198 GLADIOLUS, CORN FLAG, OR SWORD LILY. 



it may be done at any time after the ground has been soft- 

 ened by rain, provided it be not delayed too long, so as to 

 subject the plants to risk. Sometimes a few forward buds 

 of the Dahlias will exhibit their premature beauties to the 

 beams of a July and August sun ; but their lustre is quickly 

 dimmed* The latter end of September, sometimes all Oc- 

 tober, and part of November, witness the Dahlia in all its 

 glory ; and dwarf plants, cultivated in pots, will sometimes 

 blossom at Christmas ; but they require more than ordinary 

 care, at a late period of their growth. 



GLADIOLUS, CORN:FLAG, OR SWORD LILY. 



Of this genus of bulbs there are about fifty species, natives 

 of the Cape of Good Hope. They produce flowers of 

 various colours, in August and September, and are well 

 worthy the attention of those who cultivate tender exotic 

 plants. They may be planted in September or October, 

 about an inch deep in pots, which must be kept in a green- 

 house or light room, and watered sparingly until they begin 

 to grow. The following are known to be superb species 

 and varieties : 



G. alatus, or Wing-Flowered, producing bright orange 

 coloured flowers. 



G. blandus produces flowers of a beautiful blush rose 

 colour. 



G. Byzantinus, or Turkish Flag, has large delicate 

 purple ilowers. 



G. cardinalis. This variety produces very large flowers 

 of superb scarlet, spotted with white. 



G. floribundus, or cluster flower, produces large flowers, 

 of white and pink colour. 



The Gladiolus Natalensis, or Psitacinna, is perhaps the 

 most desirable to cultivate of all others. It blossoms freely* 

 and the colours are exquisitely beautiful. In its progress of 

 blooming, it exhibits variable colours, as vermilion, red 

 yellow, green, white, crknson, &c., which brighten, as 



