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New and Useful Works,
JUST PUBLISHED BY HENRY COLBURN AND CO,
POMARIUiVI BRITANNICUM, or a History
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THE
FLORIST’S MANUAL,
OR,
HINTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION Of
A
GAY FLOWER-GARDEN;
WITH DIRECTIONS FOR
PREVENTING THE DEPREDATIONS OF INSECTS.
Second Edition, Enlarged,
WITH OBSERVATIONS ON
THE TREATMENT AND GROWTH OF
BULBOUS PLANTS,
CURIOUS FACTS RESPECTING THEIR MANAGEMENT,
AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTURE OF THE GUERNSEY LILY
AMARYLLIS SARNIENSIS.
BY
THE AUTHORESS OF BOTANICAL DIALOGUES,
AND SKETCHES OF THE PHYSIOLOGY OF VEGETABLE LIFE.
nOCA'\C\ vll
, Illustrated with Coloured Plates.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN AND CO
1822.
HiSTOR'CAU
medicau
!'SR(x5
LONDON
PKINTED BY S. ANi) R. BENTLEY, DORSET-STKEET.
t
I
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.
Plate I.
Plan of a Flower Garden in the midst of
Pleasure-Ground, surrounded by Shrubs.
The borders may be easily arranged for the
simple parterre. . Forms 1. and 2. peculiarly
adapted to the advantageous exhibition of flowers.
General length of the beds from twenty-three to
twenty-five feet. Width, in the broadest part,
about four feet. Five or six feet of grass in the
widest part between the beds ; all the borders a
good deal raised.
The tree at the entrance, which should be one of
light, and rather pendulous foliage, must be cut to
form a high stem, and the borders, if viewed under
the branches, will have a beautiful effect. If the
space of grass betwixt the borders appear too great,
it may be lessened by baskets of ever-blowing
roses, carnations, or any other plants ; and these
baskets may be formed by circular beds, surrounded
by cast iron, made to resemble the open edges of a
basket, and painted of a yery dark green colour.
VI
Plate II.
Plan of a Flower Garden upon a large '
scale, and more adapted to the Pleasure-Ground
Garden, although the form of the borders might be
made use of in the common parterres, if judiciously
planted so as to blend the variety of colours well ^
with each other. The space of grass betwixt the
shrubs and the borders should not be less than si.x
feet.
.
Plate III. ■'
Plan of a Flower Garden immediately be-
fore a house, when that of straight borders is not
I
adopted. j
j
Plate IV'’. !
1
View of a Mingled Flower Garden as
described at page ip. See Frontispiece.
FLaZ&.Z .
/
**
I
FlaiZ'. S .
? vii
i Plate V.
£ Orchis Bulbs.
I No. I. Orchis Mascula, common spotted Orchis,
jf taken out of the ground March 9th. Shews the
I single bulbs, with the green leaves protruded, a,
i the base of the bud, from which the leaves put
f forth, and from which a new bulb arises.
1 No. n. The Orchis bulb. No. I, after having
: been replanted, taken up May 24th. C, the new
bulb proceeding from point a. of No. I, firm and
. hard to the touch, c, the last year’s bulb, begin-
ning to soften.
No. III. A root of Orchis Mascula taken out of
the ground August 10th. Not any appearance of
the old bulb remaining.
No. IV. A root of Orchis Mascula taken out of
j the ground October 24th. d, the green bud, which
I when cut open, shews the embryon flower sur-
I rounded by small green leaves faintly marked by
i very small black spots.
I Plate VI.
Bed of Hyacinths. — See page 130.
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THE
FLORIST’S MANUAL.
>
The beautiful varieties of colour, form,
and scent, exhibited in the structure
of the vegetable creation, liave, from
the beginning of time, forcibly at-
tracted the attention of mankind ; and
from the early age of infancy to the
latest period of the decline of life have
excited admiration, from the inhabi-
tant of the cottage, to him, the wisest
of the human species, who dwelt in
B
2
THE FLO hist’s MANUAL.
palaces, and spake of plants, “ from
the cedar of Libanus, to the hyssop
which grew upon the wall.” We may
then, perhaps, be allowed to consider it
as a part of the wisdom of the present
sapient sera, that the vegetable species
is become a subject of general enquiry,
and of prime consideration in the ar-
rangement of every modern dwelling.
Omitting the scientific investigation
into the modes and habits of vegetable
existence, which affords a study of ex-
quisite delight to the ingeniously curi-
ous, we confine ourselves to those gra-
tifications only, which may be derived
from vegetables, to the visual, the ol-
factory, and the saporific senses; their
importance to the latter being evinced
by the expensive buildings, extent of
THE florist’s MANUAL.
