WHY I GROJV THE GLADIOLUS 



The variety figured is of German ori- 

 gin, but it is not truly typical of the 

 strain. 



The variety of G. Childsi shown is 

 fairly representative of the class The 

 plants are strong growers, the spike is 

 stout and rigid, and well set with nu- 

 merous large flowers, but few of which 

 however are open at the same time. 

 The older forms are chiefly shades of 

 red, and are wanting in variety. Re- 

 cently however many new colors, in- 

 cludmg whites and blues, have been 

 introduced. A defect which this strain 

 shares in common with nanceianus is, 

 that the petals are thin, and they do 

 not accordingly stand the great heat of 

 our summer sun. In time, doubtless, 

 varieties will be selected which will be 



of better substance and finish. If the 

 spikes are cut when the first flowers 

 open, they will last almost as long as 

 the more substantial Letnoinei. A bou- 

 quet of the four strains, arranged with 

 due regard to color and form of flower 

 and spike, cannot be excelled in beauty. 

 The large flowering gladiolus still lacks 

 odor, but considering the progress made 

 in hybridizing and the possibility of 

 introducing odor through G. blandus, 

 it is not too much to hope that the 

 future has in store for the lovers of the 

 gladiolus, varieties which shall rival the 

 rose in sweetness, as they now rival it 

 in form and color. 



F. R. Latchford. 

 Ottawa, Feb. 22,, i8g8. 



WHY I GROW THE GLADIOLUS. 



Sir, — Having wished for some time 

 to explain my interest in the Gladiolus, 

 I beg to write to you from a strictly 

 amateur standpoint, with the hope that 

 I may touch a sympathetic cord among 

 some of your many readers. 



You are aware that I am not a florist 

 or a gardener — but a business man. 

 From early childhood I have had a love 

 for horticulture in all its branches, and 

 few amateurs have devoted more time 

 and money in the material aspect of 

 work and in gaining experience. 



While my interest in the Canna is on 

 account of its value as a bedder in 

 tropical decoration, the gladiolus appeals 

 to me in a way no other flower can, on 

 account of its wonderful beauty and 

 limitless variation in form and color. 

 Imagine varieties of distinct character 

 by tens of thousands, no dull monotony 

 here, but endless variation and ever in- 

 creasing beauty in coloring, and im- 

 provement in quality. 



At our annual meetings I have felt the 

 necessity for restraint in depicting the 

 present condition and. future possibility 

 of this flower, for unless my hearers 

 have had more than average experience 

 it is not possible to make the desired 

 impression. 



My reason for urging cultivation as a 

 cut flower is, that owing to periodic un- 

 favorable weather conditions the flower 

 can never be developed in all its beauty 

 and quality in the open ground, where 

 it must be grown. Then when bloomed 

 in the house the spikes last longer by 

 many days. 



Speaking of its durability as a cut 

 flower, I claim that on this point it is 

 only excelled by the Orchid, but in ex- 

 quisite beauty and combination of color 

 this rare flower has its most succesful 

 rival. As Orchids are impossible ex- 

 cepting under special and artificial con- 

 ditions, and before they become the 

 people's flower, the Gladiolus will have 



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