62 



THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



than ten months. Although I have not yet proven any of niy own productions 

 to be a decided acquisition, I still hope, and the interest is the same. I may, 



however, state that I have had several quite as good as the parent's sorts they 

 were raised from, consisting of Grapes, Peaches, Apricots, and Plums ; in the 

 latter sort I have some seedlings growing of each year's raising since 1855; 

 these are budded mostly on the Green Gage, which I find answers the purpose 

 better than many other sorts. It gives a chance also of fruit from other sorts 

 when it fails in its own. The year and number are attached to each bud when 

 inserted. In referring to my note-book I find there were ten sorts flowered last 

 spring ; but out of these only some three or four set their fruit, and those were 

 imperfect specimens to judge from. The show of fruit-buds is good for this 

 season, and hope to have a greater variety in fruit. 



Gordon Castle, N.B. J. "Webster. 



RAISING THE GLADIOLUS FROM SEEDS. 



As the cultivation of this gorgeous and popular flower is extending fast, 

 perhaps it may not be generally known that it seeds freely, and that new 

 varieties may be raised every year without going to the continent for them. 



In the spring of 1861, I procured from France about twenty -four of the 

 highest-priced and best of the Gandavensis and Ramosus sections for crossing 

 with Cardinalis and some of the best of the old varieties. The new kinds I 

 grew singly in pots • and in May, when ail clanger from frost was over, they 

 were placed in the open air, and at the flowering-time all I intended to cross 

 and seed were set in an airy greenhouse to protect them from heavy rains. 

 It requires some attention in setting the seed, as the pollen is soon dispersed 

 when the flowers open. The seed-vessels swell amazingly fast when the 

 flowers are impregnated, and the plants do best in the open air afterwards. 



The following is a list of the kinds I have seeded and crossed with others, 

 and they are the best and most distinct in colour yet raised by the foreign 

 growers :— 



GANDAVENSIS SECTION. 



Bertha Rabourdin, white with carmine stripe. Madame Lesehle, pure white, striped rose. 



Canary, clear yellow, striped rose. Napoleon III., bright scarlet, striped white. 



Madame Binder, white, striped carmine. Ninon de 1'Enclos, carnation, ruby-striped. 



Comte de Mo my, cherry red, striped violet. Princesse Clothilde, salmon, blotched violet. 



Due de Malakoff, orange scarlet, shaded yellow. Princesse Ma tilde, rose, striped carmine. 



El-Dorado, clear yellow, red-striped. Raphael, bright vermilion, white centre. 



Madame De Vatrys, white-shaded, striped Eembrandt, crimson scarlet, 



carmine. Yellida, delicate rose, spotted lilac. 



RAMOSUS SECTION. 



Alma, white, spotted red. Duchess of Sutherland, dark red, and white 



centre. 



The above were crossed with some of the old sorts of good shape and 

 colour, such as — 



Brenchleyensis, bright vermilion. Cardinalis, bright scarlet, white centre. 



Fanny Eouget, rose, shaded violet. Colvillii, purplish-lilac. 



Couranti Fulgens, crimson. Queen Victoria^ scarlet, white centre. 



Monsieur Blouet, delicate rose. Lord Clarendon, red, feathered white. 



Bowiensis, scarlet. 



The seeds of the Gladiolus when ripe are similar in shape and size to the 

 Tulip, and do best kept iu the seed-vessel till sowing-time in February or 

 March. I sowed mine last year in shallow boxes, in March, and placed them 



