DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 225 
Within a few years the Gladiolus has been wonderfully 
improved by hybridizing ; the beautiful varieties, which 
have been produced by this process, have excited the ad- 
miration of the floral world, and now constitute a class 
of flowers most beautiful, attractive, and popular. Twen- 
ty-five years ago, G. cardinalis was considered one of 
the finest species, and is beautiful and showy, with scarlet 
and white flowers; but it is a weak growing plant, and 
too tender for cultivation, except in pots in the green- 
house. It did not, therefore, receive much attention in this 
country, although in Europe, where it was planted deep in 
the open ground, and protected by frames in the winter, it 
succeeded very well and was much admired. This species 
is now cast in the shade and neglected for the more hardy 
and showy hybrids. When G@. psittacinus was first introduc- 
ed, about the year 1835, it was considered a great acquisi- 
tion. It was originally called G. Natalensis, from Natal, its 
native country, and was then one of our most popular and 
admired species. Its colors are red, green, and yellow; 
shaded, striped, or mottled, but very inferior to any of 
the hybrids. It isa hardy species, and flourishes in almost 
any good soil, and is very prolific in forming new bulbs. 
The directions for planting this, will answer for all the hy- 
brid varieties of G. Gandavenis, G. floribundus, and G. 
ramosus. All are of the simplest culture. The soil 
should be trenched eighteen inches deep, having been 
made rich by good decomposed manure, and if the soil is 
stiff, some sand may be added. The Gladiolus shows to 
the best advantage when planted in beds four feet 
wide. The bulbs may be planted any time in May. 
Seven inches each way is rather too near, although I have 
planted with good success at that distance; probably a foot 
apart would be more proper, as some of the plants attain 
the height of three, four, and even five feet in rich ground. 
The bulbs should be covered two and one-half inches deep. 
10* 
