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and 1,300 varieties are found in the garden ^ that 

 country. The first double Hyacinth known in Holland 

 was raised from seed about the end of the seventeenth 

 century, by Peter Voorhelm, from which all the fine 

 double varieties we now possess may be traced. So great 

 was the value of a fine double Hyacinth formerly in 

 Holland, that from two to ten thousand florins were 

 given for a single root ; and Mr. Dutens mentions, that, 

 in his travels in that country, in 1771, he saw ten thou- 

 sand florins ($ 4,000) refused for a single Bulb. So ex- 

 tensive has their cultivation, however, now become, 

 that many acres are occupied by individuals solely for 

 that purpose, and many hundred thousand roots are an* 

 nually exported to other countries ; and the prices have 

 been so reduced, that no Hyacinths are now sold at 

 more than one hundred florins each, and few higher 

 than two to five guineas, and by far the greater number 

 at much less rates. Single Hyacinths are held in less 

 estimation than double ones; their colours, however, 

 are more vivid, and their bells, though smaller, are more 

 numerous ; they are preferable for blooming in winter 

 to most of the double ones, as they bloom two to three 

 weeks earlier. 



It has been supposed by many that Hyacinths, Tulips* 

 and other Bulbous flowers, are difficult of culture, and 

 that our country being unfavourable to their growth, 

 they would dwindle and decline after a few years' cul- 

 tivation. This is altogether a mistaken impression, and 

 if it ever occurs, it must be owing to improper treat- 

 ment, as no country in the world possesses a climate 

 more congenial to the culture of Bulbs than the middle 

 States; for the disadvantages of great fogs and a 

 humid atmosphere, which are so much complained of 

 by the Dutch as appertaining to their climate, do not 

 at all exist in our's. The great ascendency which Hol- 

 land has ever held in the culture of Bulbous flowers, 

 is the result of its soil, which is of peculi ar formation, 

 being a combination of marine sand made cul- 

 tivation and bog mould : the proper meai ore, 

 to succeed equally in their culture, is U> iorm a soil 



