h 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 171 



THE GLADIOLUS: DEGENERATION AND REVERSION. 



N all the articles on these questions, the term gladiolus only is used. 



This was sufficiently comprehensive five years ago, but to-day there 



are several sections, and in giving experience, the amateur would be 



better enlightened, if sections to which such remarks apply were 



stated. Assuming that the old Gandavensis section is referred to, I 



claim that degeneration is due to the exhaustion of the vital forces 



necessary from reproduction, this exhaustion showing after blooming, 



and more particularly after seed raising, and also that this weakness is caused 



by e.xcessive incrossing, thereby minimizing the power of resistance against the 



weakening effect of even attempted reproduction. 



Reversion is quite another thing ; all hybrids are liable to this result, until 

 they are "fixed," that is, their individuality established by the proper balancing 

 of the vital forces in their composition. Change of soil or climate may effect 

 this unbalancing, with a consequent reversion to the most potent species from 

 which they originally descended. 



Now, as to the advice given in American Gardening of 2rst March, "that 

 where such failure does occur, growing gladiolus should be abandoned." This 

 means practically that growing the gladiolus in America should cease, and for 

 that matter, everywhere else, for from Europe comes the same cry, and from the 

 -Atlantic to the Pacific in America, but all in the Gandavensis section. Do not 

 understand that I am condeming this section as a whole; by no means, but here 

 the general failure is found. 



In support of my contention in this respect, let me say that many varieties 

 of Gandavensis which bloomed with me several years ago, have not done so 

 since, or, if so, they have degenerated, or reverted, beyond recognition. The 

 block devoted to them is an eyesore in my trial grounds, so many failing to 

 bloom, or even to grow at all. 



As a decided contrast to this, stands a block of new hybrids, practically all 

 growing with the greatest vigor, and blooming year after year, from old corms, to 

 a degree satisfying beyond expression. 



My advice to the lover of the gladiolus is. do not discontinue its cultivation, 

 but test the various sections, and make choice suited to your taste and locality. 

 Grow yearly from seed representing the greatest advance, as this places you far 

 ahead in quality of bulbs available at low prices. If you will pay the price by 

 all means get the bulbs, but raise your seed as well. 



Simcoe, Ont. H. H. Groff. 



Cannas should be started in boxes in the house and then planted out 

 when all danger of frost is over. Good results are not likely to begot by start- 

 ing them in the open ground. 