3
ground, and numerous attendants ap-
propriated to their culture and accom-
modation, near all the habitations of
the opulent ; also^ in every degree,
from the luxurious exotic, fostered by
the great, to the vine, which creeping
around the cottage window, delights,
at once, the eye, and gratifies the pa-
late, of the humble inhabitant.
These grosser charms of vegetables,
form, however, no part of our present
enquiry. The universal taste (may it
not be termed passion ?) now mani-
fested for the accumulation and culti-
vation of flowers, is the main object of
immediate consideration. Having,from
early childhood to advanced age, pos-
sessed, I may almost say, an hereditary
liking for this lovely order of creation,
B 2
4 THE florist’s MANUAL.
and having, from the subject, in all its
branches, derived the most interesting
amusement of my youth, I am solici-
tous to render my sister-florists par-
takers of my pleasures, so far at least,
as by laying before them a few hints,
the result of experience, I may enable
them so methodically to arrange and
blend the colours of their flowers, that
through most part of the spring and
summer months they may procure a
succession of enamelled borders, which
without the knowledge of the tints
afforded by each season, cannot be
made to exhibit half the charms that
a flower-garden, well conducted, has
the capacity of presenting to the view.
It is to hints only that I pretend,
nor should I presume even so far, w'ere
THE florist’s MANUAL.
5
f not frequently consulted on the sub-
ject of procuring a GAY Flower-Garden,
and did I not receive complaints from
my florist friends, that they find labour
and expense exerted in vain to the at-
tainment of this much desired object:
and labour and expense will ever be
in vain, unless the lady herself is capa- ,
ble of directing them to their wished-
for purpose, and it is to effect this
purpose that these few pages are com-
posed.
A Flower-Garden is now become a
necessary appendage of every fashion-
able residence, and hence it is more
frequently left to the direction of a
gardener, than arranged by the guid-
ance of genuine taste in the owner;
and the fashionable novice, who has
G THE florist’s MANUAL.
stored her borders, from the catalogue
of some celebrated name, with variety
of rare species, who has procured in-
numerable rose-trees, chiefly consist-
ing of old and common sorts, brought
into notice by new nomenclature, who
has set apart a portion of ground for
American plants, and duly placed them
in bog soil, with their names painted
on large headed pegs, becomes disap-
pointed when, instead of the brilliant
glow of her more humble neighbour’s
parterre, she finds her own distin-
guished only by paucity of colour, and
fruitless expenditure.
Variety of species, bog borders, and
largely lettered pegs, are all good in
their way, but they will not produce
a gay flower-garden ; and the simple
THE florist’s MANUAL. 7
?
i
cause of the general failure in this par-
I
j ticular is the prevalent solicitude for
1 rarity and variety, in preference to well-
blended quantity ; as, without the fre-
I
quent repetition of the same plant, it
will be in vain to attempt a brilliant
flower-garden, and, as in the judicious
mixture of every common colour the
art of procuring it consists. Hence,
the foundation thus laid, the solicitude
of those who wish to complete the
superstructure must not be for rare
species, but for new colour, so that
the commonest primula* which pre-
sents a fresh shade of red, blue, yel-
* The generic term Primula includes all the
species of Primrose, Cowslip, and Auricula, but is
more generally applied to the division of Auri-
culas.
THE florist’s MANUAL.
low. See. ought to be esteemed more
valuable than the most rare American
plant which does not bring a similar
advantage.
In the formation of that assemblage
of flowers, which may be distinguished
by the term of the Mingled -Flower-
Garden, it is essential that the sepa-
rate parts should, in their appearance,
constitute a whole ; and this appear-
ance is more easily effected, if the
borders are straight, and laid sideways,
one before the other ; but it is not in-
compatible with any form into which
the ground may be thrown, if attention
be given to the manner of planting.
In some gardens this appearance of
a ivhole is entirely destroyed by the
injudicious taste of setting apart dis-
THE florist’s MANUAL.
9
tinct borders for pinks, hepaticas, pri-
mulas, or any other favourite kinds of
flowers ; also for diflerent species of
bulbs, as anemones, ranunculuses, hya-
cinths, &c. ; these distinct borders,
although beautiful in themselves, break
that whole which should always be
presented to the eye by the mingled
flower-garden; as single beds, contain-
ing one species only, form a blank be-
fore that species produces its flowers,
and a mass of decaying leaves when
the glow of their petals is no more.
The reverse of this mode of plant-
ing is essential to the perfection of the
mingled flower-garden, in each border
of which there should be, at least, two
of every species; but the precise num-
ber must be regulated by the force of
B 5
10 THE EEO hist’s MANUAL,
colour displayed by the plant, and the
size and the relative position of the
borders. It will be only necessary
to observe that, to whatever view the
garden presents itself, the eye should
not be checked by the failure, in any
part of it, of the prevalent colours of
the season. The situation of a flower-
garden is rarely left to the free option
of the owner, that option being gene-
rally controlled by a variety of small
circumstances, to which she will, in
some degree, be obliged to submit; and
more particularly so in that humble
flower garden, ’for the construction of
which alone I pretend to offer hints of
direction ; but this, although the one
most easily to be obtained, should not
be neglected, even by those who have
THE florist’s MANUAL. 11
the power of cultivating exotics in
their highest perfection.
