description of gladiolus pudibundus. 
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ARTICLE VIII. 
DESCRIPTION OF GLADIOLUS PUDIBUNDUS, OR THE 
BLUSH-FLOWERED CORN-FLAG, 
With some Remarks on the Culture of the different Species of Gladiolus. 
The G. pudibundus (Fig. 37) is a hybrid offspring, supposed to be 
between G. cardinalis and G. blandus, and was raised by the Hon. 
and Rev. William Herbert. It is an extremely showy plant, and 
cannot fail to become an universal favourite with florists. Its flowers 
are large, usually about ten in number, of a brilliant rose-colour. 
The three lower segments are marked with a pale whitish-yellow 
spot, having a deep red edge, and the anthers are purple.— Sweet's 
FI. Gard. 
Culture of the Genus .—All the species thrive best when planted 
in a mixture of very sandy loam, and decayed leaves or peat soil. 
Like all other bulbs of a similar habit, they must be kept perfectly 
free from water during the time they remain dormant. About 
the end of September, or beginning of October, the bulbs should be 
taken out of the pots and replanted in fresh soil. They may then 
be set in a cool frame, and merely sheltered from frosts, till they 
have pretty well filled the pots with young roots. Afterwards they 
should be removed to the greenhouse or other warm situation, to 
flower. Most of the species will succeed, if planted in a border com¬ 
posed of light soil, close under a south wall, especially under the 
wall of a stove or greenhouse. It is, however, necessary to plant 
them six inches or more deep, that no ordinary frost can injure 
them ; and, during severe weather, they should be covered with a 
little dry litter or other materials. They appear to flower the 
strongest, when planted in a pit where they can be covered with 
lights and mats in frosty weather, and exposed to the air in fine and 
mild weather. They can also, in such a situation, be readily pro¬ 
tected from heavy rains, by placing on the glasses. This effectually 
prevents the rotting of the bulbs, which is often the case when 
planted out of doors. Occasionally they ripen seeds, by which they 
may be propagated, but chiefly they are increased by offsets from 
the bulbs. The roots of G. edulis are roasted and eaten like ches- 
nuts, which they much resemble both in taste and quality. 
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