DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 181 
large, showy, gorgeous in color, sporting into every tint 
except blue. The shape, too, is perfect, although a little 
too set and prim, as though it was made for the occasion. 
The habit of the plant is coarse, and the smell repulsive ; 
but, with all its failings, it is or has been a popular flow- 
er, and will continue to find favor with many. 
It was first introduced into England in the year 1789, 
was but little noticed, and soon lost. It was re-introduced 
from Mexico in 1804, as a single purple flower of not 
much interest. It is only within the last 40 years that it 
has received the attention of the florist. From the single 
purple and scarlet flowers, all the numerous varieties of 
florists’ flowers have been produced; a striking example 
of what may be done by patient perseverance and skill in 
the improvement: of a flower from its native simplicity. 
Continental botanists call the genus Georgina. It is found 
in sandy meadows in Mexico, and till the peace of 1814, 
was more cultivated in France than in England. It was not 
introduced into this country until about 1825. D. variabilis 
is the species from which the innumerable florists varieties 
have been produced, though there are several other spe- 
cies to be found in European collections. 
The root is tuberous and tender. Freezing destroys it 
at once; it can, therefore, be planted only in the spring. 
Propagation.—It_ is propagated by seeds, division of 
the roots, and by cuttings. 
By Seed.—lIf the seed is soon in a hot-bed in April or 
March, and the plants set out in the open ground in June, 
most of them will flower the first season; and though not 
one in a htindred may come up to the standard of a per- 
fect flower, yet it is very interesting to mark the curious 
sports which are often made in these seedlings. Many of 
them will make a greater show than the more perfect sorts ; 
as what is lacking in shape and size, may be made up in 
the profusion of bloom and variety of colors. 