The common, or Mingled Flower-
Garden should be situated so as to
form an ornamental appendage to the
house ; and where the plan of ground
will admit, placed before windows ex-
posed to a southern or south-east as-
pect ; and, although to this position
there may appear the objection of the
flowers turning their petals to the sun,
and consequently from the windows,
this predilection in the tribe of Flora
for the rays of that bright luminary,
will produce the same eflect in what-
ever place our flowers may be situated,
when in the vicinity of a building, as
they invariably expose the front of
their corols to the light, from which
12
THE florist’s manual.
both the petals of flowers and the leaves
of plants are believed to derive some
material essential to their existence.
The compass of ground appropriated
to flowers must vary according to the
size of the place of which that ground
forms a part, and should in no case
be of great extent. The principle on
which the parterre should be laid out,
ought to be that of exhibiting a variety
of colour and form so nicely blended
as to present one whole. In a flow,er-
garden viewed from the windows of
a house, this effect, as has been ob-
served above, is best produced by
straight borders laid sideways of each
other, and to the windows from whence
they are seen, as by that position the
colours shew themselves in one mass,
THE florist’s MANUAL. 13
whereas, if placed end-way, the alleys,
which are necessary for the purpose
of going amongst the flowers, divide
the whole, and occasion an appearance
of poverty. Should an intermixture
of turf with the flower borders be pre-
ferred, then the borders should be of
various forms, examples of which are
prefixed to the volume*, or they may
be laid out in a plain Etruscan pattern
as in plate 3.
It is more difficult than may at first
appear, to plan, even upon a small
scale, such apiece of ground; nor per-
haps, would any but an experienced
scientific eye be aware of the difficul-
ties to be encountered in the disposal of
afew shaped borders interspersed with
* See plates 1 . and 2.
14 the florist’s manual.
turf. The nicety consists in arranging
the different parts so as to form a con-
nected glow of colour: to effect which
It will be necessary to place the borders
in such a manner that when viewed
from the windows of the house, or from
the principal entrance into the garden,
one border shall not intercept the beau-
ties of another ; but in avoiding this
error, a still greater must be guarded
against, that of vacancies betwixt the
borders, forming small avenues, by
which the whole is separated into bro-
ken parts, and the general effect lost.
Another point to be attended to is
the just proportion of green turf, which,
without nice observation, will be too
much or too little for the colour with
which it is blended ; and lastly, the
THE florist’s MANUAL.
15
breadth of the flower borders should
not be greater than what will place
the roots within reach of the gardener’s
arm without the necessity of treading
upon the soil, the mark of footsteps
being a deformity wherever it appears
amongst our flowers. If the form of
ground where a parterre is to be situa-
ted is sloping, the size should be larger
than when a flat surface, and the bor-
ders of various shapes and on a bolder
scale, and intermingled with grass ;
but such a flower-garden partakes
more of the nature of pleasure-ground
than of the common parterre, and will
admit of a judicious introduction of
flowering shrubs.
Although, in general, a flower-gar-
den should not be upon a large scale.
IG THE florist’s manual.
it frequently oecurs in tlie ground
allotted for that purpose near small
villas, that the appearance of more
space than what can be procured on
a confined flat surface may be de-
sirable ; this I have seen ingeniously
effected by removing the earth until a
hollow was produced, about the size
of a common marl-pit, with hill and
dale, the outer part of which, being
planted with shrubs, formed one side
of a shady walk leading to the valley,
the inside of which was laid out in
rockery. On rising out of the valley,
the eye was agreeably deceived into
the belief of entering upon ground not
entirely of a flat surface, as by the
skilful management of elevated banks,
raised by earth taken from the hollow.
THE florist’s MANUAL. 17
d an appearance was given of greater
extent and inequality than actually
existed, and the idea suggested of
j walks winding through shrubberies ;
\ while at the same time, these banks
screened from the sight, and protected
from the wind, a portion of ground ap-
propriated to culinary purposes, and
sheltered on two sides a small gay
parterre, which lay before the parlour
windows.
This ingenious plan had yet the far-
ther merit of having been formed upon
the basis of utility. The site of the
house and gardens being upon high
ground of a wholly flat surface, and
close to public roads, afforded shelter
neither from weather, nor from the
view of passengers ; but in the artifi-
18
THE florist’s Maivtual.
cial little valley a retreat was secured,
completely secluded from the public
eye, and between the banks there was
placed a rustic seat formed of dried
branches of trees, entwined by honey-
suckles, and other sweet and orna-
mental climbers, well calculated for
the retirement of a solitary student,
and sufficiently spacious for the ac-
commodation of a social party, who
might equally wish to escape the ob-
servation of the idle or inquisitive
traveller.
