IITTHODUCTOEY. 
* BW families of Blowers are so generally known and admired as those 
embraced in the list of Bulbous-rooted Plants^ The gaudy Tulip, the 
fragrant Hyacinth, the stately Lily, and the modest Snow Drop, are met with 
wherever the hand of Floriculture attempts to decorate some favored spot of 
mother Earth. They recommend themselves to universal favor by brilliancy 
and variety of color, by perfect hardiness, and ease of culture. But little care 
does the bulb require, when once deposited in the ground. Eeviying spring 
calls forth its leaves and flowers, before its quickening influence is felt by 
other plants. The flrst-born children of the floral year, many of them are 
truly the pleasant stepping stones from dreary snow of winter to welcome 
verdure of spring. 
The oft repeated complaint that flowers are so much trouble to take care 
of, cannot apply to them. They rise, and bloom, increase in numbers, and 
disappear again, without the aid of man. High culture may well advance 
them to perfection, but hardship cannot obstruct their vegretation ; liVo onion c? 
Xew "nglano tL / ' ^pendent : f th 
xu a climate preseu....^ ^ ^ drawbacks to floriculture like this of ours, 
flowering plants succeeding surest with the least of labor, are ever foremost 
in public favor. The bulbous flowers, enumerated and described in the follow- 
ing pages, can justly claim more recognition and general culture than they 
have enjoyed heretofore. Coming into bloom earlier than most othey flowers, 
before the dust and heat, so proverbial in our city, curtails this enjoyment of 
the garden, or the little pleasure ground surrounding almost every mansion, 
they are peculiarly well adapted to decoration of smaller city grounds. Their 
space is readilj^ occupied by summer bedding plants, bought later in the 
markets. A two-fold crop of flowers is thus secured every season. 
And shall we point the reader to the striking effect produced by a bed of 
brilliant Tulips, or fragrant Hyacinths, sprung up in early spring amidst the 
verdant lawn ? Should they not be met with in every well-kept house yard 
throughout the city, enjoyed more by the owner and the passing world than 
scores of other costly decorations. With no impropriety the small but ex- 
quisite beautiful flowering frontyard, gracing the residence of W. D^Oench, Esq., 
situated on St. Ange Avenue, may here be mentioned, and be presented for 
imitation to dwellers in elegant marble front mansions, whose inward decora- 
tions are hid behind their costly curtains. Such an array of brilliant flowers 
in early spring, as well as throughout the season, naturally excites a thrill of 
joy in every passer by, and demonstrates most forcibly what beautiful effects 
can be produced by a judicious and liberal introduction of bulbous flowers in 
garden scenery. 
