THE GLADIOLUS 23 



arranged on all sides of the stalks has already 

 been referred to. In taking up a new series of 

 experiments, the attempt was made to improve 

 on the earlier varieties, by shortening the stems 

 of the flowers, so that they were compelled to ar- 

 range themselves more compactly around it; by 

 insuring regularity of placement; and by diver- 

 sifying the plant arrangements in various ways. 



Some forms were developed having two 

 ranks of flowers, one on either side of the stem. 

 Other races were developed with flowers in four 

 ranks; yet others with flowers in a spiral. 

 Meantime the individual blossoms were en- 

 larged in size, and their stems shortened, so 

 that, when grown in a spiral about the stem, 

 they crowd one another, making practically a 

 solid mass of petals. 



The contrast in appearance of a stem of 

 gladiolus flowers arranged on this new plant 

 with the old form in which the blossoms grew 

 only on one side of the stem, or at most on 

 opposite sides, is very striking. 



Attention was given also to the modifications 

 of the form of the individual flowers. In one 

 form, petals were developed that are broad and 

 ruffled so that they overlap, and thus give the 

 appearance of a double flower. In another form 

 the tendency of the anthers to turn to petals was 



