259 
And here I may say that, there is even in the delightful pursuit of 
floriculture, a sort of floricultural pedantry, among those most learned 
in such matters. Valuable as their efforts are, and pleasant as it is, to 
see the wonders produced by their improvements in new flowers, still we 
sometimes see an unwillingness to aid the ignorance of those willing to 
learn, and a desire to place their floral beauties beyond the reach of the 
many ; frequently laying down rules for the cultivation of simple flowers 
which none but the wealthy could follow, and which would cause a novice 
to despair in the multitude of elaborate directions. 
Next in succession after the bulbs I mentioned above, we have the 
peony, of which there are many varieties ; of which the old double 
crimson peony (peony officenalis) is a familiar friend ; peony rosea, (rose 
colored,) peony rubra, (red,) peony abbicans, (white,) are all of this 
species, and flower the last of May and first of June. A bed of thjse 
would make a splendid appearance. The tubers should be planted in rich 
garden soil, and should not be disturbed in the spring. Other varieties of 
the family are very desirable, particularly the tree peony. All the varie¬ 
ties are hardy, standing the winter without protection. The Iris (flower 
de luce—a corruption of fleur de lis) has many beautiful varieties, some 
of them, however, not perfectly hardy—flowering mostly in June. The 
bulbs to be planted in the fall. 
Next in succesion is the lily. Most of the species are quite hardy, but 
would flower stronger for a winter’s covering of manure. The lily should 
not be often removed—the proper time for transplanting is soon after 
flowering. They require a deep moist soil, muck is their natural home. 
The old white lily, (lilium candidum,) flowering the first of July, is very 
beautiful, and delightfully fragrant. There are many others of the cul¬ 
tivated sorts which are desirable, among which is the tiger spotted lily—— 
which never was known to die out, even when unfairly treated. The 
spendid Japan lilies are now considered hardy. The lilium canadense, 
(nodding meadow lily,) and lilum Philadelphicum, (common red lily,) 
are both natives of our State, and are certainly worth transplanting to 
our gardens—they are much improved by cultivation. 
Gladiolas are valuable, blossoming in August when flowers are scarcer 
the bulbs should be taken up about the first of November, and kept in a 
dry place in the cellar and planted out in May. 
