tensive field.

[Footnote A: P. S. The Addenda includes some good advice for the
commercial grower.]

A few words in regard to the pronunciation of "gladiolus" may be timely
in the beginning of a treatise devoted exclusively to that subject.
Fifty years ago the popular pronunciation was "glad-i-o'-lus," accent on
the third syllable, but gradually a change crept in, as it was noticed
that scholars said "gla-di'-o-lus," accent on the second syllable.
Observing this, people began to consult dictionaries, and it was found
that Webster and others gave "gla-di'-o-lus" only, and that all
authorities placed this first, though a few permitted "glad-i-o'-lus,"
much to the satisfaction of those who found it hard to change. When
"gla-di'-o-lus" is used, as it is almost universally, at the present
time, the plural is "gla-di'-o-li," which the plural of "glad-i-o'-lus"
may be "glad-i-o'-luses," though this is very seldom heard. Neither
"gladiola" nor "gladiolia" is admissible. There are no such words. It is
also incorrect to say "gladioli bulbs," which is equivalent to "roses
bushes" or "peaches trees." "Gladiolus bulbs" is the proper expression.

[B]The name, gladiolus, comes from the Latin, gladius, a sword, and was
given to this plant on account of the sword-like shape of its leaves.

[Footnote B: Note: Authority is not lacking to show that Glad"-i-o'-lus,
strongest accent on first syllable, is the best, as it certainly is the
most agreeable pronunciation. This puts it in line with He"-li-an'-thus,
and many other four syllabled words used in botany. Glad"-i-o'-luses as
the plural is increasingly used in literature but not in speech.]

THE GLADIOLUS

CHAPTER I.

History and Development.

The gladiolus comes principally from South Africa, where about fifty
species have been discovered. It is also a native of middle Africa,
central and southern Europe, Persia, Caucasus, and the country around
the eastern end of the Mediterranean. About forty additional species
have been found in these localities, and one in Hampshire, England.
These have been hybridized and crossed until they are so mixed that it
is impossible for the ordinary grower to say what blood may have entered
into a given variety,--nor does it matter. We are satisfied to know that
this is one of the most beautiful of our summer-blooming flowers, and
that it is so easily grown as to be within the reach of almost anyone
who cares to have it.

Its Developme