112 



persons are not aware how simple are the means necessary to their pre- 

 servation during winter. When the frost has destroyed the foliage, no- 

 thing more is required than to cut off the stalks two or three inches 

 from the ground, and to take up the roots and put them in boxes of dry 

 sand in a cellar or any other place free from frost, there to remain till 

 spring without further care. Indeed the proprietors have for the two 

 past winters kept their stock quite dry and without sand. 



The collection here offered is unrivalled in extent and beauty, and 

 combines the most magnificent varieties of each class ; it being a con- 

 centration of the most choice and interesting that could be selected from 

 the principal establishments of Europe. The inferior kinds, to the extent 

 of 200 varieties, although in our possession, we have omitted, and it will 

 be perceived that the catalogue is particularly rich in the splendid Varie- 

 gated, Striped, Mottled, and Shaded varieties and others of the first class 

 and most vivid and brilliant colors. 



In addition to the usual course of obtaining the newest kinds offered 

 for sale in the catalogues of foreign Florists, the proprietors have made 

 arrangements with several amateurs abroad to furnish them with their 

 most interesting varieties previous to their " coming out" in Europe; 

 and it is to this arrangement that they are indebted for a large number 

 of the very splendid varieties comprised in their catalogues of the last 

 and the present year, although obtainable no where else in our country. 

 The present collection may with justice therefore be said to constitute 

 the acme to which this favorite flower has yet attained. Other new vari- 

 eties are continually accumulating, and Supplementary Catalogues con- 

 taining the additional kinds will be published in March and October 

 of each year. 



A specimen bed comprising a thousand plants, is annually planted for 

 the inspection of amateurs, which will be extended by additions of all 

 the most choice new varieties that foreign countries and our own may 

 present, thereby affording ample facilities/or personal examination and 

 selection, to those who desire it. 



A large stock will be constantly under culture in pots, so as to bo 

 ready for transportation at any period desired, and more than 10,000 are 

 now read for delivery. 



It may be asserted without fear of contradiction, that at no period 

 since the era of the famed Tulipo-mania, has the attention of the vota- 

 ries of Flora been so universally devoted to any flower as it now is to 

 the Dahlia, the " Glory of the Autumn." To the varieties first culti- 

 vated the objection was justly made that the expansion of their flowers 

 commenced too late in the season to merit much estimation, but culture 

 and judicious propagation have removed this difficulty as regards the new 

 varieties. These commence blooming the middle of June, and continue 

 until arrested by frost, our fine American autumn being particularly fa- 

 vorable to their developement. The new varieties produce also a much 

 greater profusion of flowers than the older sorts. 



Bivalling as they do all other plants of the garden in their majestic ap- 

 pearance and gorgeous display, they also combine the merit of facility 

 of culture to such a degree, that the most ignorant can scarcely fail of 

 success. And indeed the day is not distant when the number of va- 

 rieties will surpass that of either the Hyacinth, the Tulip, the Rose, or 

 the Carnation, and the numerous Striped, Variegated, and Mottled Dah- 

 lias, will then be designated under the various classes of Flakes, Bi- 

 zarres, &c, in the same manner as the Carnation ; the connoiseurs with- 

 out doubt becoming quite as fastidious in regard to the formation of th* 

 petals as they now are in respect to the last named flower. 



