THE DEGENERATION OF THE GLADIOLUS. 



EFERRING to a recent article on the gladiolus, in which the late 

 Mr. Such is quoted as saying . " Overrich soil and too much mois 

 ture, have much to do with the degeneration of this fine flower," 

 one is led to conclude that the gladiolus had been generally subjected 

 to excessive quantities of fertilizer and moisture. 



It is common experience that in field culture, where contact with 

 the manure cannot be easily avoided, as in small spaded plots, that the gladiolus 

 does better following a previous crop, for which the ground had been fertilized 

 with stable manure. Now, while no plant is benefited by the application of 

 more food than it can consume, if this food is in the proper condition, it will 

 not use more, nor be injured by it. Excessive moisture should be provided 

 against by drainage. 



Now, Mr. Such, speaking in 1880, referred to the Gandavensis section, and 

 that high culture is given as the cause of its degeneration. In 1895 this degen- 

 eration is even more pronounced, but we will surely not give high culture as the 

 cause ; if so, why is this injurious effect not apparent in all branches of horticul- 

 ture, as all hnes are worked for maximum results. 



The gladiolus of to-day is quite different from the gladiolus of 1880, except 

 the section referred to, which has been inbred for years, resulting in so serious 

 an impairment of its vitality, that many varieties will not produce characteristic 

 flowers for two successive reasons. This excessive incrossing is the cause of its 

 degeneration, which is amply proven by contrast with varieties having the least 

 infusion of new blood from species. 



During the past season my greatest failure was in Gandavensis, growing on 

 sandy loam manured for the previous season's crop (new hybrids here grew over 

 six feet high). My greatest success in the same section was in a block where 

 the water stood in the drills at planting time, and the soil was never dry. 



Well fertilized moist soil, with plenty of atmospheric moisture will produce 

 results obtainable under no other conditions. 



Simcoe, Ont. H. H. Groff. 



The Bessarabian Cherry is a Russian variety that was fruited at the 

 Iowa exp. sta. the past summer. The fruit is as large as the Early Richmond, 

 roundish, irregular and somewhat flattened. The stem is long and slender. 

 Skin a fine, very dark red. Flesh a rich red, somewhat firm, moderately 

 juicy, sub-acid, juice colored. The quality is good, excellent for culinary 

 purposes and the table. The tree is a strong grower, somewhat spread- 

 ing, with dense foliage, and fruiting the last week in June. The variety is a 

 true ironclad for north Iowa. The trees the past season were a picture of health 

 and vigor. The summer's sun and the winter's storm do not seem to afi'ect it. 



— Farm and Home. 



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