POLIAtfTHES TUBEROSA. 



259 



The double flowering variety was a seedling raised 

 by Mons. Le Cour, of Leyden, in Holland, who for many 

 years would not, 

 under any circum- 

 stances, part with 

 a root of it. Even 

 after propagating 

 a desired quantity, 

 if there was a sur- 

 plus, he would 

 cause every tuber 

 to be cut in pieces 

 and destroyed, in 

 order to be the 

 only possessor of 

 so valuable a plant, 

 and, which he con- 

 sidered, the finest 

 flower in the world. 



The cultiva- 

 tion of the Tube- 

 rose bulb was, for 

 many years, con- 

 fin e d principally 

 to the Italian nur- 

 series ; but for the 

 past twenty-five 

 years they have 

 been largely grown 

 in the United 

 States. At the 

 present time the 

 markets of the 

 world are largely 

 supplied with double tuberose. 



American grown bulbs. Less change of form from the 

 species has taken place with this, than with almost any 