If it happen that a house be nearly
surrounded by a flower-garden, the
variety of aspect thence afforded will
be favourable to the continuance of
the bloom of our flowers far beyond
what can be obtained if confined to a
THE florist’s MANUAL.
19
southern exposure. South, south-east,
and east, are the aspects most advan-
tageous to the growth of flowers ; and,
possessing these varieties of exposure,
the bloom of a garden may be pro-
tracted some weeks beyond the time
it could be preserved under a single
aspect. When apart from the house,
the Mingled Flower-Garden may be
introduced with great advantage, if
situated so as to form a portion of
the pleasure-ground in this case it
should not be distant from the house,
but so contrived as to terminate one of
the walks of the home shrubberies.
The garden must be situated south,
br south-east, and the fence, which
will be necessary for protection from
* See frontispiece.
20 THE flouist’s maxhal.
hares and other animals, should be
made of wire, and, in some peculiar
situations, might, perhaps be nicely
hidden by low shrubs, periwinkle and
other running plants, which will rea-
dily grow upon mossy trunks, roots,
or arms of old trees : and these, thrown
carelessly on the ground, and judici-
ously planted, might form a part of
the beauty of the garden, while they
served the purpose of veiling the fence
from the eye ; also, fragments of stone
may be made use of, planted with
such roots as flourish among rocks,
and to which it might not be difficult
to give a natural appearance, so far as
by bringing forward to the view the
utility of these stones in the culture
of the vegetables growing thereon.
THE florist's MANUAL. 21
while the real purpose of breaking the
line and concealing the boundary
fence might be disguised.
The present fashion of introducing
into flower-gardens this kind of rock-
work requires the hand of taste to as-
similate it to our flower borders, the
massive fabric of the rock being liable
to render the lighter assemblage of the
borders diminutive and meagre : on
this point, caution only can be given,
the execution must be left to the ele-
gant eye of taste, which, thus warned,
will quickly perceive such deformity.
I must venture to disapprove the
extended manner in which this vege-
table rock- work is sometimes intro-
duced ; not having been able to recon-
cile my eye, even in gardens planned
il
22 THE florist’s manual.
and cultivated with every advantage
wliich elegant ingenuity can give
them, to the unnatural appearance of
artificial crags of rock and other
stones interspersed with delicate
plants, to the culture of which the
fertile and sheltered border is evi-
dently necessary ; being decided that
nothing of the kind should be admit-
ted into the simple parterre that is not
manifestly of use to the growth of
some of the species therein exhibited.
In pleasure-grounds or flower-gar-
dens on an extensive-scale, where we
meet with fountains and statuary, the
greater kinds of vegetable rock- work
might probably be well introduced ;
but to such a magnificent display of
art I feel my taste and knowledge
THE florist’s MANUAL. 23
wholly incompetent. I attempt only
to assist in the humble path of exhibit-
ing to the best advantage the mode-
rately-sized flower-garden, replete
with colour of every variety ; and in
order to the procuring such variety
I shall annex to this little book a short
list of the commonest plants which
expand their beauties at the same
season, and of the colours prevalent
in that season ; so that by consulting
that list any one may be enabled to
form a gay and well-mingled garden
throughout the spring and summer
months at a small expense ; and thus,
having formed the basis, more rare
plants, or a more extended variety
may be superadded, as choice or cir-
cumstances may admit.
24 the flou'ist's manual.
Wliere neither expense nor trou-
ble oppose their prohibitory barrier,
many of the vegetable tribe may be
cultivated to greater perfection, if we
appropriate different gardens to the
growth of different species ; as, al-
though it is essential to the comple-
tion of our first kind of garden to in-
troduce, on account of their scent and
beauty, some of the more hardy spe-
cies of the flowers termed annuals, in
that situation room cannot be afford-
ed them sufficient to their production
in that full luxuriancy which they will
exhibit when not crowded and over-
shadowed by herbaceous vegetables;
and hence becomes desirable that
which may be called the Annual
Flower-Garden, into which no other
THE florist’s manual.
25
kind of flower is admitted besides
that fugacious order, and under which
is contained so great a variety of
beauty and elegance, as is well calcu-
lated to form a garden vying in bril-
liancy with the finest collection of
hardy perennials.
