THE DAHLIA, OR OEOHGINA 271 



more common in our gardens. L. Japonicum, longiflorum, 

 and lancifolium, in which the genus attains its greatest 

 magnificence, unfortunately require a finer climate than 

 ours, and some bulbs of these should, therefore, be grown in 

 pots under glass, but others may be risked in a sheltered 

 border. 



The Gladioli or corn-flags are extremely ornamental. 

 The Cardinal Lily (Gladiolus cardinalis) well deserves the 

 name of superb : when seen in flower in masses, the eifect 

 is truly brilliant. In order to success, it must be grown in 

 tufts, and the tufts should be left undisturbed for successive 

 years ; " the old skins of the decayed bulbs permitting the 

 wet to drain away, and preventing the earth from lying 

 close and heavy on the new bulbs," as observed by the 

 late eminent Mr. Herbert. A little litter of any sort 

 thrown over the bed affords sufficient protection during the 

 winter. 



Omitting Crocus, Fritillaria, and other bulbous genera, 

 which are sometimes treated as florists' flowers, we proceed 

 to one of the prime ornaments of the autumnal flower 

 garden, the Dahlia, or Georgina, as it is called by some 

 writers. 



The Dahlia (of which there are two principal species, 

 D. variabilis and coccinea) is a native of Mexico, from which 

 it was introduced in 1789, but afterwards lost by our cul- 

 tivators. It was re-introduced in 1804; but it was not 

 till ten years later that it was generally known in our gar- 

 dens. The first plants were single, of a pale purple color, 

 and though interesting, as affording a new form of floral 

 ornament, they by no means held forth a promise of the 

 infinite diversity of tint and figure exhibited by their 

 double-flowered successors. At present the varieties are 

 endless, each district of the country possessing suites of its 



