242 
THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 
May, 1917 
Newcomers Among Gladiolus 
T HE march of events among Gladiolus is 
even more astonishing than among Dahlias. 
The advent of the new “ruffled” (Kunderi) 
and Primulinus types opened up rich fields for 
the experimentalist and hybridizer. While 
their efforts are exceptionally fruitful (Kun- 
derd alone recording more than 1,000 new 
seedlings for 1917) the work of producing such 
quantities of each new kind as would make their 
marketing profitable, is necessarily slow. 
As the result, while the trade abounds with 
new comers of rare shapes, sizes and colors, the 
number available in the open market is really 
surprisingly small. The present limitations of 
European importations are adding impetus to 
home activities so that we may look for really 
important events in Gladiolus during the next 
few years. 
Among those offered through catalogues and 
other channels, we note: 
Evelyn Kirtland. A seedling from the well 
known Mrs. Erancis King and said to be one 
of the tallest in existence. Rosy pink, darker 
at the edges, fading to shell-pink at the centre, 
with scarlet blotches on lower petals (Austin 
Coleman). 
Bertrex, a white, with lilac lines in the throat 
(Hallauer). 
Prosperity has flowers as large as those of 
Peace and War. Color, a bright rose, shading 
to madder-lake except on the lowest segment 
which has a chamois-yellow base. The an- 
thers are violet, styles white (Cowee). 
Badenia , said to be the best blue Gladiolus to 
date “is giving much better results since be- 
coming acclimated and growers seem well 
pleased with spikes secured from American- 
grown bulbs” ( 1 racy). 
Amethyst, a bedding variety of deep 
amethyst color, slightly suffused rose (Tracy). 
growers asked, failed to vote, or misunderstand- 
ing the question, pointed particularly to novel- 
ties. Our object was to get a popular vote on the 
most adaptable varieties. The result is in- 
teresting in so far as a few varieties did se- 
cure three votes. 1 hese are presented here- 
with, and the comments given are gathered 
from all the various remarks sub- 
mitted. 
Countess of Lonsdale. 1 he favorite Cactus 
from every point of view. Regret it has not a 
more distinctive color. Flowers average four 
inches in diameter on good stems. Height 
of plant three feet. Color, salmon and ap- 
ricot. 
Delice. Decorative. Rose-pink, beautiful 
color. Good grower, free flowering, blooms 
average four inches, borne well above the 
foliage. Excellent keeper. 
Geisha. Peony-flowered. One of the largest 
Dahlias grown. Individual form. Strange 
color combination — scarlet, yellow and gold. 
Flowers five to six inches. Plants medium 
height. Stems drooping. Distinctively for 
garden purposes. One of the most striking in 
cultivation. Early and continuous bloomer. 
llortulanus Fiet. Decorative. Salmon and 
yellow. Very free flowering. Tall grower, 
stems three feet long. 
Kalif. Hybrid Cactus. Bright scarlet, im- 
mense size and held on long erect stems. 
Plant five feet high. Never fails, no matter 
what the conditions are. 
Mina Burgle. Decorative. Scarlet. Near- 
est perfection of any I have grown. Very free 
flowering. Stems wiry and stiff. No fen- 
dency to droop. Good habit of plant, branch- 
ing freely. Flowers medium to large. Good 
keeper. 
This gives the six sought. No other var- 
iety was selected by more than one grower. 
When doctors differ, who shall decide: 
Margaret. Carmine with large white 
blotch on the lower petals, the white and car- 
mine blending into a violet tint. Flowers are 
arranged in two rows, facing the same way and 
set without crowding (Vaughan). 
Sunbeam. A golden yellow hybrid of the 
Primulinus type (Vaughan). 
Lily White. White, with a sulphurous tint 
in throat which completely fades when spikes 
are placed in water (Kunderd). 
Among the “ruffled” Gladiolus (Kunderdi 
type) the following record further progress: 
Crinkles. Pink with lavender-rose tint. 
Professor Bailey’s choice in New Ency- 
clopedia of American Horticulture as being 
the most pronounced type to date, among 
“ ruffled ” Gladiolus. 
Pride of Lancaster. Orange-salmon, with 
deeper orange throat. 
Rose Glory. Rose-pink, deeper in throat 
(Kunderd). 
“When Doctors Differ” 
From left to right. War. peace. Prosperity (Cowce). The 
colorings are fittingly appropriate 
If HAT are the best half dozen Dahlias for 
' all around garden use ? 1 his question was 
at before the leading Dahlia specialists who 
ere asked to name the selected six without any 
ference to class or color — a difficult problem 
e will admit, and our thanks are due in pro- 
artion to those who have given the replies. 
These represent the Dahlia interest 
om coast to coast and are as follows: 
lessrs. Alexander, Burns, Chapman, C lark, 
•uthie, Kerr, Mastick and Willmore. Other 
The light violet blue of Badenia is unique. Vigor said to be 
improved by domestic cultivation 
