GLADIOLUS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14275, 10 February 1912, Page 7

GLADIOLUS.

The Gladiolus is making a brave display in mauy gardens at- the,present time. The season has been a very favourable one to Lhe-full development of the blooms. Not only are-jthc flowers .very large' but the colouring is much clearer ana brighter than U6ual. " This flower is more largely grown in America than'in any" other part' of tho - ■world. Here tens of thousands of ■ bulbs are grown by those who specialise ■in this plant. Hundreds of acres of laud are employed in tho culture of tbo flower for market purposes, and for tile production of conns tor homo and export trade. ,Tho cutting and shipping . of the flowers for market is a most important part of the work in America, where the distances they have, to travel are often very great, sometimes consignments arriving -satisfactorily after . !a journey of 2000 miles. Herb tbo spring months are recommended as tho best timo for planting. The soil is to > be well cultivated'in tho autumn, and : " whatever freeh, manure is used must bo applied then; this a very wise recommendation. Aβ to artificial manures, tho most satisfactory'results are obtained from a good potato fertiliser, containing plenty of phosphates. ' Tho Gladiolus is a-sturdy grower,'aWo to assimulatca generous supply of nutriment, and should be properly fed. Planting the conns 6in deep is recommended, both in field and garden, to prevent tho plants blowing over 'when in bloom.' " Jn 'addition, to this deep planting, ridging up tho rows is~ : also recommended, as the plante are coming into bloom. This, however, can . only bo carried out eucceasfully in a free, loamy soil. i Bulbiets, which grow from tho baso of the bulbs, and are usually attached by stems, :s ono way in which this flower is increased, and the "successful management of these bubets affects tho tuturc of the flower. Raising Gladiolus from seeds is also another way of increasing tno number of bulbs, and in this "way new varieties aro obtained. From seedlings the etrongest conetitntioned plants are obtained. The Gladioli is now so highly developed, and has so many varieties in its blood, that newer ana better kinds aro continually being raised.