcper  credit  is  given  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  such  quotation,  as  follows  : 
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Entered  as  second-class  matter  Mar.  31,  1914,  at  post  office  at  Calcium,  N.  Y.,  under  Act  of  Mar.  3,  1879. 


Vol.  IV. 


December,    1917 


No.  12 


Gla-di'-o-lus  is  the  singular  of  Gla-di'-o-li. 

Correctly  pronounced  with  accent  on  the  syllable  " di." 


"  Not  True  to  Name." 

Your  editorial  under  this  heading  in  the 
September  number  came  at  a  very  op- 
portune time  and  will,  I  trust,  help  to 
impress  on  growers  the  necessity  of  care 
in  lifting  and  storing  this  year's  crop. 

The  trouble  you  speak  of  is  no  doubt 
caused  by  scarcity  of  help,  but  do  growers 
seriously  "rogue"  their  stocks  when  in 
bloom  ? 

One  experiences  the  same  trouble  with 
seed  potatoes,  but  the  prices  of  different 
growers  soon  tell  their  own  stories,  and  one 
does  not  take  long  to  learn  that  the  term 
"  cheap  and  nasty "  applies  to  seeds  as 
well  as  to  other  things. 

If  true  and  clean  stocks  are  required 
one  must  be  prepared  to  pay  a  fair  price 
and  to  expect  to  get  them  at  any  other, 
is  asking  for  trouble  and  disappointment. 

As  to  handling  stock  after  it  has  been 
received — even  in  the  handling  of  one's 
own  grown  stock  accidents  will  happen. 
This  year  my  Bordeaux  came  up  true  to 
label,  but  it  also  came  up  in  a  row  of 
Karl  Lutz  and  in  two  rows  of  Golden 
West.  How  the  mixture  was  made,  no 
one  knew,  but  it  was  quite  certain  that 


some  Bordeaux  was  spilt  over  the  other 
two  varieties. 

I  have  always  found  growers,  with  two 
exceptions,  ready  to  make  good  any  fail- 
ures or  mistakes  in  goods  supplied  whether 
in  seeds  or  bulbs.  It  is  to  the  interest  of 
the  grower  to  have  a  satisfied  customer. 

Smilax. 

A  Flower  Show  Suggestion. 

It  is  suggested  that  when  the  American 
Gladiolus  Society  gets  up  another  prize 
list  for  an  annual  show  that  a  little  more 
attention  should  be  given  to  descriptions 
and  designation  of  the  color  classes.  For 
instance,  in  blue,  mauve,  purple,  salmon, 
pink,  etc.,  mention  might  be  made  of 
some  varieties  that  clearly  come  in  the 
different  classes  like  Baron  Hulot  for 
purple  or  dark  blue  ;  Badenia,  Blue  Jay  or 
Mary  Fennell  for  mauve.  It  might  be 
well  also  to  designate  in  what  classes 
such  varieties  as  Empress  of  India,  Neger- 
furst,  Goliath,  etc.,  should  be  placed. 

Also  should  there  not  be  a  separate 
class  for  the  salmon  or  orange  varieties 
such  as  Orange  Glory,  Pride  of  Goshen, 
Halley,  Prince  of  Wales,  Hohenzollern,  etc.? 
If  some  well  known  varieties  were  men- 


Page 

178 


Ob<i  ^tlodern  (Bladlolus  i&rower 


Dec. 

1917 


tioned  in  each  color  class,  then  every- 
body would  know  in  what  classes  to  show 
his  varieties. 

There  seems  to  be  quite  a  difference  of 
opinion  about  colors,  especially  in  purple, 
blue,  salmon  or  pink.  Amef^ica,  for  in- 
stance, is  called  by  everybody  a  light 
lavender  and  yet  it  is  used  to  compete  in 
the  pink  class.  I  believe  a  little  more 
description  would  be  very  helpful. 

C.  Zeestraten. 


Late  Digging  of  Gladiolus  Corms. 

Owing  to  bad  weather  the  editor  this 
year  was  very  late  in  getting  his  Gladi- 
olus corms  out  of  the  ground.  Some  were 
dug  as  late  as  the  middle  of  November. 
It  was  noticeable  that  the  corms  dug  last 
had  cormels  of  extraordinary  size  and 
development  and  it  would  seem  that  those 
who  want  to  get  all  the  increase  possible 
from  a  new  rare  variety  should  leave  the 
corms  in  the  ground  as  late  as  possible  in 
the  fall. 

Here  is  another  suggestion :  It  seems 
apparent  that  when  the  first  real  killing 
frost  comes,  it  stops  all  growth  of  the 
parent  corm,  but  it  does  not  seem  to  stop 
the  growth  of  the  cormels.  The  cormels 
seem  to  keep  right  on  growing  at  least 
for  a  time.  Perhaps  some  of  the  older 
and  experienced  growers  can  tell  us 
something  definite  about  this. 

Madison  Cooper. 


One  of  our  correspondents  in  England 
writes  with  the  suggestion  that  we  should 
have  an  article  prepared  entitled,  "  The 
Striking  Novelties  of  the  Year."  He  re- 
fers, of  course,  to  the  Gladiolus.  Such  an 
article  would  surely  be  interesting  to  all 
of  us,  but  we  would  doubtless  all  pick  a 
different  list.  At  the  same  time  some  of 
the  novelties  are  so  distinctive  that  per- 
haps they  would  be  selected  by  most  any 
of  us.  Not  all  varieties  which  win  prizes 
at  flower  shows  can  be  called  representa- 
tive varieties.  Often  a  variety  will  win  a 
prize  through  sheer  quality  of  bloom  and 
not  from  any  extraordinary  merit  of  the 
variety  as  a  variety.    This  has  been  the 


case  in  a  number  of  instances  which  we 
recall  at  the  moment.  The  fact  that  a 
variety  wins  a  prize  once  or  even  more 
than  once,  does  not  necessarily  mean 
that  it  is  an  extra  good  thing  in  itself.  ^ 
Perhaps  it  only  means  that  the  person 
who  grows  it  is  an  expert  in  his  line. 
The  variety  which  is  really  meritorious 
must  be  grown  by  a  number  of  different 
people  and  under  different  conditions  to 
prove  that  it  has  real  merit. 


Every  Gladiolus  grower  should  have  at 
least  a  few  Primuliniis  Hybrids.  Some  of 
them  are  extremely  beautiful  and  there  is 
a  great  variation  of  shades  and  variety  of 
form  to  them.  They  have  a  distinctive 
form  although  the  form  varies  greatly, 
too.  The  colorings  and  mottlings  and 
the  yellow  and  orange  shades  are  very 
pleasing  to  those  who  are  especially  fond 
of  these  colors.  Of  course  there  is  as 
much  difference  in  Primulinus  Hybrids  as 
there  is  in  the  other  species  of  Gladioli, 
but  one  can  select  and  sort  so  as  to  prop- 
agate the  best  only,  the  same  as  with 
other  varieties.  They  may  be  grown  in  ^ 
mixture  or  with  the  different  varieties  *• 
selected  as  desired. 


One  of  our  subscribers  who  was  greatly 
interested  in  the  articles  on  Gladiolus 
growing  in  the  South,  suggests  that  some 
of  our  friends  who  have  had  experience 
in  California  might  say  something  about 
the  possibilities  in  that  tropical  climate. 
We  would  be  glad  to  hear  from  anyone 
who  has  had  experience  and  who  will  tell 
us  what  the  results  have  been. 


The  readers  of  The  Modern  Gladi- 
olus Grower  will  confer  a  favor  on  the 
Editor  by  sending  in  clippings  from  their 
local  papers  relating  to  the  Gladiolus. 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  aims 
to  collect  into  one  publication  all  of  the 
available  facts  and  information  concern- 
ing the  Gladiolus  which  appears  in  print 
and  you  can  help  us  as  suggested  by  ^ 
sending  in  items  which  come  under  your  ™ 
eye  from  time  to  time. 


Dec. 

1917 


iD\)(i  yCtobzrn  (biabiolus  (Grower 


Page 

179 


WAYSIDE  RAMBLINGS. 


RELIABILITY.  — "AS  OTHERS  SEE  US." 

I  was  looking  at  my  Gladiolus  beds  a 
few  days  ago,  and  the  failure  of  some  of 
my  new  purchases  recalled  to  my  mind 
some  notes,  made  by  an  Australian  on 
some  new  English  Daffodils.  These  in- 
cluded : 

"  What  a  flower  to  bloom  at  £4  :4s.  !" 

"What  poor  flowers  to  have  been  cracked 
up  as  something  extra  fine  in  the  catalogue 
when  they  were  first  distributed  !" 

"  Has  not  yet  flowered." 

The  same  remarks  might  be  applied  to 
some  of  the  recent  introductions  of  Gladi- 
oli, whether  American,  Dutch,  English  or 
French.  But  what  can  be  said  of  those 
which  have  failed  not  only  to  bloom,  but 
even  to  grow  at  all !  When  you  find  a 
failure  surrounded  by  strong  healthy 
neighbors,  it  is  rather  a  shock  to  be  told 
that  the  failure  is  due  to  bad  cultivation 
and  lack  of  moisture !  Such  was  my  ex- 
perience last  year.  This  year  I  sought 
for  the  source  of  the  trouble  and  on  lift- 
ing the  bulbs  and  examining  them  in  the 
light  of  the  information  and  Fig.  B  on  p. 
32  of  Vol.  3,  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower,  I  had  no  difficulty   in  arriving 

at  the  true  cause  of  the  failure. 

