^ A 
 
 ooao-jo-isbsE 
 
 tEATISE* 
 
 THE CULTIVATION 
 
 OMMAMEWTAI. Fl-OWfiRS 
 
 COMPRISIWQ 
 
 ^^1 
 
 REMAllKS ON THE REQUISITE SOIL, SOWING, gi 
 TRANSPLANTING, AND GENERAL 
 MANAGEMENT: 
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR THl^ExNL.LAL TREATMENT 
 
 ilUIiBOUS FLOWER HOOTS, 
 
 GREEN iiOUSE PT^ANTS, &c. 
 Bt ROLAND GREEN. 
 
 BOSTON, 
 
 rUBLISUKU UY JOriN B. RUSSELL, 51 NORTH MARKET STREET, ^^j 
 
 AND 
 
 ^i- ^^ THORDURN & SON, 67 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK. 
 
 Press of L R. Butts & Co. 
 
 S B , s '^^^- 
 
^LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 
 
 if 
 
 I J7^// ..Ss ? 
 
 ! ^ 
 
 I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. | 
 
A 
 
 TREATISE 
 
 ON 
 
 THE CULTIVATION 
 
 OF 
 
 ORNAMENTAL FLOTV^ERS ; 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 REMARKS ON THE REQUISITE SOIL, SOWING, 
 
 TRANSPLANTING, AND GENERAL 
 
 MANAGEMENT : 
 
 WITH 
 DIRECTIONS FOR THE GENERAL TREATMENT 
 
 ^ OF 
 
 BULBOUS FLOWER ROOTS, 
 
 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, ifec. 
 I "^ / f^ % BY ROLAND GREEN. /<<^^^^ <^o/ 
 
 A\^ — i 1876, 
 
 BOSTON, \^^o->.,,,,.sv 
 
 PUBLISHED BY JOHN B. RUSSELL, 52 NORTH MARKET 
 
 / AND 
 
 G. THORBURN & SON, 67 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK. 
 
 Press of 1. R. Butts & Co. 
 
 1828. 
 
 1r 
 
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, tO Wit: 
 
 District Clerk's Office. 
 Be it remembered, that on the eighth day of April, a. d. 
 1828, in the fiftysecond year of the Independence of the United 
 States of America, John B. Russell, of the said district, has 
 deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he 
 claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " A Treatise on the Cultivation of Ornamental Flowers ; com- 
 prising Remarks on the requisite soil, sowing, transplanting, and 
 general management • with Directions for the general treatment of 
 Bulbous Flower Roots, Green House Plants, &c. By Roland 
 Green." 
 
 In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, 
 entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing 
 the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pro- 
 prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;'* 
 and also to an act, entitled, " An act supplementary to an act, en- 
 titled, an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
 copies of maps, charts, and books to the authors and proprietors 
 of such copies during the times therein mentioned ; and extending 
 the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etch- 
 kig historical and other prints." 
 
 mo W r>AVT<? \(^^rk of the District of 
 JNO. W. DAVlfe, J Massachusetts. 
 
 5^ 
 
 OO 
 
 
FLO^IVERS 
 
 Should the agriculturist have no taste for orna- 
 mental gardening, yet such is the laudable taste of 
 the fair daughters of America, at the present day, 
 that, there are but comparatively few, that do not take 
 an interest in a flower garden. And this alone is a 
 sufficient reason for the publication of these remarks. 
 
 Horticulture, as it respects Ornamental Gardening, is 
 one of the most innocent, the most healthy, and to some? 
 the most pleasing employment in life. The rural scenes, 
 which it affords, are instructive lessons, tending to moral 
 and social virtue ; teaching us to " look through nature 
 up to nature's God." 
 
 Flower gardens were ever held in high estimation by 
 persons of taste. Emperors and kings have been de- 
 lighted with the expansion of flowers. '' Consider the 
 lilies of the field j^^ said an exalted personage, " how they 
 grow'j'^^ for Solomon, when clothed in the purple of 
 
FLOWERS. 
 
 royalty, " was not arrayed like one of these^ Nature, 
 in her gay attire, unfolds to view a vast variety, which 
 is pleasing to the human mind ; and consequently has 
 a tendency to tranquillize the agitated passions, and 
 exhilarate the man — nerve the imagination, and render 
 all around him delightful. 
 
 The cultivation of flowers, is an employment adapted 
 to every grade, the high and the low, the rich and the 
 poor ; hut especially to those, who have retired from 
 the busy scenes of active life. Man was never made 
 to rust out in idleness. A degree of exercise is as 
 necessary for the preservation of health, both of body 
 and mind, as food. And what exercise is more fit for 
 him, who is in the decline of life, than that of superin- 
 tending a well ordered garden ? What more enlivens 
 the sinking mind ? What more invigorates the feeble 
 framed What is more conducive to a long Ife ? 
 
 Floriculture is peculiarly calculated for the amuse- 
 ment of youth. It may teach them many important 
 lessons. Let a piece of ground be appropriated to 
 their use — to improve in such a manner^ as their incli- 
 nations shall dictate — to cultivate such plants as are 
 pleasing to their taste ; and let them receive the pro- 
 ceeds. Let order and neatness pervade their little plan- 
 tations. Let them be instructed, that nothing valuable 
 
FLOWERS. 
 
 is to be obtained or preserved without labor, care, and 
 attention — that as every valuable plant must be de- 
 fended, and every noxious weed removed ; so every 
 moral virtue must be protected, and every corrupt pas- 
 sion and propensity subdued. 
 
 The cultivation of flowers, is an appropriate amuse- 
 ment for young ladies. It teaches neatness, cultivates 
 a correct taste, and furnishes the mind with many pleas- 
 ing ideas. The delicate form and features, the mildness 
 and sympathy of disposition, render them fit subjects 
 to raise those transcendant beauties of nature, which 
 declare the " perfections of the Creator's power." The 
 splendid lustre and variegated hues (which bid defiance 
 to the pencil,) of the rose, the lily, the tulip, and 
 a thousand others, harmonize with the fair fostering 
 hand that tends them — with the heart susceptible to 
 the noblest impressions — and with spotless innocence. 
 
 Situation. As to the proper situation for a garden, 
 it is not always in our power to choose. A level plat, 
 however, is to be preferred ; for if there be considera- 
 ble descent, the heavy rains will wash away the soil. 
 A southern aspect, sheltered from the north and north. 
 1* 
 
6 FLOWERS. 
 
 west winds, is a proper situation for most plants. An 
 inclination towards the north, or west, or any point 
 between them, should, if possible, be avoided. 
 
 Soil. The natural soil should be a deep loam, which 
 is easily made rich by old rotten manure. But here 
 again, it is not always in our power to choose such a 
 soil. In such cases we must endeavor to imitate, we 
 must dig and carry off — and bring on loam, &lc. and 
 make a rich soil. The ground ought to be well pul- 
 verized with the plough or the spade. In a word, what 
 is wanted, is a deep rich soil, natural or artificial, not too 
 wet, nor too dry. 
 
 The ground in a garden must be kept rich, and often 
 stirred. It ought to be manured every year. A com- 
 post made of decayed vegetables, yard manure, rotten 
 leaves, ashes, and mould from any place, where it can 
 be had, is proper for a garden. A garden should be 
 well defended, by a high and tight fence, especially on 
 the north and west. 
 
 Sowing and Planting. In the first place, the ground 
 must be made fine, as well as rich. It should be mo- 
 derately moist, not too wet, nor too dry. The beds 
 should be raised three or four inches, above the level 
 
FLOWERS. 7 
 
 of the walks ; and the seeds ought, by all means, to 
 be sown in rows, ten or twelve inches apart ; and 
 the earth should be moderately pressed upon them. 
 The time for sowing either annual, biennial, or peren- 
 nial flower seeds, is in the months of April and May, 
 according to the state of the season. Very small seeds 
 may be covered with fine earth, nearly half an inch, 
 larger ones in proportion to their size; and those as 
 large as a pea, to the depth of an inch, or a little more. 
 Seeds of delicate plants, should be planted in flower 
 pots, and the earth kept moderately moist, by watering 
 with a watering pot, that is finely pierced, and does 
 not pour heavily ; or the pot may be placed in the pan, 
 and water supplied at the bottom. The pots should 
 be exposed to the sun, except from eleven a. m. to two 
 p. M. when a powerful sun might scorch the vegetating 
 seed. The mould for pots should be rich, and sifted 
 through a coarse sieve, made for that purpose. 
 
 Transplanting. — The best time, perhaps, for trans- 
 planting annual plants is in June, and for biennial and 
 perennial plants in September or the beginning of 
 October — remembering in all cases to take a sufficient 
 quantity of earth, with the roots, where it can be 
 done with propriety. Scoop trowels will be found 
 
8 FLOWERS. 
 
 useful instruments in this operation, which ought not 
 to be done when the ground is very wet, but when 
 it is only moderately moist, and in a cloudy day, or a 
 little before the evening, or previous to a shower. If 
 the ground be dry, shading the plants, and a little 
 water may be necessary, for a short time. In case 
 the roots should be small, or injured, or destitute of 
 earth, when takeji up, they must be shaded during the 
 day, until they have gained strength. In placing a 
 plant where it is to stand, great care is necessary to 
 place the roots in their natural position, to bring the 
 earth in contact with them, and to press the earth 
 moderately about them. 
 
 If the plant is to be planted in a pot, place a piece of 
 earthen ware over the aperture in the bottom, that 
 the superabundant water may drain off, which would 
 otherwise saturate and rot the roots. The pots should 
 be nearly filled with rich earth and the pla.nt carefully 
 placed in the centre and the mould brought into contact 
 with the roots, and moderately pressed. 
 
 Cultivation. — The plants must be properly thinned 
 while they are small ; for if left too near each other, 
 they interfere, grow slender and weakly. As the 
 plants increase in size, remove the weakest, and so 
 continue to do, until they stand at a proper distance. 
 
FLOWERS. 
 
