DOUBLE FLOWERS. 39 
in its double state, been converted into a flower, that is 
graceful, and regular in its shape; the whole disk is now 
filled out full with closely imbricated petals, and is of the 
form and nearly the size of a moderate sized Dahlia. 
The double Hesperis matronalis or Sweet-rocket is one 
of the most ornamental flowers of the garden. The prin- 
cipal double varieties are the white and purple ; the former 
quite hardy, the latter more delicate and hard to keep 
through the winter. 
The double Stock Gilly-flower or Matthiola is far superior 
to the single, and constitutes, in its endless varieties, one 
of the most desirable ornaments of the flower garden. 
As all the strength of the flower is concentrated in its 
numerous petals, it produces no seed. It is necessary to 
plant one or more single plants, by the side of the double 
ones, that they may impregnate the single ones, which 
produce the seed from which double flowers are obtained, 
and from this seed, if from a good variety of plants, one 
half may be expected to be double. 
The Double Balsam is well known to all, to be one of 
the most showy of the floral tribe. The flowers resemble 
Roses or small Camellias, 
Double Portulaca have been introduced within a few 
years and are great novelties. The brilliancy of the colors, 
and perfection of shape, are very charming. When cut, 
‘they are often judged to be scarlet, orange, or white roses, 
by persons who have not been acquainted with them. 
One great drawback to their extensive culture, is the 
paucity of seed they produce, as hardly a capsule of seed 
is to be found on a plant. I suppose that by hybridizing, 
more seed might be produced; but one thing is sure, they 
can never become’ troublesome like the single varieties 
which fill the ground with seed. 
We all know that the Dahlia, Aster, and numerous 
others, are wonderfully improved in their double varieties. 
