32 



comparative exemption from disease and the attack of insects, all 

 conspire to make it one in a million. 



It is true, that some of the new or scarce varieties, are, at 

 present, costly. But many quite fine and showy ones, are now 

 abundant and cheap ; owing to their having been sometime in cul- 

 tivation, or their quahty of propagating with rapidity. Many 

 kinds annually increase two, three or fourfold, producing quite a 

 stock in a few years. Besides, 



" Most can raise tlie flowers now, 



For all can get the seed ; 

 And some will be pretty enough, 



And some will be poor indeed." 



Gladiolus is the Latin name for a dagger. It seems to have 

 been so called from its sword-shaped, flag-like foliage. The pop- 

 ular synonyms, "sword-lily" and "corn-flag," are also equally 

 significant. The plant belongs to the Iris family. The different 

 varieties of garden and wild Iris, the Crocus, Blue-eyed Grass, 

 Blackberry Lily, and Tiger Flower, are likewise members of this 

 order. The analogy between animals and plants seems to suggest 

 that a brief genealogical sketch ought not to be omitted in this 

 connection. 



The beautiful hybrids now so popular, appear to be the de- 

 scendants of several distinct species, and of their off'spring ; all 

 natives of foreign countries. The first ancestors, it seems, were 

 Gladiolus Natalensis, alias psittacinus, and cardinalis, G. blandus 

 and floribundus. From these sprung Gaudavensis, ramosus, puda- 

 bundus and convillii. Three distinct races have resulted from 

 the intermingling of the abovenamed plants, which races are typi- 

 fied by cardinalis, Gaudavensis and ramosus. 



Though the Gladiolus will flourish in any good vegetable garden 

 soil, that is not too cold and heavy, it prefers ground which is 

 deep, rich and loose. We have had unvarying success, for five 

 years past, in soil made deep by trenching, loose by mixing in 

 sand, and kept rich by liquid manure. Urine, three or four 

 weeks old, is applied in full strength from November to April. 

 At other times, it is weakened by adding half to three-quarters 

 water, and applied at night. Our grape borders, shrubbery, 

 flowers-plats, lawn trees, &c., are kept in a flourishing condition 

 with no other fertilizer, except the soap-suds from the weekly 

 washing, &c. Soap-suds causes the surface to crust over. This 

 must be broken, or it will exclude Avater almost as eff"ectually as 

 the lips of a toper. Guano water is good ; but a good urinary 

 may be constructed at a small outlay, so as to constitute an eco- 

 nomical, labor-saving, garden-enriching " institution !" Where 

 stable manure is used, it should be horse or cow manure that is 

 old and fine, spread on and spaded in before winter sets in. 



