122 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-KOOTED PLANTS. 



without any other covering ; they were watered and then 

 placed underneath the benches of a Carnation-house 

 until the beginning of February. At that time those 

 plants which had grown to the height of four inches 

 were brought to the light and again watered. Placing 

 them close together on a bench near the light, a little 

 water was given from time to time, retarding the top 

 growth, and encouraging root-action as much as possible. 

 By the twentieth of the month the plants were gone 

 over, and all those of an even size were planted together 

 in rows about a foot apart, and nine inches apart in the 

 rows. After planting those of one size, then another 

 batch a size less was handled. This selecting into sizes 

 pays for all the trouble it costs in preventing strong 

 plants from overcrowding the weaker ones. My soil is 

 rather a heavy sandy loam, and in this the bulbs 

 were planted, the depth of the entire bed being a little 

 more than four inches. The bulbs were scarcely covered 

 even at this time, and this, I find, prevents the damping 

 off of the plants during dull days, when they have com- 

 menced to grow rapidly, and are checked either by dark 

 weather or by a cold spell. By the middle of March 

 each plant was tied securely to prevent its falling over, 

 which is generally ruinous to the flower-spike ; a light 

 mulching of stable-manure was then put on and well 

 watered. From that time until the flowers were cut a 

 good soaking of liquid manure was given each week. 

 The Gladiolus delights in moisture when well along in 

 growth, but in its earlier stages too much water is death 

 to it. The first twenty-five flowers were cut for Easter, 

 or six weeks earlier than last year. The temperature 

 was never higher than 50 at night, and during the day- 

 time the house was ventilated whenever it could be kept 

 above 70 F. Three things I find are necessary to success- 

 fully force the Gladiolus : 



1. The pots must be well filled with roots before 

 the plants are finally set out. 



