THE GLADIOLUS AND ITS CULTURE. 205 



we must give a different treatment to grow it in perfection 

 out of doors. As a pot plant it is of the easiest culture 

 light and air are essential ; care must also be taken to keep 

 off the red spider, which infests all plants of this class. 

 The soil in which it thrives most is a compost of about 

 three parts of sandy loam to one of leaf mould ; do not 

 pulverize the earth, as it is apt to become sodden by water- 

 ing, and thus prevent a free development of the roots. The 

 plants intended for the border should be started in pots in 

 the house, for our season is scarcely long enough for their 

 full development and the proper ripening of the bulb. 

 Keep them in a cool place until the end of May, when they 

 may be turned into a border of prepared soil ; they will 

 soon show bloom, for in their native climate they are of 

 rapid growth. As soon as the leaves decay, take up the 

 bulbs and dry them; moisture or frost are fatal, so care 

 must be exercised. Keep in the dry state till the bulbs 

 show signs of activity, when they must be immediately 

 planted, for attempting to retard their growth in a dry state 

 greatly injures the bulb. 



The color of G. Cardinalis is scarlet and white. It is a 

 beautiful species, but of very weak growth, and is not pop- 

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