48 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



abundant bloom, having escaped all the casualties of the 

 season, is cut down by the frost, and becomes a blackened, 

 hideous object in the garden; that, after many disappointed 

 hopes, I have sometimes been disposed to say, I would not try 

 it again. It must be confessed, however, it is on some accounts 

 desirable : the flowers are large, gorgeous in color, sporting into 

 every tint except blue. The shape, too, is perfect, although a 

 little too set and prim, as though it was made for the occasion. 

 The habits of the plant are coarse and vulgar, and the smell 

 thereof rather repulsive ; but, with all its failings, it is a popular 

 flower, one which will find favor with the multitude. 



It was first introduced into England in the year 1789, was 

 but little noticed, and soon lost. It was reintroduced in 1804, 

 then a single purple flower of not much interest. It is only 

 within the last twenty years that it has received the attention 

 of the florist. From the single purple and scarlet variety, all 

 the numerous family of florists' flowers have been produced ; a 

 striking example of what may be done by patience and perse- 

 verance in the skilful cultivation of a simple flower. 



The root is tuberous and tender. Freezing destroys it at 

 once ; it can, therefore, be planted only in the spring. 



Propagation. It is propagated by seeds, divisions of the 

 root, and by cuttings. 



By Seed. If the seed is sown in a hot-bed, in April, and 

 the plants set out in the open ground in June, most of them 

 will flower the same season, and though not one in a hundred 

 or thousand may come up to the standard of a perfect flower, 

 yet it is very interesting to mark the curious sports which are 

 often made in these seedings. Many of them will make a 

 greater show in the shrubbery than the more perfect sorts. 

 What is lacking in shape and size, is made up in the profu- 

 sion of bloom. 



By Divisions of the Root. This is the most common mode 

 of propagation, unless it be with the nursery-man, who raises 

 from cuttings. It is best to place the roots, or stool, as it is called, 

 before divided, on gentle heat, if the buds have not started; or 



