146 



THE YOUNG FLORIST. 



been astonishingly increased ; and now such 

 varieties as a few years ago were considered 

 beautiful, are thrown' away to give place to 

 the more splendid sorts which are annually 

 produced from seed. 



M. Will they flower the first year from 

 seed ? 



H. Yes ; but most of the flowers will be 

 single ; perhaps one in a hundred, or more, 

 will be a fine double one, if the seed is of a 

 good quality. 



M. How then are the fine varieties propa- 

 gated ? 



H. By dividing the roots, which are tube- 

 rous, and resemble the sweet potato very 

 much ; as soon as the frost has blackened the 

 .tops, they should be dug up and put into a 

 warm and dry cellar, secure from frost. When 

 spring returns, they must be divided by a sharp 

 knife, being careful to leave a bud on each 



