Ks) 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Mrs Epwarp MAwtey. 
house with a night temperature of a little 
less than 60 degrees. They require the 
same care as other plants, careful water- 
ing with an occasional syringing to keep 
down red spider, proper ventilation, aud 
an avoidance of draughts and direct sun- 
light for afew days, being the main things 
desired, 
Unless tobacco stems are strswn on the 
beds it will be necessary fo burn tobacco 
stems once or twice a week in the house 
or syringe them with tobacco water, 
From the time the cuttings are potted off 
until they have finished flowering and 
are ready to be thrown out or rested they 
should be kept growing, every precaution . 
being taken to avoid a check if the best 
results are desired. Some prefer to grow 
the piants rapidly until they are in four- 
inch pots and then give thema rest. As 
soon as the roots have filled the pots and 
before the plants become pot-bound shift 
to 3 or 84 inch pots. If they have good 
care the first batch will soon fill 4 inch 
pots and will be strong enough to plant 
in the keds for early flowering, while the 
others as they come on can _ be re-potted 
and will soon be large enovgh to be trans- 
ierred to the beds. Only strong well- 
grown plants should be used. By early 
planting not only can a large crop of 
plooms be secured during the summer, 
when there is a good demand at a fair 
price, but the plants w;ll be so strong 
that they will be able to give large crops 
during the autumn and early winter, 
when they are most needed. 
Plant Notes. 
THE GLADIOLUS is a native of South 
Africa, Western Asia, and Southern 
Europe. It is indispensable wherever 
known. It is easily grown, succeeds on 
any soil and is not liable to the attacks 
of insect pests or fungus disease. They 
flower at different seasons—some early, 
some medium, and others late—so that a 
succession of flowers may be kept up 
nearly all the year round. The colors are 
of almost every shade, and very rich and 
brilliant. {t may be planted ten inches 
deep and left in the bed for years, until 
it gets too clese to the surface. Every 
year the new bulb forms on top of the 
old one, so it rises about an inch annually, 
Tf alate frost cuts the young sprout to 
the ground it continues 10 grow just the 
same, and is not discouraged by being cut 
back repeatedly. If the bulb is placed 
wrong side up it grows about as well; 
and if it has to stand in water for days, 
or endure drouth for months, it will make 
the hest of its opportunities, giving an 
abundance of bloom. When the first few 
flowers open, the spike may be cut and 
kept in the house as well as on the plant, 
giving constant bloom for one or two 
weeks, according as the weather is warm 
or cool. As a flower to ship, it is un- 
equalled. In regard to their culture, the 
bulbs must not freeze at any time. They 
may be planted and covered six inches ; 
this will prevent their blowing over when 
‘in bloom. While growing the gladiolus 
November, 1907 
needs the same care that other crops do. 
lt is not well to plough under rank 
manure. but it may be put on the surface. 
after planting. Other things being equal, 
a bulb is valuable in proportion to its 
vertical diameter. A bulb which has not 
bloomed is roundish or conical, but a 
thin, watch-shaped bulb has bloomed and 
possibly ripened seed. A conical bulb. 
three-fourths of an inch in diameter will 
produce as fine a spike as a larger one 
and will cost much less, Cutting off the 
spike when the first flower opens, without 
cutting the foliage, relieves the drain on 
the bulb and allows it to grow larger and 
thicker. Take up the bulb, cut or break 
off the tops and spread where they will 
dry. Then they may be put in the cellar, 
not-over four inches deep, in boxes, crates 
or baskets. After two or three weeks they 
may be cleaned, the roots and the old 
lulbs removed. It is not best to keep 
them too near the surface. We cannot 
determine the value of a gladiolus by 
weight, measure or chemical analysis. 
When it appeals to our taste we call it 
beautiful and admire ft, aluhough some- 
times we can hardly tell why. However, 
there are certain characteristics that aro 
generally conceded to be desirable, among 
which are the following : —Healthy, vigor- 
ous growth, with tongh foliage not easily 
broken by the wind. The leaves should 
be ample so as to build up a large bulb,. 
and if they grow upright, without droop- 
ing, so much the bettcr. The spike should 
be tall and straight, with ample capacity 
to take up water to sustain a good number 
of open flowers. The flowers should face 
one way, and be so arrat.ged on the spike 
as to make a broad and compact appear- 
ance without crowding. The size is not 
so important, but most people prefer 
good sized flowers. It is very desirable 
that the petals be thick so as not to wilt 
easily. Color is of great importance; if 
that be unsatisfactory, all other good 
points that it may possess go for nothing. 
Whether light or dark, let it be clear and 
pure, not muddy nor faded looking. 
GLADIOLUS, 
