16 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY. 



except natalensis, and the bulb smaller and does not increase so readily. 

 Cultivate as directed for G. natalensis, though, if a rich soil is given, the 

 flowers are larger and the spikes more numerous. One of the most beau- 

 tiful features of our garden this last summer have been two large beds of 

 this species and G. gandavensis. 



Gladiolus gandavensis — a very striking species ; color, superb orange 

 and yellow. This variety was raised as a seedling by Van Houtte, and 

 derives its name from the town of Gand. It is stated to be a hybrid be- 

 tween cardinalis and psittacinus ; but Rev. Mr. Herbert of SpofForth, Eng- 

 land, probably the best authority on bulbous plants, very much doubted the 

 truth of this assertion. For a long time he experimented, crossing those 

 two varieties, but was never able to obtain any seedlings. At the present 

 time it would be useless to revive this question or attempt its discussion ; 

 it might, however, be interesting to know the truth, for certain it is to this 

 species we owe all the magnificent varieties we shall soon describe, and 

 many more none the less beautiful. 



The culture of gandavensis is very easy : prepare a well manured bed ; 

 plant the bulbs three fourths of a foot apart each way, and two inches deep ; 

 stake carefully, and the bloom will be magnificent; give them the full ben- 

 efit of the sun, for, if shaded, they do not succeed. A single bulb will often 

 give two or three stems of bloom, and a succession of flowers will be pro- 

 duced for two months. In winter keep the bulbs from frost. Seed is freely 

 produced, and hybridization between this and other varieties easily effected. 

 The growth of this species and its hybrids is very vigorous ; the plants 

 require staking, otherwise they are liable to be broken by the wind. 



We now come to the hybrids of this species, which are most beautiful. 

 We give a list of those which have flowered in our collection during the 

 past summer, with a full description of their habit, color, form of flower, 

 &c. 



Gladiolus gandavensis Hebe — flower large, petals pointed, very 

 slightly reflexed, color deep pink, shading almost to white, tube of corolla, 

 fine lake, lower petal veined with yellow, habit dwarf. The bulb from 

 which our description is taken was weak ; the flower may be finer on 

 strong plants. 



G. gandavensis Courantii carneus — growth very vigorous, the bulb 

 often producing two or more shoots, and each of these ramifying ; more 

 than ninety flowers were produced from a single bulb. Flower medium ; 

 petals, three upper, large, rounded ; color, pinkish, shaded through flesh 

 color to the dark purplish tube ; two inferior, small, pointed, deeply veined 

 with yellow and lake ; lower petal, medium, marked as the three upper, but 

 with yellowish base. 



G. gandavensis Ninon de St. Onclos — growth very strong, the bulb 

 producing many shoots, and these ramifying. Three upper petals, large, 

 rounding ; color, deep cherry, shading to pink ; three lower petals beautifully 

 marked with veins of pink, sometimes shading into pale yellow ; petals, 

 both upper and inferior, reflexed ; flower very large, anthers purple, tube 

 of corolla very dark lake ; a most beautiful variety. 



