ten] among the flowers 



foremost the phloxes. I do not refer to the very in- 

 ferior sorts which are so common in the country, 

 but to those gorgeous varieties which are being 

 propagated and slowly disseminated. I have been 

 able, by selection, to secure from my own seedlings 

 an array that is the glory of my grounds for three 

 months. Some varieties begin to open by the first 

 of July; others are not expanded until late in Sep- 

 tember. Obtain a few choice seeds, resolutely 

 throwing away the poorer results, and you are quite 

 certain of securing something that will be exceed- 

 ingly valuable. Take my word for it that you will 

 have a display which, for beauty and sweetness, will 

 rival roses. 



If the gladiolus were perfume-giving, it would be 

 the ideal flower for country cottages. By planting 

 in succession, from April till June, you can have 

 blossoms from July till November. It multiplies free- 

 ly, and will generally prove hardy in the soil through 

 winter. Some of the varieties, hybrids of ramosus, 

 need never be lifted except to divide the roots. In 

 fact, I am not sure but that some of the most mag- 

 nificent sorts will get to be a nuisance simply from 

 their persistence, hardiness, and rapid increase. 

 Standing erect, the gladiolus needs only a few inches 



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