18 MASS4CHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



but for the benefit of those importing, we add a list of other fine varieties, 

 all hybrids from gfandavensis : — Archimedes, Atalante, Calendulaceus, Ber- 

 enice, Dr. Margolin, DaniB, Galathee, Goliah, Midas, Imperatrice, Neptune, 

 Monsieur Vinchon, Osiris, Rachel, Pallas, Penelope. 



The surest and best way to procure these varieties, is to import them 

 either directly from some foreign garden, or through any of our chief seeds- 

 men : few of them could be furnished, in any quantity, in this country, for 

 they are as yet too new to be plenty, but we look to see them extensively cul- 

 tivated in the course of a few years, and obtainable at prices within the reach 

 of everybody, for at the present prices, ranging from five to eight francs 

 per bulb in Europe, a collection is very expensive. We also trust to see 

 fine seedlings raised in this country, for our climate is admirably suited for 

 perfecting the seed : all the above described varieties have seeded freely 

 with us, and from a bed of about twenty varieties, we have a quantity of 

 choice seed from which we may hope for some fine seedlings. 



We have lately been much interested in a pamphlet, on the culture of 

 this plant, by Truffant, of Versailles, a portion of which we have translated 

 for the benefit of American amateurs, of course adapting it to our own 

 climate. 



THE CUI-TLTKE OF THE GLADIOLUS, 



IJY Truffant, ^/s. 



The culture of the Gladiolus is in general extremely simple, and if. 

 until now, the numerous admirers of this beautiful genus have hesitated 

 to enter upon an undertaking reputed so difficult, I hope to be able to per- 

 suade them that they can easily succeed, and I guarantee to those who will 

 follow my method, complete success. And for this end I publish the mode 

 which I have employed for many years. 



It is most important not to confound the different species or varieties of 

 Gladiolus, because they begin to grow at different times, and consequently 

 must be planted at different seasons. The species which I cultivate are 

 the following: — 



Gladiolus cardinalis and hybrid varieties, 

 ramosus " " " 



floribundus " •' " 



psittacinus, the varieties of gandavensis and hybrids from them. 



Section I. Multiplication by Bulbs. 



I. Culture in the open ground, of Cardinalis, and its hybrid varieties. 



This class, the oldest in cultivation, is very rich in varieties, and very 

 remarkable for its elegance of form, its brilliant colors, and the variety of 

 its flowers ; its varieties require a light earth, Avell enriched, that is to say, 

 heavily manured. To obtain such a soil, I manure the earth in the spring, 

 before the season for planting, with cow manure, and, as far as possible, 

 without admixture of urine ; and to fill the ground, and remove from the 

 manure its richness and harsh action, which is unfavorable to the gladiolus, 

 I plant, during the spring and summer, annuals which exhaust the soil but 



