HARDY GLADIOLUS. 



551 



have found their way only into botanical collections, and have 

 disappeared from gardens. 



Towards the end of the last century were introduced from the 

 Cape G. cardinalis and G. floribundus, and about the year 

 18iU G. psittacinus (or natalensis), three very interesting 

 species, which, intercrossed some years later, produced the 

 beautiful hybrids known as gandavensis. From that date were 

 introduced some -other new species, among which may be pointed 

 out G. papilio, dtroviolaceus,* and especially purpurco-auratus 

 and Saundersii, from which the new hardy spotted varieties 

 have been raised. 



As nearly all the above species are very easy to grow, and 

 many of them quite hardy, a great number of amateurs undertook 

 their cultivation. Growers did not confine themselves to increas- 

 ing them by planting the bulblets, which-are produced in great 

 quantity at the base of the corms ; they endeavoured to save seeds, 

 and, seeing how easily self- fertilisation takes place in the Gladioli, 

 many experimented in the way of artificial hybridisation and 

 crossing. Among those who obtained the finest results was Dean 

 Herbert, who raised a great many hybrids in his garden at Spof- 

 forth, more than seventy years ago ; many of these hybrids 

 were hardy, and maintained themselves for a long time. They 

 proceeded from crossings between G. cardinalis, blandus, cameus, 

 inflatus, angustus, tristis, &c, and showed a great variety of 

 shades. The greater part of these hybrids are now probably lost. 



But the amateurs' endeavours were not limited to the above 

 trials. Their attention was also drawn to the whole series of 

 early-flowering species, yielding flowers during the first months 

 of summer under a special treatment. They grew for this purpose 

 such kinds as G. <cardinalis, communis, floribundus, ramosus, 

 trimaculatus, &c, and soon began to intercross them with 

 one another. Hence issued a great many intermediate forms, 

 the majority of which showed features of consanguinity with 

 G. ramosus, as was suggested by the existence of a long, lenti- 

 cular purplish blotch, with a white -spot in its centre, which 

 imparted to the whole spike a very pleasing appearance. A 

 rather large number of these offspring are still grown for cut 

 flowers, especially Ardens or Fire King, Formosissimus, Prince 

 Albert, Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria, Sarnian Gem, Ville 

 * A native of South-western Asia.— Ed, 



