THE GLADIOLUS, 297 



haiidsome plants, and encourage attempts in raising still more improved 

 varieties. 



'•■ Wliat a magnificent appearance is presented by a group of Gla- 

 diolus gandavensis, occupying the back ground of an American bed, a 

 clump on the lawn, or a place in the shrubbery border, during the 

 months of September and October — a season when flowers are mucii 

 -wanted. Gladiolus oppositiflorus is also equally beautiful in it.s way, 

 producing a spike of white blossoms eighteen inches long, and also 

 blooming in autmnn, when such an object has a very commanding- 

 appearance. The Gladioli have an extra claim on our attention, from 

 lieing perfectly hardy ; I allude now to the natalensis section, com- 

 prising the two above named, and a few other varieties equally beautiful, 

 such as vernalis, spicatus, polystachius, pyramidalis, and ramosus, the 

 last-named being very desirable from its dwarf habit. The new varie- 

 ties above alluded to are hybrids of the same class, raised here, and 

 are crosses between G. gandavensis and floribundus, seeds having been 

 saved from e;ich, and mutually crossed. It may be well to remark the 

 advantage which would result, if all who interest themselves in hybrid- 

 izing, particularly when they are working on the first or second crosses 

 — which, generally speaking, produce seedlings with but little variation 

 in colour or markings, tlie difference being generally in the size of 

 bloom and intensity of colour— would note the same, and report thereon : 

 for such information laid before the public would greatly advance the 

 objects of the hybridist, much time being frequently lost in travelling- 

 over ground already explored. 



" These few remarks on what is particularly wanted in tliis interesting 

 tribe, recall to mind an opinion of the late lamented Dean of Man- 

 chester, who held that the cardinalis section would not cross with the 

 natalensis section ; hence liU idea of subdividing them. I freely grant 

 the difficulty, but am far from thinking it impossible to effect such a 

 cross ; which, if it could be obtained, would be productive of all that 

 could be desired, by giving us a class of intermediate flowers that would 

 bloom later than the cardinalis family, and earlier than the gandavensis 

 varieties. Another grand object would also be achieved, by imparting 

 a hardier constitution to the cardinalis section, by this means destroying 

 the tendency to early growtli, which is a point of great importance ; 

 the fact of their moving for growth so early as November rendering 

 them particularly liable to suffer injury if they are planted out at that 

 season ; and lience the absolute necessity, if this tendency is to be over- 

 ruled, of obtaining crosses with some of the hardy kinds. The intro- 

 duction of the colour and markings of the cardinalis varieties would 

 also be a grand point; imagine the colour and marking of Gladiolus 

 Prince Albert, or formosissimus, in a raceme of erect flowers, like those 

 of gandaven«is or floribundus! What could be a more splendid object ! 



" T admit there arc many obstacles to prevent the accomplishment 

 of this much- to-be-desired feature, still T think it is to be done, and 

 M'ould suggest that the difference of constitution should be taken into 

 consideration. The fact of their coming from opposite parts of the 

 Cape ; and, again, elevation may have something to do m ith their free- 

 <lom of seefiing. 'J'iicir general cliaracter is decidedly favourable, there 



