I30 Cornell Extension Bulletin 9 



among them being G. cardinalis and G. psittacinus , the reputed parents 

 of G. gandavcnsis. The evidence is strongly in favor of the idea that G. 

 gandavensis is a hybrid between G. psittacinus and G. oppositiflorus. 



About this time appeared G. hrenchleyensis , raised by Mr. Hooker, 

 of Brenchley. The earliest record (1848) of this gladiolus states that it 

 is a hybrid between G. psittacinus and G. florihundus, but since then it 

 has usually been considered as a form of G. gandavensis . Whatever its 

 origin, it ranks next to G. Colvillei in being the oldest of existing types 

 of gladioli. ^^ 



Prior to 1850 — ^ except for the work of Dean Herbert, whose breeding 

 of gladioli was perhaps more scientific than practical — there had been 

 no sustained effort in the improvement of the gladiolus. Every flower 

 that has won an important place has had one or more great geniuses 

 to develop it and thus make it known to plant lovers. M. Eugene Souchet, 

 gardener for Napoleon HI at Fontainebleau, was the greatest of the 

 many breeders of gladioli. He began his labors about 1850 and continued 

 them until shortly before his death in 1880. It is quite probable that 

 he used G. floribundus and G. ramosus in crossing the varieties of G. ganda- 

 vensis, but such was his ability as a breeder that his varieties took foremost 

 rank at once and maintained the lead throughout his life. The work 

 was then carried on by his nephews, Messrs. SouiUard and Brunelet. 



It must not be inferred that Eugene Souchet had a clear field as a 

 gladiolus breeder, even in France, for others were at work. M. Courant, 

 of Poissy, raised and introduced such varieties as Docteur Marjolin, 

 Madame Thibaut, Keteleer, M. Loyre, in 1855, and Claire Courant, 

 Keteleeri, Miniatus, in 1858. M. Truffaut fils, who worked much with 

 forms of G. ramosus, produced in that section the following varieties: 

 Mademoiselle Sosthenie, a famous hybrid between G. ramosus and G. 

 floribundus, in 1848; Bernard de Rennes and Madame Bertin, in 1850; 

 Madame Vilmorin and Imperatrice Eugenie, in 1855; Comtesse de Saint 

 Marsault, Arc-en-ciel, Madame Hardy, President Decaisne, in 1858; and 

 Comte de Paris, Marguerite Regaud, Napoleon III, in i860. Among 

 the G. psittacinus x gandavensis hybrids produced by M. Truffaut 

 were Madame Souchet, Madame Truffaut, and Charles Rouillard, sent 

 out in 1855. M. Domage, of Montrouge, offered Premices de Mont- 

 rouge, in 1858, Eugene Domage, Mademoiselle Marsault, Solferino, 

 in i860, Solfaterre, in 1861, and Madame Domage, in 1862. A. Malet, 

 of Plessis-Picquet, introduced Antiope, Madame Marc Caillard, Madame 

 Place, Madame Vilmorin, in 1858, and Anacreon Cardinal, M. Morel, 

 Gustave Malet, in 1861. M. Duval, of Petit Bicetre, placed before 

 the public Madame Duval, M. Leroy, and Ernest Duval, in 1862. Eugene 



" G. ramosus is regarded as a group of which the original form is probably lost. 



