simple. Set the bulbs from six to nine inches apart and cover about four inches. If set in rows 



they may be six inches apart in 

 the rows, and the rows one foot 

 apart. The planting may be done 

 at different times from the middle 

 of April to the first of June, to 

 secure a long succession of bloom. 

 Keep the earth mellow, and place 

 a neat stake to support the spikes 

 in storms. I have never known a 

 a case where the Gladiolus failed 

 ' to give the most perfect satisfaction, 

 opening a new field of beauty to 

 those unacquainted with its merits. 

 In the fall, take up the bulbs, let 

 them dry in the air for a few days, 

 then cut off the tops and store the 

 bulbs out of the way of frost, for 

 next season's planting. Look at 

 them occasionally. If kept in a 

 place too moist, they will show 

 signs of moisture and perhaps mil- 

 dew. If this appears, remove 

 them to a drier position. If the 

 bulbs shrivel, it shows they are 

 getting too dry ; but they do not usually suffer from a dry atmosphere. To prevent disappoint- 

 ment, I would say, I know of no Gladiolus of a bright yellow color, and none of spotless white. 

 Our engravings show two plants in flower, of somewhat different habit ; also, a bulb or corm, and 

 a single flower, the two latter about natural size. 



DAHLIAS. 



The Dahlia, some twenty or more years ago, was altogether the most popular florist's flower, 

 and Dahlia exhibitions the most noted horticultural contests. The Dahlia for a time lost part 

 of its eclat, but is now not only regaining its lost 

 ground, but bids fair to exceed even its former 

 position in public estimation. We are not sur- 

 prised at this, for when we look upon a well- 

 formed Dahlia, we are compelled to acknowl- 

 edge that it is a wonder of beauty and perfec- 

 tion. The Dahlia, when first discovered in 

 Mexico, about 1784, and named after Dr. DAHL, 

 a pupil of Linnaeus, was a single flower, and its 

 improvement was accomplished by the patience 

 and skill of European florists. It was first culti- 

 vated for its tubers, which were thought to be eat- 

 able. It was not until 1814 that it began to 

 excite the attention of florists, and the improve- 

 ment of the Dahlia has been constant to the pres- 

 ent time ; for though florists thought this flower 

 had attained the highest point of beauty many 

 years since, every year seedlings are produced 

 and named which are considered as surpassing 

 their predecessors in some point of excellence. 

 We exhibited seedlings of our own growing in 1874, which such excellent judges as ISAAC 

 BUCHANAN and C. L. ALLEN pronounced superior to any they had before seen. The flower 

 shown is about one-half the size of a large Dahlia, though they differ very much in this respect, 



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