V,,.] 



LIST OF FLOWERS. 



281 



double, not so large as those of the other species, but tiowers 

 much earlier ; not more thau three inches high. Plant in clusters, 

 aiid propagate by offsets, which come fast. 



474. DAHLIA. — A tuberous perennial plant, originally from 

 Mexico. It grows to the height of ten or twelve feet in l ich land, 

 and blows a large handsome flower, red, yeilow, white, primrose, 

 purple or scarlet, in September, continuing till the setting in of 

 frosts. The height to which it grows renders it unfit for very small 

 gardens, but the beauty of some of the double varieties causes it 

 to be often found even in the smallest. For extensive parterres, the 

 outer rows of shrubberies, and for corners that want hiding, this is 

 a magnificent plant ; and it is also to be kept to a moderate height, 

 but only by putting it in unmanured and poor soil. The poorer 

 the soil, the lower it will be ; and yet it will blow well in such. 

 Always keep it, when in a growing state, tied to good high and 

 stout stakes. Propagate by parting the root, or by cuttings which 

 root very freely if planted in the spring with two joints to them ; 

 for from seed, though you procure fiesh varieties, you lose the 

 sort that you saved your seed from. When the stems begin to be 

 nipped by the frosts, dig up the plants carefully, letting as much 

 mould stick to them as will do so, and hang them up in some 

 place that is neither hot nor damp. They shrivel up if in too dry 

 a place, and they rot infallibly if in a damp place. In April, part 

 the roots and replant them. They frequently appear dead when 

 they are not so. Keep them from frost, of course. I subjoin a 

 list of a few of the handsomest sorts now in fashion ; but, as the 

 varieties are increasing yearly at a rapid pace, it is impossible to 

 give, in the space that I have for it, anything like a full list. The 

 Countess of Liverpool, an immense scailet flower, plant growing- 

 five or six feet high. Atro purpurea superha. Barnardia, fine 

 red. Bedfordiana, very dark. Bensa, rose. Crimson midtiflora. 

 Eximia, orange. Lilac pumila. Man of Kent, bright purple. 

 Morning star, scarlet. Neio Blanda, lilac. Painted Lady, rose 

 and white. Priscilentissima, white. Bulla, very dark. Crim- 

 son glohe. Scarlet turhan. Coccinia speciosissima. Queen of 

 Roses. I^ing of the Whites. Large yellow. Lees Glohe 

 orange. Lee's atracta aneyiioneuora. 



475. DAISY. — Lat. Bellis perennis. Indigenous and peren- 

 nial. Varieties are pale red, deep red, green-hearted, variegated and 

 whi.e, and it is used for edgings, but is a vejy poor thing for the 



