156 Cornell Extension Bulletin 9 



inflatus, insignis, praecox, psiUacinus, pudihundus, ramosus, roseus, and 

 undulatus, and the variety Queen Victoria. G. ramosus, G. insignis, 

 and G. formosissimus were $2 each, while Queen Victoria corms were 

 $2.50 each. 



The editor of the Magazine of Horiicidture says (on page 6 of volume for 

 1846) that the variety Queen Victoria, and the species G. gandavensis 

 and G. ramosus, have already flowered in this country. G. Christianus 

 was exhibited on July 18 of the same year, and G. belvideriis on August i. 

 G. Wilhelmus and the variety Lizette were exhibited on June 26, 1S47, a^i^d 

 G. Liebnitzii was exhibited on July 24. 



The culture of gladioli, however, was not very common at this time. 

 An amateur florist wrote as follows (Anon\"mous reference, 1848 a) : 



The Gladiolus. — This is one of the finest l^ulbs in the world for the open border in 

 this country. The common Gladiolus, or "sword lily," (G. comnmnis,) with purple 

 flowers, and the green striped, or Parrot Gladiolus, (G. psittacina,) are well known 

 hardy border, flowers. But the finer new hybrid species and varieties, so well known 

 in Belgium, (where they cultivate above forty sorts,) are very seldom seen in the United 

 States, except in the gardens of the largest collectors. 



They are well worthy of more attention. The roots of these new sorts are very 

 easily preserved through the winter in a cellar or green-house; and nothing can well 

 be more gay, brilliant, or delicate than the colours of many of the finer sorts, — 

 G. cardinalis, gandavensis, roseus, etc., with all the shades of flesh colour, rose, pink, 

 deep scarlet, and purple, in their long spikes of blossoms. They also come into bloom 

 at midsummer, when there are comparatively few flowers in our borders. Good, 

 rich, sandy loam, and an open exposure, will, in this climate, grow them to our great 

 satisfaction. 



Hovey in 1852 listed the following species and varieties under the head 

 Greenhouse Bidhs: blandus, cardinalis, Colvillei, floribundus, gandavensis, 

 Lord John Russell, natalensis. Prince Albert, pudibundus. Queen Victoria, 

 ramosus. In 1854 the following were added: Apollon, Eugenie, Inter- 

 medius, psiUacinus major, rosea carnea, Ulysses. 



From the foregoing it is evident that many, if not all, of the new kinds 

 appearing in Europe were offered to American growers. That the importa- 

 tions were made is sufficient indication of an interest in gladioli, but up 

 to 1852 the writer -has not discovered any record of new varieties being 

 produced in America. 



E. S. Rand, jr., as chairman of the floral committee of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society, published with his report for 1858 a paper on the 

 culture of the gladiolus, in which he expressed the hope that seedlings 

 would be raised. It appears later that Mr. Rand and others acted upon 

 the suggestion, for the following statement is found in the history of the 

 above-named society: "This year [1863] witnessed the commencement 

 of those profuse and beautiful displays of seedling gladioH." Mr. Rand 

 exhibited in 1863 seedHng no. 12, rosy salmon, which was commented 

 upon favorably by the committee. A week later, on September 5, he 



