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 its own weight. Hence, it makes a crooked stem which is a
blemish, however perfect it may be otherwise. Ordinarily, it is better
that the spike should not have branches, though some of the best kinds
do, as May, Augusta, and others. When a variety is used for forcing, and
individual flowers are cut, branches are an advantage, as they lengthen
the season, but when the whole spike is cut they are useless, and worse,
for they exhaust the bulb more or less, and time is consumed in taking
them off. The stem should be able to take up water freely, so that it
may open a goodly number of flowers at once. This is a characteristic
common to the Gandavensis varieties, while the opposite is true of the
Lemoines. The typical spike should have two rows of flowers facing the
same way, and near enough together to conceal the stem, or the most of
it, but not so close as to look crowded. The blossom should be finely
arched, and open enough to bring out that frank, engaging expression
which is peculiar to this flower, and one of its special charms. The
petals should be of ample width, to give the bloom a rich, generous
appearance. Substance in the petals is of very great importance as
enabling them to endure exposure. If too thin, they will wilt in a warm
or windy day.
There is one more requirement, without which all other perfections go
for naught,--fine coloring. It may be light or dark, delicate or rich,
solid or a combination of few or many hues, but it must be clear,
spirited and attractive, not dull nor muddy, nor faded. The gladiolus
comprises such a marvelous range of colors, from white up through all
the shades of pink, melon, and scarlet, to the richest and most glowing
reds; some fine tints of yellow; and innumerable blendings, markings and
variegations, that there is no need of accepting or perpetuating an
unlovely color or one that requires an apology.