258 GLADIOLUS GROUNDS OF M. SOUCHET. 



long continue^ as nothing can be more worthy of general 

 cultivation^ or more calculated to improve the general aspect 

 of our ornamental gardens. Perhaps one of the best re- 

 commendations of this fine bulb is that its flowers continue 

 to open long after the spike is cut^ and bloom in a vase of 

 •water as freely as in the open garden. I have never seen 

 anything more beautiful or effective than large Sevres vases 

 filled with the spikes of the finer kinds in M. Souchet's 

 house. Many of his varieties grow five feet or more high ; 

 when cut^ a yard or more of the spike is preserved^ no 

 other arrangement being needed except to insert their bases 

 in the mouth of the vase^, and allow their heads to spread 

 widely forth^ placing a few branches of evergreens, or any 

 verdm'c at hand, among the stems, just to give them a little 

 relief. There is no one kind of flower that could make 

 such a noble combination, and the effect within the cool, 

 thick-walled Frencb house, on hot days, was of the highest 

 character. It may safely be said that the Gladiolus is the 

 finest of all our flowers for indoor decoration in autumn, its 

 tall and noble spike entirely preventing it from being used 

 to produce the dumpling-like effects given by Dahlias and 

 other popular flowers ; and in the open air its uses are even 

 more valuable. 



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

 naturally 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 attention 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 wiU surely 

 not detract from their beauty. To secure this, 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 

 thereabouts, planting them singly here and there, and at about 

 three or four inches deep, and taking up the roots in the 