'fi        *         ♦         --i' 

Again  some  novelties  appear  in  a  cata- 
logue one  year  and  disappear  the  next, 
why  ?  That  some  novelties  are  insuf- 
ficiently tested  before  being  put  on  the 
market  is  well  known,  but  growers  should 
be  more  careful  of  their  reputations  for 
reliability,  and  hesitate  to  rush  a  novelty 
onto  the  market.  How  many  firms,  after 
extensively  advertising  a  novelty,  would 
decline  to  quote  for  it  on  the  ground  that 
it  had  not  come  up  to  expectation,  and 
would  have  to  be  subject  to  further  trial, 
before  being  placed  in  their  catalogue  ? 

I  would  suggest  that  where  novelties 
are  discarded  by  the  introducers  some 
note  of  the  fact  should  be  made  in  a 
subsequent  catalogue.  G.  c. 


growing  exhibition  gladioli. 
To  THE  Editor:  — 

In  a  recent  number  of  your  bright  little 
magazine  I  came  across  some  reference 
to  a  former  article  regarding  my  instruc- 
tions as  to  growing  giant  or,  exhibition 
Gladiolus  blooms.  It  seems  that  one  of 
your  readers  understood  from  the  cul- 
tural notes  in  my  1917  catalog  that 
highest  forcing  culture  was  our  general 


field  practice.  I  do  not  think  that  any 
careful  reader  can  find  any  such  state- 
ment in  our  cultural  suggestion,  nor  would 
any  such  method  be  possible  on  such  a 
large  basis  as  we  grow,  for  both  the  rea- 
sons, that  the  expense  would  be  prohibi- 
tive and  the  quality  of  bulbs  be  injured 
for  the  succeeding  year.  As  is  well  known 
we  do  not  grow  for  cut  or  show  flowers 
but  grow  with  the  one  end  in  view:  to 
supply  the  most  exacting  private  growers 
with  the  best  bulbs  possible.  Under  the 
extreme  forcing  cultural  methods,  which 
I  gave  for  those  wishing  to  grow  prize 
or  giant  blooms,  there  is  no  doubt  the 
bulbs  would  be  injured.  High  class  cul- 
ture in  another  sense,  that  of  growing 
ideal  bulbs  for  the  following  year,  would 
not  necessarily  impair  the  value  of  the 
bulbs.  Such  high  class  culture  would  not, 
however,  be  the  forcing  method  recom- 
mended for  growing  giant  flowers,  but 
rather  would  be  the  growing  in  a  normal 
soil  of  high  fertility  and  include  very  fre- 
quent and  thorough  culture  and  the  best 
possible  storing  and  handling  of  the  crop. 
It  is  true  that  bulbs  grown  in  this  man- 
ner, namely,  in  a  first  class  soil  and  given 
the  best  of  culture  in  every  way  through- 
out the  season  would  give  an  increased 
size  of  bulb,  or  corm,  and  a  very  largely 
increased  quantity  of  high  quality  corm- 
lets.  The  fields  on  which  our  own  stock 
is  grown  are  only  of  fair  average  quality 
of  sandy  loam.  We  use  no  fertilizers  at 
present  but  prepare  our  soil  only  by  seed- 
ing to  a  heavy  stand  of  oats  in  the  fall 
preceding  the  use  of  the  fields  for  the 
Gladiolus.  I  might  add  that  a  large  part 
of  the  credit  for  the  high  quality  of  our 
bulbs  is  due  to  the  inherent  vigor  of  the 
new  strains  we  have  produced.  My  ad- 
vice to  the  commercial  grower  of  bulbs,  as 
well  as  other  crops,  is,  cultivate  often  and 
thoroughly.  To  the  grower  of  show  flow- 
ers; give  intense  forcing  culture.  The 
former  method  produces  quality  bulbs, 
the  latter  the  prize  blooms. 

A.  E.  Kunderd. 


SELF -fertility  OF  THE  GLADIOLUS. 

I  notice  in  the  October  issue  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  something 
about  Gladiolus  spikes  covered  with  cheese 
cloth  as  to  whether  or  not  they  are  self- 
fertilizing.  It  is  well  known  that  some 
crosses  of  Gladioli  will  not  produce  seed. 
It  has  been  my  experience  that  most  seed 
bearing  parents  are  self-fertilizing.  In 
fact,  I  have  never  discovered  anything  to 
the  contrary,  but  have  never  made  any 
extended  tests  along  this  line. 

E.  T.  Barnes. 


Page 

180 


Oh^  Mlo6ern  (Bla6lolu5  (Brower 


Dec. 
1917 


ORIGIN  AND  IDENTITY  OF  VARIETIES 

Regarding  Mr.  B.  Hammond  Tracy's  ar- 
ticle in  the  October  number  of  The  Mod- 
ern Gladiolus  Grower,  page  149,  as  to  the 
origin  of  some  varieties,  he  writes  :  "  Mrs. 
James  Lancashire  and  Rouge  Torch  were 
both  segregated  at  Cedar  Acres."  Mr. 
Tracy's  article  was  in  answer  to  an  in- 
quiry in  the  August  issue  of  The  Modern 
Gladiolus  Grower  as  to  the  origin  of 
the  above  varieties. 

For  my  own  part  I  fail  to  see  how  the 
word  "  segregated  "  answers  the  question 
as  to  the  origin  of  these  varieties.  Did 
Mr.  Tracy  by  the  result  of  his  own  hy- 
bridizing note  these  varieties  and  segre- 
gate (separate)  them  as  being  worthy  of 
a  name?  If  he  did  then  the  origin  is 
with  him.  Or  did  he  note  them  among  a 
mixture  of  some  seedlings  he  had  bought 
and  segregate  (separate)  them  from  the 
others  ?  In  this  case,  if  he  is  able  to  re- 
member of  whom  he  bought  them,  this 
person,  I  should  think,  would  be  the  or- 
iginator, and  the  question  as  to  the  origin 
would  thus  be  traced. 

I  would  like  very  much  myself  to  know 
the  real  originator  of  Mrs.  Lancashire  as 
it  is  a  very  fine  variety. 

Could  Mr.  Tracy  throw  any  light  upon 
the  origin  of  two  varieties  which  he  had 
labeled,  in  his  very  attractive  display  at 
the  Bronx  Park  show  this  fall,  Amethyst 
and  Sunset.^  There  was  quite  a  lot  of 
these,  I  should  judge  about  twenty  or 
thirty  spikes  of  each,  in  baskets  or  vases. 

I  especially  noted  these  varieties  and 
examined  them  closely  and  they  are,  even 
to  the  minutest  markings  and  coloring, 
similar  to  two  varieties  I  have  been  grow- 
ing for  about  four  years.  Sunset  is  ex- 
actly like  a  variety  I  have,  called  Beniice 
or  Black's  No.  Ill  and  Amethyst  like 
Black's  No.  114.  These  I  purchased  of 
Mr.  Black,  then  at  Independence,  Iowa, 
or  Mr.  Woodruff,  I  forget  which.  Mr. 
Tracy,  I  should  think,  could  easily  tell 
whether  these  originated  by  his  own  hy- 
bridizing or  whether  he  purchased  them 
and  of  whom,  and  find  out  how  the  con- 
fusion of  names  originated.  This  con- 
fusion of  names,  I  think,  is  detrimental 
to  the  business  for  several  reasons  that 
could  be  mentioned. 

In  my  past  five  years'  growing  Gladioli 
I  have  wasted  considerable  time  and 
money  only  to  find  out  that : 

Faust  (from  Holland),  Harvard  and 
George  Paul  are  the  same.  Mr.  Cowee 
also  has  a  Faust  which  is  an  entirely  dif- 
ferent variety  from  Faust  (as  grown  in 
Holland.) 

Madam  Lemoiner  and  Easter  are  the 
same. 


Old  Rose.  Chocolate  Drop  and  Purple 
Prince  are  the  same. 

Waterloo  and  Taconia  are  the  same. 

Velvet  King  same  as  Wm.  Mason. 

Autumn    Queen    the    same    as    Lillian.       ^ 
(Beautiful  variety  by  the  way.)  ^ 

Grenadier  and  Mrs.  Scott  Durand  the 
same. 

Baltimore  is  the  exact  double  of  Hohen- 
zollern. 

The  variety  Mr.  Tracy  sells  as  Rouge 
Torch,  as  far  as  I  can  see,  is  just  like  a 
variety  Mr.  Black  sells  under  the  name  of 
Beulah  or  Black's  113,  and  I  have  seen  it 
cataloged  in  one  catalog  (I  forget  which 
one)  as  ''Rouge  Torch  (B.  113)." 

B.  F.  Stalnaker. 


CURING   GLADIOLUS  CORMS. 

