40 breck's new book of FLO wees. 



The genus Dianthus in all its species, except Sweet 

 William, and a few others, are greatly improved in their 

 double state. The Carnation and Pink are examples of 

 the perfection to which flowers may be made to attain. 



The Datura and other funnel-shaped as well as salver- 

 shaped flowers, when double, lose their beautiful simplicity, 

 and are monsters without beauty or perfection of shape ; 

 the same may be said of the Tulip, although some of the 

 varieties are passable. The double Fuchsias, Azaleas and 

 many other double flowers are no improvement. 



A multitude of other flowers might be named, which 

 have been improved in the double varieties, as the 

 Pseonia, Camellia, Lychnis, Tuberose, Larkspurs, etc. 



ON THE COLOR OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 



We are often asked why there should be such a diversity 

 of color in plants of the same species, produced from seed 

 of one flower when grown in the same soil, or what is the 

 process by which it is produced, or the cause of any color 

 in plants. A question more easily asked than answered. 

 I once put this question to a celebrated chemist, supposing 

 he might throw some light upon it. The answer was, 

 " that there were many theories upon the subject, but noth- 

 ing satisfactory had been discovered, and probably never 

 would be." It is the secret working of the God of Na- 

 ture, and unexplainable. In turning over the files of the 

 Horticultural Journal, published in 1835-6-7-8, I find the 

 following article upon the subject, from which, as it may 



