238 



Cornell Extension Bulletin io 



has come to the attention of the breeder the Maid of the Mist gladiolus 

 {G. primulinus) , a pale yellow, primula-scented, hooded species which 

 has toned down the deeper colors of the other varieties and impressed 

 its hooded character on the majority of its seedlings. 



The foregoing discussion covers only a few of the species used. In the 

 practical hybridist's mind, each species represents certain desirable char- 

 acteristics to be incor- 

 ])oratcd into a hybrid. 

 Too often there arc 

 many unfavorable 

 features, the consider- 

 ation of which should 

 not be entirely neg- 

 lected. 



Dr. Van Fleet and 

 Maurice Fuld are op- 

 timistic of the results 

 in using new species 

 in the future. H. A. 

 Richardson writes 

 that the " infusion of 

 new blood at anytime 

 offers a promising field 

 as a basis for further 

 selection and improve- 

 ment." S. E. Spencer 

 feels that the wild 

 S|:)ecies are valuable 

 " to a limited extent 

 to get vigor and hardi- 

 ness and develop new 

 types and colorings." 

 W. W. Wilmore, jr., 

 notes that "the wild 

 species may be used to 

 develop some lacking 

 quality," otherwise a backward step is taken. W. C. Bull thinks it is very 

 doubtful, so far as form and color are concerned, whether the gladiolus can 

 be improved by the use of wild parentage, but "if constitution could 

 be improved it would be worth any amount of time and trouble." B. F. 

 White feels that at present tlie si)ecics are not promising, as all "the 

 good ones have been tried. Should new ones be discovered, it would pay 

 to try. The farther we get away from the species, the better the flowers 



I'lii- 33- 



KUFKLEO 



I'KIMUl.lNUS 



SKEDLING KKOM I. 



The color of this variety more closely approximates orange than any 

 other variety seen. It shows the characteristics of its parent ClaJinlus 

 primulinus in the hooded bloom and penciled throat, as well as in its 

 color. It is beautifully frilled and ruffled 



