simple. Set the bulbs from six to nine inches apart and cover about four inches. If set in rows 
they may be six inches apart in 
the rows, and the rows one foot 
apart. The planting may be done 
at different times from the middle 
of April to the first of June, to 
secure a long succession of bloom. 
Keep the earth mellow, and place 
a neat stake to support the spikes 
in storms. I have never known a 
a case where the Gladiolus failed 
to give the most perfect satisfaction, 
opening a new field of beauty to 
those unacquainted with its merits. 
In the fall, take up the bulbs, let 
them dry in the air for a few days, 
then cut off the tops and store the 
bulbs out of the way of frost, for 
next season's planting. Look at 
them occasionally. If kept in a 
place too moist, they will show 
signs of moisture and perhaps mil- 
dew. If this appears, remove 
them to a drier position. If the 
bulbs shrivel, it shows they are 
getting too diy ; but they do not usually suffer from a diy atmosphere. To prevent disappoint- 
ment, I would say, I know of no Gladiolus of a bright yellow color, and none of spotless white. 
Our engravings show two plants in flower, of somewhat different habit ; also, a bulb or corm, and 
a single flower, the two latter about natural size. 
DAHLIAS. 
The Dahlia, some twenty or more years ago, was altogether the most popular florist's flower, 
and Dahlia exhibitions the most noted horticultural contests. The Dahlia for a time lost pari 
of its eclat, but is now not only regaining its lost 
ground, but bids fair to exceed even its former 
position in public estimation. We are not sur- 
prised at this, for when we look upon a well- 
formed Dahlia, we are compelled to acknowl- 
edge that it is a wonder of beauty and perfec- 
tion. The Dahlia, when first discovered in 
Mexico, about 1784, and named after Dr. Dahl, 
a pupil of Linnaeus, was a single flower, and its 
improvement was accomplished by the patience 
and skill of European florists. It was first culti- 
vated for its tubers, which were thought to be eat- 
able. It was not until 1814 that it began to 
excite the attention of florists, and the improve- 
ment of the Dahlia has been constant to the pres- 
ent time ; for though florists thought this flower 
had attained the highest point of beauty many 
years since, every year seedlings are produced 
and named which are considered as surpassing 
their predecessors in some point of excellence. 
We exhibited seedlings of our own growing in 1874, which such excellent judges as Isaac 
Buchanan and C. L. Allen pronounced superior to any they had before seen. The flower 
shown is about one-half the size of a large Dahlia, though they differ very much in this respect, 
110 
