34 THE FLORIST. 



FRAME-GARDENING. 



NO. n. GLADIOLUSES, IXIAS, ETC. 



Continuing our subject, we intend in the present Number treating on 

 the above class of plants, as they are well adapted for growing in a 

 cold pit, requiring but little trouble in management, further than pro- 

 tecting them from irost, and exposing them to the full influence of 

 light and air while in a growing state. 



The above plants came, in the first place, from the Cape of Good 

 Hope ; and we class them together, as they require much the 

 same treatment. Along with Nerines, Vallotas, and others, they are 

 usuaDy termed Cape bulbs ; their dissimilar habits may be accounted 

 for by the diverse situations in which they are found growing in a 

 wild state, but stiU under the bright sun. of Southern Africa; yet 

 notwithstanding this, it is remarkable how soon plants, when under 

 cultivation, adapt themselves to the altered conditions imposed on 

 them, by assuming a character differing in many respects from their 

 normal one, and conformable to the climate and mode of culture to 

 which they are subjected. 



The plants contained in our list, with few exceptions, have been 

 obtained by hybridising the original species and their progeny; and 

 thus a race of plants has been produced, surpassing the originals 

 both in the size and brilliancy of their flowers, and vigour of habit. 

 Gladioli, Sparaxis, and Ixias have been operated upon, with what 

 results the more recent hybrids of the above can easily testify ; and 

 we see no reason why Nerines, Vallotas, Tritonias, &c. should not 

 receive the same attention at the hands of those very indefatigable 

 cultivators, whose labours in this department have added so many 

 splendid plants to our collections. Much may yet be done in this 

 line, with a class of flowers becoming, through their industry, more 

 popular every day. 



We shall confine ourselves to enumerating a few only of each. 

 Many nurserymen have catalogues naming the more striking hybrids, 

 and to those making selections, we refer them with confidence, as 

 they are got up with care, and the descriptions are true. The 

 following win serve as a guide for purchasing : 



Gladiolus cardinalis. 

 „ Colvilli major. 

 „ insignis. 

 „ ramosus. 

 „ Queen Victoria. 

 Hybrids from Cardinalis. 

 „ . „ Ramosus. 

 „ „ Gandavensis. 



(These bloom in succession from June 

 to October, as they are placed.) 

 Sparaxis bicolor. 

 „ bulbifera. 

 „ nigricans. . 



Sparaxis tricolor. 



„ „ grandiflora. 



„ variabilis. 

 „ versicolor. 

 „ alba, &c, 

 Ixia aulica. 

 „ conica. 



„ amethystina, &c. (or crocos- 

 mia). 

 Tritonia aurea. 



„ crocata grandiflora. 

 Anisanthus splendens, &c. 

 Antholyza sethiopica, &c. 



