62 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [March. 



tlie greenhouse, and a rich harvest of brilliant scarlet flowers will for many weeks 

 reward the grower. These, moreover, are invaluable for cutting, as they do not 

 emit the powerful scent which most other Salvias do ; and if the centre spike is 

 cut. the laterals come very strong. From plants so treated I had last season a 

 splendid bank along the back of the conservatory, with many hundred spikes of 

 bloom, and which furnished a constant supply for cutting. — John Cox, Redleaf. 



ON THE CULTUKE OF THE GLADIOLUS. 



Gijf HE past season has been one of the most ungenial I ever remember, and in 

 \^ consequence of the failures in collections of this beautiful autumn flower 

 v^U' many persons declare their intention to give up its cultivation. Of course 

 (£j* we cannot class such as these amongst ardent or enthusiastic florists or 

 amateurs, though I fully admit that such a season is not very encouraging to 

 new beginners. I know that in many instances very serious losses have been 

 incurred, both amongst these and amongst tulips, but for myself, I have every 

 reason to be satisfied with the healthy state of my stock. 



I have tried many experiments with Gladioli, but cannot understand how or 

 why so many of the high-priced ones refuse to gi'ow, when our own roots under 

 the same treatment, particularly seedlings, of which I raise a few every year, 

 seldom fail. Mr. Tillery recommends the raising of seedlings, and I, too, would 

 advise all who can to try their hand at it. I have had some splendid spikes of 

 seedlings during the past season, and as a good portion of them bloom the second 

 year if well grown, there is not so much patience required as in raising Tulips, 

 Crocuses, or Hyacinths, which have to be grown from four to sis years before 

 they make any return for the care and labour bestowed on them. 



Experience teaches me that the beds require to be deeply dug, say from 16 in. 

 to 18 in., and a change of soil should be made every season, in order to keep the 

 bulbs healthy. I am not an advocate for over-strong soil for them, nor for 

 heavy manuring. I use a good share of well-decomposed vegetable refuse, and 

 in some seasons crushed bones mixed with it, also about an equal portion of old 

 manure, and a fair quantity of wood ashes, obtained by burning the trimmings of 

 hedges, pruning of trees, &c., which are husbanded for the purpose ; and I find a 

 little sharp sand, put both under and over the bulbs at planting time, of good 

 service. I have for several seasons tried the system of potting the bulbs without 

 deriving any benefit from it. I have also tried planting in January, Februarv, 

 and March in the open ground, but prefer the latter, and consider from the 10th 

 to the 20th to be the best time for general purposes. If a few late blooms are 

 required, the bulbs may be left out until the middle of April. 



Seed may be sown in nicely prepared soil in the open ground early in April, 

 taking care to water the young plants with liquid manure if continuous dry 

 ■weather occurs, and even occasionally if the weather is not dry. The plants in 

 the blooming beds also are much benefited by liquid manure once or twice a 

 week, or by being top-dressed with manure and watered. Those who are at the 



