54 Management of the Gladiolxis natalensis. 



which cause the gardener so much vexation, trouble, and disappointment, sea- 

 son after season. Merely destroying the larvae every summer, so imperfectly as 

 is generally done, will never much lessen the innumerable quantities which swarm 

 on almost every tree and shrub. The manner of picking off the eggs as hinted 

 by Mr. Ives, is undoubtedly new to most of our readers, and we hope that the ex- 

 periment will be further tried, and the results of the success communicated through 

 our Magazine. We should be glad to receive communications on tlie subject from 

 any of our friends. Mr. Ives has paid nmch attention to entomology, and has a 

 large collection of insects: he has even succeeded in raising some species of in- 

 sects for his cabinet, which are rarely to be found in our gardens. — Conds. 



Art. VI Remarks on the 3Ianagement of the Gladiolus natalensis, 

 (called by some psittacinus.) By S. Svveetser. 



Gentlemen, 



You having requested me to give you an account of the manner 

 in which I treated the Gladiolus natalensis, which I presented at the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society's grand exhibition last Septem- 

 ber, and mentioned particularly in your report in your last number, 

 I cheerfully comply with your solicitation. Although not much of 

 an adept in the delightful and agreeable art of horticulture and flori- 

 culture, and especially, not much used to communicating the results 

 of my experiments to paper, yet, knowing your great desire to pro- 

 cure all information possible that may be useful or interesting, I 

 willingly contribute my mite towards advancing the pursuit of this 

 favorite science. 



This species of Gladiolus I think to be one of the most beautiful 

 which have been introduced into this country, and it certainly may be 

 considered one of the most valuable, because it is decidedly of easy 

 and simple cultivation ; — It also increases very fast, anJ it will un- 

 doubtedly, before long, not only be one of the chief ornaments of the 

 greenhouse and parlor, but will become as common in the garden 

 parterre, as the rich Georgina. 



The offsets from the bulb which I flowered last season, large and 

 small, amounted to nearly fifty ; and I have no doubt but that they 

 may be all grown so strong this year, as to flower vigorously the 

 next. The other species of the Gladiolus which are generally 

 grown, I have not given much attention to, but I have now planted 

 from two to three dozen of each ; and should you wish, may com- 

 municate to your numerous readers the coming season, some obser- 

 vations on the success of my management. 



As I have observed above, the culture is very simple and will 

 require but a few words to detail the method. In the month of 

 April I purchased two bulbs, and set them in small pots about 

 four inches in diameter, filled with a prepared compost, consist- 

 ing of about one half peat, and one half loam, with a small por- 



