284 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
and are very effective as borders for bulb-beds, or in 
masses. One of the best is S. Siberica, as its name im¬ 
plies, it is a native of Siberia, and perfectly hardy. The 
flowers are brilliant, intense blue, produced on a short 
spike. This comes into flower about the same time as 
the Snow-drop, with which it contrasts finely. It will 
remain many years without requiring a change of 
locality. 
THE BULBOUS ROOTED IRIS 
should not be forgotten when a collection is being made 
up. They are regarded hardy, but all of them should 
have a light mulching, and be planted in light, dry soil. 
The English and Spanish species are commonly met, 
and are very showy plants. The German Irises are 
tuberous rooted, perfectly hardy, and produce flowers 
of all colors, from white to yellow and black. Some of 
the flowers show a remarkable’combination of colors of 
the most intense character. 
One of the most remarkable species, is I. Susiana, 
which is more tuberous then bulbous rooted. The 
flowers are truly magnificent, and, under careful cul¬ 
ture, freely produced. To succeed well, these should 
be grown in a frame, although hardy enough to survive 
our winters, they should be taken up as soon as the foli¬ 
age decays, for, if left in the ground it makes a very 
early autumn growth, which is killed by the winter, 
and the bulbs perish. They should not be planted in 
the frames before December, then they will come into 
flower very early in the spring. The Japan Iris comes 
under the head of hardy herbaceous plants, and should 
be planted in the spring. 
THE CROWN IMPERIAL 
is the least cultivated, least known, and perhaps, the 
least popular of all the bulb family. Yet it is one of 
the most noble of spring flowering bulbs, and should be 
found in every collection, no matter how small. It 
usually attains a height of from two to three feet, and 
bears a cluster of bill-shaped yellow or red flowers, 
both double and single, under a tuft of fine green 
leaves, on the top of a naked flower stem. They will 
grow in almost any soil, preferring a rich sandy loam, 
and a dry situation. The flowers are produced earlier 
than those of the Hyacinth. 
LILIES 
can be planted in the fall to an advantage, when there 
are no moles or mice. As these bulbs should be planted 
in October or November, we shall make their descrip¬ 
tion and culture the subject of a special notice in our 
next number. 
SEPTEMBER. 
Resting between the autumn and the summer, 
With radiant face September stands, 
She is in truth a very welcome comer, 
With summer’s brightest blossoms in her hands; 
And at her feet among the waving grasses 
The early ripened fruits of autumn lie, 
Giving a fragrance to each breeze that passes, 
That promises of richer harvests by-and-by. 
The Cardinal flowers bloom in scarlet splendor, . 
Bright Golden-Rod and Asters deck the field; 
The orchard’s luscious fruit is ripe and tender, 
The rampant vines their purple clusters yield. 
Down in the thicket where the branches dangle, 
The wind lifts up a swaying bough and shows 
(There ’mid the Grapevines wildest tangle) 
A flash of crimson where the Sumac grows. 
Gay blossoms of the red and yellow Dahlia 
Flaunt in the breeze like orioles on the wing, 
Or like some ancient order’s grand regalia 
Blazing with gold and purple of the king. 
Now after all the summer’s warmth and gladness, 
And even ’mid September’s wealth and glow, 
The noontide air has just a tinge of sadness, 
The west wind sings a requiem soft and low. 
Hilda B. Monty. 
GLADIOLUS SHOWS. 
There has not been a season since the first hybrids of 
Gandavensis were produced, as favorable for the perfect 
development of this popular flower as the present. 
The Gladiolus farms on Long Island, where most of the 
bulbs are grown that are sold in this country, now pre¬ 
sent an appearance that is truly magnificent, and a 
surprise to their owners, who have had to contend for 
the past three years against the most severe droughts, 
succeeding only in producing spikes of bloom from 
medium to an inferior quality, so accustomed had they 
become to seeing these ordinary flowers, that it was 
difficult to convince them of the capabilities of these 
bulbs, when grown under favorable conditions. The 
experience of this season gives us something of an idea 
of what the English can produce In their moist climate. 
The rare quality of this year’s flowers stimulated the 
dealers to get up exhibitions in order that Gladiolus 
lovers, who have not an opportunity of visiting the 
farms, might enjoy a real floral feast. And as the New 
York Horticultural Society, like New Yorkers in gen- 
