68 THE FLORIST. 



GROWING SEEDLING GLADIOLI. 



The raising of these fine plants from seed has hitherto not received 

 that attention it deserves. The late Dean of Manchester did much 

 in this way, and with the best results ; but nevertheless much yet re- 

 mains to be effected. It should now be the business of the present 

 growers to put into practice the principles the dean laid down, and, 

 by hybridisation and careful management, to improve on his practice, 

 and introduce such an amount of novelty and beauty into the field 

 as will bring these plants within the pale of Florists' flowers. They 

 possess every inherent quality essential to their reception into that 

 class ; and, if we -may judge from the comparatively inconspicuous 

 first parents of the now gaudy and highly- developed Pelargonium, 

 the difficulties to be overcome before they can be worthily acceptable 

 •will be easily surmounted. 



The first step to be considered is, the best means of raising seed- 

 lings. About the second week in February, not having a dung-pit 

 here, sticks were placed three feet deep, and eighteen inches wider 

 than the frame intended to be put over them ; turfs were used to 

 cover the sticks with, and then the frame was put on. Six inches 

 of soil composed of two-thirds loam and one-third leaf-mould, with 

 a little sand, was put into the frame in a rough state ; and on this 

 was sifted about one inch of the same material to form a smooth sur- 

 face. Drills were drawn in this about half an inch deep and six 

 inches apart, and in these the seed was sown thinly, and covered 

 slightly; the lights were then put on, and w^re allowed to remain 

 about a fortnight, merely protecting the frame from frost. In the 

 mean time some stable-manure was prepared for linings by turning 

 it two or three times in order to sw^eeten it, and to prevent it from 

 emitting rank steam or generating too much heat ; the lining was 

 placed round the frame and up to its top, about three feet in width, 

 which produced from 65° to 70° of heat in the day. This, with the 

 assistance of solar warmth until the seed vegetates, which will be 

 from a fortnight to a month, according to circumstances, was suf- 

 ficient. Air and water were given when necessary, and the above 

 temperature was kept up during the day ; but it was allowed to be 

 10° lower at night, and, when necessary, shading was ajiplied. This 

 treatment was continued through the spring and summer months ; 

 about August, watering was discontinued, but plenty of air, night 

 and morning, was given, closing the frame in the middle of the day, 

 unless it was very hot. 



Under such treatment, about November they will be fit to be 

 taken up, when some of the Cardinalis section will in all probability 

 be found growing again. They will require potting, and placing in 

 a cold frame ; and they should be protected during the winter. 

 House the others until they shew symptoms of growth ; and should 

 that be before March, pot and place them iu the frame with the 



