128 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
before they are really fit to dig. Our object is to get 
the little bulbs well ripened, for, unlike the bulblets of 
most other species that nestle close to the base of the 
large bulb, these shoot off a little way and seem to be 
softer than other bulblets, and they are more difficult to 
keep over winter. 
‘‘Their intense colors, dark purple, crimson and 
gold, may appeal strongly in favor of them as cut flowers ; 
at the same time, there are so many of lilacs, purples, 
dirty yellows and dirty whitish colors among them, that 
they cannot find popular favor. And they have another 
fault, the buds do not open well in water. I am in- 
formed that Lemoine has got something extraordinary 
in this line in the way of brilliant colors, and even a 
biue one.” 
We cannot agree wholly with Mr. Falconer in regard 
to colors, although his is but the expression of popular 
opinion. ‘To be pleasing, positive, bold colors are not 
necessary, essential as they may be for display. Some 
of the neutral tints, ‘‘dirty” colors, of this type, are 
decidedly interesting when closely examined, as all flow- 
ers should be, to be understood and appreciated. The 
following list includes the most striking colors and beau- 
tiful forms of this class, and fairly represents the type. 
Enfant de Nancy.—Flowers medium size; pur- 
plish-red, lower petals deep crimson. Color and blotch- 
ing entirely unknown heretofore in Gladiolus. 
Engesseri.—Very deep pink ; lower petals blotched 
bright maroon. 
Froebeli.— Flesh-colored, streaked with pink; 
carmine blotch, bordered with yellow. , 
John Thorpe.—Splendid plant ; beautiful brilliant 
red, blotched with flame, bordered with sulphur, center 
of petals lined with yellow. 
Lafayette.—Flowers very large; yellowish salmon, 
large crimson blotches on the lower petals. 
