Herbaceous Plants 295 



early spring under glass. Seeds do not reproduce the 

 variety. 



Gladiolus. Among the summer-flowering plants, none 

 gives a richer display of color than the gladiolus. This 

 plant can be flowered in any good soil. It may be planted 

 in beds or in clumps, in borders or in the flower garden. 

 Successive plantings may be made at intervals of two weeks, 

 beginning during the latter part of April and continuing 

 until July ist. The bulbs are planted about 6 inches 

 apart, but if wanted for cut-flowers, plant in rows 18 

 inches apart and 4 to 6 inches apart in the row. The 

 bulbs should be planted from 4 to 6 inches deep, accord- 

 ing to size. This depth allows for the proper development 

 of the new bulb on top of the old, and also does away with 

 stakes. Keep down the weeds and conserve the moisture 

 by frequent cultivation. After the frost has killed the plants, 

 cut the stalks close to the bulbs, and place them in a cool, 

 dry place to ripen; after which, remove the remains of the 

 old corm and store in baskets or trays at a uniform temper- 

 ature of 40 Fahrenheit. 



Bedding and Foliage Plants 



The best flowering bedding plant is the geranium. There 

 are numerous varieties, but among the best are S. A. Nutt, 

 Beaute Poitevine, General Grant, Alphonse Ricard, Miss 

 F. Perkins, L'Aube, Mrs. E. G. Hill, Dryden, Marquis 

 Castellane, Madame Recamier, and Snowdrop. There are 

 single- and double-flowered varieties, some being adapted for 

 bedding and others for indoor culture. The ivy-leaved 

 varieties are suitable for window boxes and vases. This 

 plant is propagated by means of cuttings and in the Northern 

 States is carried over winter in the house or in a greenhouse. 



Among the most desirable bedding plants are those with 

 colored foliage. Those propagated by means of cuttings are 



