1340 



GLADIOLUS 



GLADIOLUS 



psittacinus and G. cardinalis. Forms of G. tristis early 

 entered into the cultivated strains, as well as G. oppo- 

 sitiflorus, and later G. purpureo-auratus and G. Saun- 

 dersii. The Lemoinei and nanceianus races (Fig. 1646) 

 have afforded foundations for much subsequent breed- 

 ing. Recently, G. primulimts has entered into the 

 combinations. It seems to be particularly valuable 

 as a parent; it is said to be dominant in color over even 

 the deepest reds, subduing them to excellent shades of 

 orange, salmon, and terra-cotta; when crossed with 

 the lighter colors it transforms them to buff, lemon and 

 ecru; combined with yellow the color is deepened. 

 The hooded character is commonly inherited. W. W. 

 Van Fleet has succeeded in crossing this species with 

 many of the other wild forms. With G. Qvartinianus 

 the color is said to be toned down to terra-cotta and 

 the season for blooming is changed from autumn to 

 midsummer. When G. Watsonius is 

 used, the progeny is tall, orange in 

 color with scarlet veinings; the plants 

 are earlier, more vigorous, and pro- 

 fuse bloomers. Hybrids from the 

 above species, and from varieties of 

 G. cardinalis produce tall graceful 

 spikes of exquisite light tints. 



1646. Gladiolus Lemoinei (on the right), and G. nanceianus. ( X } 3) 



The ruffled strains of gladioli have appeared in recent 

 years, adding a pleasing variety and -much merit to 

 the flower. This type has been specially developed 

 in the recent breeding work of A. E. Kunderd, of 

 Goshen, Indiana (Fig. 1647). Nearly twenty years 

 ago he began his selections for the production of a 

 frilled or wavy flower, that should have something of 

 the petal-edge exhibited so well in azalea. Early- and 

 late-flowering strains have been produced. It is said 

 that one strain has the blood of G. Quartinianus and 

 is producing many good shades of red with fluted or 

 ruffled petals and suitable for late-flowering purposes. 

 G. primulinus has also given good tints in yellows, with 

 flowers very much frilled. It now seems possible to 

 introduce the ruffling into many of the standard types, 

 much as has been done with the sweet pea. 



The recent Burbank strains have been developed from 

 the variety America as the seed-parent. These are 

 said to comprise many very large-flowered forms, with 

 brilliant coloring. 



The G. prsecox group or strain was introduced by 

 Frederick Roemer, of Quedlinburgh, Germany, said 

 to be the result of intercrossing the earliest-flowering 

 plants of G. gandavensis, G. Lemoinei, G. Childsii and 

 G. nanceianus. In color, markings, or size, the race 

 compares favorably with the parents, and at the 

 same time the plants bloom the first year from seed, 

 especially when the seed is started in a moderate 

 hotbed in March. As growth advances, they are given 

 ventilation gradually. There is a decided improve- 

 ment the second year, when two or more spikes of 

 normal size are usually produced. Other strains 

 of gladiolus may also give bloom the first year from 

 seed. 



Some of the earlier history of American gladiolus- 

 breeding was written for the "Cyclopedia of American 

 Horticulture" by H. H. Groff, of Canada, one of the 

 prominent contributors to the improvement of the 

 flower (extracts) : Some twenty-five years ago "when the 

 writer, under the inspiration of Luther Burbank, began 

 his own work in hybridization, the best American-grown 

 stock available was the Hallock collection of some 400 

 named varieties of gandavensis and about 100 of the 

 earlier Lemoine hybrids, all of European origin. After 

 trial, the writer placed them all in mixtures. About this 

 time Luther Burbank began to offer a few named varie- 

 ties, but shortly afterward sold his whole stock, the 

 collection being now in the writer's hands. This col- 

 lection, in the opinion of the writer, is the best strain 

 of gandavensis. The varieties were largely of varie- 

 gated types, with many of unique markings and peculiar 

 form. Burbank had given particular attention to varie- 

 ties calculated to withstand the hot, dry winds of 

 California, and had originated several with specially 

 stiff petals, quite distinct from the ordinary types. The 

 peculiarity of the flowers blooming around the spike 

 like the hyacinth was also his contribution. All of his 

 varieties are now grown in mixture by the writer with 

 the exception of a white variety, which promises to be 

 distinct and valuable for some time to come. The 

 work of Van Fleet, of New Jersey, was carried on more 

 for scientific than commercial results, and reaped a 

 deserved success. However, the writer has found that 

 the offspring of a pure species is less stable than that of 

 well-balanced cross-bred varieties, the former system 

 handing down few varieties of permanent commercial 

 value, though they are in themselves valuable as 

 parents for the foundation of new strains. The best 

 work of a semi-professional character, in the opinion 

 of the writer, has been done by T. S. Moore, of Indiana, 

 who has spared no trouble or expense in procuring 

 choice material upon which to build, and with satis- 

 factory results." Writing in 1914, Groff speaks of the 

 fluted, ruffled and crimped forms being frequent in 

 the progeny of every improved species; of the develop- 

 ment of iris-form flowers; and of innumerable influences, 

 under breeding, on the character of the stalk, fiber, 

 capsule, shape and size of foliage, disposition of flowers 

 to droop or to grow erect, on the corm and its husk 

 and the facility of producing cormels, and other inter- 

 esting departures. 



The interest in the gladiolus has been much stimu- 

 lated in North America by the work of the American 

 Gladiolus Society. It was organized at Boston, May 

 27, 1910, for the purpose of "stimulating interest in, 

 and promoting the culture and development of the 

 gladiolus; to establish a standard nomenclature; to 

 test out new varieties, and to give them such recogni- 

 tion as they deserve; to study the diseases of the 

 gladiolus, and find remedies for same; to disseminate 

 information relating to this flower; to secure uniformity 

 in awarding prizes at flower shows, and to give one 

 exhibition each year." The society holds exhibitions, 

 publishes a bulletin, and in manj 1 " ways aids in the 

 popularizing of the gladiolus and in establishing stand- 

 ards of excellence. It has a trial-ground at the New York 