I  am  drying  my  Gladiolus  corms  in  a 
colony  brooder  house.  The  coal  burning 
colony  stove  is  in  a  room  8x8  ft.  with 
portions  of  the  window  openings  covered 
with  cotton  cloth.  So  far  I  can  see  no 
reason  why  they  are  not  going  to  cure 
perfectly,  and  it  is  very  much  easier  to 
keep  the  fire  going  than  to  watch  the 
sun  and  be  obliged  to  carry  the  trays  out 
and  in  between  showers. 

Leslie  Crane. 

Note  by  the  Editor— 

Mr.  Crane's  plan  seems  to  be  a  good  ^. 
one,  but  we  should  advise  caution  in  dry-  ^ 
ing  in  this  way,  to  not  overdo  the  work, 
as  it  would  likely  injure  the  vitality  of 
the  corms.  Besides,  nothing  will  take 
the  place  of  direct  sunshine.  To  avoid 
carrying  trays  in  and  out  we  use  a  water- 
proof canvas  for  covering  the  trays  at 
night  and  during  rainy  weather. 


STORING  DAHLIA  TUBERS. 

Note  one  of  your  readers  has  had 
trouble  keeping  dahlia  bulbs.  Dig  the 
toes,  cut  the  tops  off  at  once,  remove 
only  the  excess  dirt  and  place  on  the  cel- 
lar fioor.  Cover  completely  with  dry  dirt 
or  dust.  Three  weeks  before  planting 
water  once  sufficiently  to  start  growth  so 
that  division  will  be  easy.  I  have  carried 
through  hundreds  of  clumps  every  year 
in  this  way  without  the  loss  or  shriveling 
of  a  single  toe. 

Paul  L.  Ward. 


ROOT  GROWTH  ON  NEW  CORMS. 

I  thank   Geo.  S.   Woodruff  for    putting 
me  right  on  this  point.     On  reading  his       ^ 
communication    in    the    June    number,    I       ^' 
lifted  one  or  two  corms  which  had  bloomed, 
and  confirmed  his  statement.  G.  C 


Dec. 

1917 


Obe  Mto6eru  (Bladlolus  (Grower 


Page 

181 


An  American  Boy's 

Patriotic  Appeal, 

A  letter  from  B.  Hammond  Tracy,  Jr., 
to  his  father,  B.  Hammond  Tracy,  of  Wen- 
ham,  Mass.,  strikes  a  note  of  patriotism 
which  should  be  instilled  in  the  hearts  of 
all  true  American  boys  and  we  are  pleased 
to  print  this  letter  with  Mr.  Tracy's  per- 
mission. 

Mr.  Tracy,  Jr.,  left  for  France  last 
February  with  the  Harvard  unit.  He  was 
with  section  7  at  Verdun,  where  he  at- 
tained his  majority.  Later  he  was  in  the 
Champaigne  district  and  encamped  on 
the  ancient  battlefield  of  Attila,  the  Ter- 
rible Hun.  The  letter  which  we  print 
below  was  written  at  this  place.  He  is 
now  with  Section  3,  Armee  d'Orient,  on 
the  Macedonian  front: 

"  Dear  Mother  and  Father: 

"Your  letters  came  to  me  yesterday,  and  now  I 
wish  I  had  said  nothing  about  aviation  until 
nearer  the  end  of  my  ambulance  service.  I  am 
sorry  you  take  aviation  so  hard,  for  the  mortality 
is  only  8  per  cent,  more  than  that  of  the  infantry. 
The  whole  argument  amounts  to  this :  I  am  first  of 
all  of  military  age  and  must  take  up  some  service, 
now  that  we  are  at  war  ;  am  physically  fit  for 
aviation,  while  there  are  millions  over  and  under 
age  available  for  ambulanciers  and  camions.  Do 
you  wish  me  to  be  called  an  ambuscee,  when  I 
come  home?  And  that  is  what  they  call  us  here, 
now  that  America  is  at  war.  The  air  life  is  a  bit 
more  dangerous,  but  death  comes  from  a  little 
bullet  and  is  quick  and  clean.  One  is  not  blown 
into  infinity  by  marmite  or  other  high  explosives 
which  leave  unbelievable  holes  in  one's  body. 
One  fights  man  to  man  in  the  air. 

■'  I  must  do  some  military  duty  and  my  six 
months'  experience  and  my  knowledge  of  French 
are  of  value  to  those  whom  I  am  trying  to  help. 
After  all.  if  I  am  not  to  survive  this  war,  what 
difference  does  it  make  how  I  go  about  it?  No 
one  wants  to  come  home  more  than  I  do.  No  one 
is  more  fed  up  on  this  war  than  I  am,  but  my 
wishes  and  your  wishes  are  almost  nothing.  Our 
sorrow  is  like  sunshine  when  you  think  of  the  sor- 
row caused  by  the  death  of  the  7,000,000  men  who 
have  died  since  August,  1914.  One  learns  to 
feel  that  death  is  easy  after  watching  these 
Frenchmen  die. 

"  And  are  you,  my  mother  and  my  father, 
going  to  refuse  to  sacrifice  one  son,  when  mil- 
lions of  others  have  done  far  more  ?  Could  you 
have  followed  me  through  some  of  the  places  I 
have  been  the  last  week  you  would  have  in- 
finite confidence  in  my  luck.  Something  more 
than  the  power  of  a  piece  of  gold  is  guiding 
me  through  these  bursting  shells.  J is  go- 
ing into  aviation  and  his  mother  has  no  dear 
little  sisters  to  take  his  place.  Perhaps  I  am 
wrong  to  urge  you  to  let  me  go  on,  but  I  have  all 
the  papers  made  out  and  take  the  medical  exami- 
nation soon.  In  America  we  are  taught  that  one's 
country  comes  first,  and  am  I  now  to  throw  over 
the  legacy  of  the  revolution?  In  France  an  avia- 
tor is  considered  worth  1,000  men.  Can  you  im- 
agine my  being  worth  1.000  men?  However,  this 
is  no  time  for  joking.  Only  think  of  the  millions 
who  have  lost  more  than  I  can  ever  be,  of  mothers 
who  have  lost  several  sons,  as  well  as  their  hus- 
bands, and  their  daughters  ruined  by  German 
oflicers,  and  of  husbands  fighting,  never  knowing 
the  fate  of  their  sons,  wives  and  daughters. 
God  is  watching  me,  and  if  anything  should  go 
wrong,  sorrow  a  little  and  thank  God  that  you 


could  sacrifice  one  so  dear  to  you  in  the  cause  of 
right.  When  you  have  decided,  write  to  me  at 
once.    All  my  plans  shall  stop  until  I  hear  again. 

Let  B read  this  letter.    I    do    hope  he    will 

never  be  called  to  leave  America  for  this  God- 
forsaken country. 

"This  is  reconquered  territory  and  no  one  is 
living  above  the  ground.  Wheat  fields  are  the 
only  gardens,  with  patches  of  radishes  and  lettuce 
about.    Weather  is  wonderful. 

"  Once  more  let  me  assure  you  that  I  realize 
how  much  I  owe  to  you  and  dad.  and  will  come  at 
permission  — come  home  only  to  return,  for  I 
could  never  stay  away  from  this  war  now  until 
it  ends. 

"  Hammond." 

Gladioli  at  Connecticut  Fair, 

At  the  Connecticut  fair  which  opened 
Labor  Day  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  there  was 
a  large  exhibit  of  flowers  among  which 
Gladioli  held  a  prominent  position. 

The  Silver  Cup  for  the  largest  and  best 
collection  was  won  by  C.  W.  Brown  & 
Son,  of  Ashland,  Mass. 

The  following  are  the  awards  with  the 
names  of  the  varieties  shown : 

25  spikes  America — E.  M.  Smith,  East 
Hartford,  1st;  C.   W.  Brown  &  Son,  2nd. 

25  spikes  Mrs.  King—E.  M.  Smith,  1st; 
C.  W.  Brown  &  Son,  2nd. 

25  spikes  Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton— C.  W. 
Brown  &  Son,  1st;  E.  M.  Smith,  2nd. 

20  spikes  Pink— E.  M.  Smith,  1st;  C. 
W.  Brown  &  Son,  2nd. 

20  spike?  Scarlet— F.  H.  Pond,  Bristol, 
Conn.,  1st,  with  Piinceps;  E.  M.  Smith, 
2nd,  with  Princeps. 

20  spikes  White— C.  W.  Brown  &  Son, 
1st,  with  Rochester  White;  N.  Nelson, 
Hartford,  2nd,  with  Glory  of  Holland. 

5  spikes  Crimson — C.  W.  Brown  &  Son, 
1st,  with  Hazel  Harvey ;  Mills  &  Co., 
Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  2nd,  with  Mrs.  Watt. 

5  spikes  Scarlet — C.  W.  Brown  &  Son, 
1st,  with  Liebesfeiter ;  E.  M.  Smith,  2nd, 
with  Tavistock. 

5  spikes  Yellow — F.  H.  Pond,  1st,  with 
Canary  Bird ;  C.  W.  Brown  &  Son,  2nd, 
with  Mongolian. 

