its Species and Varieties. 45 



prompt such an inquiry. Such a theory has been conceived 

 before, from the failure of the Genevan botanist's characters, 

 as also from other circumstances, which render it a still 

 more interesting query ; and at no better time could it be 

 settled, unless it has already been done, than now, in the 

 height of the universal popularity and general admiration 

 which the subject of it obtains, as an ornament of our gar- 

 dens and parterres. 



It is a curious subject for reflection on the changes effected 

 in horticulture, to be able to trace the opinions of learned 

 men, founded in sound reason and observation, taking, for a 

 moment, the situation they occupied, and casting a glance 

 forward to our own experience and knowledge, which con- 

 firms or disproves their theories. Thus De Candolle foretold 

 the improbability of the occurrence of a blue variety, and 

 we have almost every combined shade and primitive color 

 of the prismatic bow, excepting that Mr. Sabine tells us of 

 the existence of a double white, which he feels inclined to 

 doubt, and now " Kings" and "Queens," there are of double 

 white, and even " Mountains of snow," and beauties of an- 

 tiquity, unrivaled only by the elegance or purity of these 

 fragile flowers ; the grandeur of an avalanche exhibited in a 

 petal, and the winning loveliness of female character shin- 

 ing forth in an abortive stamen. 



But, with all the attractions of great and good and illus- 

 trious names, and the wondrous transmutations of floral 

 skill — for wondrous they truly are — the simple, unadorned 

 elegance of a fine single flower, with its eight perfectly 

 formed petals and golden centre, expanding gradually into 

 the florets of the disk, presents to my ideas a lovely 

 work of nature's skill. Surely it is a mistake to exclude 

 from our collections these primitive forms, to srive place to 

 double varieties only ; and during the last season, one such 

 has actually insinuated itself, of however only tolerable 

 merit, more it may be suspected from its royal title or for- 

 eign origin, than from any returning taste to floral simplicity. 



The dahlia, like many other cultivated plants, seems very 

 prone to sportiveness or variation in the tints and pencilings 

 of its petals. Cultivators begin to recommend the use of 

 strong and nutritive manures in producing very fine flowers, 

 an opinion entirely counter to one formerly entertained and 

 practised upon, — that of planting in poor and meagre soils. 

 Undoubtedly the former practice is the better one, and added 

 to this, the fact, that but a moderate degree of sun and heat 

 is necessary to their increase, there can be no reason why 

 the multiplication of flowers is not almost wholly at the dis- 

 posal of the errower. The natural localities have been dis- 

 covered to consist of sandy mountainous meadows, of 48 to 



