304 



Garden and Forest. 



[June 26, iS 



to fifteen inches in length and not more than a quarter of 

 an inch thick in the middle. The wings of the seed are 

 half an inch in length and one-eighth of an inch in width, 

 and like the others of the genus are tufted with long white 

 hairs. 



The leaves of this tree are much larger than those of 

 either of its parents, having when they first appear the vel- 

 vety character and the purple color peculiar to those of the 

 Japanese plant, and the reddish spot at the insertion of the 

 petiole with the leaf-blade which characterizes that species. 

 They more generally resemble those of the Japanese spe- 

 cies in shape, color and texture, while the pubescence 

 which covers the lower surface is almost intermediate in 

 character between those of the American and of the Japan- 

 ese species. The inflorescence is much larger than that of 

 the American or of the Japanese plants, being fully twice 

 as large as that of C. bignonioides, and more than three times 

 the size of C. Kcsinp/eri. The flowers are intermediate in 

 size ; in color and in markings they most resemble those 

 of the American species, although a tinge of yellow in the 

 throat of the corolla points to their Japanese descent. The 

 fruit of the hybrid is almost intermediate in size between 

 those of the two parents, as are the seeds, which are per- 

 fectly fertile and often reproduce the original form in every 

 particular. When, however, seedlings show a tendency 

 to vary from the original form the variation is generally in 

 the direction of the Japanese rather than of the American 

 parent. 



The hybrid is a more vigorous tree than either of the 

 American or the Japanese species, and it grows rather 

 more rapidly. It is too soon to speak of its value as a 

 timber-tree, as the largest specimens in the western states, 

 where this tree has been much more generally planted than 

 at the east, are, according to Mr. Teas, only forty to fifty 

 feet high, with trunks which do not exceed yet a diameter 

 of eighteen inches. Of its value as an ornamental tree 

 there can be no doubt. Its larger size and more rapid 

 growth, its better habit and more showy inflorescence 

 make it a far more valuable ornamental tree than the 

 Japanese species ; it is more hardy than either of the North 

 American species, and although the flowers are smaller, the 

 panicles and the number of individual flowers are much 

 larger. 



The best forms, from an ornamental point of view, are 

 those in which the flower inost nearly approaches those ot 

 the American species in size and color ; and, as the seed- 

 lings show a decided tendency to revert, so far as the 

 flower is concerned, to the Japanese parent, it will be 

 necessary to perpetuate selected varieties by grafting. The 

 great vigor of the seedlings of the hybrid will, no doubt, 

 make these the best stocks for this purpose. Among a 

 number of these seedlings sent to the Arnold Arboretum by 

 Mr. Teas there is one in which the corolla is doubled. 



If it is true that the plant is a hybrid, and there seems 

 no good reason for doubting that it is, this tree illustrates 

 in a remarkable manner the advantage in vigor and hardi- 

 ness which the progeny resulting from the crossing of two 

 species may obtain over either of its parents. The fact is 

 doubly interesting, moreover, because hybrid trees, whose 

 origin is known with as much certainty even as that of 

 this Catalpa, are rare. Some fruit-trees are doubtless de- 

 rived from crosses of nearly allied species or distinct forms 

 of a widely-distributed species. Oaks, Walnuts and Wil- 

 lows, which are believed to be hybrids between related 

 species are not uncommon, and it has been suggested that 

 some of the varieties of Cinchona which produce the most 

 valuable bark may be hybrids. The origin of such plants, 

 however, is always veiled in doubt, and I do not at this 

 moment recall any other hybrid tree, with the exception of 

 Magnolia Soulangeana and the other hybrids between M. 

 conspiciia and M. ohovata, whose history is as little doubt- 

 ful as is that of this Catalpa, which seems destined, what- 

 ever its economic value may be, to become a valuable 

 ornament in the decoration of parks and gardens. 



C. S. S. 



Cultural Department. 



Forcing the Gladiolus. 

 ''T^HE Gladiolus, when grown as a forced flower, is appreciated 

 -'■ to a greater extent than when grown out-of-doors. Like 

 many other flowers, it is better under' the protection of glass 

 when well cared for, as the flowers are larger, the colors purer 

 and the spikes longer. To force the Gladiolus successfully, how- 

 ever, requires attention at just the right time, and its wants 

 should always be anticipated and supplied. Here is the routine 

 of my practice: The bulbs I forced this year were also forced last 

 year. They were then planted Fel)ruary 8th, and the first 

 twenty-five flowers were cut May 30th. This year's work Ijegan 

 December 27th by potting each bulb in a four-inch pot, using 

 sandy loam, without manure, and placing the bulb on the top, 

 pressing it down to hold it 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-acfion as much as possible. By the 20th of 

 the month the plants were gone over, and all those of an even 

 size were planted together in I'ows about a foot apart and nine 

 inches apart in the I'ows. 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 preventmg strong 

 plants from overcrowding the weaker ones. My soil is rather 

 a heavy sandy loam, and in this the Gladioli 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 commenced 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 mulch- 

 ing 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 

 abundant moisture when well along ingrowth, 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°. Three 

 things I find are necessary to successfully force the Gladiolus. 



(i) The pots must be well filled with roots before the plants 

 are finally set out. 



(2) The nearer the bulbs are to the surface the less liable are 

 the plants to damp oft'. 



(3) The bulbs must be well ripened — and if so, small ones 

 are as good as very large ones. 



Pearl River, N. Y. yo/in Thorpe. 



Sp 



ring Bulbs. 



•\TOTWITHSTANDING the wet season of 1888, bulbs have 

 •^^ made a very good show in my garden this spring, and I 

 will mention a few which are worthy of general cultivation, 

 though as yet little known except to specialists. Among the 

 new Tulips introduced of late years from Asia, there are four 

 of surpassing beauty, all equal or superior in size, color and 

 form to the very best of the Dutch early-bedding Tulips. 



T. Kaufmanni is the earliest of them. Of its three varieties, 

 figured in the Botanical Magazine from my garden, the yellow 

 is, perhaps, the finest, and throws up its large flower better than 

 the rose-colored one, which seems more tender and easily spoilt 

 by bad weather. This is the earliest of all large-flowered spe- 

 cies of Tulip, and one of the finest and most distinct. 



T. Oculus-solis var. Mervensis is a real giant in flower, more 

 than twice as large as any other form of this species, and a 

 third larger than any Dutch Tulip known to me. It measures 

 over six inches in diameter when expanded, and seems quite 

 hardy ; but my single bulb has not yet produced offsets. Of 

 its origin I know but little, but it is said to have been brought 

 from Merv by Mr. Donovan. 



T. Greigi is better known, but has somewhat degenerated 

 since I first got it, and though quite hardy, does not increase. 

 It remains, however, one of the finest species. 



T. stcaveolens typica, received from Dr. von Regel also under 

 the name of Lanata, is very distinct in its downy leaves, and, 

 when well grown, is an extremely fine Tulip in size, form and 

 color. The flower is a pure deep crimson without any eye; 

 the height is variable, but when increased sufficiently I think 

 this will prove one of the best bedding Tulips of the Dutch 



