short, parallel strokes of some contrasting color.

Next came Leichtlinii, afterwards called Childsii, originated by Max
Leichtlin and purchased by V. H. Hallock & Son, who worked ten years to
improve it, and then sold it to John Lewis Childs, who changed its name.
This transfer was made in 1892. Childsii is from nearly the same cross
as Nanceianus and quite similar to it. Both plant and flower are large,
and the latter is very showy, but the petals incline to lack substance,
and consequently can not endure hardship. At first the Childsii ran too
much to reds, but it has since been improved in that respect.

The next distinctive attraction was the "New Blue," another of Lemoine's
productions. There has been much effort expended in trying to originate
a blue gladiolus, and this, although not a pure and perfect blue, is the
nearest approach to it yet made, and may prove to be the foundation for
complete success in the future.

In 1908 the Primulinus, a new species from South Africa, was introduced
by J. M. Thorburn & Company. It is small and inconspicuous, but yellow,
and is said to transmit its color to all its seedings. It may be the
means of supplying what has been long striven for,--a good yellow.

The gladiolus of my earliest recollection, which was found in some
gardens about the middle of the nineteenth century, was dull red mingled
with greenish yellow, appearing red at a distance. The flowers were
small and pinched-looking, with pointed petals, and were scattered at
regular intervals along one side of the leaning stem. The next that I
remember was a great improvement upon this. It made an upright, sturdy
spike, with two rows of large, well-formed, melon colored flowers, set
close together on the stem, but the rows faced in opposite directions.
After this, new varieties came fast, and rapid improvement was made.
Among these earlier sorts was one called Brenchleyensis, conspicuous for
its color, a most vivid and intense red. It had some faults, and
gradually lost popularity until it was scarcely heard of, but now, after
an interval of two or three decades, it is again making its way to the
front, and is listed in catalogues at good prices.

Popularity of the Gladiolus.

This flower is already very popular, and is becoming more and more of a
favorite every year. It possesses a combination of characteristics that
commend it to all flower lovers. It is easily grown, and may be had in
bloom about four months in