580 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dec., 1899. 
and they are now known as Childs’ hybrids. Some very fine varieties are to be 
found among these, the type being much like the nanceianus strain, with open 
flowers and beautiful colours. 
The gandavensis strain has been specially worked on in France by Souchet,. 
of Fountainblau, and in England by Kelway, of Langport, and Burrell, of 
Cambridge. 
Coming to Queensland, Messrs. Pink and Cowan, of the Badgen’s Nursery, 
Wellington Point, started something like ten years ago with a choice selection of 
Lemoinei and nanceianus varieties. With these they were extremely successful 
in raising varieties of great beauty second to none, and, had they met with a 
sufficiently extended and appreciative market, many of their varieties would 
have by this time secured a world-wide reputation. 
Another member of this society, Mr. Pagan, has possessed for some years: 
a very choice selection of principally gandavensis hybrids, and has seedlings. 
of his own raising of striking beauty. 
So much for the history, &c., of the subject of this paper; and now as to 
cultivation. 
Many authorities recommend a light, sandy loam ; others a good, medium, 
friable loam; but Burrell, no mean authority, recommends a somewhat heavy 
loam. He says, in a lecture on the subject before the Royal Horticultural 
Society of England, *‘L have grown Gladioli in all kinds of soils and mixtures, 
and after careful consideration have come to the conclusion that the best results. 
are obtained on a somewhat heavy, yellow loam of an adhesive nature, without 
any admixture of sand, a soil which I consider, if anything, even of too close a 
texture to grow briar roses in. ©n such a soil we are able year after year to. 
keep up a vigorous and healthy stock of Gladioli, and no matter whether the 
seasons be hot or cold, dry or wet, we always have a good measure of success in, 
producing flowers and corms Perhaps I ought to haye stated earlier that my 
remarks have reference to the fine hybrids of the gandavensis section, and [ 
think it may be taken for granted that whatever suits these, as regards soil and, 
general conditions, will also suit the more recent purpurea-auratus hybrids and 
and Saundersi varieties.” 
Farther on, Mr. Burrell says: “But it is a matter of history how, when a 
clever horticulturist like the late Mr. Standish attempted to grow these flowers 
on the light sandy soil of Bagshot, he utterly failed to increase or even to keep 
up a healthy stock, and their cultivation had to be abandoned. M. Lemoine, on 
the other hand, has told us, in his interesting lecture, delivered in this hall, how 
well he sueceeds with his Gladiold in his nursery at Nancy, where the soil is stiff 
clay, and from which he distributes his hybrids in such rapid succession.” 
I don’t think you may be exercised strongly about your soils, provided you 
have a fair average one, such as prevails around Brisbane, and that it is well 
worked and well drained. 
Gladioli will certainly not thrive in a sour soil, badly drained, half sodden 
with stagnant moisture. Neither must they be planted with manure (parti- 
cularly fresh manure) in immediate contact with the bulbs. Ground that has 
been well manured, but cropped previously with something else, will suit 
admirably. 
Commence for the main display in July or early in August, but succession 
can be provided, if you wish, by later planting, but once the corms begin to shoot 
strongly they are best in the ground. Plant singly, in clumps, or in rows as may be 
most suitable, but let the corms be from 8 to 12 inches apart, and if in rows 
about 18 inches apart. Let the crown of the bulb be about 4 inches below the 
surface; and if you can provide a layer of sand and powdered charcoal beneath 
them, so much the better. eye 
Flowers will be produced in about ten weeks with some varieties; with 
others two or three weeks later. 
I have frequently had imported bulbs bloom in ten weeks, but they 
frequently fail to flower in the first year. 
