30 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



very many of them will flower. If the precaution is 

 taken to sow the seed in a hot-bed, close the same upon 

 the approach of a heavy rain, which they dislike exceed- 

 ingly. Very nearly all the bulbs will be large enough to 

 give their most perfect flowers the second year. The 

 fact that the best rarely flower first, will tend to create 

 in the amateur a warm and lively interest. 



A pertinent question is, how to obtain the best seed. 

 Commence by making a careful selection of the best 

 varieties in cultivation, keeping in view those of the best 

 form, largest size, and of the most intense and positive 

 colors ; wherever they are marked or variegated, have 

 the markings bold and distinct. Plant all in a bed so 

 that they will not be more than one foot apart each way. 

 Without further care you will get some good seed ; but 

 a better quality and much larger quantity will be obtained 

 by crossing them in all sorts of ways, which is the most 

 effectually done on a dry day, when there is but little 

 air stirring. It is not necessary to cross fertilize for good 

 varieties, though it is a more certain way ; yet very many 

 of our best seedlings were accidentals ; artificial fertiliza- 

 tion being necessary from the fact of their rarely fertiliz- 

 ing themselves. 



SOIL. 



The Gladiolus dislikes a stiff, clayey soil, but will 

 thrive well in almost any other, its preference being for 

 one of a moist, sandy nature, or light loam. It does best 

 on what is termed sod ground, with but little manure, 

 and that well rotted. Successive plantings in the same 

 ground should be avoided Change the locality of the 

 bed every year, so as not to return to the same spot for 

 at least three years. It is much the best plan to make 

 your ground very rich this year, and put on some light 



