DOUBLE FLOWERS. 39 



in its double state, been converted into a flower, that is 

 graceful, and regular in its shape ; the whole disk is now 

 filled out full with closely imbricated petals, and is of the 

 form and nearly the size of a moderate sized Dahlia. 



The double Hesperis matronalis or Sweet-rocket is one 

 of the most ornamental flowers of the garden. The prin- 

 cipal double varieties are the white and purple ; the former 

 quite hardy, the latter more delicate and hard to keep 

 through the winter. 



The double Stock Gilly-flower or Matthiola is far superior 

 to the single, and constitutes, in its endless varieties, one 

 of the most desirable ornaments of the flower garden. 

 As all the strength of the flower is concentrated in its 

 numerous petals, it produces no seed. It is necessary to 

 plant one or more single plants, by the side of the double 

 ones, that they may impregnate the single ones, which 

 produce the seed from which double flowers are obtained, 

 and from this seed, if from a good variety of plants, one 

 half may be expected to be double. 



The Double Balsam is well known to all, to be one of 

 the most showy of the floral tribe. The flowers resemble 

 Roses or small Camellias. 



Double Portulaca have been introduced within a few 

 years and are great novelties. The brilliancy of the colors, 

 and perfection of shape, are very charming. When cut, 

 they are often judged to be scarlet, orange, or white roses, 

 by persons who have not been acquainted with them. 

 One great drawback to their extensive culture, is the 

 paucity of seed they produce, as hardly a capsule of seed 

 is to be found on a plant. I suppose that by hybridizing, 

 more seed might be produced ; but one thing is sure, they 

 can never become troublesome like the single varieties 

 which fill the ground with seed. 



We all know that the Dahlia, Aster, and numerous 

 others, are wonderfully improved in their double varieties. 



