178 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



ing state, and kept in the shade. When the leaves begin 

 to turn color, water should be gradually withheld. They 

 must be kept in a state of rest the residue of the season, 

 and in the spring should be re-potted and encouraged in 

 growth. It is perennial, and may be divided at the root, 

 or raised by seed sown as soon as ripe. The orchideous 

 plants, generally, are very beautiful, even beyond descrip- 

 tion; but are little cultivated in this country. This is 

 probably owing to the florists not being compensated for 

 their trouble, as but few persons are willing to give what 

 may be deemed a fair price for them, when flowering plants 

 of a lower price can be purchased to fill a vacuum these 

 charming flowers ought to fill. 



MYRTLE. 



(MYRTUS.) 



" Earnest, I beg add not with toilsome pain, 

 One far-sought blossom to the Myrtle plain, 

 For sure, the fragrant Myrtle bough 



Looks seemliest on thy brow." 



This is certainly a fine ornamental evergreen shrub. 

 There appears to be a large family of them, natives of 

 Europe, New Holland, and different parts of the globe, 

 flowering from June to August. The flowers generally 

 are solitary, white, and sweet scented, the involucre two 

 leaved. The foliage differs in size, as the different varieties 



