196 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



olden time, at this day it is hardly worth cultivation. The 

 classic associations connected with it endeared it to many, 

 but at the present day it hardly commands a corner in the 

 flower garden. Such is the result of changes in the pub- 

 lic mind. There are many of this species of bulbs at 

 the present day enumerated in the Dutch catalogues, but 

 whether they are really individual varieties, is a matter of 

 doubt ; cultivation alone will alter their appearance, par- 

 ticularly if not attended to with judgment. It requires 

 the scrutinizing eye of the botanist to detect its real char- 

 acter. Care and attention would restore many to their 

 high cultivated state, while others would retain their prim- 

 itive standing as degenerated flowers. Then, again, those 

 in a high state of culture may be crossed, such as Tazetta 

 orientalis, the Roman Narcissus and Narcissus tazetta, 

 which no doubt would produce some fine hybrids. When 

 the Dutch bring forward their numerous lists, we should 

 look on it with a suspicious eye, for we cannot depend 

 on their statements with much assurance. We may 

 meet with great disappointment, as in their Soleil d'Or. 



