CULTURE OF THE GLADIOLUS. 16 



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 n t pulverize the earth, as it is apt to be- 

 come sodden by waterino^, 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 prep ired soil ; thoy will 

 soon show bloom, for in their native dim ite they are of rapid growth. As 

 soon as the leaves decny, 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 attempt- 

 ing 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 popular, being entirely cast into the 

 shade by larger, stronger-growing species. 



Gi,ADiOLUs RACEMosus. — Beautiful rose, marked with white and carmine. 

 The bulbs are much suialler than those of the varieties to be described, 

 but some of the beautiful hybrids are well worthy of cultivation. The 

 treatment given above for cardinalis will do well for all the varieties of 

 racemosus, though, if strong bulbs are procured, they will bloom well if 

 planted in the open border about the la-t of May. The growth is far 

 stronger than that of cardinalis, and some of the hybrid varieties are very 

 beautiful. We annex a list of a few of the most desirable, but doubt 

 whether they can be procured in any quantity in this country: — 



Gladiolus racemosus formosissimus — magnificent scarlet. 



Queen Victoria — red, with white and carmine border. 



Oscar — brilliant scarlet, spotted with white ; choice. 



Lord Grey — vermilion, spotted with violet and white. 



Lord Palmerston — vermilion, distinct carmine spots, violet and white. 

 " Lord John Russell — clear vermilion, large, bordered with lake and 

 carmine ; choice. 



Wilhelmus — vermilion, bright spotted with white and violet. 



Glaoiolus 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 pro- 

 fusely in the open border with little care ; it will flourish 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. 

 gandavensis and its hybrids, but nevertheless is well worthy a place in the 

 garden, as its bulbs increase rapidly, and arc of the simplest culture ; seeds 

 are also produced in profusion, and seedlings flower the third year. 



Gladiolus floribundus, or (from the position of its flowers) oppostti- 

 FLORUS — 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 described, 



