GLADIOLUS CARDINALIS. 
59 
HOW TO FLOWER GLADIOLUS CARDINALIS. 
Tuts old and very beautiful inhabitant of our gardens is now 
seldom seen, having fallen into disrepute, owing, as it is alleged, 
to a coyness of blooming. The main cause of disappointment 
in this respect is, we believe, attributable rather to an inattentive 
regard to the plant’s natural habits, than to any inherent dis¬ 
qualification in the species. That it is worth a little extra trouble 
to have it in good order, will be admitted by all who have ever 
seen it in that condition; the brilliant scarlet, heightened by the 
clear, spotless white feather which distinguishes the flowers, is 
altogether unequalled in those of any other kind; and if the 
following simple rules are observed in its management, the roots 
may be had to bloom, not merely now and then by chance, as is 
commonly the case, but as a matter of seasonal recurrence, with 
a certainty equal to that attending any other member of the genus. 
In the gardens at Tandridge Court, Surrey, this plant has been 
long and successfully cultivated, and in other instances which 
have come under our observation, the same course has been at¬ 
tended with like results. If we observe a bed of Gladiolus 
cardinalis which has been allowed to stand undisturbed through 
the autumn, we shall find early in October the corms have begun 
to grow again, and if the strongest are taken up, potted, and 
protected through the winter in cold frames, nearly every indi¬ 
vidual will bloom. Now, though we are thoroughly convinced 
of the necessity of repose to all plants, and advocates of its 
universal observance, it is plain there are limits, variable of course 
in their application, beyond which we may not with impunity 
carry the system any more than we may its opposite; in this case, 
it seems, the usual period of rest beneficial to most bulbs and 
even to members of the same genus, is by far too lengthened, the 
vitality of the plant has been materially weakened, and the utmost 
its remaining powers can effect is the development of leaves 
alone, without which it must positively have died; the eight or 
ten weeks of autumn, during which its corms denuded of foliage 
have laid dormant in the earth, is repose sufficient to its nature, 
and the spontaneous growth exhibited in autumn should be 
regarded as an important hint to the cultivator. If then the 
