GLADIOLUS. 



103 



florists' work as an unwarrantable interference with 

 nature's plans ; consequently all changes of forms are 

 regarded as monstrosities. But flowers are grown for 

 the gratification of the eye, to satisfy the thirst for the 

 beautiful, and in that sense they are useful, whether in 

 a natural or developed form. Victor Hugo said : "The 

 beautiful is as useful as the useful, perhaps more so." 

 Therefore, whoever adds to the beauty of a floral form, 

 which he cannot do without the assistance of nature, 

 adds to the highest and purest pleasures of life. In this 

 selection the Gladiolus has furnished a wide and inter- 

 esting field for experiment. 



The Gladiolus is one of the most important genera 

 in the natural order, Iridacece, to which it belongs. 

 The genus contains about ninety species, nearly all of 

 which are natives of the Cape of Good Hope. The spe- 

 cies are remarkable for ease of culture, grace of habit, 

 "beautiful forms, and intensity of colors, ranging from 

 the most vivid scarlet to pure white, from clear rose to 

 pure yellow, and bright purple ; in many of the species 

 the colors are happily and singularly blended. The 

 habits of the species are as varied as their colors, some 

 delicate and light, others strong and robust, with con- 

 stitutions adapted to almost any climate that will sus- 

 tain vegetation. The remarkable hybrids have taken 

 the places of the original species, once so prominent in 

 our gardens, and now the latter are rarely met except 

 in botanical collections. This is a mistake, for many of 

 the species are well worth growing for the sake of vari- 

 ety, not less than for their intrinsic beauty. The more 

 prominent we shall notice as they deserve, in this place, 

 briefly referring to other species later on. The Gladi- 

 olus (Little Sword) derives its name from its sword- 

 shaped leaves. 



G. communis (Corn Flag).— This species is found 

 pretty generally distributed throughout the South of 