Also, the plants comprised under
the bulbous division of vegetables, al-
though equally essential to the per-
fection of the Mingled Flower-Gar-
den, lose much of their peculiar beau-
ty when not cultivated by themselves,
and will well repay the trouble of an
assiduous care to give to each species
the soil and aspect best suited to its
nature. Two kinds of garden may be
formed from the extensive and beauti-
ful variety of bulbous-rooted flowers;
c
26
the florist’s manual.
the first, wherein they should be
planted in distinct compartments, each
kind having a border appropriated
to itself, thus forming, in the Eastern
taste, not only the “ garden of hya-
cinths,” but a garden of each species
of bulb which is capable of being
brought to perfection without the fos-
tering shelter of a conservatory. The
second bulbous garden might be form-
ed from a collection of the almost in-
finite variety of this lovely tribe, the
intermixture of which might produce
the most beautiful effect, and a suc-
cession of bloom to continue through-
out the early months of summer.
A similar extension of pleasure
might be derived from a similar divi-
sion of all kinds of flowers ; and here
THE florist’s MANUAL. 27
the taste for borders planted with
distinct tribes may be properly exer-
cised; and, as most of the kinds of
bulbs best suited to this disposition
have finished their bloom before the
usual time at which annuals disclose
their beauties, the annual and the bul-
bous gardens might be so united, that,
at the period when the bloom of the
latter has disappeared, the opening
corols of the foi*mer might supply its
place, and continue the gaiety of the
borders ; nor is there the same incon-
venience in planting together annuals
and bulbous roots, as when annuals
are mingled with a mass of herbaceous
plants : the leaves of the bulbs being
past their period of growth, and on
the decline, may be tied together
28 THE florist’s manual.
without the liazard of injury to th
^forming bulb, and thus kept from
over-shadowing the tender growing
plants of the annuals. The ingenious
Florist will perceive that by the skil-
ful conduct of separating and combin-
ing, she may multiply and vary the
display of her flowers to the utmost
extent that her fancy may suggest ;
but in such a fantastic extent of her
power I do not pretend to accompany
her, nor even to offer directions for
* As all bulbs are supposed to be annually re-
newed by the growth of a new bulb, formed and
nourished from the bulb of the preceding year,
and from the juices of its decaying foliage, many
bulbs are destroyed, or materially weakened, by
the ignorant practice of cutting off the leaves as
soon as the flowers are faded=
See Sketches of the Physiology of Vegetable
Life, page 156, plate 12.
THE florist’s MANUAL. 29
any kind of garden except that which
may be generally attainable.
I must, however, recommend a
spring conservatory, annexed to the
house, consisting of borders sheltered
by glass and heated only to the de-
gree that will produce a temperate
climate, under which all the flowers
that would naturally bloom betwixt
the months of February and May,
might be collected, and thence be
enabled to expand their beauties with
vigour, which, when they are exposed
to the vicissitudes of the open air, be-
come so impaired by the harsh winds
of spring as annually to blight their
charms, and disappoint our expecta-
tions; so that we usually think our-
selves fortunate if we are able to pre-
30 THE florist’s manual.
serve the roots alive, encouraging
ourselves with the hope of the fu-
ture year, which hope is again disap-
pointed as spring with its chilling
blasts returns.
Weather, however, is not the only
enemy from which we have to fear the
destruction of our plants ; insects of
all kinds and degrees attack our
seeds, our roots, and our flowers :
hence directions for the prevention of
such depredators become a necessary
part of a work which has for its ob-
ject the exhibition of the floral world
to its greatest advantage; and as
amongst the various receipts given by
all gardeners for the destruction of
insects, I have not found any which
can be esteemed efficacious, I hope I
THE florist’s MANUAL. 31
may not appear too diffuse in my de-
tail of the only method which, I be-
lieve, will clear our borders of these .
enemies, and which, if skilfully fol-
lowed, may nearly effect their annihi-
lation.
- The simple and laborious mode of
picking away the animal, is the only
one to which recourse can be had
with permanent advantage; and to
give full efficacy to this method of
rescuing our plants from caterpillars,
snails, &c. our attacks must be made
upon them at particular seasons, and
a knowledge acquired of their history,
so far as to enable us to have swarms
of them destroyed in the destruction
of an individual of the species. With-
out, however, much research into their
32
THE florist’s manual.
natural liistory we may, from common
observation, understand that in the
• winged insect we may free our plants
from an innumerable tribe of those
which crawl, and which, in that
reptile state, have the capacity of
devouring the whole product of a
garden.
The two periods of change of form
in the caterpillar species seem to af-
ford the most advantageous times of
putting an end to their existence, as
in the ephemeral butterfly, if timely
attended to, we may destroy the ani-
mal before it has acquired the power
of disseminating its young progeny;
and, in the intermediate and voracious
state of caterpillar, every single one
which is prevented attaining the
THE florist’s MANUAL. 33
winged forna preserves our flowers
from an host of enemies.
