THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 43 
for distribution under name, and the others are sold in mixture, for 
garden decoration. We mention this merely to show the extent of 
our culture, and that we are thoroughly conversant with the best 
means for insuring success. 
There is not, perhaps, a more beautiful class of autumn flowers 
than these, for by planting at intervals from the second week in 
March, a grand display of bloom may be had from the early part of 
August until quite late in the autumn. As exhibition flowers, they 
put ail other autumnal subjects into the shade. In the garden they 
make a most brilliant and effective display ; and for indoor decora- 
tions they possess a value as yet not fully appreciated. The flowers 
on each spike expand in succession, commencing at the lower part ; 
and if the spikes are cut when a few of the lower flowers are de- 
veloped, and the lower end placed in water, all the flowers will 
expand, so that one set of spikes will remain in good condition for a 
very long time. 
The system we have perfected for the cultivation of gladioli on a 
very large scale, is equally applicable to the management of a hundred, 
or even a few dozen bulbs; for the main principles are the same in 
both cases. If exhibition spikes are required, select an open situa- 
tion, apply a good dressing of manure, and digit over deeply. This 
ought to be done at once; and in the second or third week in March, 
according to the condition of the soil, lay out the quarter in beds 
four feet in width, with eighteen-inch alleys between. These beds 
will afford room for three rows of bulbs, one down the centre, and 
the other two, eighteen inches to the right and left. The bulbs to 
be planted twelve inches apart in the rows, and to a depth of three 
inches. The first lot of bulbs should be planted near the third week 
in March, and successive plantings made at intervals of a fortnight 
until June, should the stock be sufficient. By this arrangement, 
there will not be much trouble in cutting a stand of spikes on any 
particular date. If the number of bulbs is small, only one or two 
plantings can be made; but as the season of flowering is materially 
influenced by the weather, the cultivator who plants the whole stock 
at one or two operations, will not stand so good a chance as others 
who plant in succession. Last year the cold weather in the early 
part of the summer delayed the season of blooming so much, that 
we had some difficulty in cutting first-class spikes until a fortnight 
after the usual time. When the plants are high enough to require 
support, put a rather stout stake to each. These must not be high 
enough for the tops to reach above the lowest flower; and one tie of 
strong bast will suffice to hold them securely. After they are staked, 
cover the beds toa depth of four inches with partly decayed manure, 
which serves the double purpose of keeping the soil cool and moist, 
and stimulating the growth by means of the fertilizing matters 
washed down to the roots. During periods of dry weather, a 
thorough soaking of water occasionally will be of immense as- 
sistance. 
If required simply for the embellishment of the flower-garden, 
select suitable positions in the borders, dig in a little manure, and 
plant from three to six bulbs in each. They will require staking in 
February. 
