nt.

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,