5  spikes  Lilac  — C.  W.  Brown  &  Son, 
1st,  with  Scarsdale ;  Mills  &  Co.,  2nd,  with 
Florence. 

5  spikes  Mauve  — E.  M.  Smith,  1st,  with 
Scarsdale;  C.  W.  Brown  &  Son,  2nd. 

5  spikes  Blue — N.  Nelson,  1st,  with 
Baron  Hiilot;  E.  M.  Smith,  2nd,  with 
Baron  Hiilot. 

5  spikes  Dark  Pink— E.  M.  Smith,  1st, 
with  Panama;  H.  Nelson,  2nd,  with 
Panama. 

5  spikes  Light  Pink— C.  W.  Brown  & 
Son,  1st,  with  America;  H.  Nelson,  2nd, 
with  Rosy  Spray. 

5  spikes  Striped— Mills  &  Co ,  1st,  with 
Niagara  :  C.  W.  Brown  &  Son,  2nd,  with 
May. 


Page 

182 


Obe  Mlo6ern  (Gladiolus  <&rower 


Dec. 
1917 


Save  Your  Stable  Manure. 

The  experiment  stations  tell  us  that 
stable  manure  is  worth  somewhere  around 
$4.00  per  ton  now  on  a  basis  of  present 
high  cost  of  fertilizer.  Of  course  this  is 
an  exact  and  arbitrary  statement,  but  we 
may  assume  that  it  is  approximately  cor- 
rect. Therefore,  conserve  your  manure 
supply.  Fork  over  the  manure  pile  fre- 
quently to  prevent  burning  and  leave  the 
pile  with  a  flat  top,  and  not  a  conical  top, 
so  that  the  rains  may  soak  through  and 
prevent  burning  and  prevent  fire-fanging. 
Frequent  forking  over  will  save  a  lot  of 
the  nitrogen  content.  Most  directions 
for  flower  growing  and  gardening  insist 
on  using  well  rotted  manure,  but  please 
note  that  there  is  most  always  a  big  loss 
in  allowing  manure  to  rot  before  it  is  ap- 
plied to  the  ground.  It  is  a  pretty  safe 
rule  to  apply  fresh  manure  early  in  the 
fall  to  be  plowed  under  in  the  spring, 
but  it  is  a  still  better  rule  to  plow  in  the 
fall,  spread  the  manure  on  the  newly 
plowed  ground  and  thoroughly  cultivate 
with  a  discharrow,  then,  it  you  want  to 
plow  agam  in  the  spring  and  have  some 
well  rotted  manure  to  put  on  top  of  the 
spring  plowing  before  harrowing  you  will 
have  pretty  nearly  an  ideal  handling  of 
the  manure  problem. 

Madison  Cooper. 


Long  Keeping  Qualities  of  Gladi- 
olus Corms— Forcing  Gladioli. 

In  the  spring  of  1936  I  distributed  some 
mixed  corms  to  a  Sunday  school.  Some 
half  a  dozen  that  were  left  over  remained 
in  the  church  for  some  weeks,  when  I 
took  them  home  and  put  them  on  a 
pantry-shelf.  There  they  stayed  through- 
out the  summer  and  following  winter,  and 
I  planted  them  June  14.  At  l hat  time  not 
a  sprout  nor  root  had  started  on  either  of 
them,  but  two  or  three  had  grown  fairly 
sized  new  corms  on  top  of  the  old  ones. 
They  were  badly  dried  up  and  some  of 
them  decayed,  yet  after  a  time  one  of  them 
made  its  appearance  above  ground,  and 
Sept.  18  opened  out  the  fiist  bloom  of 
an  exceptionally  fine  spike  of  Klondike. 

That  shows  the  ability  of  a  Gladiolus 
corm  to  stand  grief.  It  was  dug  October, 
1915,  and  planted  June  14,  1917,  thus  hav- 
ing been  out  of  the  ground  twenty  months, 
most  of  that  time  enduring  the  heat  and 
dryness  of  an  atmosphere  that  Gladioli 
are  not  generally  supposed  to  endure. 

In  this  connection  it  may  not  be  out  of 
place  to  say  that  although  it  may  be  best 
to  keep  corms  through  the  winter  at  a 
little  above  the  freezing  point,  those  who 


cannot  conveniently  do  so  need  not  fear 
of  entire  failure.  It  so  happens  that  it  is 
convenient  for  me  to  keep  my  corms  in 
a  room  in  a  cellar  where  bees  are  kept, 
and  where  the  temperature  is  generally 
not  far  from  50°.  Yet  I  could  hardly  ask 
that  corms  should  winter  in  better  con- 
dition. Perhaps  one  reason  is  that  there 
is  excellent  ventilation,  and  the  air  is  al- 
ways about  as  pure  as  outdoors.  A  corm 
can  hardly  be  blamed  for  going  bad  in  a 
stuffy,  moldy  place  such  as  some  cellars 
are.  Incidentally  it  may  be  said  that  a  cel- 
lar of  that  kind  is  not  the  best  place  for  a 
family  to  live  over. 

In  that  same  cellar  I  succeed  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  in  keeping  corms  over 
summer  till  the  next  fall  for  the  purpose 
of  having  them  bloom  in  the  window  the 
next  winter.  Some  of  them  start  sprouts, 
and  if  near  the  ground  they  start  roots, 
but  kept  well  up  from  the  ground  a  fair 
proportion  keep  in  apparently  perfect 
condition. 

As  I  said,  I  have  kept  them  "  for  the 
purpose"  of  having  them  bloom,  but  I  am 
obliged  to  confess  myself  a  dismal  failure 
at  getting  the  bloom.  They  always  come 
blind.  I  wish  some  one  would  tell  me 
the  secret  of  my  failure.  It  seems  that 
a  thing  so  easily  grown  and  bloomed  as  a 
Gladiolus  should  become  a  common  thing 
in  the  window  in  winter,  just  as  gera- 
niums are.  C.  C.  Miller. 

Note  by  the  Editor — 

Dr.  Miller's  experience  in  trying  to  force 
Gladioli  for  winter  bloom  is  about  the 
same  as  our  own.  We  have  tried  it  too 
and  without  success.  Others  seem  to 
have  tried  the  same  thing,  even  trying  to 
force  for  early  spring  when  there  is  more 
sunshine,  and  without  any  important  suc- 
cess. Surely  florists  who  have  had  ex- 
perience in  forcing  Gladioli  could  tell  us 
more  about  this  subject,  and  we  hope 
that  some  of  them  will  see  fit  to  do  so. 


We  took  occasion  to  mention  last  month 
that  with  December,  1917,  there  were  a 
large  number  of  expiring  subscriptions 
and  to  urge  prompt  renewal.  Don't  for- 
get that  the  subscription  rate  advances 
January  1st,  but  that  you  can  renew  until 
that  time  at  the  present  rate,  $1.50  for 
three  years. 

Subscribers  need  not  be  surprised  when 
they  see  the  9"x  12"  page  next  month  and 
they  will  also  see  some  change  in  the 
name  of  the  magazine.  The  new  name 
will  be  The  Flower  Grower,  formerly 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower,  but 
the  Gladiolus  will  not  be  neglected. 


nUERIE8*^''ANSWERo 

'^.^  DEPARTMENT  =^ 


[  This  department  of  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  is  intended  to  be  one  of  its  most  helpful  and 
valuable  features.  All  questions  asked  in  good  faith  and  which  are  of  general  interest  will  have  careful 
attention.    The  full  name  and  address  of  the  writer  must  he  given,  but  not  for  publication.] — Editor. 


Deep  Planting  of  Gladiolus  Conns. 

To  THE  Editor:  — 

One  of  the  professional  florists  here  told  me 
that  he  planted  his  Gladioli  in  trenches  this  spring, 
filling  in  the  trenches  as  they  grew.  After  the 
trench  was  filled  in  the  corms  were  11  inches 
deep,  and  he  said  they  produced  the  finest  flowers 
he  ever  grew,  retailing  at  $3.00  per  dozen.  Have 
you  ever  tried  this  plan?  He  thinks  it  helps  to 
resist  the  drought.  It  would,  of  course,  guarantee 
strong  stems.  I  wonder  if  it  would  not  also  help 
to  mature  the  bulb  as  when  cutting  flowers  with 
rather  long  stems,  this  would  leave  more  stalk  on 
1he  corm.  Some  suggestions  of  experience  in 
The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  might  prove 
helpful.  L.  s.  c. 

Answer : —There  is  certainly  no  objec- 
tion to  planting  as  deep  as  11  inches  in 
the  right  kind  of  soil,  but  one  must  re- 
member that  when  planting  as  deeply  as 
this,  it  is  necessary  to  work  the  soil  some- 
what deeper  so  as  to  get  the  humus  of 
the  top  soil  mixed  thoroughly  through  to 
below  the  depth  planted.  The  ground 
must  be  very  deeply  plowed  or  trenched, 
or  planting  as  deeply  as  11  inches  is  likely 
to  get  down  into  a  lean  sub-soil. 

We  do  not  regard  such  deep  planting 
as  practicable  nor  necessary  under  aver- 
age conditions,  but  it  might  be  advisable 
in  a  small  way  and  for  special  purposes, 
but  even  then  it  is  doubtful  if  results 
would  justify  the  additional  expense. 

