THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
227 
loam, and the bed protected from frost by generous 
mulching. The Dutch were the first to introduce this 
species from the Cape ; they gave a number of varieties, 
from which have been produced a large number of 
hybrids, or more properly, cross-breeds, as they all seem 
to have the same specific character, diileriug only 
slightly in the color of the flowers. 
We cannot dwell longer upon the description or his¬ 
tory of the species, as the time allotted will not permit; 
besides, it was only our intention to speak of what is 
generally known as hybrid or garden varieties. From 
several of the species, some of the most remarkable 
hybrids have been produced. In no branch of floi'icul- 
ture has the skill, the zeal, and the perseverance of the 
hybridizer been more liberally rewarded. Several 
separate and distinct classes, with almost unlimited 
numbers of varieties, have been produced, that for the 
size of flower, beauty and grace in form, variety, depth 
and intensity of color, size and strength of plant, 
together with the enormous length of flower-spike, are 
entirely unknown to the species from which these 
hybrids have originated. 
The first and most important, as well as the most 
popular class, are the i biids of Gandavenis, itself a 
hybrid, and the parent of varieties innumerable. 
The hybridization of any popular tribe, when it is at¬ 
tended with so little labor in proportion to results pro¬ 
duced. as in this class, is speedily carried on to an extent 
which render characteristic distinctions indefinable; 
and, perhaps, the introduction of numberless names 
which necessarily arise out of such a circumstance, is to 
be regretted, as occasioning difficulty and labor beyond 
what most cultivators are disposed to submit to. For 
the purposes of sale, however, and, also, to enable the 
producer to recommend very desirable sorts to dealers and 
amateurs, it is essential that every seedling or variety 
that is at all worthy of being perpetuated, should have 
a distinctive name. 
As we have before stated, the many hundred named 
garden varieties of Gladiolus are descendants of G. gan- 
davensis; but how and where tliis hybrid was produced, 
has been for a long time an open question. Why, we 
never could understand, for we have the word of one of 
the most prominent horticulturists in the world, the late 
Louis Van Houtte, whose word was authority on any¬ 
thing pertaining to the history of plants, that it was a 
seedling raised in the garden of the Duke of Arenberg, 
a celebrated amateur, in Ghent, and that it was the re¬ 
sult of a cross between the species CardLnalis and 
Psittaoinus. This we should consider a full settlement 
of the question. Not so, however, for the late Hon. and 
Rev. Wm. Herbert, an acknowledged authority on bulbs, 
says Mr. Van Houtte is in error, for after repeated at¬ 
tempts to hybridize the two, he, Mr. Herbert, could not 
succeed, consequently it could not be done, and what 
Mr. Van Houtte said had been done, was a mistake ; and 
all the English waiters and their American copyists 
agree in saying with Mr. Herbert, that the origin of G. 
ganclavensis is obscure. We think that reasoning better 
adapted to 1840 than the present day, as some of our 
own people, even, are vain enough to think that results 
may be produced that the Dean of Manchester could 
not accomplish. There is no question, however, as to 
the fact that to G. gandavensis we are indebted for all 
our fine garden varieties, as it not only crosses freely 
with many of the species, and each cross seems to pos¬ 
sess merits superior to either parent, but seedlings raised 
from this variety, without cross-fertilization or hybridiz¬ 
ing, show marked superiority of form and color over 
the parent. It is a common mistake to.call our many 
varieties hybrids, when they are in reality cross-breeds ; 
and this is one of the most interesting features in the 
culture, that every cross between well-known varieties 
tend in almost every case to improve, not only the 
beauty of the flower, but the vigor of the plant. 
We wish now to remove, as far as possible, the pre¬ 
valent erroneous idea, that it is a difficult task to raise 
new and choice varieties from seed. The only secret— 
the only mystery—is that one can, with so little trouble 
and with relatively no expense, produce flowers that 
will give such intense satisfaction and pleasure. It is 
no more trouble to raise Gladioli from seed than to raise 
the most common vegetable ; with the simplest garden 
culture there is an almost absolute certainty of success. 
Prepare your bed in Spring as for any hardy annual; 
the soil should be made fine, and comparatively rich ; 
sow the seed in drills, cover to the depth of one inch; 
hoe and weed sufficient to keep the soil light and clean; 
take up the bulbs after the first frost, or before, if ripe ; 
store during the Winter in a dry cellar or room, free 
from frost; plant them out again in the Spring follow¬ 
ing, and in the ensuing Summer very many of them 
will flower. With the convenience of a liot-bed, or 
frame, bulbs may be produced from seed in one season 
that will very nearly all flower the second. It will re¬ 
quire a little more care and trouble to grow in this way, 
but the increase in the size of the bulb^will more than 
pay the extra cost. One of the chief advantages, how¬ 
ever, in sowing in a frame is that in case of a heavy 
storm, the young plants may he protected by the sash, 
that during all heavy rains should be kept closed, as the 
young plants rarely recover after the leaves have been 
bruised or broken down. 
We know of no pleasure in gardening that is equal to 
the growing of tliis class of plants from seed. The cer¬ 
tainty of getting some remarkably fine varieties is well 
balanced by some that are decidedly uninteresting, 
with an occasional one so homely as to excite pity and 
cause us to tender our sympathies to the afflicted parents. 
Upon the whole, when proper care is exercised in the 
selection of seed, a marked improvement may be ex¬ 
pected. The fact that the best rarely flower first, will 
tend to create in the amateur a warm and watchful in¬ 
terest. A pertinent and common question is, how to 
obtain the best seed ? Simply by making a careful selec¬ 
tion of the best varieties under cultivation. If an ama¬ 
teur, make a selection that suits your own taste, as you 
are not bound by society's rules as to what constitutes 
the perfect flower—keeping in view those of the best 
form, largest size, and of the most intense and positive 
colors; whenever they are marked or variegated, have 
the markings held and distinct. Plant not more than 
six inches apart each way. Without further care you 
will get some good seed. A better quality and a far 
greater quantity will be obtained by cross-fertilization, 
which may be effected in all sorts of ways, or, rather, by 
every practical cross. This is the most effectually done 
on a dry day, when there is but little air stirring. It is 
not absolutely necessary to cross-fertilize for good varie¬ 
ties ; neither are you sure of success if you do, though. 
