CULTURE OF THE TUBEROSE. 



59 



mak^s it a distinct genus from Hyacinthus, and describes the 

 variety with double flowers, now so common, but then only 

 to be seen in Monsieur de la Court's garden, near Leyden, Instance of 

 whose memory is most justly consigned to infamy by our f^ ^^^'1"***^'* 

 author, for destroying many hundreds of the roots, rather 

 than parting with a single one to any other person ; an in- 

 stance of narrowness of mind and illnature, he adds, too 

 common among the lovers of gardening. 1 trust no one who 

 belongs to this Society will ever deserve a similar reproach. 

 At this period we find the roots were annually imported into Imported with 

 England, along with orange trees and myrtles from Genoa, myrtfes f^oia 

 and to the directions there given for blowing them, so as to <ienoa. 

 have a succession of flowers from June till October, nothing 

 can be added. 



Though our gardens now are enriched with a profusion of ^^j'' much 

 other fragrant and beautiful flowers, the tuberose still conti- 

 nucs to maintain its superiority, and we receive roots, espe- 

 cially of the double variety, from the warmer provinces of 

 North America, as well as Italy. There is no necessity, May be culti- 

 however, to be indebted to foreign countries for this supply, '*^^^'^^^*^^''™®' 

 as I can speak from experience, having cultivated it in the 

 open air for many years at Chapel Allerton, notwithstanding 

 the average temperature of that hill from the month of April 

 to October is far less than in the adjacent valley. If a suffi- 

 cient degree of heat in summer can only be obtained to bring 

 the leaves out to their full magnitude, that of the roots fol- 

 lows of course, and very little more care than what is be- 

 stowed upon the artichoke, will preserve them from the severest 

 frosts. 



For this purpose, select a piece of ground that is perfectly Method of 

 drained, under a south wall; or, if this cannot be spared, *^"'^* 

 defend it on the north by a reed hedge. The size of the bed 

 must be proportioned to the number of roots you want, for 

 the sarqe tuber never blows a second time, but only the late- 

 re.! ones, which are produced in great abundance round jt : 

 as they are to be planted at live inches distance from each 

 pther, a bed nine feet long, by three feet wide, will hold 144 

 roots. 



The soil, in which I have found tbem succeed best, is light SoU^ 



sandy 



