THE GLADIOLUS AND ITS CULTURE. 207 



WILHELMUS. Vermilion, bright, spotted with white and 

 violet. 



GLADIOLUS PSITTACINUS. Originally called Natalensis, 

 from Natal, its native country, was but a few years since 

 one of our most popular and admired species. Its colors 

 are yellow, red, and green, and it blooms profusely in the 

 open border with little care ; it will nourish in almost any 

 soil, and instances have been known of its surviving our 

 winters. Plant in May, and take up after the leaves have 

 been killed by the frost. This once generally admired 

 species is now little esteemed in comparison with G. gan- 

 davensis and its hybrids, but, nevertheless, is \vell worthy a 

 place in the garden, as its bulbs increase rapidly, and are 

 of the simplest culture ; seeds are also produced in profu- 

 sion, and seedlings flower the third year. 



GLADIOLUS FLOKIBUNDUS, or (from the position of its 

 flowers) OPPOSITIFLORUS. A most beautiful variety ; color, 

 shaded rose, pink, or white. The flowers are very delicate, 

 and produced in long, crowded spikes. The growth is 

 stronger than any of the species we have previously de- 

 scribed, except Natalensis, and the bulb smaller, and does 

 not increase so readily. Cultivate as directed for G. Nata- 

 lensis, though, if a rich soil is given, the flowers are larger 



