fter the tops have been injured, by wind or
otherwise, they will be sound and in good condition for the next year,
even though not half grown; but to be deprived of their foliage, or a
large portion of it, while the roots remain undisturbed, appears to
destroy the balance, and cause bad results.

In some localities the gladiolus is affected by rust, which turns the
tips of the leaves brown in the growing season. If this is a disease,
the remedy does not seem to have been discovered, but in numerous
instances careful observation will show that it is due to local causes.
The foliage is sensitive to atmospheric conditions, and cannot be
successfully grown where it is subject to poisonous gases. Smoke from a
pottery carried over the bed by prevailing winds is almost sure to be
fatal. Salt is thrown into the kilns to glaze the ware, and the
chlorine set free is deadly to many plants. Even smoke from factories is
more or less injurious, and many cases of rust can be traced to some
such source.

Taken all in all, the gladiolus is one of the most reliable of crops.
(See Note.)

Note:--There are three well defined diseases affecting gladiolus
bulbs during growth and in storage, soft rot, hard rot, and scab.
There is no cure for the two former, but they may be controlled by
discarding all affected bulbs and planting in fresh soil free from
animal manures. Scab may be greatly reduced by soaking all diseased
or suspected bulbs, after removing the outer coatings, for twenty
minutes in a solution of bichloride of mercury, fifteen grains to
each gallon of water, or for same time in solution of formalin, one
pint to thirty gallons of water.

CHAPTER XV.

What Constitutes a Good Variety.

The different types of the gladiolus vary so widely that they cannot be
measured by one fixed standard, but there are some general requirements
of excellence that apply to all. Vigorous healthy growth is
indispensable. It is not worth while to cultivate a variety that is
constitutionally feeble. Another essential is a fair-sized clean bulb,
and it is desirable, though not imperative, that it should produce
bulblets freely. The leaves should be green to the tips throughout the
season. The spike should be tall and straight, with a good distance
between the first flower and the foliage. In some varieties the spike
develops so rapidly, and is so tender and succulent, that it is unable
to support