TUBEROSE. 431 



Those roots are the best which are the largest and 

 plumpest, provided they are sound and firm, and the fewer 

 offsets they have, the stronger they will flower. The under 

 part of the roots should be particularly examined, because 

 it is there that they first decay. Before the roots are 

 planted, the offsets should be taken off, or they will draw 

 a great deal of nourishment from the old root. They may 

 be planted in April and May, but should be kept indoors, 

 admitting fresh air in mild weather : most persons raise 

 these flowers in a hot-bed, but the temperature of an in- 

 habited room will generally bring them forward. They 

 should be supported by sticks as the flower-stems advance 

 in height, and should have little or no water till they begin 

 to shoot ; when in flower, they require plenty. 



Flowers raised in this manner will blow about Septem- 

 ber and October, adorning and perfuming the apartment 

 they are placed in, in a very agreeable manner. When 

 the roots are strong, they will often produce ten or twelve 

 flowers, and the stem will rise three or four feet high. As 

 the flowers come out in spikes, opening successively from 

 the bottom to the top, they will, of course, continue longer 

 in beauty in proportion to the number they produce. They 

 may be placed in a balcony in summer weather, if desired ; 

 but the double-flowered variety must remain in the room : 

 if these are placed at a little distance from a closed window 

 on which the sun shines (yet the room being properly 

 ventilated), they will open more fair than when too much 

 exposed. 



The Malayans style the Tuberose the Mistress of the 



Night : 



" The tuberose, with her silvery light, 



That in the gardens of Malay 

 Is called the Mistress of the night, 

 So like a bride, scented and bright, 

 She comes out when the sun 's away." 



LAM.A ROOKH. 



