334 Remarks upon the state of 



the vigorous radical fibres of its branches into every crevice 

 of the logs, covering the sides and roof with a profusion of 

 orange colored flowers. It is about ten years since I com- 

 menced a flower garden; during which period has been added 

 annually, from the eastern gardens, from ten to twenty dollars' 

 worth of bulbs, shrubs and herbaceous plants. 



By assiduous cultivation several of these families have been 

 greatly multiplied, especially the bulbs. About thirty varie- 

 ties of choice tulips, in May, make a gorgeous display, show- 

 ing, for many days in succession, from fifteen hundred to two 

 thousand flowers at one time. Of hyacinths, there are about 

 twenty varieties, and several hundred plants; some of these, in 

 April last, showed spikes of flowers, from twelve to fourteen 

 inches high, supporting from twelve to twenty-five flowers, 

 two inches in diameter. Of Polyanthus narcissus there are 

 five varieties; the spikes of the white Italian are sometimes a 

 foot and a half high, with panicles of ten or twelve flowers 

 each. Of crocus, six varieties, with many hundred individu- 

 als. This splendid little flower, coming as it does when the 

 rest of Flora's train are dormant with the chill of winter, is 

 deserving of far more attention than it has received. Prim- 

 roses and cowslips, six or eight varieties — crown imperials, 

 four varieties, with stems nearly four feet high: these are best 

 propagated by taking up the bulbs as soon as the tops are 

 dead, and placing them in a box in a damp cellar. Let them 

 remain here, until they throw out their roots freely, which is 

 generally in September; then plant in a very rich sandy loam. 

 The stem of this majestic flowering bulb stands unrivalled in 

 its graceful and beautiful proportions, and, but for its repulsive 

 odor, would have many more admirers than it now has. 



Lilies, eight or ten varieties. 



The Amaryllis longifolia, although a Cape bulb, has stood 

 in the open ground unharmed for six or seven winters, requir- 

 ing only a good coat of leaves, protected from the winds and 

 rain by a flour barrel. The location is near a well, where it 

 receives a plentiful supply of water. This season it has al- 

 ready thrown up six flower stems, more than three feet high, 

 crowned with ten or twelve superb pink colored flowers. Be- 

 tween this and autumn it will produce several additional spikes. 

 Ornithogalum, four varieties, one of which is indigenous, pro- 

 duciug beautiful pale blue flowers. Gladiolus, three varie- 



