FLOWERS AT THE MICHIGAN STATE FAIR. 



2S7 



to Europe from America by a botanical traveler named Drunimond, is one of 

 the most useful annuals at the service of the American gardener. In no other 

 way can we obtain so fine a mass of color as with this Phlox. They are of all 

 colors, — white, pink, scarlet, and purple. A dollar's worth of Phlox seed of 

 separate colors will make eight or ten good beds, each of a distinct color, and 

 more floral display all through the summer than can be obtained by any other 

 method for five times this amount. I like to get Phlox seed down early in a 

 gentle hot-bed, or cold frame, and transplant about the middle of May, 

 not setting the plants nearer than a foot apart. For cutting the Phlox is 

 excellent, keeping in perfection a week in water. There are about seventeen 

 distinct varieties. I have several varieties that I hope will prove valuable 

 after a year or two, but they are not yet reliable, not quite constant. One 

 is double, another with a yellow eye, and still another with the edge 

 prettily fringed. 



THE GLADIOLUS. 



If Ave had but one flower — we were about to say we would have the Gladio- 

 lus ; but we do not allow ourselves to say anything of the kind of late, for after 

 writing an article — and not a very long one either — we discovered that we had 

 made the same remark about three different flowers. Nevertheless the Glad- 

 iolus is a charming flower and possesses a host of good qualities. In the first 

 place this flower is admirably adapted to our country, and seems to succeed 

 better here than either in England, France, or Germany. While florists of 

 these countries complain of disease which threatens to annihilate this beautiful 

 flower, fortunately with us it is entirely exempt. It is also sure to bloom. 

 With a dozen bulbs the cultivator is sure of a dozen beautiful stalks of bloom. 

 For filling large vases few things equal the Gladiolus, and after cutting the 

 flowers will keep in good condition ten days at least. The bulbs, 

 too, are easily cared for. Before very hard frosts, take up the bulbs, cut off 

 the tops, dry the bulbs for a day or two, then pack them away in a cool cellar 