 All plants of every description should stand at such 
 distance one from the other, as that the air may- 
 circulate freely about them, and that the sun may 
 have its proper influence in bringing them to perfection. 
 The air and sun are absolutely necessary in perfecting 
 the growth of plants, which never ought to stand so 
 near, as to interfere with each other. 
 
 The earth ought to be kept loose about the plants, 
 and for this purpose a prong-hoe is a useful instrument. 
 Moving the earth should be done in dry weather ; as 
 ploughing, digging, or hoeing in wet weather, leaves the 
 ground in a bad, clammy state. In a dry season stir 
 the earth about plants and spread old coarse hay or 
 straw about them. Old hay spread about the plants 
 keeps the earth cool and retains the moisture, and is 
 very useful to vines. 
 
 Weeds of every species must be removed, and the 
 sooner the better after their appearance. No weed 
 should be suffered to flower in a garden, nor in its 
 border. The beauty of a garden depends very much 
 on order and neatness — a place for everything, and 
 everything in its place — keeping out the weeds and 
 removing everything when decayed. No garden can 
 show to advantage, where weeds are permitted to usurp 
 the place of useful plants. 
 
10 FLOWERS. 
 
 Shrubbery in general requires some attention. Prune 
 out all inferior, dead, and decaying branches. Keep 
 down the suckers and clean out the weeds, and stir 
 the earth about the roots occasionally. Order and 
 neatness add a lustre to everything. 
 
 Cuttings are pieces, cut from trees^ shrubs, or plants 
 of the last growth, and should generally, retain a small 
 piece of the growth immediately preceding the last 
 or ripened wood. They should be taken when the 
 sap is active, and about six joints or buds are sufficient. 
 Cut them with a sharp knife, transversely and smoothly, 
 near a joint or bud of the previous growth, or between 
 the two last growths. Set them in rich moist ground, 
 in a shady place, leaving two or three joints or buds 
 above the surface. If the weather be dry, water them 
 and place old hay about them, to keep the earth moist. 
 Such parts of herbaceous plants should be taken for 
 cuttings, as do not show a tendency to flower. If the 
 cutting be planted in a flower pot, place the pot in 
 the earth, in a shady place, and cover the cutting with 
 an inverted glass, for a short time, to preserve a moist 
 atmosphere about it. If they send out roots, they 
 will also send out branches, otherwise they die. 
 
 Layers are branches left on the parent plant or shrub, 
 and bent down and fastened several inches (according 
 
FLOWERS. 11 
 
 to the case) below the surface of the earth, leaving 
 the extreme part out of the ground. A flat stone 
 placed on the earth immediately above the layer is 
 useful to keep the earth cool and to retain the moisture. 
 When they have taken sufficient root, sever them from 
 the parent stock, and at any proper time they may be 
 transplanted. 
 
 As to the cultivation of herbaceous plants and shrubs 
 in pots, a few directions may be necessary. — The 
 earth should be kept moderately moist. The mould 
 on the top should be dry before additional water be 
 given. The pots should be frequently turned round, 
 or the plants will grow crooked by reason of their 
 inclining towards the sun or light. If the plants are to 
 stand in pots, year after year, the balls of earth should 
 be taken out in October, and the sides and bottom 
 shaved off with a sharp knife, to the depth of an inch, 
 more or less, according to the size, and then replaced, 
 and the pot filled with some fresh compost or very rich 
 earth made very fine. Two thirds of good rich earth 
 and one third of old rotten yard manure, well incorpo- 
 rated, make a good compost for most plants, except 
 the bulbous rooted, which require some sand. 
 
12 BULBOUS FLOEWR ROOTS. 
 
 Protection during the winter. — Herbaceous plants in 
 general require some slight covering during the severity 
 of a northern winter. Pine boughs, straw, old coarse 
 hay, or leaves, are useful for this purpose, and may 
 be removed about the iSrst of April or before, if the 
 weather will permit. 
 
 BULBOUS FLOWER ROOTS. 
 
 No class df plants is more interesting, perhaps, than 
 this ; yet merely an outline of the mode of cultivation 
 must suffice. 
 
 Situation, A southern exposure, not too wet nor 
 too dry, sheltered from the north and northwest winds, 
 is proper for most bulbous roots. 
 
 Soil, Bulbous flower roots do best in a soil com- 
 posed of one third sand, one third old rotten yard ma- 
 nure, and one third good rich earth, well pulverized 
 and mixed together ; and if a small proportion, say 
 about one fourth, of decomposed vegetable mould, from 
 
BULBOUS FLOWER ROOTS. 13 
 
 a wood or swamp be added, it will have a good effect, 
 by giving additional lightness to the soil. The beds 
 should be raised four or five inches above the level of 
 the walks, that the superfluous moisture may run off. 
 Some additional sand strewed in the trenches, made 
 for the roots, before and after planting them, is re- 
 commended. 
 
 Transplanting. The proper season for transplant- 
 ing most bulbous roots, is in August, September, and 
 October. The only advantage to be gained, by taking 
 up bulbs, after blooming (tulips excepted) is either to 
 divide the roots, when too numerous, or to renew a 
 worn out soil, neither of which can occur oftener than 
 once in three or four years. Tulips and Hyacinths, 
 when taken up after blooming, and after the foliage is 
 decayed, may be kept from the ground till the middle 
 of October. 
 
 Delicate and tender bulbs, as the Feraria Tigrida, 
 Sic. may be planted in pots, in November, or they 
 may be kept in dry sand until April (which is best) and 
 then planted in pots or open ground. In either case, 
 they must be secured from the frost. As to Tulips 
 and Hyacinths, in order to preserve their beauty in 
 ■ - OrrcuA 
 
 d^W,/ u 
 
 :^')K^>- 
 
 
 
 ., A 
 
 
 
 
 U-r' <^^s. 
 
 Vt'#»-^AoC u>. 
 
 h : .J '. 
 
 ;-.,- ' 
 
 rL i-th\ 
 
 ',-'.( r-/U*r ht 
 
 cs-f-<.-4- 
 
 .0 
 
 .- t-y. H^ Vi^J^ 6-/ .-/tt/ 
 
14 BULBOUS FLOWER ROOTS. 
 
 perfection, the nicer varieties should be taken up, air 
 dried, and replanted annually. 
 
 Depths and Distances. Large bulbs, as the Hya- 
 cinth and the large Lilies, should be planted to the depth 
 of four inches ; Tulips, Narcissus, Jonquils, three inches ; 
 Crocus, Feraria Tigrida, Gladiolus, &c. two inches, 
 always measuring from the top of the bulb. The Po- 
 lyanthus Narcissus may be planted five or six inches 
 deep. The rows should be ten or twelve inches asun- 
 der, and the roots placed from three to eight inches 
 apart, according to the size of the plants. 
 
 Protection during Winter. Bulbous roots should 
 be covered in November with tanners' bark, leaves, 
 rubbish of the garden, or some light substance, to the 
 depth of tliree inches, to prevent the bad effects of 
 severe frosts. Polyanthus Narcissus is more tender 
 than Hyacinths, and ought to be covered six or seven 
 inches. The covering must be removed early in the 
 spring. 
 
 Management of Bulbous Roots in Pots. Hyacinths, 
 Polyanthus Narcissus, Double Narcissus, and Jonquils, 
 make a beautiful appearance during winter, in the 
 parlor. 
 
BULBOUS FLOWER ROOTS. 15 
 
 Bulbs intended for blooming in the winter, should 
 be potted in October or November, and left out until 
 it begins to freeze, and then placed in a warm room. 
 They will want, occasionally, a litde water, until they 
 begin to grow ; then they should have both air and sun, 
 and plenty of water from the saucers or pans, under- 
 neath the pots. 
 
 Those bulbs, as Hyacinths, he. which are designed 
 to flower in glasses, should be placed in them, towards 
 the end of November, the glasses being first filled with 
 rain water, so that the bulbs may come in contact with it. 
 Then place them in a dark place for a few days, to 
 promote the shooting of the roots, after which expose 
 them to the light and sun, and change the water as 
 often as it becomes impure, not suffering it to freeze. 
 
 Bulbous rooted plants, growing in pots, should be 
 frequently turned round, as they will incline to the sun 
 or light — the earth on the top should be suffered to dry, 
 before the next watering — when the plants have done 
 growing, give them little or no water. If the plant be 
 so managed the present year, as not to have a flower 
 bud formed in miniature, there will be no flower in 
 the next. If the leaves be well grown, and the plant 
 properly exposed to the air and sun, then the sap wiU 
 be duly prepared by them, and an embryo flower will 
 
16 BULBOUS FLOWER ROOTS. 
 
 be formed in the bulb. All bulbs, in a certain period 
 of the year, are dormant ; this state commences when 
 the foliage begins to decay, after blooming — Then les- 
 sen the supplies of water, and in a litde time cease 
 to water altogether, until the season of regermination 
 returns. The bulbs during this time, may be kept in 
 the pots in a dry shady place, and in the same tempera- 
 ture as that in which they delight to grow. 
 
 Generally, it is best to take the bulbs out of the 
 pots, after the decay of the foliage, and repot them in 
 a fresh soil or compost, (mentioned above for bulbs,) a 
 week or two before the period of regerminating ; at 
 which time water will be necessary, and may be ap- 
 plied at the bottom, pouring into the pan, or it may be 
 applied by a small watering-pot, that pours lightly, on 
 the top, so as to keep the earth moderately moist. The 
 earth should be kept loose on the top, and the water 
 used for the plants ought to be rain water ; or such as 
 has been exposed to the sun. Water that has been 
 filtered through a rich compost is very useful. 
 
 The proper time to take up bulbous roots is in about 
 a month after blooming, when the foliage has a yellow- 
 ish, decayed appearance. Cut off the stem and foliage 
 within an inch of the bulb, leaving the fibrous roots 
 attached to it. After they are air dried, place them 
 
BULBOUS FLOWER ROOTS. 17 
 
 singly in paper or dry sand, until replanted, or spread 
 them on shelves in a dry apartment. 
 
 Flowers are divided into annuals, which flower and 
 die the year they are sown ; biennials, which flower 
 the second year, and then die; and perennials, which 
 do not, generally, flower the first year, but die down to 
 the ground annually, and spring up again every suc- 
 ceeding spring for a number of years. 
 
