BULBOUS PLANTS. 



211 



may be called garden plants. It is not the species, 

 therefore, but the hybrids, that make the genus so 

 important, and it is to the latter that most attention 

 will be directed in these remarks. 



The work of hybridising Gladioli appears to have 

 commenced about half a century ago, for about that 

 time two of the most valuable varieties were raised, 

 which have since given us the magnificent race 

 which we have at the present time. These were 

 Gandavensis and Brenchleyensis, the first-named being 

 the variety from which the numberless forms of the 

 late-flowering race originated. 



Hybrid Gladioli may be conveniently placed 

 under two classes — viz., early-flowering and late- 

 flowering sorts. These again may be divided into 

 about half a dozen groups. These are : (1) Col- 

 villei, (2) Nanus, (3) Ramosus, (4) Brenchleyensis, 

 (5) Gandavensis, and (6) Lemoinei, the last-named 

 group being the most recent. The first three groups 

 are early-flowering, beginning to bloom in early 

 June, and extending till the end of August, each 

 group flowering in succession. The late-flowering 

 group commences with Brenchleyensis, about the 

 latter part of July, and soon after the Gandavensis 

 race flowers, in company with the new Lemoinei 

 race. These two latter groups continue to flower 

 throughout September in the more northerly 

 districts, so that by forcing the early section into 

 flower as soon as April, Gladioli may be had in 

 bloom for fully half the year. 



Early-flowering Section. 



These, as distinguished from the late flowerers, are 

 smaller in growth. Their value lies in their adapt- 

 ability for cutting, their spikes being slender, and 

 not so massive as in the late sorts. They endure a 

 long time when cut, as every bud on the spike ex- 

 pands. They are of easy culture, and are altogether 

 hardier than the late sorts ; and some even leave the 

 bulbs in the ground from year to year. What are 

 known as the Colvillei group are the earliest to 

 bloom ; then follows a group of very dwarf kinds, 

 which have been collectively classed under the head of 

 G. nanus. This group is followed in date of flowering 

 by another group of taller sorts, wbich are classed 

 under the head of G. ramosus. The nanus varieties 

 range from twelve inches to eighteen inches high, 

 and for the most part possess flowers bearing upon 

 their lowermost petals the white blotches that 

 characterise such species as G. trimaculatus, whereas 

 in the taller and later-flowering ramosus varieties 

 the blotches are generally coloured. The difference 

 in the date of flowering between these two groups 

 varies from two to three weeks, according to the 

 date of planting. 



G. Colvillei, which is the earliest, begins to flower 



in the open border about June, but it may be had in 

 bloom several weeks earlier by potting bulbs, and 

 placing them in a gentle heat. The white variety 

 of G. Colvillei, commonly called "The Bride," is 

 a deservedly popular flower, and as early as March 

 potf uls of it may be had in bloom. The spikes being 

 slender, and quite wreathed with pure white flowers 

 upon their upper halves, are particularly valuable 

 both for conservatory adornment and for cutting. 

 The original form of Colvillei is also pretty, the 

 colour being a rich carmine-purple, with the lower 

 sepals blotched. If the potfuls of bulbs of this 

 Gladiolus are introduced in warmth at intervals 

 from February up till April, a continuous succession 

 of flower-spikes may be obtained until the outdoor 

 plants come into bloom. These forced bulbs should 

 be treated like pot Hyacinths. 



In the same category as Colvillei are several other 

 varieties, the offspring of some of the European 

 species, such as G. communis, Illyricus, segetus, 

 Byzantinus, imbricatus, and others ; but while they 

 are desirable for the open border, they are not 

 worth special culture. There is a conspicuous 

 sameness about all the hardy kinds, all having 

 slender spikes of reddish-purple flowers. They 

 flower early in the summer, and while they last 

 are attractive. The bulbs of all the foregoing 

 kinds, as well as those of Colvillei, should be planted 

 out of doors during October and November. 



The Nanus and Ramosus varieties may for prac- 

 tical purposes be classed under one heading, as they 

 require precisely the same treatment. Like Colvillei, 

 and the other kinds mentioned above, they should 

 be planted in autumn, the best time being during the 

 month of October. A good plan of growing them is 

 to plant the bulbs in beds about four feet wide, with 

 a narrow path between each. In this case every 

 plant can be reached, and protective material, if 

 needed, can be easily put on the beds. The bulbs 

 should be placed in drills about four inches deep, 

 and it is all the better if a good layer of sand 

 is placed both beneath and above the bulbs. Any 

 light and rich soil suits them; poor soil should 

 be enriched with well-rotted manure dug in, if 

 possible, some time before the bulbs require planting. 

 During the winter the bulbs will be growing, and if 

 the weather is severe the beds should be protected 

 by a surface layer of mulching material, such as 

 stable manure. An open sunny spot should be 

 chosen for the beds, and the results will be more 

 satisfactory if the spot is sheltered from cold winds. 

 If an early batch of flowering plants is desired, 

 it only requires a frame to be placed over one of the 

 beds. This protection will be sufficient to induce 

 early flowering, that is, a fortnight or so before the 

 unprotected bulbs will bloom. 



