Among summer flowering bulbous plants, the varieties of Gladiolus gan-davensis may not inaptly be considered as one of the very best cultivated. It is difficult to conceive any thing more truly beautiful than a bed of the best varieties in bloom, when in a high state of cultivation. At no very remote period Gladiolus psitticinus was the only kind cultivated in the flower-i garden; now, owing to the rapid improvement by cross fertilization within the last few years, there are some hundreds of varieties, some of which are extremely beautiful, and well worth any trouble and care that may be bestowed upon them.

I know nothing more surprising than the rapid strides that have been made within the last few years in the improvement of this rich, bright, and beautiful genus. Oompare any of the plates in the gardening periodicals of a few years ago with those of the present day, or the number of varieties offered for sale in the catalogues of 1850 with those of the present year, and surprise at the advance can not but be the predominant feeling. But to fully appreciate their great beauty and merits as superior plants for flower-garden decoration, visit some establishment where the finest varieties are grown, and where no care and attention are considered too great to bestow upon them, and my word for it they will at once become petted gems; and well they deserve it To my mind, a good collection of them, grown in masses, with a background of dark green, is one of the most charming and effective that can be produced upon the flower-garden.

Whenever cut flowers are in demand the Gladiolus will be found to be among the most valuable. If a raceme be cut and placed in water just as the lower flowers commence to open, the whole of the flowers will expand equally as well as upon the plant.

The colors comprise a rich and greatly diversified combination of the most beautiful tints of scarlet, orange, and vermilion, with intermediate shades of white, pink, salmon, carmine, rosy Ralmon, with many others of the most beautiful conceivable colors, such as very few genera can offer.

The following is a list of some of the best varieties in cultivation: the description of each was taken when the plant was in the highest state of perfection, and may be fully relied upon.