THE CANADIAN HORT10DLTUR16T. 



lOT 



to them, as they are not inclined to rot 

 so much as if planted in heavy soil. 

 The bulbs sometimes are started or 

 sprouted in a hot-bed, and then planted 

 in the open ground to insure earlier 

 bloom ; but my experience leads me to 

 think they are just as well if planted 

 directly in the open ground. 



I have tried several experiments in 

 order to secure larger bloom, and the 

 best article for that purpose, and the 

 one that causes the least ti-ouble, is 

 " Bowker's Ammoniated Food for 

 Flowers," a preparation which is di- 

 luted in water — one teaspoonful of the 

 powder to a gallon of water. As a rule 

 many people select the largest bulbs, 

 but generally speaking they turn out 

 to be the ordinary Red Gladioli, while 

 some of the smaller bulbs produce va- 

 ried colours and are by far the hand- 

 somer. Do not be misled into thinking 

 this is the case in every variety, for 

 several of them have extremely lai-ge 

 bulbs and very handsome spikes of 

 bloom. Gladioli are best suited for 

 centres of flower beds, or for back- 

 grounds, as they grow to a height of 

 from two to two and a-half feet, tower- 

 ing above the other plants. When 

 flowering, nothing is more satisfactory 

 than the Gladiolus ; the beautiful exact 

 markings of the flower, streaks, and 

 blotches, place it amongst the leading 

 bulbs for any flower garden. A word 

 here for the amateur who wishes to 

 lengthen the duration of its bloom : 

 When the Gladiolus approaches bloom- 

 ing, as soon as the bottom flower opens 

 out, cut the stem oS" and place it in 

 water, where it will open the balance 

 of the buds and continue much longer 

 in flower than it would were it allowed 

 to remain on the plant. I have tested 

 this, and can vouch for its being satis- 

 factoiy, as I handle probably the largest 

 quantity in Canada, and thei'efore re- 

 quire some means of extending the 

 duration of its bloom. 



THE GL.VDIOLUS. 



