320 BULBOUS-ROOTED FLOWERS. 



logues of the florists, than be guided hy any selection that the 

 writer might now name. 



The Dahlia is now produced in high perfection, quite unlike 

 the single flowers, with -yellow disk and dull scarlet rays, which 

 it hore on its introduction to England, about the beginning of 

 the present century. It is now most beautifully double, and of 

 every color except blue, and with every conceivable variegation. 

 The Pompone varieties produce much smaller flowers than the 

 Dahlia proper, and are, therefore, more desirable for bouquets. 

 All the Dahlias flower best in cool, moist seasons, and when the 

 summers are hot, wait for the more favorable weather of Septem- 

 ber before they come perfect. 



The Eritillary. — Fritillaria. — ^We do not often see any 

 other examples of this genus in our gardens than the Crown 

 Imperials. The Guinea-hen flower is also a Fritillary, and 

 though not so stately in its appearance, is a very interesting 

 variety. They all flourish best in a deep, rich, well-drained, 

 loamy soil, and when once planted should be seldom disturbed. 



The Crown Imperial is perfectly hardy, grows to a height of 

 two feet in favorable soil, bearing a tuft of leaves upon the top, 

 beneath which are the flowers. There are a number of varieties, 

 producing flowers of several shades of red and yellow, single and 

 double, and with golden and silver variegated foliage. The 

 bulbs should be planted in October, about six inches deep, and 

 remain in the ground all the year. 



The English Fritillary, or Guinea-hen flower, is of far less 

 pretentious growth, and produces pretty pendant flowers, which 

 are peculiarly marbled or tesselated. They are usually of a pur- 

 ple shade, some nearly red, or yellow and white. The bulbs are 

 much smaller than those of the Crown Imperial, and should not 

 be set more than half as deep. They flower in May. The dark- 

 colored varieties seem to be more hardy than the light, and not 

 so liable to perish. 



Gladiolus. — Why it is that these beautiful flowers have not 

 foimd their way more universally into the gardens of our people. 



