ROM the latter part of July, and during 

 the month of August, up to the time of the 

 early frosts, the bed of gladiolus is the 

 most showy portion of the flower-garden. 

 But all these which we commonly grow are the offspring 

 of two or three species, and are mostly hybrids ; being 

 varieties, and not species. There are, however, about fifty 

 distinct species, many of them among the most beautiful of 

 Cape bulbs, and requiring the culture usually given to that 

 class. They are, however, very rarely in cultivation, 

 though the reason would be difficult to find ; for a more 

 showy family, or one of easier culture, cannot be found 

 among bulbous plants. 179 



