2i6 . Cornell Extension Bulletin io 



Brown, Hoeg, Tracy, Wilmore, Richardson, and Moore, agree that bright, 

 briUiant, and distinct colors are demanded for a landscape variety. 



As to size, most growers prefer a medium large bloom — one large 

 enough to show the color well. Perhaps the bloom of the variety America 

 is large enough. However, the craving for monstrous flowers is mani- 

 fested among the gladiolus enthusiasts. Large blooms are especially 

 admirable when associated with long spikes and extreme vigor in growth. 



The general opinion is that the blooms should be as wide open as pos- 

 sible. However, W. C. Bull, of Ramsgate, England, prefers a bloom not 

 too open, though the tips of the petals may recurve somewhat. 



The substance of a bloom should be tough, thick, and leathery, not 

 brittle, but firm and not easily damaged. For landscape purposes the 

 blooms need to be " atmospheric in outline," as H. A. Richardson 

 expresses it. Keeping quality is associated with substance, and is of 

 prime importance in the consideration of either landscape or commercial 

 cut-flower varieties. 



The spike should be long enough to allow cutting of the bloom ten 

 inches below the lower flowers. C. W. Brown says, " The stem should be 

 only strong or stiff enough to hold up all buds till they open." A stem 

 that is rather thin and wiry, rather than thick and stiff, is to be preferred; 

 but it must be strong. One of the greatest advances to be made is in 

 just such an ideal stem. C. Betscher and M. Crawford emphasize the 

 fact that the stem must be large enough to take up sufficient water. This 

 defect is present in some Lemoinei varieties. 



The question as to the nimiber of blooms that should be open at one 

 time is a perplexing one. A great mass of bloom out at once may be 

 desired, or one may prefer to have a few flowers only, so that the spike 

 may bloom for a longer period. Van Fleet says " three or four "; Fuld, 

 " as many as possible " ; N. L. Crawford, " two each day " ; Gage, " several, 

 and if large, three or four "; Moore and Huntington, and Mrs. Atkinson, 

 " many." In the landscape varieties, Fuld, Burbank, and Moore con- 

 sider that it is better to have a large number open at once; and Moore 

 adds that the blossoms should remain open for some time before they 

 wilt. N. L. Crawford considers that from six to eight should be the right 

 number. 



The old Gladiolus oppositiflorus (fig. 1 7) type of inflorescence has now 

 passed out, and it is desired that the blooms shall face in one direction only. 

 W. W. Wilmore, jr., and Mrs. Atkinson, consider that the flowers should be 

 closely set on the spike, while many others prefer the looser arrangement. 



A subject of further controversy is the matter of branches and their 

 value to either a commercial or a landscape variety. Hoeg, Babcock, 

 Betscher, White, Thomann, Wilmore, Bonvallet, and Hutchinson consider 



