THE GLADIOLUS. 27 



top of the bulb to the surface of the soil. This will not 

 be too much for any, except, perhaps, the Jonquils, 

 which, from having smaller bulbs, may be placed an 

 inch nearer the top. At this depth, and with plenty of 

 manure about them, water will not be required, but they 

 will grow strong and flower finely. When planted in 

 beds, and it becomes necessary to remove them to make 

 room for other plants, it should be done as soon 

 as their beauty is past. As the bulbs are by no means 

 mature at this time, they should be " laid in " in some 

 slightly shaded place until the foliage is quite withered, 

 when they may be taken up, dried, and stored away 

 until wanted for the next planting season. 



Most of the species are from the south of Europe, and 

 are propagated by offsets. They were among the earliest 

 cultivated garden flowers. 



THE GLADIOLUS, (Gladiolus.) 



THIS extensive and well-known genus consists of up- 

 ward of sixty species. With but few exceptions, which 

 will be noted in their descriptions, they are natives of 

 the Cape of Good Hope. They are remarkable for ease 

 of culture, grace of habit, and for the beauty and intense 

 coloring of the flowers, which varies from the most 

 brilliant scarlet to pure white, from clear rose to pure 

 yellow and bright purple. The habits of the species are 

 as varied as their colors ; some delicate and light, others 

 strong and robust, with constitutions adapted to any 

 climate excepting the most frigid. From these species 

 some of the most remarkable hybrids have been pro- 

 duced. In no branch of floriculture has the skill, the 

 zeal, and the perseverance of the hybridizer been so 



