29 



inc; the main root and arresting the hloom. The double and striped leaved 

 Tuberoses are greatly admired ; the latter of these, and the Common Single 

 flowering, are more certain in their bloom than the double variety. The species 

 of Feraria are exceedingly beautiful, and therefore much admired. 



Hifaciiitks and oihet Bulbs in pots or glasses for vnnter blooming —For this 

 purpose Single Hyacinths, and those designated as earliest among the Double, 

 are to be preferred. The Polyanthus Narcissus, Italian, or Koman Narcissus, 

 Double Narcissus, Double and Single Jomiuils, Persian Iris, Crocus, the winter 

 and spring flowering varieties of the Cyclamen, and the Double and Single Duke 

 van TholTulips, make also a fine appearance during the winter season. Bulbs 

 intended for blooming in pots during the winter, should be planted during the 

 months of October and November, and left exposed to the open air until the 

 ground begins to freeze, when they should be removed to the Greenhouse or to 

 a warm room. They will need occasionally moderate waterings before they 

 begin to vegetate, aiid when they attain to a growing state should receive a 

 plentiful supply by pouring it into the saucers. They should at all times be 

 exposed as much as possible to the sun, air, and light, to prevent their foliage 

 from growing too long, or becoming of a yellow hue. Bulbs cultivated after this 

 manner will mostly bloom in January, and next to the Hyacinth, the Polyanthus 

 Narcissus, and Double Italian, or Roman Narcissus, may be ranked among the 

 most desirable for beauty, fragrance, and easy culture. 



Those intended for glasses should be placed in them about the middle of 

 November, the glasses being previously filled with pure vrater, so that the bottom 

 of the bulb may just touch the water ; then place them for the first ten days in a 

 dark room, to promote the shooting of the roots, after which expose them to the 

 sun and light as much as possible. They will bloom, however, v\'ith little or no 

 sun, but the flowers will be inferior in color. The water should be changed as 

 often as it becomes impure, at which period the roots ought to be drawn entirely 

 out of the glasses and rinsed in clean water, the glasses being at the same time 

 well washed inside. Rain or soft water is preferable to that term.ed hard, but 

 either will answer the purpose, provided it be perfectly clear. Bulbs that have 

 been forced are of bnt little value, and require a considerable period to regain 

 their natural vigor. When removed from the pots or glasses, they should be 

 immersed in water for a week, and then planted in a soil properly prepared, where 

 they will usually commence flowering again the second year. 



DAHLIA, OR GEORGINA. 



Few of our most rustic plants exact less care than this splendid native of 

 Mexico. Indeed, so simple is its culture, that it is already widely disseminated 

 in every part of Europe, as well as in the West Indies, South America, etc., in all- 

 of which it has been found to succeed. It will thrive in any good soil, but as is 

 the case with other plants held in great estimation, amateurs bestow more care 

 on its culture thin is absolutely required, and have adopted particular rules for 

 that object. The roots are tuberous, and towards the last of April they begin to 

 push out young shoots at the base of the stem of the previous year. At this 

 period, or in May, they should be planted ; they will, however, succeed perfectly 

 well if this is deferredtill June, but will not come so soon into flowering. Plants 

 ^own in pots should not be planted until the frosts have entirely subsided. In 

 England they usually, from choice, plant the Dahlia in poor, gravelly soil, m 

 order to render it more dwarf in stature, and this course may have its advantage 

 in a humid atmo5;phere. In our own country, however, where the heat of 

 sumrner is excessive, and where we are sometimes visited by severe drought, the 

 Dahlia would of.en be absolutely blighted, unless the soil were sufficiently rich 

 and retentive of moisture. When planted in a generous soil, our climate is so 

 extremely congenial to its habits, that it expands with the utmost luxuriance, 

 attaining a degree of beauty in its development, if not unequalled, at least not to 

 be surpassed. 



For the gratification of amateurs, we annually plant specimen beds covering 

 two to three acres, C9mprising all ihe rarest varieties, for the purpose of inspection 

 and selection. It will be perceived that our collection is particularly rich in the 

 splendid Variegated, Mottled, Spotted, and Shaded varieties. 



The course we have adopted for its culture, although extremely simple, has 

 been eminently successful, and the directions we shall now give are in accordance 

 therewith. JNlake the ground mellow to the depth of eighteen inches, digging in 

 at the same time a liberal supply of manure. Plant the dwarf ki^ids at three, and 



