14 



MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOuiKTY. 



Souvenir de la Mer — white, violet centre: three feet. 



Umbeli.ata Nova — shaded lilac, fine large flower, dwarf habit; two 

 and a half feet. 



The cultivation of the phlox tribe is of great simplicity; it flourishes 

 with very little care in almost any soil, succeeding better, however, in a 

 deep rich, rather moist soil. 



The best lime for dividing the roofs for new plantations is about the first 

 of August. The old stools should then be taken up, the flower stems cut 

 down to one foot, leaving the leaves that are attached to them; separating 

 the roots, making a plant of each stem, with portions of the root, connected. 

 These pieces of roots should be planted in highly manured and deeply dug 

 soil. They will acquire strength during the fall, and flower better than the 

 large stools the following season. 



Choice varieties are propagated from cuttings taken off in June or July, 

 and make fine plants for the next season. 



Respectfully yours, JOSEPH BRECK. 



Edward S. Rand, Jr., Esq., 



Chairman of the Fruit Committee. 



THE CULTURE OF THE GLADIOLUS. 



BY TUB CHAIRMAN. 



There is no bulb which has so rapidly grown into favor, or so much im- 

 proved by hybridization, as the Gladiolus. A few years since they were 

 comparatively rare ; we had a few varieties, but they were little noticed 

 and excited little attention. But the results of the last few years, since 

 they have received more careful culture and since the fine new varieties 

 have been introduced, have been wonderful; and at the present time there 

 is probably no one class of plants which promises better for the future, not 

 only in Europe but also in this country, than the gladiolus. 



There are three species of gladiolus (G. Byz.mtinus, communis, and 

 roseus) which are tolerably hardy, and if once planted in the open borders 

 will flower well year after year, requiring little attention. Bulbs of these 

 varieties should be planted in November, and need no protection ; (perhaps, 

 however, it is better to throw some loose litter over the bed, as roseus is 

 often winter killed.) Plant the bulbs in little clumps, four or five together ; 

 they will flower finely the next spring, and need no further care. The bulb 

 must, however, be planted deep enough to protect it from severe frosts, and 

 to prevent its being thrown out of the ground. 



G. cardinalis was first introduced into this country about the year 

 1835 ; it was for a time very rare, but can now be easily procured. It is a 

 native of the Cape of Good Hope, and in England receives the same atten- 

 tion and culture as the rest of the so-called "Cape bulbs;" but 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 



