de in a single day by an active worker. Pollen can also be used from
cut blooms, the spikes being kept in water in a light room, free from
flies or bees, but it gradually loses power when the upper blooms open
under such artificial conditions. If the work is carefully done the
resulting seeds will produce hybrids or cross breeds as the case may be,
and it is always possible that the ideal sought for may appear among
the number. Pollen may be kept a week or more by drying in the shade and
wrapping in paraffin paper, but is far less reliable than if applied
fresh from the anthers.

The blooms of large garden varieties are rarely self-pollinated, even if
left uncovered, but the chances of fertilization with inferior kinds,
generally the most abundant pollen producers, are so great that it is
well to protect all seed-bearing blooms from insect interference. If the
work is to be done on a large scale sleeves of netting or muslin large
enough to enclose the entire spike will be found serviceable. The ends
may be drawn together by cords looped through the fabric, effectually
barring out the meddling bees. If a greenhouse structure or even a well
lighted room is available, the plants may be grown in large boxes or
pots and taken inside when blooming. This is especially desirable in the
case of rare species and varieties, as there is no interference from
stormy weather. Every bloom can be pollinated and practically every
grain of pollen utilized under these secure conditions.

CHAPTER III.

Special Care of Seedlings.

Rare or scarce gladiolus seeds, particularly those resulting from
difficult crosses, should not be risked under ordinary garden or field
conditions of growth. We naturally wish to bring to maturity every
possible plant that the ideal we are breeding for may not be lost, if it
should by chance be included in the number. If grown in pots or boxes
the first season, with due care every good seed is likely to produce a
vigorous bulb that may be planted out next year. I have found six-inch
standard flower pots, after many trials, to be the most convenient
receptacles for small quantities of seeds, though almost equally good
results may be had from well drained wooden boxes five inches deep. The
boxes may be a foot or more wide and 18 to 20 inches long, and should be
new and clean.

On no account grow gladiolus seeds or bulblets successive years in the
same pots or boxes without sterilization, lest disease be