GLADIOLUS. 123 
2. The nearer the bulbs are to the surface the less 
liable are the plants to damp off. 
3. The bulbs must be well ripened—and if so, 
small ones are as good as very large ones.” 
We would add to the above a list of varieties best 
adapted for forcing, saying selection should be made 
from the kinds that come earliest into flower out of 
doors, and, at the same time, such as have the most 
positive colors and best defined markings. Among these 
are the following, which are as many varieties as it is 
profitable to grow: 
Shakespeare.—The best in the list, both as a 
flower and a grower; flowers large, on a long and well- 
opened spike, creamy white, with delicate carmine-rose 
markings, and a heavy blotch on the lower divisions. 
La Candeur.—A grand flower, nearly pure white 
when grown under glass, having a long spike of well- 
opened flowers of good shape and substance. 
Romulus.—One of the earliest flowers; dark red, 
with pure white blotch and markings on lower petals. 
Brenchleyensis.—One of the best and cheapest; 
a long spike of vermillion-scarlet flowers; one of the 
easiest to force. 
Eugene Scribe.—This is always a pleasing flower, 
and greatly improved when grown under glass. The 
flowers are large, a delicate rose color, finely variegated 
with darker rose; spike very long, with the flowers well- 
arranged and well-opened. It is decidedly the best- 
variegated form under cultivation. 
Isaac Buchanan.— A clear, fine yellow, with but 
little marking on the lower division. 
John Bull.—A_ good white, when grown under 
glass; it is early, and largely employed because of its 
cheapness. 
Napoleon III.—A medium-sized bright scarlet 
flower, lower divisions striped with creamy white. 
