IN THE FRONT YARD. 249 



plant was tied separately to prevent its falling over. A 

 light mulching of stable manure was then put on and 

 well watered. 



^'Three things I find necessary to successfully force 

 the gladiolus: 



^Tirst — The pots must be well filled with roots before 

 the plants are finally set out in the benches. 



''Second — The nearer the bulbs are to the surface the 

 less liable the plants are to damp off. 



"Third — The bulbs must be well ripened before us- 

 ing.'' 



You will note the entirely different system used in 

 the greenhouse or indoors. In this case you plant near 

 the surface. In the open you must plant at least four 

 inches deep. 



UNNAMED VARIETIES. 



These are very numerous. I think the better way 

 is to get choice mixtures. They come cheaper and you 

 get the different shades and colors. Different dealers 

 I note advertise the Groff, the Child's, Lemoine and 

 Burbank mixtures, and they are all fine and come 

 cheaper than the named sorts. 



SOME POPULAR KINDS. 



Canary Bird is a large fine yellow flower. 



Shakespeare is called one of the best. Flowers large 

 on a long spike, creamy white, with delicate carmine 

 rose tintings and quite a blotch on the lower divisions. 



La Candeur is fine and large with strong spikes well 

 lined with beautiful blooms, nearly white. 



