132 Gladiolus Culture. 



It should be premised, however, that in all cases either a natu- 

 rally sandy, rich, and deep light soil should be given to it, or one 

 made so artificially. There are many stiff and sticky soils on which 

 it would be much better to avoid its culture, and turn one's atten- 

 tion to things more tolerant of the soil. But the question of soil 

 once settled, let us take the case of a bed of choice Roses in some 

 position near the house. Most probably this bed will present a 

 somewhat disappointing aspect after the Roses are past their best ; 

 and even if they continue to flower well, the peeping forth of some 

 splendid spikes of Gladioli here and there will surely not detract 

 from their beauty. Now, to secure this most desirable end, all we 

 have to do is to insert some bulbs of the various kinds of Gladioli in 

 the spaces between the Roses in the early part of May, or there- 

 abouts. Plant them singly here and there, and at about three or 

 four inches deep. Take up the roots in the month of October. 

 Is it necessary to suggest a score of other analogous uses ? Need it 

 be said how tastefully they may be introduced just within the edge 

 of the low choice shrubbery, or beds of valuable shrubs on the lawn ? 

 Groups of them in the centre of flower-beds would be splendid ; and 

 planted thinly here and there among beds of low-growing stuff — 

 say Saponaria, Mignonette, &c. — they would rise above these, and 

 their effect above the surfacing flower would prove very fine indeed. 

 They may be placed in groups or rings around Standard Roses ; they 

 will make the most valuable groups in the garden mixed border j 

 and finally, we may make grand beds of them by themselves, or 

 associated with Lilies or Irises. Where they are grown in some 

 quantity it is, of course, best to give them a position on a border in 

 the kitchen or nursery garden, as the formal aspect of anything 

 grown in quantity is not nice for a lawji ; but a single bed or two 

 of them might be brought in widi fine effect, either in lawn, 

 pleasure ground, or flower garden. It would be well to edge such 

 a bed with some good and bold subject, so as to hide a little the 

 effect of their somewhat lank and naked stems. The Gladiolus has, 

 indeed, many good qualities and uses for our ornamental gardening ; 

 but if it merely possessed the qualities described as a plant for iu- 



