GLADIOLUS, 103 
florists’ work as an unwarrantable interference with 
nature’s plans; consequently all changes of forms are 
regarded as monstrosities. But flowers are grown for 
the gratification of the eye, to satisfy the thirst for the 
beautiful, and in that sense they are useful, whether in 
a natural or developed form. Victor Hugo said: ‘‘The 
beautiful is as usefui as the useful, perhaps more so.” 
Therefore, whoever adds to the beauty of a floral form, 
which he cannot do without the assistance of nature, 
adds to the highest and purest pleasures of life. In this 
selection the Gladiolus has furnished a wide and inter- 
esting field for experiment. 
The Gladiolus is one of the most important genera 
in the natural order, Jridacew, to which it belongs. 
The genus contains about ninety species, nearly all of 
which are natives of the Cape of Good Hope. The spe- 
cies are remarkable for ease of culture, grace of habit, 
beautiful forms, and intensity of colors, ranging from 
the most vivid scariet to pure white, from clear rose to 
pure yellow, and bright purple; in many of the species 
the colors are happily and ‘singularly blended. The 
habits of the species are as varied as their colors, some 
delicate and light, others strong and robust, with con- 
stitutions adapted to almost any climate that will sus- 
tain vegetation. The remarkable hybrids have taken 
the places of the original species, once so prominent in 
our gardens, and now the latter are rarely met except 
in botanical collections. This is a mistake, for many of 
uhe species are well worth growing for the sake of vari- 
ety, not less than for their intrinsic beauty. The more 
prominent we shall notice as they deserve, in this place, 
briefly referring to other species later on. The Gladi- 
olus (Little Sword) derives its name from its sword- 
shaped leaves. 
G. communis (Corn Flag).—This species 1s found 
pretty generally distributed throughout the South of 
