84 REMARKS ON THE TUBEROSE. 



England, Holland, and Germany, where the climate is less congenial 

 to it. 



This plant has long been cultivated in English gardens for its 

 extraordinary beauty and fragrance. 



There are several varieties ; one with double flowers, which was 

 obtained from the seed by Monsieur Le Cour, of Leyden, in Holland, 

 who for many years was so tenacious of the roots, even after he had 

 propagated them in such plenty as to have more than he could plant, 

 that he caused them to be cut in pieces, to have the vanity of boast- 

 ing that he was the only person in Europe who possessed this flower. 



Those roots are the best which are the largest and plumpest, pro- 

 vided they are sound and firm ; and the fewer offsets they have, the 

 stronger they will flower. The under parts of the root should be 

 particularly examined, because it is there that they first decay, 

 Before the roots are planted the offsets should be taken off, or they 

 will draw a great deal of nourishment from the old root. They may 

 be planted in April and May, but should be kept indoors, admitting 

 fresh air in mild weather. Most persons raise these flowers in pots 

 in a hot-bed, and, when the flower-stem is about six inches high, 

 plant them out in the open ground in a warm situation; or repot 

 entire, and place them in a greenhouse. It is essential to have them 

 forced till the flower-stem is as high as above stated. They require 

 a rich loamy soil, well drained, not sifted. They should be supported 

 by stick as the flower-stems advance in height, and should have little 

 or no water till they begin to shoot ; when in flower they require 

 plenty. 



Flowers raised in this manner will blow about September and 

 October, adorning and perfuming the apartment they are placed in 

 in a very agreeable manner. When the roots are strong, they will 

 often produce ten or twelve flowers, and the stem will rise three or 

 four feet high. As. the flowers come out in spikes, opening succes- 

 sively from the bottom to the top, they will, of course, continue 

 longer in beauty in proportion to the number they produce. They 

 may be placed in a balcony in summer weather, if desired; but the 

 double-flowered variety must remain in the room : if these are placed 

 at a little distance from a closed window on which the sun shines 

 (yet the room being properly ventilated), they will open more fair 

 than when too much exposed. 