 In the following alphabetical list, flowering trees and 
 shrubs are included. We shall select such plants, 
 shrubs, and trees, as are of easy cultivation, generally 
 hardy — such as have singular foliage, fragrant odors, 
 or beautiful flowers — such as make a handsome appear- 
 ance. As to placing them in the garden, or elsewhere, 
 to advantage, we leave to the convenience and taste of 
 ^ the proprietor. 
 
 2* 
 
ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 FLOVTERS. 
 
 ALTH^A FRUTEX, (Hibiscus syriacus) is a 
 beautiful shrub, but requires a warm sheltered situation, in 
 the northern states. It is easily raised from the seeds, 
 sown in the spring. The young plants must be well 
 protected during the winter. 
 
 ALMOND, DOUBLE FLOWERING, (Amygdolus pumila) 
 is a shrub, which is, generally, in. the st)ring, loaded 
 with beautiful flowers, resembling small roses. . When 
 in bloom it is not inferior, to any shrub, whatever, and 
 makes a fine appearance in a border. • It is propagated 
 by suckers. 
 
 AMARANTHUS SUPERBUS.— Annual— superb 
 — flowers late — tender — plant the seed in May, or be- 
 fore if the season be mild. 
 
FLOWERS. 19 
 
 AMARANTHUS TRICOLOR.— This plant is an- 
 nual, and is admired for its beautiful foliage, red, green, 
 and yellow — tender. The seed is found in little tufts 
 about the stalk, and should be sown in May, or before, 
 if the weather be warm. 
 # 
 
 ANIMATED OATS, {Avena sensitiva) are annual, 
 and resemble the common oats, while growing. The 
 seeds are clothed with a stiff down, and have appen- 
 dages like the legs of some insect, with apparent joints. 
 They are affected by the changes of the weather, and 
 of course, are continually moving. If they be wet, they 
 will turn over several times, and twist about. If wet 
 and held to a lighted lamp, they exhibit such motions 
 of apparent agony, as an insect would, placed in a 
 like situation. 
 
 ASTER, CHINA. — It is annual, and produces many 
 flowers, beautiful to the sight. There are many species, 
 as red, white, purple, striped, quilled, Sic. The seed 
 should be sown early in the spring. It flowers late in 
 the season, and endures some frost, but will not stand a 
 severe one. 
 
 AURICULA. — ^This is one of the flowers, the spe- 
 
20 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 cies of which are distinguished by having awarded 
 to thenoi the name of famous men, famous women, fa- 
 mous cities, famous battles, he. It may be raised from 
 seed ; but the flowers so raised, do not resemble those 
 of the parent plant, except by mere accident. How- 
 ever, if a flower be produced different from any whicl# 
 has appeared before, there will be a chance to add to 
 the list of names. Auriculas are best propagated by 
 dividing the roots, which send out several young plants 
 annually. They are tender, and if planted in open 
 ground, they must be well covered, and be kept from 
 severe frost and rain during the winter. They are well 
 calculated for pots, to flower in the parlor. 
 
 AZALEA NUDIFLORA.— Several species— com- 
 monly called American Honeysuckle. This shrub 
 blows profusely — very fragrant, and makes a fine ap- 
 pearance in a border. 
 
 BOX, (Buxus sempervirens) is a small delicate shrub, 
 which may be pruned to any shape, to please the fancy. 
 It is an evergreen, hardy, and is proper to trim beds. 
 It appears well in a border. It is propagated by cut- 
 tings, or by dividing the roots. If a plant be placed 
 deep in the earth, and the soil be brought in close xon- 
 
FLOWERS. 21 
 
 tact with the small branches, (being spread as much as 
 possible) they will send out roots, and afford a great 
 number of small plants. The small branches are used 
 by the ladies to trim cake, he. 
 
 * BRIER, SWEET, {Rosa rubiginosa) is a well known 
 bush of the rose family — very hardy — foliage bright 
 and fragrant — will grow in poor ground. 
 
 CANTERBURY BELL, ( Campanula medium) is 
 a biennial plant, and is admired for its profusion of large 
 blue flowers. 
 
 CARNATION, {Dianthus caryophyllus.) — Here is 
 beauty and fragrance. It is a superb plant, and is biennial 
 and perennial. There are various kinds, distinguished 
 by names, like those of the Auricula, and what was said 
 of the seed of that plant applies to this. It is best pro- 
 pagated by layers. While it is in flower, it sends out 
 several side shoots near the root. These are pinned 
 down in August a little under the earth, leaving the 
 extreme part erect. In a little time they take root, and 
 the new plant must be severed from the old and trans- 
 planted. The old plant does not always stand another 
 winter ; therefore, its branches are thus used to contin- 
 
22 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 tinu® the species. Carnations are rather tender as to 
 frost ; and must be well covered, as far north as Massa- 
 chusetts, to live through the winter. It is best to put 
 them in large pots ; and to keep them in a green house, 
 or parlor, or in some place where they can have air 
 and light during the Winter. They merit all the care' 
 that can be bestowed upon them. 
 
 CASSIA MARYLANDIC A is a perennial plant pro- 
 ducing many small yellow flowers, suitable only to stand 
 in a border. It is hardy and is propagated by seed. 
 
 CATALPA, [Catalpa syringcefolia) is a beautiful 
 tree, much admired for its foliage and showy flowers. 
 It is propagated by seed. 
 
 CHERRY, DOUBLE FLOWERING. — This is one of the 
 most beautiful trees in the flower garden or shrubbery ; 
 cultivation the same as that of the common cherry. 
 
 CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM.— This is a 
 
 superb perennial flower, much esteemed ; being hardy 
 and affording a brilliant display of beauty, late in the 
 Autumn, when the chilling blasts of the north-west and 
 frosts have only left us the vestiges of departed verdure. 
 
FLOWERS. 23 
 
 They may Stand in open ground until August or Sep- 
 tember, and then be taken up and placed in pots. When 
 the frosts appear, keep them in a sitting room until after 
 flowering, which is a long time, and then the roots may 
 be put in the cellar, or in open ground. They will 
 flower in the garden, if properly covered with glass. 
 There are many varieties, all of which are propagated 
 by dividing the roots. 
 
 CLEMATIS, AUSTRIAN, {Clematis integrifoKa) 
 is a perennial plant producing very neat flowers. Best 
 propagated by dividing the roots. 
 
 CLETHRA ( Clethra alnifolia) is a very common 
 shrub, which produces fragrant flowers, in clusters, in 
 the Autumn. 
 
 COLUMBINE, (^^m7e^ta)— -Perennial— very com- 
 mon — very neat — many species. 
 
 CONVOLVULUS.— Many species— annual— Con- 
 volvulus major is commonly called Morning Glory. It 
 is a vine and a great runner — many colors. Convol- 
 vulus minor, called Beauty of the JVight because it blos- 
 soms at evening — many colors. They are much admired. 
 The seed must be sown early in the Spring. 
 
24 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 CORCHORUS JAPONICUS.— This shrub, al- 
 though cultivated as a green house plant, will thrive in a 
 warm sheltered place in a garden. It produces nume- 
 rous flowers of a golden yellow, in wreaths, much ad- 
 mired. 
 
 CROCUS. — A bulbous rooted plant — hardy — very 
 early — various colors ; as blue, white, purple, yellow, 
 &;c. Appears to advantage in small pots. Propagated 
 by the bulbs. 
 
 CUPID'S CAR, or MONK'S HOOD, {aconitum 
 napellas) is a beautiful, hardy perennial. It produces 
 many neat blue flowers both in Summer and Autumn. 
 It is propagated by dividing the roots. 
 
 DAHLIA. — This is a beautiful autumnal flowering 
 plant, a native of Mexico. There are many varieties, 
 single and double, and of almost every color and 
 shade. Dahlias will grow in almost any soil, but a 
 poor sandy, or gravelly soil is thought best, for the 
 the purpose of preventing them from growing too luxu- 
 riant, which would be the case, if planted in a rich soil. 
 In a poor soil they produce a greater abundance of 
 flowers. They are propagated by seed and by dividing 
 the roots. 
 
FLOWERS. 
 
 25 
 
 The seed may be sown in March, in pots, and placed 
 in a hot bed, or green house. About the middle of 
 May, or when there is no danger from frost, plant them 
 out in the borders, or wherever they are to stand, and as 
 they advance in height, let them be well supported by 
 stakes, otherwise the wind will break them down. 
 
 The roots are tuberous, resembling a sweet potato, 
 and should be taken up in October or November, and 
 preserved through the Winter in a box filled with dry 
 sand, placed where the frost never penetrates. To- 
 wards the end of April, or when they begin to sprout, 
 divide the roots and plant them where they are to 
 stand, taking care to cover them in case of frost. Plant 
 only those that have a bud, and be careful that it is not 
 hurt by dividing the roots. The plants soon shoot up 
 to considerable height, and produce a great abundance 
 of flowers. The p'ants must be well supported by 
 slender stakes. They are said to do well if planted in 
 large pots. 
 
 DAISY, (Bellis) is a small, delicate, perennial plant, 
 and produces beautiful litde flowers. It is hardy and 
 well calculated for pots, placed in the sitting room ; in 
 which case, they will flower in the Winter. It is propa- 
 gated by oflfsets. 
 
 DWARF BASIL, {Ocymum minimum j)lis a sweet, 
 3 
 
26 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 fcagrant, annual plant. Easily raised by seed. But 
 few plants exceed this in fragrance. 
 
 EGG PLANT. — This is a singular, annual plant. 
 The white [Solarium melongena) is the most unique, 
 producing a fruit resembling a large white egg. The 
 seed should be planted early, in a hot bed, and after the 
 frosts have gone past, transplant them where it is desired 
 they should stand. 
 
 EUPATORIUM, BLUE, {Eupatorium ccelestinum) 
 is a perennial plant producing many beautiful flowers, 
 much admired. Propagated best by dividing the roots. 
 
