THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 25 



in hand, and grow a moderate number of varieties. The corms of 

 good varieties that have been in commerce some time are cheap 

 enough, but the pick of the newest sorts are as a matter of course 

 expensive, and ought not to be purchased by other than experienced 

 cultivators. As a matter of fact, they are not wanted at all, excepting 

 it be for exhibition purposes, for there are more than sufficient of 

 really good sorts obtainable at a moderate price to produce a most 

 glorious effect in the beds and borders. If no others are grown, I 

 would recommend the showy Brenchleyensis, which can be purchased 

 for two or three shillings per dozen, to be planted in groups along the 

 second row in the herbaceous border. 



For a private individual, I am considered an extensive grower of 

 gladioli, but, as I rarely exhibit them, it may be said that they are 

 grown for the gratification of self and a select circle of friends. I am 

 convinced that, whether for competitive purposes or for home decora- 

 tion, no flower evinces its appreciation of good cultivation more 

 forcibly than does the gladiolus. They require an open space where 

 both sun and air can exercise a beneficial influence upon them to 

 maintain a sturdy growth, and they also require a deep mellow soil, 

 which is well drained and rich in fibrous matter, and unless such a 

 soil can be afforded all attempts to grow this flower to perfection 

 must fail. A shallow soil made rich by manure is not so desirable 

 as a deep one, because the bulbs do not want forcing into growth by 

 a rich shallow soil and then come to a dead stop just as the flower- 

 spikes are rising. A good depth of soil is required below the base of 

 the corm, so that when the plant arrives at the most critical stage 

 there may be sufficient nourishment to carry it through a dry hot 

 season without much harm. The last season has fully exemplified 

 the importance of a deep soil, for where the corms were planted in light 

 shallow soils, and but indifferently cared for, they were nearly burnt 

 up with the heat. 



Any good mellow loam, made moderately rich by a dressing of 

 short rotten manure, trenched at once two feet deep, will be in grand 

 condition for the reception of the corms at the end of February. 

 For this reason, I have thrown out these suggestions now, because 

 there is no other flower so thoroughly impatient of a close unsweet- 

 ened soil. By having the intended bed trenched up in December, 

 there is time for it to settle down again before the planting season, 

 and the manure which is incorporated with the soil is in a better 

 condition for the sustenance of the roots. In my rather light soil I 

 am obliged to give a heavy dressing of fibry loam and a very little 

 manure, as the soil is already rich. The loam will last for several 

 years, with a slight addition of rotten manure every year, and the 

 ground turned over two feet deep directly the bulbs are taken up. 



If the weather is dry and open, I usually plant about the end of 

 February, for the longer the corms are out of the ground the weaker 

 they flower. The best way to preserve them is to keep them in dry 

 soil in a cellar or some similar place out of the way of the frost. 

 Some growers have told me that in heavy soils they find it necessary 

 to surround the bulbs when planted with silver or other dry sand ; 

 but of the value of this practice I am unable to speak, not having 



January. 



