359 



Avhich are bestowed on Gardening in a very conspicuons 

 point of view. Of Stove Plants we now cultivate about 1800 

 species and varieties. Of Green-House Plants nearly 3000. 

 Of hardy Trees and Shrubs nearly 4000. Of hardy Perennial 

 Flowers nearly 3000. Of Biennial aud Annual Flowi rs together 

 about 800. To particularize the diflerent genera of these 

 would exceed the limits I have prescribed to this work. I have 

 not included the varieties of Florist's flowers in the above 

 general list. They are more than proportionably nuniorous. 

 Of Hyacinths we have about 300 varities, whereas in 1G29, 

 Parkinson mentions but 50. The passion for tliis flower how- 

 ever has much abated, for Miller in the early part of the last 

 Century says the Dutch gardeners had 2000 sorts. Of tulips 

 we have nearly 700 varieties. The cultivation of this flower 

 has declined of late years. It was at its height both in this 

 country and in Holland towards the middle of the 17ih Century. 

 In Holland nearly 5^600 was agreed to be given for a single 

 root. Of the Ranunculus we have nearly 500 varieties. Of 

 the Anemone about 200. Of Dahlias (now Geoi'ginas) between 

 200 and 300. Narcissi 200. Auriculas more than 400. Pinks 

 300. Carnations about 350. Of Roses included in the list we 

 have given of hardy Trees and Shrubs there are more than 

 1450. Another instance of the progress made in increasing the 

 number of our cultivated plants is furnished by the genera 

 Erica. But five kinds of Heath were described by Miller as 

 known in England about GO years siuce ; we now cultivate 

 nearly 350, 



Mr. Loudon makes the number of plants cultivated by Gar- 

 deners at present amount to 13,1 10, Of these 1100 are na- 

 tives of Gt, Britain ; 4'/ were Exotics introduced previous to, 

 and during the reign of Henry the 8th — Seven during that of 

 Edward the 6th. 533 duiing that of Elizabeth. In that of James 

 the 1st. twenty. Charles the 1st, 331, Ninety-five during 

 the Usurpation. Charles the 2nd, 152. James the 2iid, 44. 



