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THE GLADIOLUS
A Practical Treatise on the Culture
of the Gladiolus, with Notes
on Its History, Storage,
Diseases, etc.
by
MATTHEW CRAWFORD
With an appendix by Dr. W. Van Fleet
1911
Addenda by J. C. Vaughan
1921
[Illustration: DETROIT]
Chicago and New York
Vaughan's Seed Store
1921
Copyright, 1911, by Vaughan's Seed Store
Second Edition, with Addenda,
Nov. 1921
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
Preface 1
I. History and Development 3
II. Habit of Growth 9
III. Soils and Preparation 12
IV. Time to Plant 15
V. Cultivation 19
VI. Digging and Curing 21
VII. Cleaning and Grading 25
VIII. Winter Storage 30
IX. Growing from Seed 33
X. Growing from Bulblets 37
XI. Peeling Bulblets 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 extensive 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 Development.
The history of the evolution of the gladiolus, from the original wild
species to the splendid revelations of the present day, though
extremely interesting, is rather uncertain, and lacking in details.
Even authorities disagree, and it is not worth while to touch upon
disputed points, though a few accepted facts may be of value to the
learner.
The Encyclopaedia Britannica says that one variety was cultivated as far
back as 1596, and another from 1629. Between 1750 and 1825 many new ones
were added to those previously known. There are several general classes
now before the public, of which the oldest is the Gandavensis. It is
said that this was originated by Van Houtte, and was introduced in 1841.
Belgium is credited with the honor of being its native country.
Referring again to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, we find that the coming
of the Gandavensis made the gladiolus a general favorite in gardens, and
that "since that time varieties have been greatly multiplied in number,
increased in size and quality, as well as marvelously varied in color
and marking, so that now they have become exceedingly popular."
The Gandavensis has a substantial stem, capable of taking up water
freely, and probably owing to this fact opens many flowers at once.
These are generally of good size and substance, and of handsome form. In
most cases they are arranged upon the stem in two rows that face the
same way, which makes them very showy and attractive.
Some years after the introduction of the Gandavensis, Victor Lemoine, of
Nancy, France, brought out a new hybrid to which he gave his own name,
Lemoinei. It has a slender, graceful stem, which seems unable to take up
water rapidly, and consequently only a few of its flowers open at once.
These are smaller than those of the Gandavensis, and more arched in
form. Many of them, perhaps the majority, have rich velvety blotches on
some or all of the petals, darker in color than the petals themselves,
thus giving the flowers a very striking appearance. The well known Marie
Lemoine was one of the earliest varieties of this new hybrid, and its
dark velvet spots on a ground of pale yellow slightly tinged with green,
have caused some to call it the "pansy gladiolus."
Lemoine's next achievement was the Nanceianus, probably from Nancy, his
home. Its flowers are quite different from those of Gandavensis or
Lemoinei, being larger than either, very wide, and marked with peculiar
mottlings, or fine, 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 the year without the aid of glass. The
blossoms are beautiful in form, and include a wonderful range of colors,
with almost innumerable combinations. Its general habit of bearing two
rows of flowers facing the same way makes it easy to arrange so as to
show all to the best advantage. It has a capacity for taking up water
which enables it to go on blooming to the very tip of the spike after
being cut, lasting a week in the hottest weather, and twice that time
when cooler. The ease with which the stem can be divested of its faded
flowers, leaving it as fresh as though just brought from the garden, is
also a great recommendation. Some years ago, I expressed a quantity of
the spikes from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, to Butte, Montana. They were in
bud when started, and when they arrived, had bloomed half way up the
stalks, and the lower flowers had faded. These were taken off, the stems
placed in water, and the buds went on opening to the last, unaffected by
the journey of two thousand miles.
Another merit of the gladiolus, which might not seem a merit at first
thought, is its lack of perfume. An agreeable fragrance is desirable in
flowers that are used in moderate quantities, but in banks and masses,
as this is often arranged, a sweet odor would be overpowering.
Its Uses.
For decorative purposes the gladiolus is fast becoming indispensable.
The demand has grown from tens to hundreds within the last few years,
and probably it will increase from hundreds to thousands in the near
future, for it is a flower for all people and all places. It is suitable
for the home, and from midsummer until November is a constant
dependence. For stores and offices its bright and lasting bloom makes it
very desirable. It is in great demand for ornamenting churches, halls,
schoolrooms, and, in fact, all places where people come together for
almost any purpose. It is popular for weddings, and great quantities are
often used on such occasions, a single order sometimes calling for
thousands of spikes. Last of all, it is seen in the house of mourning,
and at the graves of the dead, where its sweet cheerfulness seems to
speak a message of comfort to the living.
[Illustration: SCHWABEN]