Ill 



DOUBLE DAHLIA, OR GEORGINA. 



This magnificent plant bids fair to rival in splendour and in diversity the 

 far famed Tulip and the Rose. Many of the varieties are inconceivably 

 beautiful and interesting, and there 6eems a never ending variation of 

 colour and form. 



The numerous varieties combine the richest shades and most varied 

 hues of which nature is susceptible, with every diversity in shape and 

 magnitude, from the size of a small globe an inch and a half in diame- 

 ter, to an expanded disk twenty-four inches in circumference! Most per- 

 sons are not aware how simple are the means necessary to their preser- 

 vation during winter. When the frost has destroyed the foliage, nothing 

 more is required than to cut oft' 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 until spring with- 

 out 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 com- 

 bines the most magnificent varieties of each class; it being a concentra- 

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

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

 v JU0 varieties, although in our possession, we have omitted, and it will be 

 perceived that the catalogue is particularly rich in the splendid Variegated, 

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

 most vivid and brilliant colours. 



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 

 ii 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 jear, although obtainable nowhere else in our country. The 

 present collection may with justice, therefore, be said to constitute the 

 acme to which this favourite flower has yet attained. Other new varieties 

 are continually accumulating, and Supplementary Catalogues, containing 

 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 tho 

 most choice new varieties that foreign countries and our own may present, 

 thereby affording ample facilities for personal examination and selection, 

 to those who desire it. 



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

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

 ready 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 votaries 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 cultivated, 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 propa- 

 gation 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 favourable to their 

 developement. The new varieties produce also a much greater profusion 

 of flowers than the older sorts. 



Rivalling as they do all other plants of the garden in their majestic 

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

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