We  make  a  practice  of  planting  about 
six  inches  deep  for  first  size  corms  and 
when  planted  in  a  double  row  and  rather 
close  together,  say  about  two  inches  to 
three  inches  apart,  they  need  no  staking. 
Your  suggestion  that  more  stalk  would 
be  left  in  the  ground,  would,  as  we  see  it, 
be  of  no  advantage  as  it  is  the  foliage 
above  ground  that  matures  the  corm 
and  not  length  of  foliage  below  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground.  In  other  words,  it  is 
the  direct  sun-light  on  the  foliage  that 
gives  the  result  desired  and  any  stalk  be- 
low ground  is  of  no  advantage  in  strength- 
ening the  corm. 

Deep  planting  naturally  reaches  to  a 
depth  where  there  will  be  more  moisture 
in  the  ground,  but  in  an  open  sandy  soil 
even  this  is  of  little  or  no  advantage  dur- 
ing a  long  dry  time.  In  our  own  garden, 
for  instance,   where  we  have  a  very  lean 


sand  when  we  dig  down  a  foot  or  more 
during  a  dry  time  it  is  just  as  dry,  in  fact, 
dryer  than  near  the  surface  where  the 
sand  is  mixed  with  humus. 

It  is  our  impression  that  your  profes- 
sional florist  friend  is  suggesting  a  scheme 
which  is  not  worthy  of  general  adoption 
nor  recommendation  and  we  would  need 
to  see  it  demonstrated  that  it  would  pro- 
duce much  finer  bloom  than  standard 
planting  at  a  depth  of  about  six  inches 
for  first  size  corms.  It  would  be  neces- 
sary to  dig  a  deep  trench  and  fill  it  with 
top  soil  to  make  the  plan  operative,  as  it 
is  hardly  practicable  to  plow  to  a  depth 
sufficient  to  allow  for  planting  as  deep  as 
11  inches.  In  our  garden  we  plow  10 
inches  deep,  and  as  before  stated,  plant 
the  corms  about  six  inches  deep  and  we 
believe  this  is  about  right  in  a  sandy  soil. 
In  a  more  compact  or  harder  soil  a  depth 
of  five  inches  would  be  sufficient. 


Rust  on  Gladiolus  Foliage. 

To  the  Editor  :  — 

Can  you  tell  me  the  name  of  the  disease,  if  it  is 
a  disease  that  affects  the  foliage  of  Gladioli  as 
shown  by  the  sample  enclosed?  Is  it  rust?  It 
does  not  seem  to  affect  the  bulb  to  any  appreci- 
able extent.    What  causes  the  condition  ? 

N.  L.  w. 

Ansiver: — The  samples  submitted  show 
a  defect  which  is  commonly  known  as 
"  rust "  but  which  we  believe  is  caused 
more  because  the  corm  is  affected  than 
because  it  is  a  disease  of  the  foliage.  You 
will  probably  find  that  foliage  showing 
this  symptom  will  have  corms  which  are 
much  more  likely  to  be  affected  with  rot 
during  the  winter  than  those  with  clean 
foliage. 

The  cause  of  this  condition  may  be  a 
long  continued  spell  of  rainfall,  or  it  may 
be  excessive  use  of  stable  manure,  or  it 
may  be  inherent  in  the  corms  themselves 
when  planted. 

Renewal  subscriptions  during  December 
only  will  be  at  the  present  rate,  $1.50  for 
three  years.  After  January  1st,  1918,  it 
will  be  $1.00  per  year. 


Page 

184 


ol)e  Modern  <Bla6lolus  (Brower 


Dec. 
1917 


W.  W.  Wilmore,  Jr.,  of  Denver,  Colo., 
well  known  to  our  readers  through  his 
series  of  articles  entitled,  "The  Gladiolus 
Manual,"  is  at  present  in  the  U.  S.  Army 
and  necessarily  his  literary  work  must  be 
dropped  temporarily.  Mr.  Wilmore  had 
established  a  growing  business,  giving 
especial  attention  to  the  Gladiolus  and  it 
is  hoped  that  he  will  return  safely  and  be 
able  to  continue  the  work  in  his  chosen 
line. 

We  would  call  attention  to  the  combi- 
nation subscription  offer  of  The  Garden 
Magazine  (regular  subscription  price  $2 
per  year)  and  The  Modern  Gladiolus 
Grower,  (beginning  with  January  regu- 
lar subscription  price  $1.00.)  The  two 
can  be  had  for  $2.00.  They  can  be  sent 
to  separate  addresses  if  desired.  See  full 
page  advertisement  in  this  issue.  It  is 
not  often  that  a  money  saving  combina- 
tion of  this  kind  is  offered.  A  saving  of 
$1.00  or  one-third,  in  these  times  of  the 
high  cost  of  magazines  is  worth  consider- 
ing seriously.— (Adv.) 


A  subscriber  reports  that  he  tried  the 
experiment  of  cutting  Gladiolus  corms 
flatwise  or  horizontally  and  planting  the 
bottom  half  upside  down.  He  wanted  to 
test  the  claim  that  the  bottom  half  would 
throw  sprouts  and  form  new  roots.  He 
reports  that  while  the  top  half  planted  in 
the  regular  way  gave  good  plump  new 
corms  from  each  piece  and  good  flowers, 
and  that  the  bulblets  averaged  about  as 
many  as  the  bulbs  planted  whole,  that 
the  bottom  half  only  grew  where  there 
was  an  eye.  There  are  various  schemes 
extant  for  promoting  increase  of  growth 
and  multiplication,  but  they  all  involve 
considerable  labor  and  it  is  doubtful  if 
they  are  practicable  on  a  commercial 
scale  except  with  new  and  extremely 
valuable  varieties. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING. 

Growers  having  surplus  stork  for  sale  will  find 
this  department  effi  ctivc  in  disposmn  of  it.  Five 
lines  (about  forty  irords )  $1.00  per  insertion.  Ad- 
ditional lines  15c.  each. 


W  E.  KIRCHHOFF  CO.,  Penibvoke,  N.  Y., 
' '  •  growers  of  the  finest  Gladioli,  such  as 
Pendleton,  Panama.  Niagara.  Pink  Perfection, 
Europa.  Mrs.  Fryer,  War,  Peace,  etc.  Corres- 
pondence solicited. 

pLADIOLUS  bulbs  at  reduced  prices.  35  of  the 
^-J  choicest  varieties  for  decorative  and  florists' 
use.  Large,  healthy,  plump  bulbs,  also  planting 
sizes  and  bulblets.  Booking  orders  now.  Write 
for  price  list,  wholesale  or  retail.  T.  H.  Fuller, 
Gladiolus  Specialist,  Battle  Creek,  Mich. 


'T*0  any  address,  100  blooming  size  of  my  giant 
•*■  flowering  mixed  Gladiolus  bulbs,  for  S2.00  pre- 
paid This  mixture  has  pleased  every  customer 
for  years.  Make  your  friend  a  present  and  I  will 
see  that  they  arrive  on  Christmas  morning. 

P.  L.  Ward.  Hillsdale,  Michigan. 


JUMBO  The  new.  large  deep  pink  Gladiolus. 
Fine  commercial  variety  Wholesale  price  on 
bulbs  of  all  sizes,  especially  planting  stock.  Also 
bulblets,  quoted  on  application.  The  Decorah 
Gladiolus  Gardens,  Decorah,  Iowa. 

A  1  GLADIOLUS  BULBS-America,  Brench- 
^^  -*-  leyensis,  Halley,  Mrs.  F.  King,  $1.25  per 
100;  a  very  fine  mixture  of  all  kinds  grown.  $1.00 
per  100,  f  o.  b.  Worcester.  Crackerjack.  Empress 
of  India,  Princeps,  20c.  perdoz.  Glory  of  Holland, 
Kunderd  Glory,  Lily  Lehmann.  Scarsdale,  25c. 
per  doz.  Europa,  Niagara,  Peace,  Golden  King, 
50c.  per  doz.  Panama  35c.  Rosella,  War,  Shaw- 
nee, Gov.  Hanly,  75c.  Evelyn  Kirtland,  $2.00  per 
doz.  Gretchen  Zang,  Herada,  Wamba,  $1.50  per 
doz.  Prices  per  dozen  are  prepaid.  F.  A.  Carr, 
1353  Main  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 


If  you  are  a  professional,  commercial,  or  amateur 
grower,  you  will  find  the  columns  of 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  America 

brimful  of  helpful  knowledge  on  plant  culture — 
based  on  scientific,  practical  experiences — not  on 
theoretical  conclusions. 

In  addition  to  its  contributed  articles  by  well- 
known  authorities  on  horticultural  subjects,  di- 
gests of  the  leading  topics  appearing  in  American 
and  European  horticultural  journals  are  regularly 
published  in  the  Chronicle. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  National  Association  of  Gardeners,  and  the 
American  Association  of  Park  Superintendents. 


Published  monthly 


Subscription,  $1.50  a  year 


THE  CHRONICLE  PRESS,  INC. 
286  Fifth  Ave..  New  York,  N.Y. 


