No. 199.] 515 



This encouraged them and from that moment, the dahlia took posses- 

 sion of the domain of Flora ; but notwithstanding this, it is but -within 

 fifteen years that (thanks to the gardeners of England) the dahlia has 

 attained that degree of perfection which at this time makes it the 

 first flower of our Autumn gardens. England which had kept until 

 lately the monopoly of it, and had the distinguished privilege of fur- 

 nishing our Amateurs with some to grow beside their dwarf dahlias, 

 begun to see her trade in dahlias diminish. Now, after persevering 

 efforts, our French gardeners have placed them in the front rank. 



The wishes expressed by Andre Thouin, are realized upon the soil 

 of France; the dahlia forms now the ornament of the little garden of 

 our smallest country cottages. But if Cavanilles, Thibaud and Thouin 

 have jnst claim to tiie gratitude of Amateurs for having enriched hor- 

 ticulture with the first types of ^this precious vegetable, it is but just 

 also to share it with Chereau, Guenot, Leroy, Lorain, Miellez, Mil- 

 cent, Soutif, Voisenou, &c., who have endowed the garden with so 

 many admirable varieties of it, among which will appear in our flower 

 markets, eahlia of white pointed with rose, white with lilac centrcj 

 deep white with border of carmine, white with border of pale rose, 

 white pointed with violet, white bordered with purple violet, scarlet 

 of great brilliance bordered with white, reddish violet pointed with 

 pure white, white bordered with deep carmine, &c. &c. &c. These 

 will appear this spring in the Parisian markets. 



Letter from Professor Mapes. 



J^eioark, March 31st, 1850. 

 General Chandler. — Dear Sir -, As you are probably preparing 

 your premium list at the Institute, let me beg of you not to forget 

 the sub-soil plough ; those now in general use are not well construct- 

 ed, and a premium should be offered to induce improvement. This 

 instrument as now made has its wing raised too high at the rear of 

 the plow, and the amount of force necessary to draw it is thus use- 

 lessly increased. 



