40 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 



inconceivably splendid. It is only about forty years 

 since the first of these, which was single, was intro- 

 duced into Europe from Mexico. 



Double Dahlias of three colours were first known 

 in the year 1802, since that time the varieties have 

 so increased, that such as a few years ago were con- 

 sidered beautiful, are now thrown away to give place 

 to the more splendid sorts. I have good authority for 

 stating that upwards of twenty thousand seedlings are 

 raised yearly in England, only a few of which are 

 introduced into the collection of amateurs, to take the 

 place of such old sorts as may from time to time be 

 rejected. This is done, in order that none but the very 

 choicest be retained in such collections. 



In some gardens in Holland they cultivate, by dis- 

 tinct names, about eleven hundred varieties of Tulips, 

 thirteen hundred of Hyacinths, and six hundred of 

 Ranunculuses and Anemones, some of which are sold 

 as high as sixty dollars the single root. It is stated in 

 the travels of Mr. Dutens, of his having known ten 

 thousand florins, equal to $4000, refused for a single 

 Hyacinth, and Dodsley says, in his Annual Register 

 for 1765, that the Dutch of all ranks, from the greatest 

 to the meanest, during the years from 1634 to 1637 

 inclusive, neglected their business to engage in the 

 Tulip trade. Accordingly, in those days, the Viceroy 

 was sold for £250, the Admiral Lief keens ,£440, and 

 Semper Augustus at from £500 to £1000 each, and also 

 that a collection of Tulips was sold by the executors 

 of one Wouter Broekholsmentser for ,£9000. It is stated 



