The Tuberose. 199 



THE TUBEROSE. 



Although always a popular flower, it is only within a few years that 

 the culture of the tuberose has become general ; and, even now, cultural 

 difficulties deter many from growing this beautiful and fragrant flower. To 

 show that these difficulties are merely imaginary, and that, with attention 

 to a few details, tuberoses may be grown as easily as early potatoes, and 

 with the same appliances, is the object of the present article. 



And, first, let us premise, that, in New England, tuberoses cannot be 

 grown successfully in the open border unless previously started in a frame. 

 The reason is very simple : our season is too short, and frost generally cuts 

 down the flower-stalk just as the buds are expanding : thus, with occasional 

 exceptions in " long seasons " or sheltered localities, we fail to bloom our 

 tuberoses satisfactorily out of doors. In the Middle Slates, and of course 

 farther south, tuberoses attain their full perfection out of doors, and re- 

 quire only to be planted in rich soil and to be well watered to give ample 

 satisfaction. 



The question to be answered — one which has been so frequently asked 

 by numerous correspondents — is, " How can I grow and flower my tube- 

 roses well in New England ? " 



As we have said, there is no difficulty; but, before proceeding to details, 

 the history of the discovery deserves a passing notice, especially as some 

 misstatements relating thereto have been published. 



During the summers of 1859 and i860, the attention of the writer, then 

 chairman of the Flower Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural 

 Society, was attracted to very fine spikes of tuberoses exhibited by IMr. 

 E. W. Buswell. For size, beauty, and number of flowers, these specimens 

 surpassed any ever exhibited at the rooms of the society, and elicited 

 universal praise, and inquiries as to the culture which had produced such 

 remarkable results. In compliance with the request of the writer, Mr. Bus- 

 well described his mode of culture in an article contributed by him to the 

 Flower Report of the society for 1861. 



Afterwards, through the courtesy of Mr. Buswell, the writer was allowed 

 to avail himself of the same description in " Flowers for the Parlor and 