"THE  AMERICAN  BOTANIST" 

Is  published  for  all  who  are  interested  in  the 
curious  facts   about  our   native  wildflowers. 

$1.25  A  YEAR.    SAMPLE  FREE. 

Willard  N.  Clute  &  Co.,  Joliet,  III. 


America  or 
F.  King 

WRITE  ¥0R  MY  CASH 
WHOLESALE  PRICES  IN 
ALL  SIZES. 

EARL  EDGERTON 

Gladiolus  Specialist 
207  E.  Ml.  Hope  Ave.  L-ansing.  Mich. 


Catalogues  and  Price  Lists. 

V.  Lemoine  &  Son,  Nancy,  France,  sent  us  their 
autumn,  1917,  and  spring,  1918,  catalogue  and 
price  list.  As  usual  this  is  a  very  complete  list 
of  greenhouse  and  outdoor  flowering  plants  in- 
cluding many  very  uncommon  ones,  and  includ- 
ing such  well  known  flowers  as  the  Iris,  Gladiolus 
and  Aster.  Lemoines'  Gladioli  are  already  well 
known  but  not  as  thoroughly  introduced  to 
American  growers  as  they  should  be. 


GLADIOLUS  Niagara  60c.,  Panama  50c., 
Pnnce  of  Wales  $1.50,  Golden  West  50c., 
Parliament  $1.00,  Loveliness  $1.00,  Pink  Per- 
fection $1.00,  Halley  35c..  America  35c.,  Hulot 
35c.,  Ernpress  of  India  35c.,  Glory  of  Holland 
50c.  Prices  are  per  dozen  for  first  size  and 
prepaid. 

JOHN  ZEESTRATEN. 


Mansfield 


Mass. 


John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc.,  Flowerfield,  Long 
Island.  New  trade  catalogue  for  the  season  of 
1917-1918,  sixteen  pages  and  cover.  This  is  the 
standard  Childs  catalogue  specializing  in  Gladioli 
with  some  very  beautiful  illustrations.  In  addi- 
tion to  a  complete  list  of  the  Childsi  and  other 
standard  varieties,  miscellaneous  bulbs,  Cannas, 
Dahlias,  Irises  and  Peonies  are  listed. 

J.  J.  Grullemans  &  Sons  are  mailing  a  special 
list  of  Gladioli  for  1917.  This  list  is  very  complete 
especially  of  varieties  of  European  origin  and 
particular  attention  is  given  to  the  Primulinus 
species. 


America,  Princeps,  Mrs.  Francis  King  and 

Baron  Hulot,  35c.  per  dozen. 

Kunderd  Glory,  Halley,  50c.  per  dozen. 

Peace,  $1.00  per  dozen. 

Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton,  Europa,  Schwaben, 

$1.50  per  dozen. 

All  prepaid  at  these  prices.  These  are  all  first  size 

bulbs  and  in  fine  shape. 

F.  M.  PALMITER.  Janesville.  Wis. 


W.  E.  Woodward  &  Son 

—  GROWERS  OF  — 

Choice  Gladioli 

Saxonville,  Mass. 


deGroat  &  Stewart 

Growers  of  Choice  Gladioli 

We  specialize  in  the  choice  American  and 
French  varieties.         Catalogue  on  request. 

Bath,  N.Y. 


Derby  Gardens  Gladioli 

LIST  ON  APPLICATION, 
WHOLESALE.       RETAIL. 

John  H.  Umpleby,  Lake  View,  N.Y. 


U.  Cemoine  St  Son 

nurserymen,  nancy.  Trance 

GLADIOLI 
Lemoine!  and  Nanceianus 

Catalogue,  printed  in  English,  on  application. 


GLADIOLI 

WHICH   CATALOGUE   WOULD  YOU   LIKE, 
WHOLESALE  OR   RETAIL  ? 

John  Lewis  Childs,  Inc. 

Flowerfield  L.  I. 


Black  Beauty 

Awarded  First  Prize  in 
Crimson  Section  by  the 
Massachusetts  Horticul- 
tural Society  at  their  Gla- 
diolus Exhibition  last  Aug. 

This  is  the  earliest  of  the  dark 
reds,  a  rich,  deep  blood-red  flower, 
flaked  with  black  and  of  good  size. 

Straight  spikes  and  round  blossoms 
of  great  substance. 

Order  early--Stock  limited. 
$1.00  per  doz.  Six  for  50c. 


H.  E.  MEADER 

Gladiolus  Specialist 

Dover  -         -         -  N.  H. 

Trade  list  now  ready 


B' 


■■ 


TWO  MAGAZINES  AT  THE  PRICE  OF  ONE 

HERE  is  a  most  extraordinary  opportunity  to  save  money.  In  spite  of 
the  fact  that  prices  of  paper,  ink,  labor,  etc.,  are  rising  steadily,  the 
publishers  of  The  Garden  Magazine  and  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  have 
combined  to  give  American  garden  makers  the  best  the  country  affords 
on  the  subject  of  gardening  at  a  price  within  reach  of  the  majority  of 
garden  owners.  Whether  you  grow  food  crops  (to  reduce  living  costs) 
or  flowers  (to  make  life  brighter)  you  need  these  magazines  to  score  best 
results  in  every  gardening  endeavor. 

Here's  what  Two  Dollars  will  buy 


The  Garden 
Magazine 

A   monthly  of  Practical 
Gardening 

wants  to  help  you  make  the  garden  a 
source  of  greater  pleasure  and  profit.  To 
those  just  starting,  it  will  teach  all  the 
simple  little  things,  from  digging  to  hoe- 
ing. The  initiated  will  find  The  Garden 
Magazine  to  answer  most  any  question  on 
the  subject  of  gardening  correctly  and  in 
detail. 

Helps  Make  Gardens 
Greater  National  Assets 


It  will  help  you  raise  banner  crops  of  prize 
vegetables,  fruits  and  flowers  It  shows 
the  way  to  convert  spare  moments  into 
dollars  and  cents  in  the  form  of  good 
things  to  eat.  With  The  Garden  Magazine 
as  your  guide,  you  can  take  an  active  part 
in  the  national  program  of  food  produc- 
tion, even  in  the  smallest  garden.  Hun- 
dreds of  your  garden  neighbors  through- 
out the  country  relate  their  experiences 
through  The  Garden  Magazine,  thus  en- 
abling you  to  profit  by  their  methods  or 
mistakes. 

The  Garden  Magazine  is  one  of  the  high- 
est class  periodicals  in  this  country.  Its 
regular  subscription  price  is  $2  per  year. 


The  Modern 

Gladiolus 

Grower 

champions  the  cause  of  one  of  the  loveliest 
flowers  ever  created.  It  is  published 
monthly  and  each  issue  abounds  with  help- 
ful information  how  to  have  the  best  of 
success  with  the  increasingly  popular  Gla- 
diolus. The  Gladiolus  is  distinctly  the 
flower  for  the  millions.  It  thrives  any- 
where in  this  country,  in  any  soil.  What 
sorts  to  grow  and  how,  when  to  plant, 
when  to  cut  for  the  home,  how  to  save  and 
store  the  bulbs-  in  short,  every  phase  of 
Gladiolus  culture  is  taken  care  of  in  this 
distinctly  practical  publication  which  is  of 
immense  educational  value  to  both  ama- 
teur and  professional  alike.  The  magazine, 
at  its  regular  subscription  price  of  $1  per 
year,  is  the  greatest  single  contribution  to 
Gladiolus  literature  in  the  world. 

Send  us  your  subscription, 
NOW,  at    tliis  special   rate 

The  publishers  of  both  The  Garden  Maga- 
zine and  The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 
will  mail  12  issues  of  each  magazine  for 
Two  Dollars,  beginning  w  ith  the  January, 
1918,  issue,  if  you  act  promptly  !  If  desired, 
the  combination  can  be  made  two  Christ- 
mas presents,  by  having  the  two  maga- 
zines sent  to  two  different  addresses.  Don't 
pass  up  this  exceptional  money-saving 
opportunity ! 


The  Combination  Makes  an  Ideal  Christmas  Gift 


Send  your  .subscription  to  either 


The  Garden  Magazine 

Garden  City,  L.  I  ,  N.Y. 


The  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower 

Madison  Cooper,  Publ.,  Calcium,  N.Y. 


IIP 


Kunderd's  Gladiolus 

Catalogue  for  1918 
will  be  out  early. 

IT  WILL  CONTAIN  the  best  cultural  notes  and  other  valuable  infor- 
mation for  all.  We  will  offer  a  long  list  of  magnificent  new  varieties 
(both  ruffled  and  plain  petaled),  in  Kunderdi  Primulinus  and 
large  flowered  kinds, — altogether  the  largest  collection  of  high  class 
varieties  in  the  world. 

Our  1918  catalog,  with  many  new  illustrations  and  containing 
52  pages  with  cover  is  now  in  the  printer's  hands.  It  will  be 
sent  free  for  a  postal  request.      Special  offer  for  early  orders. 

