100 
GLADIOLUS RAMOSUS. 
Of the practice of transplanting Gladioli to the open border, we wish here to 
record our decided commendation. No other mode of treatment will be found so 
suitable ; and we can only account for the little esteem in which these superb plants 
are held, by supposing that this system is very rarely adopted. Thus treated, our 
present subject will grow to the height of four or five feet ; and, with three or four 
lateral spikes of flowers considerably larger than that shown in our figure, pre- 
sents an almost unexampled picture of magnificence. 
Should wet weather ensue for any lengthened period after this plant has ceased 
flowering, it will be advisable to protect it with a hand-glass or some other cover- 
ing that will divert the rain. This is of great importance, as it would otherwise 
continue growing throughout the autumnal season, to the almost inevitable sup- 
pression of flowers in the succeeding year. When the leaves have entirely 
decayed, the corms may be taken from the ground, and kept in a dry situation till 
the month of October, at which time they should be placed singly in pots of a 
moderate size, filled with light rich compost. A cold frame, from which frost is 
thoroughly excluded, will be the most favourable position for them during the 
winter, and they may be transferred to the open ground about the latter end of 
the following May. 
In propagating this plant, no other trouble is required than the separation of 
the young corms when the old ones are taken from the ground. They should be 
managed according to the preceding directions, except that several of them may be 
placed in one pot, and they can be planted out in groups or beds for the first 
year. Removal to the flower-border is indispensable to their rapid development, 
and a situation fully exposed to solar influence should invariably be chosen for this 
purpose. 
In vol. ii. p. 197, is an explication of the generic name. 
