5 
6 
GLADIOLUS PAST AND PRESENT 
23COx= 
TO THE EDITOR. 
Sir—Hybrid of Gandavensis was the first 
important class that was devoloped by means 
of hybridisation, and cross fertilisation. 
For many years, up to the present day, the 
origin of Gandavensis was in doubt, and 
remains a question for dispute. Botanists 
have ventured some explanations, but the 
matter 1s still undecided, and like many 
another subject of disputation in origin, it 
will probably remain a mystery. Louis Von 
Houtte, one of the most prominent horticul- 
turists in the world, gave the origin as being 
a seedling raised in the garden of the Duke 
of Arenburg, while another celebrated auth- 
ority solved the problem by stating that it 
was the result of a cross between the spec- 
ies, or types, Cardinalis and Psittacinus. 
This solution might have been regarded as 
a settlement of the dispute, had not another 
undoubted authority, the late Hon. Rev. 
William Herbert pointed out that Von 
Houtte wasin error. After repeated trials 
to hybridise the two species named Herbert 
failed and announced that it could not be 
done, and moreover Van Houtte’s efforts 
were acknowledged as a mistake. So the 
English authorities agree with Mr. Herbert 
that the origin of Gandavensis is obscure 
There is no question, however, upon the 
fact that to Gandavensis we are indebted for 
the development of the choice: varieties that 
we have at present. : 
Botanists have paid much attention to the 
Gladiolus, [for the past fifty years, but the 
greatest improvements have come to us 
within the latter half of that period. All the 
varieties cross with the species, so that new 
types are constantly appearing, and each has 
some mark of superiority either in form or 
colour not possessed by the parent. But 
why crosses should have this effect 1s one of 
the mysteries past finding out. If the 
_ mystery exists in order to stimulate a love for 
the beautiful in floral form and _ loveliness, 
and to exhibit the fact that there is no 
limit to development in the floral kingdom, 
the object is certainly attained to the fullest 
degree. It is a | common. error amongst 
gardeners to call our present new varieties 
hybrids, which are really only crosses be- 
tween species. The first cross is but the 
commencement of the development in the 
flower. Every cross between well known 
varieties tends in almost every case to im- 
prove not only the beauty of the flower but 
vigour of the plant. Of the now famous 
seedlings described as Groff’s world’s best 
hybrid itus stated that all the former mix- 
tures are superseded by the European types 
of recent introduction. Here authorities are 
found to disagree again. Mr. Crawford, one 
of the leading horticulturists, says, regarding 
Groff’s varieties that they have no prominent 
characteristic that distinguishes them from 
all other classes, They come from judicious- 
ly selecting and crossing the best varieties of 
all classes that have been produced by the 
leading menof the day. The term, hybrid, 
therefore, as used is held in dispute. It is 
argued that they should not} be termed the 
world’s best hybrid seedling, but seedlings 
* from the world’s best hybrids. I wish it 
clearly understood that I do not say one 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Marcu 2, 1903. 
word against them, asI consider them very 
choice. I have myself about 500 of these 
varieties, and are looking forward with 
pleasant anticipation to see them blooming 
next month. Mr.Groff has done splendid 
work in developing new varieties, and 
amongst a score of other growers Kelway’s, 
with their seventy years of experience, who 
who have probably the largest collection of 
varieties in the world, and Vilmoni, in France, 
may be mentioned with their magnificent 
collection. -The results of the labours of 
such specialists are not obtained by the 
magic touch of a fairy wand to tap a flower 
and say blue, red, or any other colour. It 
is the result of extreme care and consistent 
work, as I have proved by years of experi- 
ence. ‘The work of years, however, brings 
with it ample reward in this flower, which 
I am pleased to note is fast coming into 
popularity as oneof the gems of beauty in 
all our gardens.—I am, Sir, &c., 
Mt. Victoria. L. H. HOWELL. 
Gladiolus.—‘‘The Mountain Maid.” 
KERNER'’S NATURAL HISTORY OF 
PLANTS, WITH NOTES BY S. 
TO THE EDITOR. 
Sir—In your issue of Ist ultimo, p. 18, 
and the review therein by “‘S.” of Kerner’s 
“Natural History of Plants,” reference is 
made to Celobogyne (Alchornea) ilicifotia 
in these words: —“It was introduced into 
Europe in 1829, and continues to bear 
fertile seeds although no male 
flowers have ever been detected.” I would 
remark here that this theory was dis- 
covered to be an error, long since, by my- 
self, when one day I carefully examined a 
plant here, in the groupings of Queensland 
and N.S. Wales trees and shrubs, with a 
powerful pocket lens, and, finding several 
diminutive flowers, saw at once they were 
pistillate ; but, to my surprise, growing on 
tbe same plant, a small branch was found 
cortaining a few male flowers, and these 
possessed sufficient pollen with which to 
fertilise all the others. I then submitted 
the facts to Sir Joseph Hooker, Director 
(at that time) of the Royal Gardens, Kew, 
London, and he quite agreed with the con- 
clusions which had been arrived at from 
such undoubted evidence. 
Tam, Sir, &e,, 
W. [. GUILFOYLE. 
Botanic and Domain Gardens, 
Melbourne, Feb. 56, 1903. 
[We have to thank Mr. Guilfoyle for his 
observations upon; this article, and would 
peint out the opportunity therein sug- 
gested for Australian, botanists to note any 
possible differences that may exist between 
flowers grown under cultivation in Kuro 
pean conservatories and those in their 
natural habitat—LEb. | 
eCSSSeseenr 
DISEASE IN CINERARIAS, 
Cinerarias, like many other soft-wood 
plants, are subject to go off just on the 
surface of the soil. The best preventive is 
plenty of fresh air and a judicious appli- 
cation of water, especially during the 
short days of winter. If the plants are 
~too crowded it will almost certalinly be 
productive of mischief. Better grow fewer 
really fine specimens that will produce a 
handsome display of superb flowers than 
‘attempt a large number of feeble plants 
that will prove unsatisfactory. The great 
pest of the Cineraria is the green fly, and 
tobacco smoke is the best remedy for this 
pest. The most effective means of pre- 
venting this pest’s appearance is to fumi- 
gate the plants at intervals of not more — 
than two or three weeks with tobacco 
smoke. Care must be taken, however, to 
seo that the leaves of the plants are dry 
before commencing fumigation; otherwise 
the effect of the smoke might be to scorch 
the leaves which are damp. 
The secret of growing Cinerarias well is 
to keep them growing from the seedling 
to the flowering pot, with freedom from 
insect pests: never allow them to get a 
check by becoming pot bound, or to suffer 
for want of water. 
The double varieties require exactly the 
game treatment as the singles.—M. Cullen, 
TSCESESOS Se 
TO SAVE SEED OF CINERARIAS. 
Take the best flowers, those which are 
intended for seed purposes, and separate 
them from the general bulk of plants; if 
possible, place them in a separate house 
to prevent them being crossed by the ope- 
ration of bees. The result of not doing 
this has been illustrated in my own case. 
I nearly lost the good strain of Cinerarias 
which I had produced through not paying 
strict attention to this practice. 
On one occasion I simply took the seed 
from the best flowers 1m the general bulk, 
containing singles and doubles. The bees 
inoculated them, and I found the result 
of this to be that the greater bulk pro- 
duced semi-double flowers and _ singles, 
which were of the poorest quality. For- 
tunately, I happened to have some of the 
original seed by me, which enabled me to 
preserve the strain.—M. Cullen. 
