THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



kinds, most of the distinction between the older types is being 

 obliterated, so that it is difficult to place a variety in one of the 

 old groups. 



The raising of new varieties by specialists and by amateur en- 

 thusiasts goes on unceasingly. It does not seem possible that we 

 can go higher in the scale of beauty, but perhaps we can. The 

 gladiolus lacks fragrance — perhaps that may come some day. 



The specialists of to-day have imported various species of 

 gladiolus and are bringing out new varieties, the results of hy- 

 bridization and selection ; the number of such and their diversity 

 of origin prohibits any accurate history of parentage. Certain 

 varieties, America for instance, have proved to be valuable as 

 seed parents, while other notable ones have not. 



Culture and Care 



The gladiolus is not considered a difficult plant to grow. Ordi- 

 nary care has produced results satisfactory to the majority of 

 flower-lovers. As with other lines of endeavor, mistakes and 

 trials often occur. Sometimes the flowers are attacked by the 

 black beetle which is so fond of the China aster. These voracious 

 beetles seem to take particular delight in cutting deep scallops in 

 the edges of the choicest flowers. 



A good mellow garden soil, properly fertilized and drained, will 

 grow gladioli well. While in some localities a heavy soil has pro- 

 duced good results, a light sandy loam is best. The soil should be 

 thoroughly spaded up and prepared, preferably during the autumn 

 previous to the spring of planting, and should be again stirred in 

 the spring. If the corms may be easily pushed into the soil with 

 the hand, it is an indication that the soil is in good physical con- 

 dition. Fertilizing of gladiolus soils is accomplished in many 

 ways, depending on the soil, location, purpose for which grown, 

 and the preference of the grower. Good cow manure, dug in dur- 

 ing the previous fall, is. as with almost any crop, a valuable form 

 of plant food. Again in the spring well-rotted manure may be 

 incorporated with the soil, and it can also be used to good advan- 

 tage as a mulch in summer. Thus used it would aid in conserving 

 the moisture supply during an exceptionally dry season. The cor- 



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