80 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



various unpleasant ways. Therefore, when there comes 

 over the plantation a certain amount of yellowness, and 

 the leaves look as if they would die if they could, and 

 are only prevented by reason of the " growing weather," 

 hesitate no longer, but lift them, and lay them in lots of 

 a sort in a dry shed, with as much earth about them as 

 adheres naturally, and in the course of a week afterwards 

 clean them by removing leaves and roots, and store in sand. 

 It is a delightful task to raise gladioli from seeds. To 

 obtain the seeds is an easy matter, but artificial fertilisation 

 should be practised to render the work complete. Sow the 

 seed in spring in shallow pans, which should be placed in a 

 moderate heat. When the grass appears, give air cautiously ; 

 and when the season is sufficiently advanced, place them 

 out of doors, and let them finish the first season's growth 

 in the seed-pans. Put these away untouched in a dry 

 place for the winter. In the month of March following 

 sift the soil and separate the corms, and plant these in pans, 

 and treat them as described above for the flowering corms. 

 A.t the end of May plant them out. 



