1891.] ESSAYS. 149 



The Tuli[), when under favorable conditions, is of easy cul- 

 tivation, requiring re-setting every three years — in their great 

 variety, from early to late, covering a season of several weeks, 

 some new ones appearing every morning, keeping ever active 

 the interests of the cultivator. The large beds of tulips of one 

 color produce the strongest floral feature in public parks or 

 gardens, and the contrast of colors when in large masses always 

 enlist the warmest admiration and interest. For [)rivate grounds, 

 even a hundred will give a variety of bloom and charming etiect 

 during the month of May. 



The Crocus is a bulbous-rooted plant of the earliest bloom 

 and of several sorts and colors ; are easily grown, and with an 

 occasional transplanting will last for years. 



The Hyacinth, a showy flower, is not as well adapted to 

 garden culture as the tulip or crocus, as the force of the bulb, 

 after the first season, seems to diminish ; the" spikes of flowers 

 continue to grow weaker, but when new bulbs are used produce 

 fine spikes of flowers of intense colors and highly fragrant. 



Following the earlier bulbous flowers the Pa^ony is the most 

 magnificent when in bloom of all herbaceous plants. It em- 

 braces a very large variety, giving the most gorgeous and pleas- 

 ing effect, is easily grown and perfectly hardy. The old Double 

 Crimson, more than two centuries old, is now and has been a 

 favorite sort, is found in all the old gardens, and has never l)een 

 equalled in its color. There are many shades of color in the 

 different sorts, running from white to dark, and often is very deli- 

 cately variegated. No flower is more conspicuous in the gar- 

 den, and the leaf is attractive during the season. 



The Tree Pseony is another interesting class of plants, of 

 bushy habit ; it flowers earlier than the herbaceous sorts, and 

 when in bloom is one of the most beautiful plants of the garden. 

 There are two classes, the single and double ; both have fine 

 flowers with delicate tints of color. They appear to be long 

 lived l)ut in some winters sufler from extreme cold. 



The Papaver, Oriental Poppy, is a favorite in many gardens ; 

 its large scarlet flowers grown on stems three feet high are when 

 grown in clumps very conspicuous. 