The green caterpillar is the most
common foe to our flower-borders,
and in autumn attacks the branches
of mignonette in such numbers, as to
aflbrd an easy opportunity for their
destruction. A more persevering
enemy, and one more difficult to ex-
terminate from gardens, is the snail,
or common slug, which, forming its
habitation under the soil, attacks the
roots of flowers, and frequently de-
stroys them, before the gardener can
be aware of the mischief, that too
often becoming visible only when
past reparation. Under a vigilant
eye, however, plants will not twice
sufier from the enemy not being
c 5
^4 THE FLOruSTs MAS'L^A/..
ostensible; as the symptoms of his
vicinity may be marked by flowers
perishing as they first emerge from
their buds or bulbs, by the leaves or
petals being pierced into small holes,
or having the appearance of being
gnawed, or from, almost, any failure
in vigour which cannot be accounted
for by external causes.
In my early acquaintance with the
pernicious effects produced by snails,
having observed a root of hepatica,
which had been recently planted, fade
and shew symptoms of some fatal ma-
lady, I caused it to be taken out of
the ground, and found amongst the
fibres of its roots a number of those
beautiful pearl-like substances, which
are the eggs of the snail. Havino-
o
THE florist’s MANUAL. 35
caused these, with some snails, which
were also found amongst the roots, to
be taken away, and the hepatica to
be re-planted, I soon perceived the
good effects of having dislodged the
enemy, as the plant flourished from
that period.
In cold and dry weather the snail
rarely appears, but after warm showers
it may generally be found. Early in
the morning, and about the close of
evening, are the usual times of these
insects coming abroad, when they
may be picked up in large quantities.
They will, however, frequently mo-
lest a plant for a length of time, with-
out being visible ; in Avhich case, when
there is reason to suspect the hidden
attacks of snails, different methods
3G Till: i'],oiusT*s makdai..
should be used, by which they may
be entrapped, as I do not believe
there is any thing which can be strewn
upon or around the plant, which will
preserve it from the depredations of
these insects. Slices of turnips scat-
tered upon the borders, and upon
]dants peculiarly infested by snails,
have been found very efficacious in
collecting them ; also by affording
them food apparently more adapted
to their palates, they are diverted
from preying upon the flower-roots,
insomuch that if at the time when
any choice or tender flower-root is
planted, slices of turnips are carefully
supplied, they will attract the snails,
and thus preserve the more valuable
flower-root from their voracious ra-
THE florist’s MANUAL.
37
vages until it has acquired more
strength to resist them, weak and
diseased plants being those which are
usually attacked, and which suffer
most by insects.
The efficacy of this method of
entrapping snails has been proved in
fields of green wheat, in an early stage
of germination, where the experiment
has been tried of strewing slices of
turnips upon alternate furrows, and
having the snails picked off the tur-
nips daily ; and it is related that from
a piece of ground of eight acres so
managed, nearly a bushel of snails
have been taken, the benefit of which
was manifested by the furrows thus
cleared producing their just propor-
tion of vegetation, while those left to
38 THK flouist’s manual-
their fate brought weaker plants,
which did not arrive at maturity.
Similar means have also been em-
ployed for the destruction of the
wire-worm, a pernicious insect which
is generally introduced into gardens
with soil recently taken from pasture- .
land. Newly-sown annuals have been
known to suffer peculiarly from the
attacks of the wire-worm, so as in
some instances to have been wholly
destroyed. The method recommended
to ensnare the enemy, is to bury slices
of potatoe near the seeds at the time
they are sown, by which means great
numbers, it is said, have been col-
lected.
Another method of entrapping snails
is, to place an inverted garden-pot or
THE florist’s MANUAL. 39
dish over the infested plant, and it
will rarely occur that the enemy is
not discovered, as snails fasten them-
selves to the sides or tops of pots, or
to boards or mats so placed, and thence
are easily taken. In droughty seasons
it will be of use to water the plant be-
fore it is covered, as the moisture of
the earth will be an additional motive
of attraction to draw the animal from
its hiding-place.
It must be observed, that the times
of collecting the snails from whatever
is placed to entrap them, should be
early in the morning, and at the close
of evening, as those are the periods
at which they come out to feed, re-
tiring again under the earth in the
middle part of the day
40
'J’HE florist’s manual.
Various are the enemies in the in-
sect tribes from which vegetation is
liable to suffer ; caterpillars, earwigs,
black-beetles, &c. are very injurious
to all kinds of plants, and can only be
kept within due bounds by an assi-
duous attention to their destruction
by the different means recommended
in all books which treat on gardening ;
and I particularly recommend to my
readers the observations which they
will find in “ The Villa Garden Di-
rectory,” by Mr. Walter Nichols.
And here I must be allowed to
recommend to all those, who, for the
protection of their flowers and fruits,
are obliged to destroy an order of
creation, most certainly endowed with
sensations of pleasure and pain, to
THE florist’s MANUAL. 41
take care that their existence is put
an end to with humanity ; if thrown
immediately into water, the snail is
instantly destroyed, and consequently
can scarcely be susceptible of suf-
fering.
