GLADIOL US GLOXINIA 241 



a layer of cocoa-nut fibre, or old moss, until the plants show. When 

 the seedlings are about an inch high remove to a lower temperature, 

 and begin to harden off by giving air on suitable occasions. Take 

 care, however, that in the process no check is given to growth. Soon 

 after the middle of May the seedlings should be able to bear full 

 exposure, and it will then be time to renew the surface of the soil. 

 With the aid of a pointed stick, gently remove the upper layer, and 

 replace it with rotten cow-manure, or some other rich dressing. Water 

 must be given regularly until about midsummer, when the pots may 

 be plunged up to the rim in a shady border, and this will keep them 

 tolerably moist until, in September, the seedlings begin to ripen off, 

 which they must be allowed to do. When the leaves have died 

 down, sift out the bulbs and place them on a shelf to dry. They are 

 then too small to bear exposure safely during the winter. A mixture 

 of equal parts of peat, cocoa-nut fibre, and pine sawdust, placed in a 

 box or seed-pan, will make the best possible store for them ; the box 

 or seed-pan to be stored in any spot which is safe from heat or frost. 

 After about six weeks, each bulb should be examined, and decayed 

 specimens removed. If any of them have commenced growing, pot 

 them and place them in a pit or greenhouse. In March take the 

 bulbs out of store, pot each one singly, and prepare for planting out. 

 The transfer to the open must not be made until all fear of frost 

 is past, even though it be necessary to wait until the first week of 

 June. 



It must be clearly understood that flowers are not to be ex- 

 pected or allowed from seedling Gladiolus during the second season. 

 Should some of the bulbs send up spikes they must be removed, 

 or the corms will be weakened for making a display in the following 

 year. 



Further remarks on Gladiolus will be found at page 288, under 

 'The Culture of Flowering Bulbs.' 



GLOXINIA 



Tender perennial 



GLOXINIAS can now be flowered in the most satisfactory manner 

 within six months from the date of sowing seed. Hence there is no 

 longer the least temptation to propagate these plants by the lengthy 

 and troublesome method formerly in vogue, especially as seedlings 



