CULTURE OF THE GLADIOLUS. 19 



little, such as asters, stocks, &c. When these plants are done blooming;, 

 I work the earth to free it from injurious weeds ; during the first fortnight 

 of October, I work it over again to plant the bulbs ; (this may be suited to 

 the climate of Paris, where this bulb will survive the winter, if somewhat 

 protected ; in this country, the planting should be in May, as before di- 

 rected.) Where the soil is naturally light, I give it preference, but when 

 it is too binding, I mix a suitable compost of one third of leaf mould, one 

 third light sandy loam, and one third of a peaty soil, such as is at hand. 

 This compost should be well mixed by several siftings ; when the earth is 

 well mixed, I hollow out a cavity four inches square, and fill it with the 

 earth thus prepared. It is in this earth that I plant the bulb during the 

 month of October ; the distance to be preserved between each of those 

 which are to flower the coming year, should be three inches in the rows, 

 and two and a half in the line ; each bulb should be planted about one inch 

 deep. In the month of November, when the frost begins to threaten, I 

 protect them from the weather by a simple melon frame covered with a 

 sash ; the frame must be surrounded with leaves, old manure, or earth, so 

 that the frost, during the winter, may not disturb the ground. At this sea- 

 son, to prevent damp which collects in the frames, I give plenty of air, day 

 and night, if the temperature is above freezing. The gladiolus, thus ex- 

 posed during the winter, becomes more vigorous and hardy, and better bears 

 an accidental frost, and a cold of one or two degrees centigrade, for as 

 has been truly said, the frame does not serve to force the bulbs into growth, 

 but only to protect them against rain, and changes of climate. The 

 precaution must be taken to cover the frames with straw mats or with 

 leaves, when the frost is very severe, and the cold long continued ; how- 

 ever, when the weather permits, I admit air. Early in spring all the bulbs 

 are in active growth ; at this time, the bulbs which have only made roots 

 during the winter, show their leaves. Beginning at this time, I water ac- 

 cording to the weather, enough to make the earth moist ; I give plenty of 

 air by raising the sashes at the top and bottom, or by removing them en- 

 tirely during the day, if the weather permits. 



When the floral stems develop themselves, I straighten those which 

 bend over, and when the flowers begin to expand, I place over the plants 

 an awning, to ward off" the too vivid rays of the sun; owing to this pre- 

 caution, the flowers continue much longer in perfection, fresh and brilliant ; 

 in order that the flowers may produce the greatest effect, it is well to re- 

 move the frame and thus the bed appears part of the flower border. So 

 cultivated, the gladiolus grows readily, multiplies very easily, and produces 

 always many and very beautiful flowers. 



When the flowering season is over, I remove the awning and expose the 

 plants to the sun, so that the seeds may be perfectly ripened ; I then cut 

 the seed stalks from all of which I do not wish to preserve seed ; for these 

 greatly injure the bulb and cause it to flower poorly the following year. 

 As soon as the leaves begin to fade or turn yellow, I take up the bulbs, 

 lest they should continue to grow : this arrest of growth is very important ; 

 if the bulbs grow anew before they have been taken up they suffer, and 