The smaller insects which infest
rose-trees, and some herbaceous plants,
can only be kept within moderate
bounds by sweeping them from the
branches, or by cutting off those
whereon they are found in most pro-
fusion.— In carrying off these diminu-
tive enemies, birds are peculiarly ser-
viceable ; and a well-authenticated
fact, which I have received, of the
conduct of a hen with her chickens,
seems to hint that we might render
poultry of use in our gardens, al-
42
THE florist’s MANUAL.
though it may be doubtful whether
the injury liable to be sustained by
the scratching of their claws’, would
not counterbalance the advantage of
the number of insects cleared away
by their beaks. — The fact was stated
to me as follows.
A lady, whose garden was enclosed
by a hedge of rose-trees, and which
rose-trees were covered by swarms
of minute insects, saw a hen lead her
flock of chickens into the garden ;
her immediate intention was to have
them driven out, but she soon per-
ceived their eyes fixed upon the rose-
trees, and watched them until they
had satiated their appetites, and per-
fectly cleared some of the trees.
It is a fact well known that through-
the florist’s manual. 43
out the order of creation every tribe
of animated beings is preyed upon by
another, and thus, it is supposed, each
tribe is kept within the due bounds
of space originally prescribed for its
existence. The cause of this wonder-
ful dispensation is probably hidden
from the power of the human faculty
to find out — but the fact remains in-
dubitable ; and we see our trees and
shrubs apparently preserved from the
destructive ravages of those innume-
rable small flies, known under the
denomination of Aphides, by the great
variety of species of different orders
and genera to which, in their larva
or grub state, they serve as food.
Amongst these devourers of the Aphis
fly, the beautiful little beetle, known
44 THE florist’s manual.
commonly under the name of Lady-
bird, is pre-eminently serviceable,
and in that amusing work “ Kirby's
Introduction to Entomology,” it is
related that in the year 1807, the
shores at Brighton, and of all the wa-
tering-places upon the south coast,
were literally covered with them, after
having, in the state of grubs, devoured
thousands and ten thousands of the
Aphis, which had infested the neigh-
bouring hop-grounds. And the hop-
growers are said now to be so sensi-
ble of their services, as to place boys
to prevent the birds destroying them.
In the attention given to the habits
of snails and other insects, it should
be peculiarly exerted at the time
when a plant is first put into the
THE florist’s MANUAL. 45
ground, and again when it shoots
forth its vernal buds; also when, after
having flowered, the leaves begin to
decay. At this period bulbs are
apt to be lost, and most frequently
in consequence of the attacks of
snails, as at that time they are not
only infested by the snails of- com-
plete growth, but also with numbers
recently come forth from their eggs,
and of a size scarcely equalling that
of the head of a large pin. These
minute animals, if not destroyed, will
deprive many bulbs, and also many
buds of herbaceous plants of their ex-
istence.
It is remarkable that insects gene-
rally attack those plants which are
least vigorous ; and the reason of
46
the florist’s manual.
I
1
llieir selection of sucli leaves as are
Itegmmng to decay may be, that in
their declining state they have usually
a peculiar sweetness, perhajjs owing
to some saccharine material, which
is preparing for the nutriment of
the bulb or bud that is forming
in their bosoms; it being believed
by botanic philosophers that the
nascent vegetable in part derives
its sustenance from the juices of the
declining foliage of the one from which
it takes its birth.
And now, trusting that the hints
contained in these fcM'^ pages may en-
able my sister gardeners to cultivate
their flowers to a degree of perfection
suited to their wishes, and, by so
doing, render them objects of their
THE florist's MANUAL. 47
genuine admiration, I will not dis-
guise my earnest desire to lead them
from the pleasure they receive in the
superficial view of a profusion of gay
and varied colours before their win-
dows, to the investigation of the ha-
bits and properties of these elegant
playthings; as in every change of sea-
son, amusement, ever new and vary-
ing, may be derived from the study
of vegetable existence.
The dreary months of winter,
which, to the uninformed eye, exhibit
only destruction and desolation, pre-
sent to that of the botanic philosopher
a scene of order, renovation, and
beauty, while he contemplates the
infinite variety which forms the whole
of that vast plan of care and preserva-
48 THK florist’s manual.
lion evinced in the mechanism of the
minutest bud, which awaits only the
genial breath of spring to expand its
wonders to the day.
In the slow and gradual decay of
the foliage of his trees, he sees, with
the decline of that foliage, an increase
as slow and gradual of the buds
which are preparing, in their turn, to
enjoy the transient pleasures of exist-
ence ; and as the leaves of the flower^
borders fade away, and, apparently,
perish, the philosophical florist per-
ceives, in their decay, new birth
given to a viviparous progeny, with
the same certainty as the seed buried
within the earth reproduces its semi-
nal posterity, or as the butterfly
arises from its chrysalis.
