240 Cornell Extension Bulletin io 



the most needed improvement 



In answer to the question, What is the improvement most needed, 

 M. Crawford, Van Fleet, Spencer, Fischer, Richardson, and Bonvallet 

 consider clear and self colors a great ideal for which to strive. Richardson, 

 M. Crawford, Flanagan, Burbank, Black, Spencer, White, and Fischer 

 consider it necessary to make an effort to greatly increase the substance 

 of the bloom. Healthier plants should be the only ones retained; aU 

 those of inferior quality should be barred from distribution and destroyed. 

 Slender, graceful spikes should be developed, write Mrs. Austin, Zeestraten, 

 and Fischer. Wide-open flowers are preferred by Mrs. Austin and by 

 Van Fleet and Richardson. Mrs. Austin, Koerner (191 1), and Spencer 

 welcome the introduction of new and unusual forms. Kunderd (191 1) 

 writes : 



In addition to the reported foliage with white striping, great improvement may be 

 expected with the normal color. For a number of years I have been selecting and 

 breeding with this object in view, and find the gladiolus as susceptible along this line 

 as in the improvement of its flowers. We should have tall, wide, rich green foliage; 

 tall, slender and graceful foliage, of forms best suited to the usual straight-stemmed 

 varieties, and some beautiful, slender and drooping foliage, best suited to blend with 

 what are known as bent or crooked-stemmed varieties. That there is a future of 

 usefulness for the last named form of stem, I feel confident, if the flower is specially 

 attractive. 



Another feature of promise is the colors of the stem. Some of the stems are almost 

 white and others are fine cream or yellow. This, no doubt, will become a feature of 

 usefulness in the gladiolus of the future. 



. . . I am confident the long wished for sweet-scented varieties will be perfected 

 in the hands of Lemoine, Burbank, or Van Fleet. 



Fuld emphasizes the value of having an ideal toward which to work. 

 N. L. Crav^ord wishes that growers would attain a higher ideal before 

 putting their varieties on the market. Zeestraten would have a better 

 shape in the gladiolus. Gage thinks the whole Lemoinei class needs 

 improvement. 



As to the type of bloom the hybridists are using as the parents to attain 

 the high degree of perfection desired, Groff (1907 a) writes : " For practical 

 and valuable economic results it is therefore not sufficient that the breeder 

 should be able to produce types of symmetry and beauty, but he must 

 add the qualities of stability and adaptability to changed conditions 

 to ensure due satisfaction for the ultimate grower." Wilmore thinks 

 the variety America is the best type of parent, as it produces seed freely, 

 is vigorous, and is of a color that blends well. Thomann uses light colors 

 only as parents. Mrs. Austin, Burbank, and Betscher use seedlings, 

 mostly of their own origination, which combine the different types. Van 

 Fleet beheves " G*. primuUnus and the garden varieties to be most 

 promising." Fuld is breeding for size, and therefore uses the larger- 

 blooming varieties. Zeestraten uses the most vigorous growers and the 

 best multipliers. 



