159 
GLADIOLUS SPLENDIDISS1MUS RACEMOSUS. 
This new and choice variety of gladiolus flowered this season 
in the grounds of a foreign gentleman residing near London, the 
first instance, we believe, of its having flowered in any part of 
Britain. Indeed we are not aware that the plant has been intro¬ 
duced before the importations of the present season. Mr. Groom 
has ordered, and we believe received it, for next year’s growth ; 
and, from its great beauty, we have no doubt that it will be a 
special favourite. We were fortunate enough to obtain a drawing 
of the plant when in flower, which we trust we shall be able to 
publish long before any other specimen can bloom in this country. 
ON THE HYACINTH, AS A BORDER FLOWER. 
BY MR. R. PLANT, GARDENER TO — MAY, ESQ. THE IIOWE, NEAR HALSTED, 
The Hyacinth, whether considered as an ornament of the 
conservatory, the drawing-room, or the flower-garden, which 
indeed is its natural situation, has certainly great claims on our 
attention and care ; its symmetrical form, its delicate and varied 
colours, and delightful fragrance, which is no mean rival of that 
of its successor, the rose, combined with the season of its blooming, 
—a tim§ when any flower is acceptable,—rank it as one of the 
most favoured of Flora’s gems. 
It is affirmed, and almost universally received as an indisputable 
truth, that the Hyacinth cannot be grown in this country two 
successive seasons with success; but no reason, founded on 
scientific principles, or even on natural consequences, has ever yet 
been adduced to account for the many failures that occur,— 
failures so frequent and great as to induce many persons to give 
up the attempt. It consequently follows, in the absence of any 
other cause, that the mode of culture usually adopted in this 
country is not the one best suited to the growth of this delightful 
flower. And, to show the justness of this conclusion, I will draw 
a comparison between it and that of the Dutch florists, who are 
eminently successful in the cultivation of this and most other 
bulbous-rooted plants. According to the English method, a great 