(Address  the  Originator    of  the    Ruffled   Gladiolus) 

A.  E.  Kunderd,  Goshen,  Ind.,  U.S.A. 


^    I  Make  Christmas  last 

I  all  summer  long— 

1  n^HIS    CHRISTMAS   remember  your  friends  with  a  box  of   choice  Gla- 

m  1  diolus  Bulbs.     Think  of    the  pleasure  they  will  get  from  the  beautiful 

=  flowers,  opening  in  profusion  all  summer  long,  each  bloom  adding  a  link  to 

M  the  chain  of  friendship. 

S  The  "Christinas  Collection"  contains  twenty-five  choice  bulbs— enough 

M  for  a  small  garden.    They  will  be  packed  in  an  attractive  box,  a  card  bearing 

^  your  name  will  be  enclosed,  full  growing  instructions  will  be  included,   and 

M  the  whole  sent  postpaid,  to  reach  the  recipient  just  before  Christmas. 

=  5  America,  large  flowers  of  lavender  pink;    4   Baron  Joseph   Hulot, 

=  rich    violet;    4  Mrs.   Frank  Pendleton,  flushed    salmon  pink;  4  Mrs. 

M  Francis  King,  deep  salmon  pink;  4  Peace,  giant  white  with  lilac  feather- 

=  ing;  4  Halley,  delicate  salmon  pink;  creamy  blotch. 

M  2S  BULBS.  POSTPAID  FOR  $  1 . 

M  My  new  Gladiolus  catalogue  tells  about  many  other  choice  sorts  and  several  varieties  in 

=  natural  colors.    Send  for  a  copy,  it  is  free. 

I  JELLE    ROOS 

}      I  Department  D                                MUton,  MaSS. 


10,000  Top  Size 

AMERICA 

PLANTING  SIZE  OF  THE  BEST 
VARIETIES 

Chautauqua  Flowerfields, 
R.  R.  69  Bemus  Point,  N.Y. 


M.  F.  WRIGHT 

Gladiolus    Grower 


1332  ECKART  ST. 

FORT  WAYNE,  IND. 


THE  BEST  ALL  AROUND 

MODERATE    PRICED 

RED  GLADIOLUS 

INDEPENDENCE 


A  strong  grower,  sure 
bloomer  and  stands  up 
in  storm — 

Ships  well,  holds  its 
color  and  blossoms 
out  to  the  tip. 

Florists  like  it. 


Wholesale  list  of  all  varieties 
to  the  trade. 

Wayside  Gardens 

Mentor        Box  G  Ohio 


Grow  Your  Own  Stock- 

Bulblets  per  1000  post  free: 


America $  .50 

A.  W.Clifford  ___.  5.00 

Baron  Hulot 2.00 

Brenchleyensis .75 

Blue  Jay 4.00 

Chicago  White 1  50 

Empressof  India.-  2.00 

Geo.  Paul 1.00 

Glory  of  Holland.-  1.00 

Halley .75 

Mrs.  F.  King .50 

Mrs.  Pendleton-    .  3.00 


Mrs.O.W.  Hald'y$ 

Niagara 

Panama 

Peace 

Pink  Beauty 

Pres.  Taft 

Primulinus    Hyb. 

Princepine 

Rochester  White 

Scarsdale 

Schwaben 

The  King 


10.00 

3.50 

2.50 

2.50 

.51) 

.75 

1.00 

.70 

5.00 

1.50 

5.00 

2.00 


Rochester  White 


This  variety  is  unsurpassed  for  an  absolutely  white 
gladiolus.  It  is  "fussy"  as  to  its  environment  but 
it  grows  to  perfection  on  our  soil.  Another  grower 
five  miles  away  cannot  grow  it  at  all.  We  advise 
everyone  to  try  a  few  bulbs  and  if  it  succeeds  un- 
der your  conditions  you  certainly  have  a  winner. 
Price  25c.  each,  $2.00  per  dozen. 

Try  these— Adeline  Patti,  violet,  $2.50  doz.;  Alice 
Carey,  white,  75c.  doz.;  Baron  Hulot,  blue,  75c. 
doz.;  Cracker  Jack,  dark  red,  50c.  doz.;  Hohen- 
stauffen,  white,  $1.00  doz. 

C.  W.  Brown  &  Son 

Ashland,   Mass. 


Look  for  color 
plate  of 

Gladiolus 

"MRS.  WATT" 

In  January  issue  of  The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grovrer 


That  many  who  are  not  yet  familiar 
with  the  beautiful  shade  of  "Mrs. 
Watt,"  may  know  of  its  distinctive 
color,  I  have  made  arrangements 
to  reproduce  this  variety  in  its  nat- 
ural color  in  a  full  page  display  of 
next  month's  issue  of  this  periodical. 

Write  for  prices  of  blooming  and 
planting  stock. 

Wholesale   and   Retail. 
HOMER  F.  CHASE 

GROWER  OF  GLADIOLI 

WILTON    -    NENV  HAMPSHIRE 


19  Awards  and  Certificates 

Silver  Guilt  Medal,  Haarlem,  1917;    Silver  Guilt 
Medal,  Amsterdam,  1917,  were  given  to 

J.  J.  GruUemans'  Sons,  Gladioli  Specialists 

ESTABLISHED  1854 

Royal  West  End  Nurseries,       Lisse,  Holland 

For  their 

NEW    GLADIOLI 

Our  NEW  PRIMULINUS  varieties  were  awarded  nineteen  awards 
(Awards  of  Merit  and  First  Class  Certificates)  in  two  seasons. 

We  are  the  only  stockholders  of  the  self-colored  Primulinus,  includ- 
ing over  twenty-five  distinct  varieties  of  GOLDEN  YELLOW,  some 
growing  tall,  others  medium  in  size. 

Then  we  are  the  only  stockholders  of  the  beautiful  pink  colored 
Primulinus  MAIDEN'S  BLUSH.  At  the  Amsterdam  meeting  it 
was  unanimously  admitted  that  this  was  the  finest  and  most  at- 
tractive Gladiolus  ever  shown.  (For  description  see  our  Wholesale 
price  list.) 

Then,  too,  we  are  the  only  stockholders  of  Primulinus  ORANGE 
BRILLIANT,  an  unsurpassable  variety  in  this  color. 

Still  we  are  the  only  stockholders  of  the  beautiful  Golden  Yellow 
variety,  MRS.  GRULLEMANS. 

Our  stock  of  Primulinus  Hybrids,  mixed,  we  can  highly  recom- 
mend, as  this  mixture  consists  of  only  the  light-colored  varieties, 
including  plenty  of  pure  yellow. 

Ask  for  our  new  list  for  season  1917-1918,  noiv  ready,  which 
is  to  be  had  postfree  on  application. 

All  correspondence 

Grullemans  c/o  Maltus  &  Ware, 
14  Stone  St.,  New  York 

Until  May  the  1  Sth,  1918 


Originators  and  Growers  of  tbe  Cargest 
and  finest  Gladioli  in  tbe  (Uorld 

We  herewith  offer  the  following  varieties  for   immediate 
shipment,  New  Crop  Bulbs— 

Dr.  Frederick  J.  V.  Skiff,  flesh  rose  pink,  6  in 

diam..  Gold  Medal   P.  P.  I.  E.,  Bulb  25c 

Dozen,  $2.50. 
Diener's  White,  milk  white,  6  in.  diam..  Gold 

Medal  P.  P.  I.  E.,  Bulb,  $1;  Dozen  $10. 
Captain  Asher  Carter  Baker,  bright  scarlet, 

5  in.  diam..  Silver  Medal  P.  P.  I.  E..  Bulb, 

25c.,  Dozen,  $2.50. 

Mrs.  William  Kent,  fawn  pink,  exquisite,  6 
in.  diam..  Bulb,  75c.;  Dozen,  $7.50. 

Anna  Eberius,  dark  velvety  Nellrose,  6  in. 
diam..  Bulb,  25c.;  Dozen,  $2.50. 

Diener's  American  Beauty,  brilliant  Ameri- 
can beauty  color,  6  in.  diam..  Bulb,  75c.; 
Dozen,  $7.50. 

Jack  London,  salmon,  brilliant  orange 
striped,  5  in.  diam..  Bulb,  $3;  Dozen,  $30. 

Richard  Diener,  pure  rose  salmon,  6  in. 
diam.,  Bulb,  $25. 

Thomas  T.  Kent,  rose  pink,  ruby  center,  8 
in.  diam.,  Bulb  25c.:  Dozen,  $2.50. 

Adaline  Kent,  ruffled  delicate  rose  pink,  5  in. 
diam..  Bulb,  $1;  Dozen,  $10. 

Lilian  Webb,  strawberry  pink,  maroon 
center,  5  in.  diam..  Bulb,  25c.;  Dozen,  $2.50. 

Mrs.  Mary  Stearns  Burke,  apricot  on  yellow. 
5  in.  diam..  Bulb,  50c.;  Dozen,  $5. 

Sir  RoKer  Casement,  ruffled  dark  maroon,  4 
in.  diam..  Bulb,  75c.;  Doz.  $7.50. 

Mixed  Seedlings,  Grand  Prize  P.  P.  L  E., 
Largest  bulbs.  50c.  per  doz.,  $4  per  100;  Me- 
dium size,  $3.50  per  100;  Small  size,  $3  per  100. 

