116 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



pay to invest much by way of experiment. On tlie other hand, 

 some fine varieties never are cheap, because they propagate slowly, 

 either b}' increase of bulbs or by bulblets. I have some that I 

 have had several years, with little increase, and I can see by them 

 wh}' the price keeps about the same on some bulbs, while others 

 just as good are comparatively cheap. An example of the latter 

 is Eugene Scribe, which increases rapid!}- and never produces a 

 poor spike. I wish there were more varieties as good, j-et it is 

 cheap and accessible to all. The seedlings originated in this 

 country are, in my opinion, as fine in proportion to tlie number 

 grown as those raised in France and England. I had some un- 

 bloomed seedlings last season from C. L. Allen & Co., of Garden 

 City, N.Y., among which I found some spikes of rare merit. A 

 few which they had set aside for name were superb. Also, by 

 the courtesy of Mr. Allen, I bloomed their seedling Gen. Sheridan, 

 a very fine scarlet, not ^et on the market. I have also had seed- 

 lings from V. H. Hallock, Son, & Thorpe, which were very fine. 

 James Vick has furnished us with some excellent varieties. I 

 think Longfellow very fine indeed. There is no need of mention- 

 ing the fine seedlings produced by the members of this Society, as 

 they have spoken for themselves when on exhibition. With the 

 seedlings that are being produced in this country there will soon 

 be no need to send abroad, if, indeed, there is now. I have pur- 

 chased bulbs from home and abroad, and I find I cannot get as 

 satisfactory results the first j'ear from imported bulbs as from home- 

 grown. After the first 3'ear there is little difference. I never 

 make up my mind as to the merits of an imported gladiolus the 

 first year it blooms. Gladioli grow in almost any soil, unless it is 

 wet and heavy, under which conditions the}' will not thrive or pro- 

 duce fine flowers. A sunny location, with light, loamy soil, partly 

 sand, and well enriched, with plenty of water in dry times, suits 

 them well. The bulbs must not be planted toQ near the surface; 

 from three to four inches in depth, according to the size of the 

 bulb, is about right. Remember, the new bulb or corm is made 

 above the old bulb. 



Tuberous Rooted Begonias ought to be grown in every garden. 

 I prize them more highly than any other bedding plant, for with 

 me they are truly bedders. They stand the rain much better than 

 any other bedding plant that I have ever grown, from tlie fact that 

 the blossoms have thick, waxy petals, and as they close when it 

 rains, the water slips off the outside of the flower. As soon as the 



