242 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ November, 
mistaken idea as to the best method of propagating this variety. Too frequently 
cuttings of immature wood, having little.or no heel, are put in, and of these not 
more than 15 or 20 per cent., at the most, form plants. In other cases, the 
suckers which push from around the base of the old stems, are removed and 
planted; or the plants themselves are taken up bodily and increased by root- 
division. Now, to grow this old favourite well, it should be increased by layering 
in the usual manner. By this means better blooming wood is formed—wood 
more capable of withstanding the hardships of winter. Then again, as to prun¬ 
ing, I advise that this operation should be performed not later than the first- 
week in November; and if it is at all necessary from any cause to take up the 
old plants, this also should be performed, and the plants replanted immediately, 
not later than the last week in November, though the former date will suit the 
planting and the pruning alike the best.— William Earley, Valentines. 
THE GLADIOLUS IN 1871. 
HE past season has not suited the Gladiolus here, for the disease has been 
more fatal to the corms than usual; and I hear the same complaints from 
¥ other growers. In a bed where I have grown my best-named varieties, at least 
one-half are rotten, and even some of them that did not show the fatal 
black spots at planting-time, have gone the same way. Some 50 varieties grown 
in rich soil in pots last year were planted out in this bed, and they are the most 
diseased of the lot. In the Rhododendron beds in the shrubberies, I planted an 
immense quantity of three-year-old corms raised from seed, and although later in 
flowering than usual, both corms and foliage are healthy, and very few have fallen 
victims to the disease. The soil in these beds is principally peat and red sand, 
and this seems to suit them, and keep them healthier than rich made artificial 
borders. I always find more spawn on the roots of those grown in this poor 
sandy and peaty soil. I fear many will give up the cultivation of this gorgeous 
flower on account of the losses sustained through disease; but I would suggest 
that they should betake themselves to raising them annually from seed. They 
may always depend upon the seedlings being healthier than the old-named varie¬ 
ties. It takes about three years from the sowing of the seed to have strong¬ 
flowering corms; but it is astonishing that little ones not bigger than marbles 
will often show good spikes when two years old, if grown and forwarded in pots. 
There is no plant so easily crossed and set for seed as the Gladiolus, especially 
when grown in pots, with the flowers protected from the weather and insects. By 
having about a dozen of the best named varieties set apart every year for seeding, 
a batch of three-year-old plants would always be coming forward to form a bed ; 
and besides there would be the excitement of raising a few fine new varieties. 
When a small collection of seedlings only is wanted, the seeds had better be 
sown in boxes or pots, and forwarded when a little heat can be given in the 
spring, till they are two years old, when they can be planted out, and they will 
