Gladiolus Studies — I 149 



earliest of the nanus or ramosiis sections, which, as is well known, precede the gandavensis 

 and other strains in time of flowering from tliree to four weeks. These alatiis x 

 cuspidatus gladioli, apart from their usefulness in flowering so early in the open ground 

 (end of May\ are ver\- welcome additions to the gladiolus family, as each bulb 

 produces from two to five spikes of about a foot in height, with flowers of fair size and 

 of a charming colour of rosy-salmon with golden-brown markings. They are admi- 

 rable for filling small glasses for table decoration, and other choice floral work. This 

 strain I named "Express." 



G.Jormosissimus is a hybrid uniting the abundant jflowering of G. ramosus 

 with the colors of G. cardinalis, though not so brilliant as the latter. It 

 first flowered in 1S42, and for many years was one of the leading varieties 

 of the early-flowering group. 



G. fragrans is a hybrid between G. recurvus and G. tn'siis, raised by Dean 

 Herbert. The flowers are variegated and sweet-scented. The plant is 

 moderately hardy. 



G. gandavensis is probably a hybrid between G. psittacinus and G. oppos- 

 itiflorus. It was originated by M. Beddinghaus, gardener to the Due 

 d'Aremberg at Enghien, who made some crosses in 1837. One of the 

 restdting seedlings, which was much admired by all who saw it. passed 

 into the control of Louis van Houtte. of Ghent, who named it G. ganda- 

 vensis and introduced it in his catalog no. 6, for 1S41. He described it 

 in glowing terms, as follows: " In stateliness and color it exceeds aU others 

 we have seen among gladioli. Its dimensions sttrpass ramosus; its majestic 

 flowers to the nimiber of eighteen or twenty are of the most charming 

 vermilion; their inferior petals, adorned with chrome, amaranth, and 

 brown, are relieved by anthers of an azure blue which descends to the 

 center of the flower. At the moment I write all Ghent comes to admire it." 

 Van Houtte thought it a hybrid between G. psittacinus and G. cardinalis, 

 but this is doubtful. 



This variety was the fovmdation of a new race which has been known 

 as Gladiolus gandavensis. Probably two thousand varieties have been 

 named and sent out. This group led all others for garden planting from 

 about 1850 to 18S0, when the Lemoinei varieties came in, closely followed 

 by the nanceianus and Cliildsii varieties. It. is stiU important, and may 

 be regarded as holding a position in gladiolus development in some respects 

 analagous to that of the hybrid perpetual roses in the avolution of 

 garden roses. 



G. haylockianus is a hybrid between G. recurvus and G. blandus, raised 

 by Dean Herbert. Mrs. Loudon describes the flowers as pale and slightly 

 variegated. 



G. Herbertianus is a hybrid between G. tristis and G. spofforthianus, 

 raised by Dean Herbert. 



G. incarnatus is a hybrid between G. blandus and G. cardinalis, raised 

 about 1837 by Miller, of Bristol. It produces large, weU-formed flowers 

 of a pale pink color. 



