118 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-BOOTED PLANTS. 



out that their vitality becomes impaired. For this pur- 

 pose choose the strongest conns, keep them in a dark 

 cellar, and as cold as possible so long as the temperature 

 does not fall below the freezing point. The latest plant- 

 ing can be made the middle of July. It is better, how- 

 ever, not to defer a general late planting after July 5th. 

 A light frost, such as would destroy many tender plants, 

 does not injure the Gladiolus, and, by throwing a sheet, 

 or other light covering over the plants, they will with- 

 stand several degrees of frost. 



All lovers of these noble flowers should grow suffi- 

 cient conns, either from seed or from offsets, that a 

 liberal use can be made of them. In the vegetable gar- 

 den there are always vacant spots, where a hundred, or 

 more, bulbs can be planted, after some other crop has 

 been secured. There is no other flower so useful for 

 parlor decoration, or for any purpose where cut flowers 

 are desired. If cut when the first flower opens, the spike 

 will develop its blooms quite as well in water in the 

 house, as out of doors ; in fact, better than if left in 

 the open sun. 



Field Culture of Gladiolus. There is no better 

 place to show the capabilities of any plant than in the 

 field, where it can have all the attention, in the way of 

 good cultivation, it needs, with the elements all in its 

 favor. The Gladiolus is no exception to the rule ; no other 

 plant needs so frequent visits from the cultivator, none 

 appreciates them more. But the cultivator must not be 

 set to work deep. When the teeth go down so as to 

 mutilate the roots, great injury is done. All that is 

 required is to keep the surface of the soil light, which 

 prevents it from drying up. Work deep before planting, 

 but always shallow afterwards. 



The soil is prepared as for potatoes, without the 

 use of stimulating manures. The rows are furrowed out 

 thirty inches apart with a. small plow, following this with 



