==Culture in Pots.==—­The early-flowering varieties are of especial value for decorating greenhouses and conservatories during spring and early summer.  The corms of these Gladioli are small, and a 32-sized pot will accommodate several.  The soil should be decidedly rich, and it must be porous, because water has to be given freely when the plants are in full growth.  Pot the corms in autumn, and cover with leaf-mould until the roots are developed, when successive batches can be brought forward and gently forced for a continuous supply of elegant flowers during April and May.  A mild temperature of about 55 deg. is quite sufficient for them.

==Culture in the Open Ground.==—­The autumn-flowering Gladioli are grown in the open ground, and preparations should begin well in advance of planting time.  Almost any soil can be made to answer, but that which suits them best is a good medium, friable loam with a cool rich subsoil, and each grower must decide for himself how far this is within reach naturally, or can be secured by resources at command.  Thus, a light soil may be made suitable by placing a thick layer of rotten cow-manure a foot below the surface, and a heavy, retentive loam can be reduced to the proper state by the admixture of lighter material.  On the surface spread a liberal quantity of manure and dig it in, leaving the soil in a rough state to be disintegrated by frosts.  Before the planting time arrives it is worth some trouble to free the ground from wire worms, or they will play havoc with the growth just as it is appearing above ground.  Potatoes serve admirably as traps for these pests.

Gladioli are peculiarly liable to injury from wind, so that a sheltered, but not a shaded, position should, if possible, be chosen for them.  The time of planting depends partly on the district, partly on the season; but the soil must be in suitable condition and fine weather is necessary.  From the middle of March to the middle of April should afford some suitable opportunity of getting the bulbs in satisfactorily.  Give the land a light forking, not deep enough to bring up the manure, and make the surface level.  The rows may be twelve or eighteen inches apart; we prefer the greater distance, because of the convenience it affords in attending to the plants when growing; nine inches is sufficient space in the rows.

There are two methods of putting in the bulbs, each of which has advocates among practised growers.  One is to take out the soil with a trowel to the depth of six or seven inches for each corm, then insert about two inches of mixed sand and powdered charcoal or wood ashes; lay the root upon it, and carefully cover with fine soil.  If that process is considered too tedious, draw a deep drill with a hoe, and at the bottom put the light mixture already named; place the roots at regular distances upon it, and lightly return the top soil.  The operation should be so performed as to leave the crown of the corm four inches below the surface.  When planting is completed, give the bed a finishing touch with the rake.