THE GLADIOLUS. 



567 



In order to raise stock from spawn or bulblets, which are 

 formed at the base of the corms, they should be carefully cleaned 

 off and stored in a dry place until April, when they should be 

 sown in the open ground in drills in every way as is done with 

 the seed, except that they will require to be covered at least 

 2 inches deep. These small corms should be taken up about the 

 first week in September, before the foliage dies down, and, after 

 being washed quite free from earth, should be diied off and spread 

 in shallow trays until planting time. 



I had an experiment some fifteen years ago with sorts that 

 are shy in producing spawn, when I tried the method of making 

 stock which finds favour with some — that of division of the conn. 

 About 80 per cent, grew and did fairly well, the remainder 

 entirely perished, so that the stock was not much increased, and 

 certainly much weaker on account of the division, which is very 

 natural, as we divide the strength which the bulbs had stored up 

 the previous year. For exhibition spikes it is certainly detri- 

 mental. It seems absurd to the practical cultivator to give many 

 trivial details on the cultivation of these plants which may prove 

 of the greatest moment to the beginner. 



Culture for Exhibition. 



I have grown the Gladiolus in every kind of soil, and 

 have used nearly every kind of manure. I have planted in the 

 autumn and in every month from January until June. 



But the first consideration in successfully cultivating this 

 bulb is, without doubt, the preparation of the soil, for, however 

 naturally good the land may be, or whatever time the bulbs are 

 planted, unless the soil is brought into a good tilth all will end 

 in disappointment. It is a remarkable fact that I, at Langport, 

 lack the very soil which is usually recommended — namely, black 

 sandy loam, such as I well remember seeing Mr. Standi sh 

 cultivating his Gladioli in at Ascot. If the soil is a stiff loam 

 on clay it should be drained ; but if on the chalk or gravel this 

 is not necessary. 



In September, or early in October, when the land is in a dry 

 state, lay on a liberal quantity of stable or cow manure ; spread 

 the manure and dig deeply with a fork in order to mix it well with 

 the soil. Then allow the land to lie rough until the latter part of 



