43

XII. Growing for Specific Purposes 47

XIII. Crossing or Hybridizing 54

XIV. Enemies and Diseases 57

XV. What Constitutes a Good Variety 60

XVI. How to Obtain a Choice Collection 62

XVII. How to Keep a Collection Vigorous and Well
Balanced 64

XVIII. Commencing in the Business 67

Appendix 73-92

I. Garden History of the Gladiolus 73

II. Hybridizing Gladiolus 82

III. Special Care of Seedlings 85

IV. Gladiolus Species 89

Addenda 95-100

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

Detroit Frontispiece

Schwaben 8

Charles L. Hutchinson and America 20

Halley, Cracker Jack and Gretchen Zang 32

Margaret 46

Europe, Sphinx and Attraction 56

Mrs. Frank Pendleton 66

Princeps 81

THE GLADIOLUS

[Illustration]

PREFACE

This little book is written with a view to being of service to those
inexperienced admirers[A] of the gladiolus who wish to become better
acquainted with its nature, and more familiar with the details of its
cultivation. The language used is plain and easily understood, and the
absence of technical terms, which might seem a fault to the skilled
grower, will probably enhance the value of the work to the learner, for
whom it is prepared. While it is written from the view-point of the
commercial grower, the interests of the amateur are kept in mind
throughout, and the instructions are as carefully adapted to the
management of a little garden as to that of an ex