Gladiolus

Dig the ground out to a depth of 1 ft. or 15 in.; put ina layer of leaf-mould or rotted manure, and then 4 or 5 in. of earth
mixed with sand; insert the bulbs (6 in. from the surface and 9 in.
apart), cover them with 1 in. of sand, and fill up with earth. In
frosty weather cover with a thick layer of litter. Give plenty of
water when they begin to throw up their flower-stems. They may be
planted at any time between December and the end of March. If planted
late in the season, a depth of 3 or 4 in. is enough. The roots must
be kept dry in winter. They are increased by off-sets, taken when the
bulbs are removed from the ground after the leaves have turned yellow.
These should be planted at once in well-drained earth. If early
flowers are required, plant the old bulbs in pots (three to six bulbs
being placed in a 5-in. pot) any time between December and March. Give
them frame culture up to the second week in May, when they may be
transferred to the border. The flowers are invaluable for vase
decoration.