GLADIOLUS. 117 
although they will bloom earlier than the smaller ones 
if planted at the same time. Although the Gladiolus is 
a desirable flower at all seasons, and can be had in the 
open border from June until November, in the latitude 
of New York, it appears to the best advantage late in 
the season, when the weather is cool, and the atmosphere 
moist. During August and the early part of September 
the hot sun and drying winds seriously affect the flowers. 
The spikes are short, the individual blooms small and 
withered, and, moreover, they do not endure nearly so 
long. It does not matter so | 
much about the heat, if they 
can have proportionate 
moisture. For small plats, 
where the flowers are wanted 
in midsummer, plantings 
should be made, so that when tl | 
the flower stalks appear they \ 
can have protection from the WW 
sun during the hottest part 
of the day. This can easily 
be done with a light screen, 3 
white paper or very thin “iN ii Nite 
muslin answering very well. z NK 
For succession of bloom 
frequent plantings are desira- 
ble. This can be accom- 
plished in the same bed, by 
planting, first, the corms in 
rows, say one foot apart, two inches apart in the rows, 
and two weeks later planting another row between the 
first two, which will allow plenty of room for growth. 
Later plantings can be made wherever there is a vacant 
spot, always bearing in mind the importance of giving 
them an open, airy situation. For late planting small 
buibs will not answer, as they are liable to get so dried 
HALF GROWN GLADIOLUS 
CORM WITH THE OLD 
CORM ATTACHED. 
