^08 



PRINCIPLES OF GARDENING. 



[CH. VI. 



the diameters of their leaves, in inches, altered as 

 in the following table : — 



A due supply of moisture, but rather less than 

 the plant most delights in when the production of 

 seed is the desu-ed object, a superabundant supply 

 of decomposing organic matter to its roots, and an 

 exposui'e to the greatest possible degree of sun- 

 light, are the means successfully employed to pro- 

 mote that excessive developement of the petals 

 which characterize double-flowers. 



By these means a greater amount of sap is sup- 

 plied to the flower than the natural extent of petal 

 can elaborate, and, following the laws of nature 

 already specified, those parts required for the extra 

 elaboration are developed at the expense of those 

 not demanded for the pui-pose. The chief office of 

 tlie petals is this preparation of nourishment for the 

 stamens, and, for the most part, they fade together, 

 usually enduring until impregnation has been effected, 



i 



