The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-25
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
Raleigh Should Have an Annual Summer
Flower Show.

To the Editor: Raleigh door yards
have been very greatly improved and
modernized in the matter of orna-
mental horticulture since | first saw
them in 1884.
The bouncing Bet" and other last
century flowers were the favorites in
most yards. They were also the chief
ornaments (?) of the wilderness en-
closed within the fence around the
capitol square.
The improved Horticultural idea,
however, seems to run too exclusive
Nv towards roses and chrysanthe--
NUNS. These are beautiful flowers
and worthy of due regard. But nature
is broader than this. There are other
flowers which in their season are
equal to the best of above named IA
vorites. / will specify only few:
For the busy man or woman who
loves flowers but who can not get time
to coddle them excessively there are
few if any species which will give
more satisfaction than summer bloom
ing bulbs.
Among these the first place belongs
to the Gladiolus. This plant has been
very greatly improved of recent years
anu ohS Ven nv" ioN III thC bCh
gladiolus flowers nearly equal in
beauty, size and oddity to the finest
tropical orchids. The gladiolus came
originally from the moist regions of
Northern Africa. and, like some other
products of that continent, it has
reached its highest perfection in the
United States. Our Southern climate
and soils are specially suited for this
plant. The culture is very simple.
Any one who knows how to grow
onions from sets can grow the gladio-
luS, and on the same soil. The gla-
dlolus prefers moist, sandy loan, not
too wet nor too rich in coarse manure.
Commercial fertilizer is best if the
soil is of ordinary garden quality. A
fertilizer containing about per cent
ammonia. 10 per cent phosphoric acid
and Z or per cent potash is very suit
able. The gladiolus comes in the
shape of a fiat solid bulb or cormb.
These should be planted inches deep
as early as the ground can be work
ed-here before April 1st. Plant in
rows about one foot apart and same
distance in row.. The plants will have
to be staked. Most gladioli are
hardy here if a bed is covered with
straw on approach of very cold
weather. But it is better to take them
up in fall and store in cool cellar.
Plant in new place each spring.
The best gladioli are the Childish
and Le1noineii hybrids. There are
hundreds of named sorts. but a mix
ture of either of above classes will give
certain and great satisfaction. John
Lewis Child, of Floral Park. New
York is the chief American propaga-
tor of this fine flower. Mixed bulbs
of the above named classes can be
bought for so to $3.50 per 100.
Among other summer Towering
bulbs whose beauty is scarcely infer
Tor to the gladiolus are the improved
Gamma, Poeonia, Japan Iris, Zephy-
ranthes, Figridia, and Montbretia.
Among dubious climbing plants may
be named the tuberous MoOnfiower
and Madeira vine. Both these latter
are very rapid growers and cannot be
eXcelled either for their beauty or
ability, to cover or shade a porch or
wall Both the latter are perfectly
hardy here and should remain in the
ground when once planted.
Raleigh needs what many Northern
towns have-a Village improvement
society," beg the pardon of the al
dermanic street committee. The mem
bers of such a society should meet
together in season to study and dis
cuss improved methods and species.
BY clubbing their orders for seeds
and bulbs they can secure wholesale
rates which are often one-half to
three-fourths less than the retail
prices. There is room, too, in Raleigh
for an annual summer flower show
in addition to the chrysanthemum
show of the fall months. Who will
start the society?
Respectfully,
GERALD MCCARTHY.