28 



PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS 



TO THE CATALOGUE OF 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEED. 



The remarks preceding our Catalogue of Annuals will, 

 with few exceptions, apply to that of Biennials and Peren- 

 nials; and it may be observed farther, that the circulation of 

 the sap in the roots and stalk of plants is influenced by like 

 causes, and subject to the same vicissitudes, as the germin- 

 ation of seed, which principle is exemplified by some plants 

 of various species putting forth their leaves and flowers at a 

 later period than others in the same location, as if waiting 

 for nature to replenish the earth with food adapted to their 

 respective requirements; which, by the gradual changes from 

 cool to temperate, and from that to warm weather, is effected 

 to that degree as to enable all the various species of plants, 

 collected from every climate and soil under the sun, to reward 

 the industrious cultivator by a gradual exhibition of their fasci- 

 nating blossoms, and a distribution of their odoriferous sweets, 

 throughout the three propitious seasons of the year, i. e., 

 spring, summer, and autumn. 



In distinguishing between Biennials and Perennials, I have 

 only marked such as are apt to die after once blossoming, 

 and which can only be renewed from seed. Some of those 

 species, frequently classed with Biennials, as Jlquilegia or 

 Columbines, Dianihus, &c., are in reality Perennial, and 

 may be easily perpetuated from year to year, by suckers, lay- 

 ers, or any of the ordinary methods of propagation ; and here 

 I would observe, that frequent renewal of the roots of Per- 

 ennials is absolutely necessary to their prosperity or very 

 existence; and also that many species are by nature best 



