DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 225 



Within a few years the Gladiolus has been wonderfully 

 improved by hybridizing ; the beautiful varieties, which 

 have been produced by this process, have excited the ad- 

 miration of the floral world, and now constitute a class 

 of flowers most beautiful, attractive, and popular. Twen- 

 ty-five years ago. G. cardinalis was considered one of 

 the finest species, and is beautiful and showy, with scarlet 

 and white flowers; but it is a weak growing plant, and 

 too tender for cultivation, except in pots in the green- 

 house. It did not, therefore, receive much attention in this 

 country, although in Europe, where it was planted deep in 

 the open ground, and protected by frames in the winter, it 

 succeeded very well and was much admired. This species 

 is now cast in the shade and neglected for the more hardy 

 and showy hybrids. When G.psittacinus was first introduc- 

 ed, about the year 1835, it was considered a great -acquisi- 

 tion. It was originally called G. N'otalensis, from Natal, its 

 native country, and was then one of our most popular and 

 admired species. Its colors are red, green, and yellow ; 

 shaded, striped, or mottled, but very inferior to any of 

 the hybrids. It is a hardy species, and flourishes in almost 

 any good soil, and is very prolific in forming new bulbs. 

 The directions for planting this, will answer for all the hy- 

 brid varieties of G. Gandavenis, G. floribundus, and G. 

 ramosus. All are of the simplest culture. The soil 

 should be trenched eighteen inches deep, having been 

 made rich by good decomposed manure,* and if the soil is 

 stiff, some sand may be added. The Gladiolus shows to 

 the best advantage when planted in beds four feet 

 wide. The bulbs may be planted any time in May. 

 Seven inches each way is rather too near, although I have 

 planted with good success at that distance ; probably a foot 

 apart would be more proper, as some of the plants attain 

 the height of three, four, and even five feet in rich ground. 

 The bulbs should be covered two and one-half inches deep. 

 10* 