 -EUPHORBIA LATHYRIS is a biennial plant, com- 
 monly called the Caper tree. It is singular in its foliage, 
 and bears a small fruit useful for pickling. It is rather 
 tender, but will stand the Winter very well in a com- 
 mon hot bed. It is raised from seed. 
 
 FADING BEAUTY, or MORNING BRIDE, 
 
 {Scahiosa atropurpurea) is an annual plant producing 
 beautiful flowers ; but they soon fade, continuing only 
 an hour or two. The seed should be planted early in 
 the Spring. 
 
 FIR, {Pinus balsamea) is not a flowering tree, but 
 it is a beautiful evergreen, and very ornamental. 
 
FLOWERS. 27 
 
 FOXGLOVE, {Digitalis) is a biennial and peren- 
 nial plant, and produces very handsome flowers. 
 There are several species, but the purple is the most 
 beautiful. The seed is very small, and ought to be 
 sown- early in the spring, and very lightly covered with 
 earth. — The plant possesses high medicinal virtues. 
 
 FRINGE TREE, {Cheiranihus) a beautiful 
 American shrub covered with white flowers in its 
 season. It is hardy, and will grow in any soil, but 
 flourishes best in moist ground. 
 
 GERANIUM, {Pelargonium) — This plant wants 
 hardiness only to make it one of the finest and most 
 valuable productions in the floral kingdom. There 
 are many varieties. Some give us flower with little or 
 no leaf; others possess beauty of leaf, as well as of 
 flowers ; some give us no fragrance ; but others give 
 us the most delightful odors, and in great profusion. 
 
 The geranium is a native of the South of Africa, and 
 
 • 
 
 will not endure the frost. It is easily propagated by 
 cuttings from any part of the plant, old wood or young, 
 and placed in a pot. In a green house they will bloom 
 throughout a northern winter. They are properly 
 green house plants. There is one, however, which is 
 as hardy as an oak tree, Geranium maculatum, produ- 
 cing a blue flower. It is possessed of great medicinal 
 powers. 
 
28 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 GARDEN ANGELICA, {Angelica archangelica) 
 has a bold appearance when in flower. It is suitable 
 for a border and very showy. It is propagated by seed. 
 It is a perennial. 
 
 GLYCINE, CLUSTER FLOWERING, {Glycine frutes- 
 cens) is a perennial vine, and will extend on the side of 
 a house or wall to great length. It is much admired. 
 The flowers are variegated. Propagated by seed 
 and from layers. 
 
 GOLDEN COREOPSIS, {Coreopsis elegans,)— 
 This is an annual plant and produces a profusion of 
 splendid flowers of a brilliant yellow, with rich purple 
 centre. It is easily raised from the seed. 
 
 GOLDEN EVERLASTING, {Xeranthemum luci- 
 dum) is a very singular plant, and produces bright yellow 
 flowers, which if plucked before the seed ripens, will 
 hold their brightness for years. It is much' admired. 
 The seed should be planted early, as the plant will 
 flower late in the season. 
 
 HOLLYHOCK, {Althcsa)— This is a showy plant 
 for a shrubbery.^It is hardy and perennial. There 
 are various kinds ; single and double, white, red, 
 yellow, black, and variegated. 
 
FLOWERS, 29 
 
 HONEYSUCKLE.— This plant is very beautiful in 
 its place ; it climbs up houses, and over hedges ; 
 it forms arbors and bowers ; it blooms in clusters. 
 Three varieties we shall name. The Italian {Lonicera 
 italica) produces an abundance of flowers early in the 
 season, diflijsing a rich fragrance all around. The 
 flowers are changeable. The Variegated (Lonicera 
 caprifolium) blooms monthly and has a delightful 
 fragrance. The Scarlet Trumpet ( Caprifolium s em- 
 pervirens) blooms monthly, — scarlet flowers, and makes 
 a beautiful appearance. They may be propagated by 
 seed or cuttings, but best by layers. 
 
 HYACINTH, (Hyacinthus orientalis.) — This is a 
 bulbous rooted plant, and, like all other plants of this 
 class, is perennial. It is a beautiful and fragrant 
 flower ; it blooms early. It will bloom in glasses filled 
 with water in a room, but better in pots of earth. It is 
 best propagated by ofl^sets. While the parent root is 
 blowing, it sends out several young ones. They should 
 be planted at the depth of four inches. There are 
 many varieties of this favorite flower, both single and 
 double ; the former have the most vivid colors, but the- 
 latter are generally preferred. Such was the rage in 
 Holland for this superb flower, that in the year 1771, 
 four thousand dollars were refused for a single bulb. 
 3* 
 
30 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 HYDRANGEA, (Hydrangea hortensis) is a small 
 shrub and produces very large flowers, which are 
 changeable. The flowers are at first green — change 
 gradually to rose color — then to green, occupying the 
 space of about six months. It is a house plant ; will 
 bear some frost ; but must be kept during the Winter 
 in a green house, sitting room, or cellar into which 
 some light is admitted. This ornamental shrub is easily 
 propagated by cuttings. 
 
 ICE PLANT, (Mesemhryantheum chrystallinum) 
 is an annual plant, and has an icy appearance. It is 
 singular. The seed should be planted in pots early in 
 the Spring. 
 
 IMPATIENS BALSAMINA.— A very fine annual 
 plant, with great abundance of showy flowers. There 
 are several varieties, both single and double, rose color- 
 ed, red, purple, pure white, variegated and crimson. 
 The flowers are elegantly formed, and the colors of 
 many are very vivid. The plant is commonly called 
 Balsamine. It will bloom in July and continue in 
 flower until the frost appears. The seed should be 
 sown in May. 
 
 IRIS, or FLUER DE LUCE. — This is a perennial 
 
FLOWERS. 31 
 
 plant, perfectly hardy. There are many varieties 
 both large and small. From its great combination of 
 colors, and unique appearance, it has ever had ad- 
 mirers. It shows to advantage in a border. It is pro- 
 pagated by dividing the roots. 
 
 LAGENTRCENIA INDICA.— A flowering shrub, 
 which endures the Winter of the Middle and Southern 
 States — in Massachusetts it must be treated like the 
 hydrangea, but its beauty will repay this attention. 
 
 LAUREL, BROAD LEAVED, (Kolmia latifolia) is an 
 evergreen shrub, which produces flowers of great 
 delicacy and beauty, being white, tinged with red. 
 This ornamental shrub is occasionally found in rocky 
 woodlands. 
 
 LABURNUM, (Cytisus laburnum). — Is a tall and 
 handsome shrub, loaded, when in bloom, with yellow 
 flowers. It is sometimes called Golden Chain. It 
 is tender, and to stand a Massachusetts v/inter must 
 be planted in a warm and sheltered situation. It is 
 raised from the seed. 
 
 LARKSPUR, {Delphinium) — is an annual plant of 
 no fragrance, but of great variety of colors. It makes 
 
32 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 a good appearance, and is easily propagated from the 
 seed. 
 
 LILAC, (^Syring a vulgaris.) — This is a large shrub, 
 very hardy, and much admired when in bloom. It has 
 large bunches of flowers which possess considerable 
 fragrance. The white and the purple may be easily 
 grafted, or inoculated into each other, and when the 
 shrub, with a handsome head, is thus managed, some 
 branches producing purple and others white flowers, it 
 makes a beautiful appearance. It is propagated from 
 suckers, of which it sends out too many, and from which 
 it should be kept as clear as possible. The Persian 
 lilac {Syiinga persica) is a neat shrub, loaded, when in 
 bloom, with very delicate flowers. It is propagated by 
 suckers. 
 
 LILY, (Lilium.) — Of this plant there is a great 
 variety ; but only a few shall be named. — The White 
 (Lilium candidum) grows to the height of three or four 
 feet, and produces very large, while, fragrant flow- 
 ers. The Tyger (Lilium tigrinum) grows to the 
 height from four to six feet, and produces many spotted 
 flowers of a bold appearance. The Martagon is much 
 like the latter, except the plant and flowers are more 
 delicate. All these are bulbous rooted, and are best 
 
FLOWERS, 
 
 33 
 
 propagated from offsets. The Asphodel {Lilium lu- 
 teumj grows to the height of two feet, and produces 
 beautiful yellow flowers. It is propagated by seed or 
 offsets. All the above named lilies are well calculated 
 to beautify a border. The Lily of the Valley (Con- 
 vallaria majalis) is a small dwarf plant, that thrives 
 best in the shade, where it produces little delicate flow- 
 ers of exquisite fragrance. — propagated by offsets. 
 
 LIME PLANT. This plant, {Podophyllum pelta- 
 turn) is a singular production of nature. The stem, 
 foliage, flower, and fruit, are formed in the earth ; and 
 after the plant has come up, there is nothing more than 
 the extension of parts. The stems, at the height of from 
 eight to twelve inches, branch out in two arms, at the 
 extremity of each is a large palmated leaf. In the fork 
 proceeds the fruit stem. The first that is seen in the 
 spring is a delicate membraneous cap, which is soon 
 burst open by the flower bud, which is large, white, and 
 round. The shoulders and arms, lying close to the stem 
 or trunk, soon appear, and as the plant rises, the fruit 
 stem elongates and the arms elevate themselves. The 
 fruit is about the size of a large lime, green while grow- 
 ing, and yellow when ripe ; has the flavor of a pine ap- 
 ple ; and as to eating, but litde inferior to that fruit. The 
 plant requires a moist soil in a shady situation. May be 
 propagated by seed, but best by dividing the roots, which 
 are creeping and jointed. The root is medicinal. 
 
34 
 
 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 LYCHNADIA, {Phlox) is a perennial, several 
 varieties, as purple, white, striped, Sic. The plant is 
 hardy, and produces many delicate flowers, and is 
 long in bloom. It is best propagated by dividing the 
 roots. 
 
 MEZEREON, {Daphne mezereum) is a small 
 beautiful shrub, blooming in the month of March, 
 loaded with flowers of delightful fragrance. It is hardy 
 as a shrub-oak, and is propagated from the seed. It 
 produces a red fruit, which is poisonous. 
 
