86 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [April, 



some peat or leaf -mould ; and such light soils seem to suit the Gladiolus, for I 

 observed very few diseased bulbs amongst the whole lot when they were lifted in 

 October. The spawn (young bulbs) from them was likewise something extra- 

 ordinary, for they filled nearly a two-bushel hamper, and it would have puzzled 

 Bishop Oolenso to have made an estimate of their numbers. On strong rich 

 soils the Gladiolus never throws so much spawn as on poorer light soils, and this 

 shoidd be noted by all growers when they are anxious about extending their 

 propagation. 



There is still a great want in the straw, buff and yellow-coloured varieties to 

 give effect amongst the red, scarlet, purple, and light sorts, in masses or in lines 

 in the borders. I have succeeded in raising a quantity of seedlings from El 

 Dorado, crossed with another nankin-coloured variety, and selected last autumn, 

 on their flowering, about fifty yellowish-coloured sorts of good properties, for pro- 

 pagation. I fully believe every gardener, where these flowers are in request, might 

 with very little trouble raise a batch of seedlings every year, and save himself 

 from procuring expensive sorts from the French growers. There is now a great 

 sameness in the colours and shapes of the varieties annually sent out, and as much 

 perfection in their properties as will perhaps ever be arrived at. The cross-breeder 

 must now try for some better yellows, straws, or buffs, and perhaps shades of blue 

 will yet be obtained amongst these gorgeous autumn flowers. One seedling flowered 

 with me last September distinctly marked with a bluish tint in the centre of 

 each petal. William Tillert. 



Welbeck. 



SEASONABLE HINTS FOE AMATEUKS.— APEIL. 



I h J it 1 ANY of our hardy Annuals are so really beautiful and interesting that 

 <[UkJJ IL they commend themselves to all true lovers of flowers, but to those who 

 only have a limited extent of glass for the protection of the ordinary 

 '•'bedding" plants through the winter, they are invaluable, as by means 

 of these, at a slight expense, a fine display of flowers may be obtained ; and 

 this, if not so prolonged as the display of summer bedding plants, is, neverthe- 

 less, of great beauty and interest whilst it lasts. Hardy annuals should be sown 

 at once in the open ground ; they will grow in any ordinary soil, but they do best 

 in a good loamy one, which has been dug deeply, and has had a good portion of 

 rotten manure worked into it ; in such soil they grow freely, and if the plants are 

 thinned out when young, and attention is paid to staking and tying, they will 

 branch out and continue a considerable time in flower. Beds intended to be 

 sown with annuals should be deeply dug, if not already done. All vacant places, 

 in borders not wanted for Fuchsias, Salvias, and the other plants recommended 

 last month, should be sown at once with hardy annuals. 



An old-fashioned and excellent mode of preparing the ground for sowing 

 annuals, is to take the soil out to some depth, where it is intended to sow the 