Mixed  Seedlings,  Grand  Prize  P.  P.  L  E.,  Cor- 
mels  or  Bulblets,  $1  per  1000. 

The  cormels  (or  bulblets)  of  all  our  varieties 
ivill  floiver  five  months  after  planting. 

Selected  delicate  shades  for  Cut  Flowers, 
Largest  bulbs,  $1  per  doz.,  $7  per  100;  Me- 
dium size,  $6  per  100:  Small  size,  $5  per  100. 

Selected    delicate    shades   for  Cut  Flowers, 
Cormels  or  Bulblets  $1.50  per  1000. 
The  cormels  (or  bulblets)  of  all  our  varieties 
ivill  floiver  five  months  after  planting. 

Gladiolus  Seed  of  all  our  varieties,  mixed, 
which  will  flower  5  to  6  months  after  sow- 
ing, package  of  1000  seeds— $1. 

WILLIAM  KENT. 
Reasonable  discount  on  larger  quantities.     Now  ready. 

Kentfleld,  marin  County,  Calif. 


Myrtle  and 

Mrs.  Frank  Pendleton 

Favorable  growing  weather  not  only 
produced  good  bulbs  but  fine  harvest- 
ing season  made  a  lot  of  good  look- 
ing stock  for  retail  trade. 

We  also  have  Primulinus  "Species," 
Princepine,  Peace,  Panama  and 
others  in  quantity. 

A.  F.  Bonvallet  &  Co., 
Wichert,  111. 


> 


P.  Hopman  &  Sons 

Gladiolus  Specialists 

Hillegom,  Holland 

:M4 

Fred  W.  Baumgras 

Gladiolus  Grower 

STANDARD   and    FANCY    VARIETIES 

20  fine  named  kinds,  all  different, 
for  $1.00,  post  paid. 

SEND  FOR  PRICE  LIST. 

423  Pearl  St.  Lansing,  Mich. 


I 


BOUND  VOLUMES  FOR 

O  1  I  P  Complete  bound  copies  of  The 
^  A I  .r.  Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  of 
unuAJ  yQ,g  i_  ji  g^j  jjj_  ^ijj^  indexes, 

are  now  available.  They  aggregate  nearly 
575  pages  and  contain  much  useful  infor- 
mation. Mailed  to  any  address  postpaid 
$1.25  per  Vol.  or  $3.75  for  the  three. 

MADISON  COOPER,  Publisher, 

Calcium,  N.Y. 


WE  WISH 
YOU  ALL 


A 


MERRY  XMAS 

and 

PROSPEROUS  NEW  YEAR 

ORCHADOTTE  FARMS 
Box  M  West  Point,  Pa. 


GIANT  NEW  GLADIOLI 

TT  IS  NEEDLESS  to  comment  on  the  success  of  the  Austin  origi- 
J-  nations.  These  varieties  have  been  developed  with  the  firm  behef 
that  the  tallest  and  most  graceful  Gladiolus  in  existence  has  been  pro- 
duced. You  will  not  have  the  best  in  Gladioli  until  you  grow  them. 
This  magnificent  collection  is  now  offered  the  public. 


EVELYN    KIR  1  LAND 

Note  tUusiratioii  mcasuung  length  oj 

spike  with  yardstick. 


RETAIL  PRICES 

Evelyn  Kirtland— Strong  sub- 
stance, beautiful  shade  of  rosy  pink, 
darker  at  the  edges,  fading  to  shell 
pink;  brilliant  scarlet  blotches  on 
lower  petals.  Entire  flower  showing 
glistening,  sparkling  luster.  25c. 
each,  $2.50  per  dozen. 
Gretchen  Zang— Most  beautiful 
soft,  melting  shade  of  pink  blend- 
ing into  scarlet  on  lower  petals. 
20c.  each,  $2.00  per  dozen. 
Herada-Immense  size  on  tall  spikes. 
A  startling  novelty  of  pure  mauve, 
glistening  and  clear.  20c.  each, 
$2.00  per  dozen. 

Wamba  —  Enormous  blooms  of  deep 
salmon.  Nocollection  complete  with- 
out it.  20c.  ea.,  $2.00  per  doz. 
Cardisun — A  large  bloom,  dark  vel- 
vety red  with  nearly  black  throat. 
20c.  each,  $2.00  per  doz. 
Bertrex — A  sterling  white  of  great 
substance;  winner  silver  cup  for  best 
seedling.  20c.  each,  $2.00  per  dozen. 
Rose  Wells — Large,  wide  open 
blooms;  light  rose,  clear  color,  small 
attractive  blotch  of  lilac  rose  and 
yellowish  green.  15c.  each,  $1.50 
per  dozen. 

This  collection  has  won  12  prizes 
including  silver  cups. 


"America  has  recently  added  to  our  wealth  in  important  Gladiolus  two  pink  beauties  that 
have  been  named  Evelyn  Kirtland  and  Gretchen  Zang.  *  *  •  a  new  toucfi  of  color  was 
added  to  our  gardens  last  summer  by  the  introduction  of  Herada,  a  brilliant  mauve  that  is 
sure  to  become  popular."    Montague  Chamberlain,  in  August  issue  The  Garden  Magazine. 

"Evelyn  Kirtland  is  the  most  magnificent  Gladiolus  I  have  ever  seen  and  I  have  seen  most 
all  there  are."—  Wilbur  A.  Christy,  Secretary-Treasurer  Gladiolus  Society  of  Ohio. 

Send  for  WHOLESALE  or  RETAIL  List  of  Novelties 
and  Standard  Sorts. 

Austin-Coleman  Co. 


"Home  of  Elm  Hill  Gladioli' 

Wayland         -        -        -        - 


Ohio 


Gladiolus 

20  Named  Sorts    ■    -    $1.00 

List  of  named  sorts  on  request. 

Pansy  Plants 

40  Nice  Plants    -    -♦     $1.00 

POST  PAID  IN  U.  S. 

Amaryllis 

Nice  Stock,  Large  Bulbs, 
$4.00,  $5.00  and  $6.00  a  Doz. 

F.  O.  B.  HERE 

The  most  Gorgeous    Flowers 
of  all  bulbous  plants. 

C.  S.  TAIT 
Brunswick  -    -    Ga. 


L  E  STEWART 

Wholesale  Grower  of 

GLADIOLI 

List  of  85  varieties. 


Brooklyn 


Mich. 


Geo.  $.  moodruff 

Independence,  Towa 

fine  Gladioli 


See  my  advertisements  in  previous  num- 
bers. Catalogue  on  application. 


Munsell  &  Harvey 

Growers  of  Gladioli 

Ashtabula     -     Ohio 


MARGARET 


Vaughan's 
Specials  in 
GLADIOLI 


Margaret 

Beautiful  Carmine  with 
white  throat. 
,  Per  doz.,  $1.30;  per  100,  $9. 

Prim.  "Sunbeam" 

The  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct   of    all   the  Prim- 

^5^      ulinus  Type. 

^  Per  doz.,  $2;  per  100,  $15. 

Chicago  White 

The  best  early  white. 
Per  doz.,  35c;  per  100,  $2.25 

Write  for  our  1917  Cat- 
alog—Grand Novelties 
in  GLADIOU  and  CANNAS. 

Vaughans 
Seed  Store 

CHICAGO,  31 -33  W.  Randolph  St. 
NEW  YORK,  43  Barclay  St. 


WESTERBEEK  &  KLYN 

Sunnyside 

BULB    GROWERS 

Gladiolus  Gardens 

SASSENHEIM,  HOLLAND 

L.  Merton  Gage,  Proprietor 

25  Beaver  Street,     New  York  City 

Natick,  Massachusetts 

QUALITY— ECONOMY— SERVICE 

Gladioli  Exclusively 

GLADIOLUS   BULBS 

of  our  own  growing— wholesale  and  retail 

—best  standard  and  new^  varieties. 

Young,  vigorous  two  year  old  bulbs. 

The  best  crop  we  ever  grew. 

G.  D.  BLACK,     -      -      -      Albert  Lea,  Minn. 

Surplus  Stock— 

WRITE  NOW  FOR  SPECIAL 

Gladiolus 

MRS.  W.  L  FRYER 

QUOTATIONS  ON 

Per  Doz.             Per  100 
No.  1     -      $1.50        $10.00 

Pendleton 

No.  2     -          1.2S               8.00 

Peace 

No.  3     -          1  .GO               7.00 

Niagara 

Every  bulb  of  the  No.  3  size 
will  bloom. 

Pink  Perfection 

At  the  dozen  rates  they  are  sent  pre- 

Halley 

paid.  By  the  100  by  express  collect. 

AND  A    DOZEN    OTHER    GOOD 

If   a  dozen  of  the   three   different 

ONES. 

sizes    are    taken   I   will   give    The 
Modern  Gladiolus  Grower  one  year 

Brookland  Gardens 

as  a  premium. 

Choice  Gladioli 

WILLIS  E.  FRYER, 

Woburn,         -         -         Mass. 

Mantorville      -      -      -      Minn.