63 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTIVATION 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



These plants exhibit a striking variety of the beauties of 

 Nature. It would seem as if every change she is capable 

 of forming, was included in the radiant colours of the Tulip. 

 Never was a cup either painted or enamelled with such a 

 profusion of tints. Its stripes are so glowing, its contrasts 

 so strong, and the arrangement of them both so elegant and 

 artful, that it may, with propriety, be denominated the reign- 

 ing beauty of the garden in its season. The Hyacinth is 

 also an estimable flower for its blooming complexion, as well 

 as for its most agreeable perfume and variety. 



" The Hyacinth, purple, white, and blue, 

 Which flung from its bells a sweet peal anew, 

 Of music so delicate, soft, intense, * 



It was felt like an odour within the sense." 



The Double Dahlia, in its numerous varieties, is incon 

 ceivably splendid. It was only at the latter end of the 

 eighteenth century that the first of these, which were single, 

 were introduced into Europe from Mexico. 



Double Dahlias of three colours were first known in the 

 year 1802, and since that time the varieties have increased 

 so rapidly, that those which a few years ago were considered 

 beautiful, are now thrown away to give place to the more 

 splendid sorts. I have good authority for stating, that upward 

 of twenty thousand seedlings are raised yearly in England, 

 only a few of which are introduced into the collections of 

 amateurs, to take the place of such old sorts as may from 

 time to time be rejected. This is done, in order that none 

 but the very choicest may be retained in such collections. 