 MOUNTAIN ASH, {Sorbus aucuparia) is a very 
 ornamental tree, admired for the beauty of its foliage 
 and its clusters of scarlet fruit, which remain on it for 
 months. It is propagated from the seed. 
 
 MUSK GERANIUM, {Geranium moschatum)-- 
 is an annual plant, and is admired only for its strong 
 flavor of musk. The plant will stand the winter in a 
 common hot-bed, and in this case may be considered 
 biennial. The seed must be planted early. 
 
 MYRTLE, EVERGREEN, {Viuca minor) — is an 
 evergreen vine, producing blue flowers. There are 
 several species, and all neat and pretty in their place. 
 
 NARCISSUS. — A bulbous rooted plant, managed 
 
FLOWERS. 
 
 35 
 
 precisely like the Hyacinth. It blooms early, is very 
 beautiful, and is fragrant. This plant is hardy, and well 
 calculated to bloom in a pot, in the green house, or in a 
 parlor. It is propagated by bulbous offsets, which 
 increase every year. Polyanthus Narcissus and Jon- 
 quils, both elegant flowering plants, are propagated and 
 cultivated, in all respects, in the same manner. 
 
 NASTURTIUM.— An annual plant with showy 
 flowers. The seeds are enveloped in fleshy pods, 
 which, before they become ripe, are excellent for 
 pickling. The seed should be sown very early in the 
 spring. The plants should be supported from the 
 ground by bushy sticks. 
 
 PASSION FLOWER, {Passiflora) is a perennial 
 vine, which produces a very beautiful flower. The 
 name originated from the large cross in the middle of 
 the flower, surrounded by appendages, resembling a 
 glory. The plant is also beautiful ; and like the 
 honeysuckle, has a succession of flowers for a long 
 time. It is tender and suitable for the green house. 
 It will not endure a northern Winter in open ground. 
 It is best raised from cuttings. 
 
 P^ONY, {Pceonia) — is a perennial, that' has a very 
 grand flower, but of short duration. There are se- 
 
36 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 veral species much admired. Propagated from off- 
 sets. 
 
 PEA, SWEET, [Lathy rus odoratus) — There are 
 many species as to color and fragrance. These are 
 annual. The Everlasting Pea, (Lnthyrus latifolius) is 
 perennial, and produces many clusters of showy flowers, 
 and remains in bloom a long time. The seed should 
 be planted early in the spring. 
 
 PEACH, DOUBLE FLOWERING. — This is a very showy 
 tree, its flowers are as double and as large as the small- 
 er sorts of roses — hardy, and treated like other peach 
 trees. 
 
 PINK, (Dianthus) — is a perennial plant, too well 
 known to be described here. There are many kinds, 
 as to size and color, but all are fragrant. They are 
 desirable articles for a flower garden, and are easily 
 propagated by seed, by layers, and by dividing the 
 roots. 
 
 PERENNIAL SUNFLOWER, double, (Helian- 
 thus mul.'jlorus) — is a fine plant to beautify a border — 
 Propagated by seed, or by dividing the roots. 
 
 POLYANTHUS,— This peren.i al plant, (Primula 
 
FLOWERS. 37 
 
 polyanthus,) is hardy — has many showy flowers, and is 
 much esteemed. There are many varieties. The 
 plant blooms best in a shady situation. It is best pro- 
 pagated by dividing the roots. Polyanthus Narcissus is 
 a very pretty perennial, well calculated to bloom in a 
 parlor. It is bulbous rooted, and easily propagated by 
 offsets. 
 
 PYRETHRUM PARTHENIUM, commonly called 
 Double Feverfew, is a hardy perennial, and produces an 
 abundance of white flowers, and continues in bloom a 
 long time. It is easily propagated by the seed. 
 
 POPPY, (Papaver,) is an annual plant, admired 
 for its great variety in size and in flower. The double 
 are very showy; but, like beauty, soon fade. It is a 
 medicinal plant and easily cultivated. 
 
 PURPLE HYAClxNTH BEAN, (Dolichos,) is 
 an annual runner, producing large clusters of purple 
 flowers, much admired. The seed should be planted 
 early, and the plants defended from the frost. 
 
 ROSES, {Rosa.) — This favorite flower is worthy 
 of all the care and attention that can be paid to it. 
 There are many varieties, as to size, singularity, foliage, 
 4 
 
38 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 beauty, and fragrance. Some catalogues enumerate 
 more than five hundred varieties. Messrs. G. Thor- 
 burn & Son have a splendid collection in their Green 
 House, Liberty Street, New York. No class of plants 
 yields more intrinsic delights, than this. It is unrivalled. 
 To describe the beauties and excellence of the various 
 species would fill a volume. 
 
 They may be propagated from seed, but as the seed 
 seldom comes up till the second year, the usual mode of 
 propagation is by suckers, which come out near the old 
 stems, during the summer. The suckers, when plant- 
 ed out, should be cut down to four or five inches of the 
 ground. The time for planting is either in the months 
 of October and November or in April. As to the man- 
 agement ; the ground should be kept good and dug ev- 
 ery autumn. They should, except when trained against 
 a wall, be kept cut down to a certain height, according 
 to their natural size ; for when they get long stems and 
 limbs, they produce fewer flowers. All the weak, 
 dead or dying wood should be pruned out close without 
 leaving any ugly stubs. " The yellow rose requires an 
 airy situation and a gravelly soil, and that every autumn 
 one half of the old wood should be cut down within 
 four inches of the ground ; by this means a succession 
 of thrifty blooming shoots will be kept up. 
 
 The Chinese Monthly Roses are propagated by cut- 
 tings, taken in the spring and properly placed in moist 
 
FLOWERS. 39 
 
 earth. These are generally tender and require to be 
 taken into a green-house or parlor during the winter. 
 There are some, however, that are very hardy, and bid 
 defiance to the frost. The writer of this article has a 
 Chinese pale red, monthly rose, which has stood out for 
 several years, being only covered with a box, during the 
 severity of the winter. It is now February 28, 1828, 
 and the foliage is yet bright, although it has been frozen 
 many times, during the present winter. The thermo- 
 meter, however, has not been lower the present season, 
 than one degree above zero. 
 
 ROSE ACACIA, (Robinia hispida,) is a singular 
 shrub, producing many clusters of flowers, much ad- 
 mired. Propagated by shoots from the roots. 
 
 ROSE COLORED HIBISCUS, (Hibiscus pa- 
 lustris,) is a perennial plant producing very showy flow- 
 ers — makes a good appearance in a border. Easily 
 propagated from the seed. 
 
 RUDBECKIA — A perennial plant producing many 
 flowers, which are very durable and much admired. 
 Propagated best by dividing the roots. 
 
 SCARLET CAC ALIA, (Cucaliacoccinea,) is a 
 small annual plant, which produces numerous scarlet 
 flowers, very showy. Easily raised from the seed. 
 
40 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 SCARLET LYCHNIS, (Lychnis chalcedonicaj 
 is a perennial plant. There are two varieties, the sin- 
 gle and the double. The single is pretty, but the double 
 is splendid. The former is propagated from seed, and 
 the latter by dividing the roots. 
 
 SIBERIAN CRAB.— This is a small tree, esteemed 
 for its large fragrant flowers, and for its small fruit. 
 The Pyrus prunifolia produces a beautiful longish 
 fruit. The Pyrus baccata, or Cherry crab, bears a 
 beautiful round fruit. The Pyrus spectabilis, or Chinese 
 double blossom, has the most beautiful flowers of the 
 family. They are all delicate in form and flower. 
 
 SNOW-BALL TREE, (Virhurnum opulus,) is a 
 beautiful shrub, especially when in bloom. It is propa- 
 gated by suckers. 
 
 SNOWBERRY, (Symphoria racemosa,) is a small 
 shrub which produces clusters of white fruit in autumn, 
 and is ornamental. Propagated best by suckers. 
 
 SPICE-WOOD, (Laurus benzoin,) is a very fra- 
 grant shrub of medicinal virtues. It grows best in the 
 shade, and sometimes bears a long green spicy fruit. 
 It is propagated by suckers. 
 
FLOWERS. 41 
 
 SPIDERWORT, (Tradescantia)— Is a singular 
 perennial plant, which is in bloom for a long time. The 
 blue is more admired than the white. It requires a light 
 covering during the severity of winter ; and is propaga- 
 ted by dividing the roots. 
 
 SPIR^A. This is a small shrub, loaded with deli- 
 cate flowers in the season of its blooming. Propagated 
 by suckers. 
 
 SYRINGA, or MOCK ORANGE. A shrub, which 
 has flowers much like those of the orange. It makes 
 a pretty appearance with other shrubbery. Propagated 
 by suckers. 
 
 STRAWBERRY TREE, {Euonymus,) is a 
 very handsome shrub, producing, in autumn, an abun- 
 dance of fruit, somewhat resembling the strawberry. 
 The European is preferred to the American. It has 
 been called the Burning Bush, from its appearance when 
 loaded with ripe fruit. It is propagated by seed and 
 by suckers. 
 
 SWEET BAY, [Laiirus nobilis,) is a very 
 pretty evergreen shrub — well calculated to stand (in a 
 large pot) in the parlor during winter. Propagated by 
 suckers. 
 
 4* 
 
42 ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL 
 
 SWEET WILLIAM, or POETIC PINK, (Di- 
 anthus harbatus,) is an imperfect perennial, producing 
 very handsome flowers of small size. It is propagated 
 by seed, the plants of which, do not produce flowers 
 like those of the parent plant, except by chance. It may 
 be propagated by dividing the roots. 
 
 TULIP, (Tulipa.) In no family of plants has na- 
 ture so varied her delicate tints as in this. There are 
 more than six hundred varieties of this splendid flower 
 cultivated in the Linnaean Garden on Long Island. Du- 
 ring the Tulip fever, which raged in Holland, about the 
 middle of the seventeenth century, some splendid vari- 
 eties were sold for enormous sums of money ; one of 
 which, called the Viceroi, brought ten thousand dollars. 
 
