434 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



a few are indigenous to Europe, and one comes from 

 Constantinople. 



729. Propagation. The gladiolus is propagated : 

 (1) By seeds. By this method, new varieties are attained, 

 but the standard varieties, being hybrids, do not come 

 true when started from seed. (2) By connels, or 

 " spawn " (the small, hard-shelled little cormels borne 

 upon the old ones). These, if planted during the spring 

 following the season in which they were produced, will 

 bloom one or two years later, or usually one year sooner 

 than from seed. (3) By the annual renewal of corms, 

 of which there are from one to six, produced above the old 

 corm each year. 



730. Culture. The best soil for the gladiolus is a 

 medium loam. The gladiolus appreciates good fertiliza- 

 tion, but seems sensitive to any manure in contact with 

 the bulbs. Manure is, however, good if applied in the 

 autumn previous to planting. The best fertilizer for 

 general use is one that would be called a potato fer- 

 tilizer, being one rich in potash and phosphoric acid, both 

 chemicals being useful in the proper formation of good 

 bulbs. Bone-meal is also extensively used. Liquid ma- 

 nure, when the buds are forming, seems beneficial. 



Most varieties of gladiolus are not hardy, except some 

 varieties of Lemoinei, and even these require protection 

 in New York State. Planting should be deferred until 

 all danger of frost is past ; and a well-planned succession 

 in planting is advisable. The depth to plant is deter- 

 mined by the character of the soil. In the lightest soil, 

 seven or eight inches is not too deep ; but in a heavy 

 clay, four or five inches would be a sufficient depth. There 

 are two reasons why the corms should be planted as deep 

 as the character of the soil will permit : first, the gladiolus 



