THE GLADIOLUS. 57 



hardy, though a bulb or two will frequently live through a favor- 

 able winter. Their offspring partake of the nature of both, and 

 are hardy or not according to the predominancy of one or the other 

 parent ; but, while many are hardy enough to survive the winter, 

 not one will bloom if left out one-half as well as if taken up in 

 autumn. 



There are man}- other species of which I should like to speak, 

 were this paper not already so long. I hope they will be noticed 

 in the discussion. 



The gladiolus is not as much grown as it ought to be. Few 

 people, comparatively, know anything of the finer sorts, and I have 

 been told, upon excellent authorit}', that there is very little sale 

 for named kinds. It is not unusual to find in catalogues the 

 statement that excellence and high price do not necessarily go to- 

 gether ; that some of the cheapest are as good as some of the 

 dearest. There can be but little incentive under such circum- 

 stances, to buy high-priced bulbs ; this is one obstacle to the ex- 

 pansion of gladiolus culture. Another is in the prices themselves. 

 Although novelties, if they are really fine, may properly be set at 

 a high rate, there seems no good reason for putting old kinds at 

 $3, $2, or Si. It is a pity that some dealer could not make a be- 

 ginning in this matter by pricing them according to their excel- 

 lence and not putting them too high. This, however, is a matter 

 beyond my province ; it is likely that good reasons for the present 

 practice exist. Another unfavorable circumstance is that people 

 will not buy small bulbs, though some of the best kinds never make 

 large ones. 



I have heard the remark made that no further progress with 

 this flower seems likely — an ill-considered statement. We have 

 not a single really good yellow 3'et ; all are defaced with dull 

 purple stains. There is then a whole series in prospect, ranging 

 from sulphur to orange, not one of which is yet attained. Then 

 in the dark shades not much has been done ; though probabl v we 

 may yet see a gladiolus as dark as a black pansy. New and odd 

 styles of coloring may yet be obtained : I have had one or two 

 hints among m}' own seedlings. For instance, a flower came last 

 year which was grained all over with yellow on a red ground — an 

 unpleasing combination ; but a white ground similarly' grained with 

 scarlet would be fine indeed. Another flower consisted of three 

 scarlet and three pure white petals placed alternately ; — a striking 



