Plate 128 . 
GLADIOLUS, MR. J. W. LANE. 
Gladiolus gandavensis , oar. 
The favour with which the Gladiolus has latterly been re- 
garded has strikingly increased within the last twelve months ; 
the display of it at the autumn exhibitions dividing the atten¬ 
tion of visitors with the Dahlias and Asters, and by the length 
of the spikes taking away somewhat of that hat appearance 
which an exhibition of cut dowers generally has. Sufficient en¬ 
couragement has however hardly been given to the amateur 
grovrer, as there has been no division, either at the Crystal 
Palace or at the Royal Horticultural Society, into the two 
classes, of groovers for sale and amateurs, and hence the stands 
exhibited have come entirely from the former class, it being 
cleanly impossible for any amateur to successfully compete with 
those who grow from one to three acres; we hope and believe 
that the omission will be remedied next year, when v r e trust 
to see a large accession of private exhibitors. 
There is one point which we do not think has been suffi¬ 
ciently considered amongst the advantages of this beautiful 
autumn flov 7 er, and that is the length of time the bloom lasts. 
We do not grow above two hundred bulbs, and yet from the 
middle of August to the present time, the middle of October, 
we have never been without some fine spikes; some are even 
now opening, and should there not be an early frost, will 
be very fine in a few days’ time; it is quite a mistake too to 
imagine that they do best in light soil, they will bear a good 
deal of manure and thrive v 7 ell in it, but then it ought to be 
applied in the autumn, dug into the ground, and the beds turned 
up vffien there is hard frost, so as to get it well incorporated 
together; and even when the bulbs are planted, an additional 
supply of Avell-rotted manure may be added. 
