179 

 OBSERVATIONS 



ON THE 



CULTIVATION OF BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED 



PLANTS. 



THESE plants exhibit a striking variety of the beauties of 

 Nature. It would seem as if every change she was 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 

 reigning 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, aud 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 is only about forty years since the 

 first of these, which was single, was introduced into Europe 

 from Mexico. 



Double Dahlias of three colours, were first known in the 

 year 1802, since that time the varieties have so increased, 

 that such as 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 upwards 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 be retained in such collections. 



In some gardens in Holland they cultivate; by distinct 

 names, about eleFen hundred varieties of Tulips, thirteen 



