114 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
there will be no two alike; that all will be showy, and 
that some will be so grotesque as to cause us to tender 
our sympathies to the afflicted parents, are not only 
among the possibilities, but the probabilities of growing 
seedlings. By long growing of a given variety we find 
its constitution is hable to become impaired, that many 
sorts sicken and die. All varieties will soon run out 
unless propagation from offsets is constantly kept up. 
Seedlings have usually greater vitality for a number of 
years than the sorts grown from offsets, and, unless a 
certain variety of merit is to be perpetuated, it is de- 
cidedly better to increase our stock from seed. For 
mixtures furnished “‘ the trade,” we resort to this method 
wholly. Flowering bulbs can be produced. as quickly 
from seed as from bulblets, with a certainty of greater 
variety, and a chance of some remarkable forms. 
Selecting Gladiolus Seed.—While there is’ no 
certainty that the seed saved and sown will produce 
remarkable results, it is decidedly better to save seed 
from the best and most vigorous forms. That is a prin- 
ciple in seed-saving, and should be respected with the 
Gladiolus. It is a good indication to strive for the best, 
whatever may be the result. Bad habits in anything 
should not be encouraged ; therefore, in selecting seeds, 
take from the plants, with characters such as one would 
like to see in the offspring, health, form and well-defined 
colors, this is in the true line of improvement, whether 
successful or not. 
The Seed Bed.—The ground should be worked 
well and deep, whatever the character of the soil, and as . 
nearly level as convenient to avoid washing out, in case 
of heavy rain. Prepare, in all respects, the same as for 
any garden vegetable; sow the seeds thickly in rows, 
sufficiently far enough apart to work with the hoe; 
cover the seeds with fine soil, half an inch deep. Then 
cover the whole bed with newly cut grass, fine hay, or 
