THE GLADIOLUS 15 



plant to new soils, and in particular of transport- 

 ing it from one hemisphere to the other. 



We cannot doubt, then, that the change in 

 the seasons and in the soils and climatic condi- 

 tions in general had a share in promoting the 

 variability of the gladiolus when brought to 

 Europe, although, as we have seen, the tangible 

 stimulus to variation was given through the now 

 familiar method of hybridization. 



And, by the same token, we may suppose that 

 when the gladiolus was finally brought to Cali- 

 fornia, shifted thus halfway round the globe 

 from its new home in Europe, there was an added 

 stimulus given, urging the plant to still further 

 modifications of habit, and supplying yet other 

 elements of variation with which the plant devel- 

 oper might work. 



At all events the gladioli in my gardens at 

 Santa Rosa and Sebastopol have proved respon- 

 sive and adaptable. And further modifications 

 have been produced in the much modified flower 

 that add greatly to the value of what was from 

 the outset one of the most popular of ornamental 

 plants. 



I began work with the gladiolus about the 

 year 1882, starting with the gandavensis 

 hybrid, the origin of w^hich has already been 

 described. 