 The tulip may be raised from seed ; but it is, as in 
 the case of the Auricula, mere chance, if one be obtain- 
 ed, that will produce flowers like those of the parent 
 plant. They are best propagated by the bulbs. 
 
 There is something respecting this plant, astonishing. 
 After flowering, the foliage and roots decay, and a bulb 
 or bulbs are formed of the juices of the old plant. A 
 bulb contains all the parts of the future plant, and soon 
 becomes as much disengaged from the decayed parent 
 plant, as the ripe acorn is disengaged from its parent 
 tree. At this time, they may be carried, (like many 
 
FLOWERS. 43 
 
 Other bulbs,) any length of distance in dry moss or dry 
 sand. They should be planted out, about three inches 
 below the surface, in a rich soil, in August or Septem- 
 ber ; after which they throw out roots and prepare for 
 an early appearance in the ensuing spring. If the bulbs 
 be kept through the winter and planted in the spring, 
 they do not thrive that season. The nice varieties 
 should be taken up after the decay of tlie old plants, 
 every year, air dried, and kept until September or Octo- 
 ber, and then planted. 
 
 VENETIAN SUMACH, or FRINGE TREE, 
 
 (Rhus cotinus,) is a very singular and beautiful tree, 
 which is loaded " during summer with tufts of russet 
 colored down, and forms the most singular ornament of 
 the garden." It has been called the smoke tree. Propa- 
 gated by layers and by suckers. 
 
 VIOLET, BLUE FRAGRANT. — Thls little plant (Viola 
 odorata,) is perennial ; the flowers blue, double and fra- 
 grant. It blooms early in the season and continues in 
 flower for some time. " It is of considerable use in 
 chemical inquiries, to detect an acid or an alkali ; the 
 former changing the blue color to a red, and the latter to 
 a green." It is best propagated by dividing the roots, 
 which spread very much. 
 
GREEJN^ HOUSE PLAJVTS 
 
 LILIES OF THE VALLEY,— should by no 
 means be potted till the flower buds appear ; for, if 
 potted before, it is uncertain whether one quarter of 
 them will flower. If you have them growing in a gar- 
 den, they should be frequently examined in the spring, 
 as the flower buds are easily perceived a considerable 
 time before they flower. Take them up carefully with 
 a knife, with as much earth as possible about tliem, 
 and plant them thick in pots or boxes. They must be 
 kept moderately moist, and they will blow in perfec- 
 tion. 
 
 When placed in a room, the window should never be 
 opened against them, as the draft is pernicious to their 
 welfare. When the window is opened for any consid- 
 erable length of time, the plants should be removed to a 
 distance from it ; and when the bloom is over, they 
 should be planted out in the borders, or plunged in the 
 ground in pots, he. They seldom blow^ well if potted 
 before the green is up; if potted before, you can see 
 
GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &1C. 45 
 
 the flower buds. The best time for doing it is from 
 January to March. They do well in any common gar- 
 den mould, as each crown blows but once in three 
 years. 
 
 RANUNCULUSSES,— should be planted in pots 
 which are about nine inches deep, and seven inches 
 over. The compost proper for them is a fresh and 
 rather sandy loam, mixed with a little rotten dung, but 
 very little. The mould thrown up in heaps by moles, 
 in a fresh loamy soil, is preferable to any ; if, of a red 
 color, the better. The Scarlet Turban should be plant- 
 ed in November. Fill the pots with the compost to the 
 brim ; then take the root between the finger and thumb, 
 and thrust it into the mould about half an inch below the 
 surface, which is the proper depth at which they should 
 then be plunged in the ground, (for thsy never do well in 
 pots, if they are not plunged) in a v.'arm sunny situation, 
 to forward them ; but they must not be put under glasses, 
 as they never flower well if forced, and sometimes, in 
 that case, not at all. 1 find the best waylo obtair: ihera in 
 perfection in pots is to plant them in a warm sunny 
 situation in the natural ground, and defended from very 
 severe frost by placing hoops and mats over them ; but 
 they must not be covered except the frost is severe, as 
 the covering weakens them if continued long. When it 
 is necessary to cover them, these mats should be taken 
 off while the sun shines on them, and covered again 
 when it goes off. Just as the blossom begins to expand, 
 is the best time to pot them. Take them up with as 
 [uuch earth about them as possible, and plant three or 
 four roots in each pot, placing them in a room or frame, 
 
46 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, kc. 
 
 under glasses ; but they must be watered every day, 
 and kept quite wet, (as they thrive in moisture) and 
 they will bloom in the greatest perfection, and continue 
 in beauty a long time. 
 
 ANEMONES, may be planted in October, Novem- 
 ber, or March, as they are hardier than the Persian 
 Ranunculus, and may be potted and managed in the 
 same manner as the Scarlet Turban Ranunculus, only 
 planted rather deeper. The Single Anemone, or Wind 
 Flower, may be raised in great variety from seed, which 
 should be sown in beds four feet wide, in March, and 
 covered the same depth as the Ranunculus seed, or a 
 little deeper, but not more than an eighth of an inch. 
 A mat should be placed over it, through which it should 
 be watered till the seed is fairly up, then exposed to the 
 sun by degrees, and kept constantly moist by frequent 
 waterings : by these means they will bloom the same 
 season, and you may probably obtain some fine new 
 double flowers, which should be marked, and separated 
 from the others. The double sorts are increased by 
 parting the roots ; for the old roots, when come to their 
 full size, become hollow, and separate naturally. 
 
 SINGLE and DOUBLE JONQUILS, should be 
 planted, whether in the open ground or in pots, any 
 time from October to January. The pots for this pur- 
 pose should be the same size as those used for hyacinths. 
 Plant six or eight roots in a pot in the hyacinth compost 
 or in any light rich garden mould mixed with a little 
 dung. But, in order to have them in perfection in pots, 
 it is best to take them up in bunches, provided they 
 have been in the ground long enough to be grown so ; 
 
GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &iC. 47 
 
 if they were planted in the Autumn, take them up 
 singly : the proper time for doing this is when they first 
 show flower ; remove them into a warm room, give 
 them plenty of water, and they will blow very fine. 
 
 When the bloom is over, they should be turned out 
 of the pots, and planted in the garden, to remain there 
 till the foliage becomes withered and dry, when they 
 may be taken up and treated the same as hyacinths. 
 But it is best to let them remain in the ground three 
 years before taken up, as they will rise in large bunches 
 for potting, and always bloom stronger. 
 
 WHITE LILIES, are beautiful sweet plants for 
 rooms. If you have them growing in a garden, they 
 may be taken up in large bunches, and planted in large 
 pots, in which they will thrive remarkably well. The 
 best time for taking them up is in January or February. 
 Keep them in a warm room, in a sunny window ; con- 
 stantly supply them with water, and they will blossom 
 very fine. When the bloom is over, they should be 
 turned out of the pots, and planted in the borders again, 
 each root separately, and they will be in good order for 
 forcing the second or third year after. 
 
 All the different sorts of Martagon or Turk's Cap Lilies 
 will do to force equally as well as the White. Any good 
 common garden mould is proper for potting them in. 
 They are all propagated by dividing the offsets from the 
 old roots, and planting them in borders. 
 
 ROSES. The sorts which answer best for forcing are 
 the Common Provence, White Provence or Rose Unique, 
 and the Moss. They all do remarkably well in pots. 
 
48 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &C. 
 
 To flower them well in rooms or hot houses, they 
 should be potted in the Autumn as soon as ihe leaves 
 are off. However, they should not be forced till the 
 second year, but they will blow in pots in the ground, 
 though not so fine. 
 
 They must be kept moist during the drought of sum- 
 mer, to make them grow as strong as possible. After 
 they have had one summe's growth in pots, they will 
 be in good order for forcing, and may be put into a 
 room in the beginning of January, placed in a sunny 
 window, and well watered. If they are forced in a hot 
 house, there must be a quantity of young plants potted 
 every year for a succession, as they will not force two 
 years following. The Damask, and Maiden's Blush 
 Roses will force, but not so well as the sorts before 
 mentioned. The Rose Demaux and Pompone may be 
 planted in pots, and plunged in the ground, the same as 
 the other sorts, and may be taken into the room when 
 they show flower, as they do not force well. Small 
 insects, commonly called the green fly, which appear on 
 the tops of the young shoots and flower buds, are very 
 destructive to the roses, and, if not destroyed, totally 
 spoil the flower buds, and kill the tops of the young 
 shoots. They may be destroyed by fumigating them 
 with tobacco. If you are not provided with a fumiga- 
 ting bellows, I find it answers quite as well to put the 
 tobacco in a small flower pot with a fiery coal, and blow 
 it with a common bellows. If the plants are kept in 
 rooms, it may be done in any back place, as the smell 
 of the smoke is very disagreeable for some time after 
 
he. 49 
 
 in the room. Place the tobacco on the floor, and 
 the plants all round it, and blow it continually till the 
 tobacco is consumed. The smoke should be confined 
 where the plants are for three or four hours, if possible, 
 and it will entirely destroy those insects. 
 
 All plants kept in rooms should be served in this 
 manner as soon as any insects appear. Before the 
 plants are taken into the rooms again, about two inches 
 of the mould of the top of the pots should be taken off, 
 and some fresh rich soil put in the place of it; as, by 
 the fumigation, many of the insects fall off on the mould 
 almost lifeless, but will sometimes recover and get on 
 the plants again if the earth on the top be not changed. 
 
 The plants should have a good watering of clear 
 water from a watering pot with the nose on, all over 
 their heads, in order to wash them, and to take off 
 the smell of the tobacco before being taken into the 
 room. Let this be done on a fine warm day, as taking 
 the plants out of a room in a cold day, and watering 
 them with cold water, checks them very materially. 
 If the water be just luke warm, it will be much better, 
 and the plants will not be checked. Where roses are 
 forced in a hot house, they should be plunged in the tan, 
 and fumigated every month. 
 
 There is another insect which infests roses, that can- 
 not be destroyed by fumigating, and are easily discov- 
 ered ; for wherever they are, the lea^ of the plant is 
 curled. They should be picked off and crushed to 
 death, or in a few days they will destroy every one of 
 the flower buds. 
 
