THE GLADIOLUS 



NE of the most popular 

 flowers of the day is the 

 Gladiolus. All things 

 considered, it is our best 

 summer bloomer. Noth- 

 ing in the floral world ex- 

 ceeds it in variety and 

 range of color. This color is in some varieties 

 dark and rich in scarlets, crimsons, and purples, 

 in others dainty and delicate in pink, pearly flesh, 

 almost pure white, and softest rose, while the 

 midway sorts are in brilliant carmines, cherry- 

 reds, lilacs, and intermediate tones too numerous 

 to mention. Nearly all varieties show most mag- 

 nificent combinations of color that baffle descrip- 

 tion. Comparatively few varieties are one color 

 throughout. 



Most plants in which such a bewildering 

 variety of color is found have a tendency to 

 coarseness, but this objection cannot be urged 

 against the Gladiolus. It has all the delicacy of 

 the Orchid. Its habit of growth fits it admirably 

 for use in the border. Its ease of cultivation 



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