HALF-HARDY BULBS 79 



These Lemoinei varieties are characterised by fine 

 blotches on some of the segments. They are slightly 

 hardier than the preceding. These are still being much 

 improved. 



The nanceianus section comprises a number of very 

 showy flowers, particularly suited for garden decoration 

 or for cutting for large vases. The plants are tall, and 

 the blooms are of great size. The Childsii varieties are 

 also very effective plants in the garden, and are of fine 

 colours. Several new hybrids are at present in course 

 of improvement and will, in time, add much to the 

 beauty of our gardens. 



The species are not much grown, but there will be 

 found among them a number of very pretty plants, which 

 only await a demand to be readily obtainable. I have 

 only space to refer to such as alatus, cardinalis, galeatus, 

 hirsutus, dracocephalus, praecox, ringens, Saundersii, 

 psittacinus, purpureo-auratus, and tristis, as all being 

 interesting and not devoid of beauty of their own. 



The hybrid Gladioli, as well as the species, make 

 good pot plants which may be treated in a similar way 

 to such bulbs as Hyacinths. Named varieties are propa- 

 gated by offsets, by division of the corms, each portion 

 having an eye attached, and by " spawn," the cormlets 

 at the base of the corms which are grown on until they 

 reach flowering size. Gladioli are also raised from 

 seeds, sown in pans, or in the open ground in spring. 



IXIAS, SPARAXISES, BABIANAS, MORPHIXIAS, AND 

 TRITONIAS 



For convenience of treatment, these pretty and useful 

 bulbs may well be grouped together. They are pos- 

 sessed of brilliant colouring, and few things are prettier 

 or attract more attention than beds of these flowers. 