 The aforementioned roses are all increased by layers 
 6 
 
50 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &C. 
 
 and suckers from the old roots. The young shoots 
 should be laid in summer, and cut in the same manner 
 as carnations, or twisted, and laid and forked down 
 about three inches deep. They will be well rooted by 
 the autumn, and may then be taken off and potted or 
 planted in beds. The suckers should be carefully 
 taken .off with a spade from the old roots in autumn, 
 and treated in the same manner as the layers. 
 
 The China or Monthly Rose is a fine plant for a room, 
 on account of its blooming the greater part of the 
 winter. These should be fresh potted in the autumn 
 in large pots, according to the size of the plants ; and 
 the mould should be very rich and light. They must 
 be removed into rooms when the frost comes on. No 
 plant requires more fumigating than this. They thrive 
 remarkably well if planted under a south wall, and 
 nailed up ; they grow to a great height, and make a 
 beauuful appearance during the principal part of the 
 summer, and late in autumn. 
 
 These plants are propagated by cuttings. Any part 
 of the young branches in spring or summer being 
 taken off at the joint and planted in pots or in the 
 ground, and covered with a glass, readily strike root, 
 and may be potted as soon as they are struck, or planted 
 in a border. 
 
 TUBEROSES.— The Double and Single Tu- 
 beroses are beautiful sweet scented plants, and may be 
 brought to perfection with very little trouble. They 
 should be planted in April or May. Provide some fine, 
 light, rich compost, and middle sized pots, planting ono 
 root in the centre of each pot. Many people divest 
 
GIIEEN HOUSE PLANTS, &€. 51 
 
 them of the offsets, which is a bad practice : for, instead 
 of strengthening the roots, it weakens them. The 
 crown of the root must be only just covered with mould, 
 and if not covered at all, the plant will not be the worse 
 for it. 
 
 This beautiful plant always thrives better, and blos- 
 soms earlier, if indulged with a hot bed. For those 
 who force cucumbers or melons, and have but few roots, 
 it will be a good plan to plunge the pols to the rims at 
 the back or sides of the bed, to forward them ; but 
 if you have a large quantity of roots, they should have 
 a slight hot bed made for them, and they well deserve it. 
 A bed made for a one-light frame will contain a great 
 quantity of plants ; if it be two feet and a half in height, 
 it will be sufficient. At this season, about six inches 
 of old tan, fine mould, or saw dust, must be placed on 
 the bed, to plunge the pots in, which may be put as 
 close together as possible, or so as to fill the bed. 
 They will require a litde water two or three days after 
 being planted, but it must be used very sparingly till 
 the foliage on the top is grown two inches in length, 
 then they must be kept moderately moist. Air should 
 be admitted every day, if the weather be at all favorable, 
 by letting up the light at the back of the frame, or 
 pushing it down a little ; but this light must be kept 
 close every night. When the flower stalks appear, the 
 plants should have more air, by drawing the light half 
 off, or you may take it entirely off in fine weather, 
 while the sun shines on them : if the frame be shallow, 
 the flower stalks will reach the glass before they blow. 
 When this happens to be the case, the frame may be 
 
52 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &,C. 
 
 raised, by placing a brick or stone at each corner of the 
 frame, laying boards or straw round the top of the 
 bed to keep the mould up, and to prevent the air from 
 being drawn in, which would prove injurious. When 
 the plants are in bloom, they may be removed where 
 wanted, either to adorn the warm corispicuous part of 
 the garden, or the apartments of the house, still keep- 
 ing them well supplied with water, as they will require 
 more when not plunged. 
 
 These flowers may be grown equally successful in 
 hot houses, plunged in the bark bed, or kept in front 
 of the house on the flue, but the former method is to 
 be preferred : or they may be blown in perfection in a 
 room or green house, potted exactly ihe same as for hot 
 beds ; but they will require more water, and, if planted at 
 the same time, will succeed, and be in their beauty 
 when the others are gone. Those grown in beds or 
 hot houses may be removed to any warm sunny apart- 
 ment of the house when the flower stems are about 
 six inches in length, which will keep them back ; and 
 by these means you will have a succession, which is very 
 desirable. The windows may be opened, without detri- 
 ment to the plants, in fine weather ; in fact, it is necessa- 
 ry to give them air frequently, as it strengthens the 
 bloom. The pots should always be removed a litde 
 distance, from the window, out of the draft, when it is 
 opened, or it will certainly destroy them. 
 
 These plants are increased by offsets, which may be 
 taken off after the plants have done flowering, and the 
 green is dried. These must be buried in dry sand in 
 winter, and planted in the natural ground in a warm situ- 
 ation at the beginning of April, 
 
GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, SiC. 53 
 
 PERSIAN IRIS.-'The Persian Iris is a beautiful 
 flower, and will blow on glasses, like the hyacinth, nar- 
 cissus, &c, but they will blow much stronger in snaall 
 pots of sand, or sandy loam, putting three plants in each 
 pot. They are managed in a way exactly similar to 
 the hyacinth. 
 
 A few pots or glasses of these plants will scent a 
 large apartment. They succeed very well in the natural 
 ground, in a diy situation, and sandy soil. 
 
 They are propagated by dividing the offsets from the 
 old roots. 
 
 MIGNIONETTE,— should be sown thick in pots, 
 or boxes, at any time of the year, and transplanted when 
 in rough leaf, either into pots filled with light rich 
 mould, (four plants to a pot,) or in boxes, (the plants to 
 be two inches apart) in the same kind of compost. It 
 must be kept in a sunny window, during the winter, and 
 constantly supplied with water, keeping it moderately 
 moist. In the summer it may be kept outside of the 
 window. 
 
 THE VERBENA TRIFOLIATA, or SWEET 
 VERVAIN, — is a beautiful plant for rooms, particularly 
 in the summer. However, it loses its leaves generally 
 about December, when many people throw it away, 
 thinking it is dead ; but if it be cut back rather short, 
 and shifted into a larger pot, in good rich mould, as soon 
 as the leaves fall off, it will break again immediately, 
 form a fine green plant, and retain its leaves after till 
 next winter. 
 
 5* 
 
54 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &C« 
 
 This plant will live in the open ground ; but the root 
 should be covered with muck, saw dust, ashes, or any 
 thing most convenient, to keep the frost a little from the 
 root. If ihe frost kill it to the ground, which it general- 
 ly does, unless in a very warm situation, it may be cut 
 off close to the ground in April, when it will soon break, 
 and grow very strong. It is very easily raised from the 
 slips or cuttings of the young wood in the summer. 
 Plant them in a large pot ; plunge the pot to the rim in 
 a hot situation, and place a glass over them, making it 
 air proof. Give them water every morning, and they 
 will strike root in about three weeks or a month, when 
 they may be put singly into small pots. 
 
 THE FUSHIA COCCINEA,— is a very hand- 
 some plant, and blossoms very fine if managed in the 
 following manner : 
 
 It requires a large sized pot, and should be potted in 
 strong rich mould. It also requires a good deal of 
 water, and always thrives best if plunged in rather a 
 shady situation during the summer. If kept in a room 
 or a garden, and not plunged, they are not of so good a 
 color-; and unless kept in very large pots, they lose their 
 lower leaves. They generally lose their leaves in the 
 winter, and must then have but very little water. They 
 are propagated by planting the cuttings in the summer, 
 in the same manner as the Verbena, or by seed, which 
 must be sown in April, in pots filled with light mould, 
 and kept constantly moist by which means they will 
 blow in autumn. 
 
GREEN HOUSBr PLANTS, &;C. 55 
 
 THE COB.^A SCANDENS — is a most beauti- 
 ful flowering creeper, fit to ornament a flower stand, 
 back of a green house, he. They do remarkably well 
 to run up a column or tree, or if planted against a wall. 
 They thrive in almost any situation where they have 
 plenty of light and air, even in a northern aspect, where 
 many hardy creepers will not thrive. If wanted to 
 grow in the air, during the summer, (as they are killed 
 by the first hard frost) they may be planted out in April 
 or May where wanted; give plenty of water, and defend 
 them from frost. About the month of June, if the 
 weather be at all warm, they will grow very rapidly — 
 six inches a day, or more, and will cover an arbor in a 
 very short time. If they are against a tree, they will 
 climb of their own accord, and never require any nail- 
 ing or tying ; but if grown against a wall, they must be 
 constantly nailed. 
 
 They are easily propagated by seed, which they bear 
 plentifully in a green house, or in any sunny situation in 
 the open ground ; or by cuttings, which should be plant- 
 ed in pots of light rich mould any time during the 'sum- 
 mer, and the pots plunged in the ground in a warm 
 situation ; or in bark beds, placing glasses over them, 
 which should be kept close, and well watered ; by which 
 means they strike root in about six weeks, when they 
 may be placed in small pots, and plunged in the ground, 
 in a warm situation, and will be fit for planting out in 
 a month. 
 
 Being a green house plant, it is necessary to raise a 
 fresh supply of young plants every year, either by cut- 
 tings raised at the latter end of the summer, or by seed 
 
56 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, hc 
 
 sown in the spring about March or April. If it be raised 
 in a room, it must be kept warm, and the window 
 never opened against it. It may also be kept in a cu- 
 cumber bed or hot house, where convenient, and they 
 will flower much sooner. 
 
 THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA, or JAPAN 
 
 ROSE, — is a beautiful well known plant, and may be 
 kept in the room, greenhouse, or hot house. There are 
 many varieties ; but the most common ones are the 
 Single and Double Red, Double White, and the Double 
 Striped. They require rather large pots, not liking to 
 be much confined at the root. Fine sandy loam, mixed 
 with a little black, sandy, or boggy mould, and a very 
 small proportion of light rotten dung, or leaf mould, 
 well mixed together and sifted, is a proper compost to 
 pot them in. They should be shifted every year in the 
 beginning of the summer. 
 
 This is a hardy green house plant, and, when kept in 
 rooms, should have as much air admitted to them as 
 possible, and have a good washing all over the heads 
 of the plants once a month at least with clear water, by 
 means of a watering pot with the rose on. If the 
 plants are very dusty, it will be necessary to use a piece 
 of sponge, or any soft substance, to wash each leaf sin- 
 gly, holding the leaf in the palm of the hand, with the 
 under side of the leaf downwards ; and afterwards give 
 them a washing with the watering pot of water, as no- 
 thing disfigures this plant so much as dust. 
 
 They are propagated by seed, layers, cuttings, and 
 inarching. The double sorts are generally propagated 
 by inarching them on the single, and sometimes raised by 
 
GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &€. 57 
 
 layers. The single answer best, and make the finest 
 plants when raised from seed imported from China, 
 and sown early in spring in middle sized pots filled with 
 the same kind of compost as before recommended for 
 potting the plants. The pots must be plunged in a dung 
 or bark bed, as the plants will not rise without it. 
 
 The Single Red may be raised from cuttings, which 
 should be the young shoots of kist year's growth, and 
 planted in pots during the spring in the same compost as 
 that used for the seed : they are then to be plunged in 
 a good heat in a hot house, he. covered with hand or 
 bell glasses, and kept moderately moist by frequent wa- 
 terings. 
 
 When the body or stock of the single sort is about the 
 size of a large goose quill, it is then large enough for 
 inarching. 
 
 The method of doing this as follows :* The stocks 
 must be placed so near the tree from which the graft or 
 scions are to be taken, that the young shoots may be 
 easily bent down and joined to the stock. Perhaps it 
 may be necessary to erect a small stage round the plant 
 from which they are to be inarched, which m.ay be done 
 in a green house, hot house, or apartment of the house. 
 Having placed the stocks so as that the grafts may be 
 easily joined to them about the middle, or near the 
 bottom of the stem, then, being provided with a sharp 
 knife and fine tough bass,f make an incision into the 
 stock about two inches lengthwise, and about one third 
 of the thickness of the stock in the middle of the 
 
 * The month of April is the best time for performing the work, 
 t A smooth part of the stock must be chosen, where the graft may 
 be joined to it. 
 
58 GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, hc. 
 
 incision, but thinner at the top and bottom : then cut 
 the side of the shoot or graft in the same manner, as 
 smooth as possible, about six or eight inches from the 
 top, so as that the bark of both may join. This done, 
 cut a small slit or tongue in the scion or graft upwards, 
 within half an inch of the top of the incisions, about a 
 quarter of an inch in length, but not more ; then make 
 another tongue in the stock of the same length down- 
 wards, so as that the tongue of the graft may fit exactly 
 into it, joining the rind exactly on every side, and tying 
 them together as close as possible with a piece of bass. 
 This part of the stock must then be clayed over with 
 well tempered clay, bringing it an inch above, and an 
 inch below the parts that are joined together, and making 
 it very close, so as to keep out both sun and air. The 
 scion is not to be separated from the tree till firmly 
 united to the stock, and they begin to grow together ; 
 nor is the head of the stock to be cut off till then. 
 
 The method of propagating by layers is as follows : — 
 If you have the conveniency of a melon or other pit, 
 where you have a good dung or tan heat, place fine 
 mould on the top of the bed six or eight inches in thick- 
 ness, turning the plants out of the pots, and planting 
 them in the mould. If it be necessary to lay the 
 plant a little sloping, in order to lay down more of the 
 branches, it will not be the worse. Lay down all the 
 branches you can, giving each a twist ; or cut them in 
 the same manner as directed for carnations. Give them 
 plenty of water till they are struck. 
 
 But this is, of the two, the most objectionable method 
 of propagating them ; nor do I recommend it, as they 
 are a long time striking root, and sometimes will not 
 
GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &1C. 59 
 
 Strike at all. After the layers are rooted, they may be 
 potted in small pots, and the old pla n taken up and re- 
 potted.— Messrs. G.Thorburn h Son, New York, have 
 the finest collection of Camellias in the United States, 
 comprising Double and Single Red, While fragrant. 
 Pink, Scarlet, Black, Tea Leaved, Striped, he. he. 
 
 MYRTLES.— The Mijrtus Cornmvnis is the species 
 most commonly cultivated, for adorning rooms, green 
 houses, he. There are many varieties of this species, 
 and all very hardy green house plants, viz. I. The 
 Broad leaved Dutch ; 2. Venus ; 3. Roman ; 4. Box- 
 leaved ; 5. Italian ; 6. Nutmeg ; 7. Orange leaved ; 
 8. Gold striped; 9. Silver striped, two varieties ; 10. 
 Thyme or Rosemary leaved ; IL Double Flowering. 
 
 The first, third, fifth, sixth, and eleventh sorts are all 
 very hardy, and thrive well growing against a south, or 
 any warm sunny wall, and only require to be matted in 
 bard frost : if they are not sheltered at all, the frost 
 very seldom destroys them. They are indeed often 
 killed almost to the ground, but generally break and 
 grow again very strong during the summer. 
 
 Those intended for rooms or green houses should be 
 in moderate sized pots, not too much confined at the 
 root, and potted in rather strong rich mould. They should 
 be well supplied with water, and washed over the heads 
 with clean water, by mealis of a watering pot and rose, 
 once a month. To keep them dwarf and bushy, the 
 tops of the young leading shoot should be pinched of as 
 they advance in growth. They are propagated by cut- 
 tings of the young shoots in summer, stripping the lower 
 leaves off, planting and treating them the same as the 
 Verbena. 
 
ON GREEN HOUSE PLANTS, &c, KEPT IN ROOMS. 
 
 Having already given directions for the management 
 of a few different sorts of green house plants separately, 
 Vi^hich are commonly grown in rooms, I now come to 
 treat of the management of them in general. 
 
 All green house plants, he. kept in rooms, must be 
 constantly supplied with water, wiiich should be always 
 applied on the tops of the pots, and from no consideration 
 whatever should any be suffered to remain in the water 
 pans under the pots, (the consequence of which has been 
 before spoken of) particularly in the winter season, when 
 they must also be kept clean from dead leaves, &ic. When 
 the plants begin to draw, which will be discovered by 
 their weak and sickly appearance, and the branches 
 growing long and weak, the tops of the shoots should be 
 just nipped off with the finger and thumb, or a pair of 
 scissors, which will cause them to grow bushy and hand- 
 some ; and be sure not to forget to fumigate them when 
 there is any appearance of insects. The method of 
 doing this has iDeen before described. 
 
 With respect to air, tlie plants should have a good 
 share in fine warm weather. Many peeple open the 
 under sash windows where the plants stand, which is a 
 very bad practice, as they are then exposed to the draft, 
 which injures them more than if they were entirely ex- 
 posed to the open air. If the top sash be drawn up, or 
 a window opened, where there is no plants, in fine weather 
 it will prove beneficial to them. If the under sash be 
 opened where the plants stand, they should be removed 
 out of the draft to some other part of the room. 
 
 All green house plants should be shifted every year, 
 about the month of May, into larger pots, in light rich 
 sandy compost, such as is recommended for hyacinths, 
 as most of them thrive well in it. 
 
 The different sorts of geraniums are generally raised 
 by cuttings, which strike very free, and are planted and 
 treated the same as the Heliotrope ; or many of the sorts 
 may be raised by seed sown in March, in pots of fine 
 light mould. By these means new varieties are often 
 obtained. 
 

 FLO WER SEEDS, ' 
 G. THORBURN & SON, 
 
 I%0. 67 LIBERTY STREET, NEW yoUK, 
 
 AND 
 
 JOHN B. RUSSSLL, 
 
 NO. 52 NORTH MARKET STREET, BOSTON, 
 
 Have the largest variety of Garden, Field, Flower, Tree, and Grass 
 Seeds, to be found in the United States. They have, of ^' wri 
 Seeds alone, more than three hundred diifepen't varieties. 
 Also, in the season of them, the finest assortment of 
 
 
 BUTCH 
 
 Comprising an c vi.uijive 
 imported annually. 
 
 Double and single Hyacinths, 
 
 named 
 Polyanthus-Narcissus, named 
 Jonquilles, double and single 
 Tulips, in great variety ^ 
 Ranunculus, of sorts 
 Anemorc';, of sorts 
 Iris, of sorts 
 
 Tuberoses, double and single 
 Amaryllis, of sorts 
 Martagons, of sorts 
 
 Also, every kind of 
 IMPLEMENTS in use 
 
 BULBOUS ROOTS, 
 
 d choice collec Lion ot .h& loUowing sorts'. 
 
 Fritillaries of soi'.s 
 
 Glad^iolus, of sorts 
 
 Lilies of sorts 
 
 Cj-own Imperials,'of sorts 
 
 Narcissus, of sorts 
 
 Cohhicum, of sorts 
 
 Cyclamen, of sorts 
 
 Crocus, of sorts 
 
 Snow-(])ops, double and single 
 
 Star of Bethlehem, of sorts 
 &c. &c. 
 AGRICULTURAL and GARDENING 
 Agricultural and Botanical BOOKS, &c. 
 
 VALUABLE WORK ON GARDENING. 
 
 IN PRESS, and will be published about the 1st of June, "THE 
 NEW AMERICAN GARDENER: comprising Directions for the 
 Cultivation and Management of Vegetables, Fruit Trees, Grape 
 Vines, Ornamental Flowers ; on Landscape Gardening, and the Cul- 
 ture of Silk. By Thomas G. Fes^fnden-, Esq. Editor of the 
 New England Fanner ; assisted by several gentlemen. 
 
 ,i »\\ J 
 
 
 
 
 
 •A* 
 
 A G E ]\ T 8. 
 
 J. M. Ives, Salem; E. SI'edmajv, Newburyport ; J. 
 VosTER, Portsmouth. 
 
 W. 
 
 I'M 
 
 ^ Orders for Green House Plants, S:c. Jrom G. Thorbttrn 
 
 
 ''. Son-, JV'eUJ York, received and executed by J. B. Russel,!., JVo 
 5 J JVbrth Market Mreet, Boston, at the JVcw York pi ices.