THE florist’s MANUAL. 49
I hope I shall not be deemed pre-
sumptuous in recommending to the
perusal of genuine florists, a small
tract, entitled, Sketches of the Physio-
logy of Vegetable Life* which, being
chiefly the result of simple experi-
ments, is calculated to instruct those
young persons, who, while they
amuse themselves by the culture of
their gardens, may not have either
leisure or inclination for actual study,
and may be pleased to find collected,
in a few pages, a variety of interesting
and highly curious facts relating to
the cherished objects of their atten-
tion, and which may be understood ‘
without the labour of close applica-
* Sold by Hatchard, Piccadilly.
D
50 THE fi.orist’s manual.
tion. Therein, also, the young flo-
rist will find a view of the wonderful
])rocess which takes place in the re-
production of all bulbs, the knowledge
of which may be esteemed essential
to the conduct of their increase, and
which ought to be acquired by all
who are desirous of possessing, in
perfection, those prime treasures of
the floral amateur.
In having condemned the search
after rarity and variety, I must be
understood to confine my disappro-
bation of this pursuit to the general
Florist only: to the classical Bota-
nist variety and rarity are of the first
value ; hence the gardens of the clas-
sical botanist and general florist dif-
fer, even in their first principles.
THE florist’s MANUAL. 51
The botanist will justly estimate the
value of her garden by the number of
genera, and the variety and rarity of
species therein collected ; and while,
to the comprehension of the florist,
there is little exhibited besides the
lettered pegs which obscure, while
they enumerate, the plants, the clas-
sical botanist will exult in the posses-
sion of a greater number of species of
some rare individual genus than, per-
haps, it may be within the power of
botanists, in general, to obtain.
The philosophical botanist and the
general florist, for 1 speak not of
those florists who confine their admi-
ration of flowers to the greater or less
number of stripes in the petals of
a tulip or of a carnation, are more
D 2
52 THE flouist’s manual.
/
nearly allied in their tastes than may
at first appear. That which pleases
one, gratifies the other; and it is
only in the extent of their observation
that they will be found to differ.
The sleep of plants, their various
modes of inflorescence, the annu-
al phenomenon of germination, the
change of position of the seed-ves-
sels, through the marvellous process
of fructification, have each excited
the surprise and admiration of every
intelligent florist. She observes,
and is amused by such appearances,
\ut exerts her intellect no farther;
while the philosophic botanist reasons
from effect to cause, until she cannot
refuse her belief that the curious and
beautiful economy of vegetable ex-
THE florist’s MANUAL.
53
istence must proceed from laws not
purely mechanical. Notwithstanding
the distinction we find between the
classical and the philosophical bota-
nist, and yet greater betwixt the sci-
entific pursuit of the knowledge of
flowers, and that of merely arranging
them into an assemblage of colours, I
venture to assert that, while it is es-
sential to the botanical philosopher to
be acquainted with an accurate view
of the science of classification, the
florist will increase her amusement
ten-fold by making herself familiar,
with the ingenious system of the great
parent of botany, Linnseus, and some
knowledge of which seems unavoid-
able in those ladies who, in cultiva-
ting their favourite flowers, exercise
54
T n E F LO H J ST’s M A N U A L.
the mental along with the corporeal
faculty.
It is certain, however, that an in-
quiry into the science of the subject
is by no means essential to the
pleasure which may be derived
from the culture of a flower-garden ;
and, notwithstanding I recommend
to the genuine florist a more ex-
tended acquaintance with the eco-
nomy and habits of the vegetable
tribe, the wonders of which are hour-
ly passing before her eyes, I have too
much experience of the delight which
may be excited by the bare view of
the simplest flower of our meadows,
or of our hedge-banks, to entertain a
doubt of the gratification received by
the general florist from the superfi-
THE florist’s MANUAL. 55
cial contemplation of her cultivated
borders. I shall, however, esteem
myself happy if by these trivial ob-
servations I induce, even a few of
my sister florists to exercise their in-
tellect, or relieve their ennui, by an
inquiry into the causes whence those
effects proceed, which, while gather-
ing a common nosegay, cannot but
frequently have solicited their at-
tention.
Nor is it only the amusement of
the present moment that I seek to
afford. To use and not to fatigue the
understanding, to interest and not to
absorb the mind, is the true art by
which happiness is to be attained ;
and, while from the wonderful struc-
ture of the creature, we are led to
5G
the feoujst’s
manual.
the contemplation of the Creator we
shall find this a n.ore certain panacea
" ‘‘"‘■'y cltagrins of human life, '
than all that the dissipation of the
gtlded hours of indiscriminate society
Has ever been able to afford.
Somcrsul Hall.
M. E. j.
CATALOGUE
OF
COMMON HERBACEOUS PLANTS.
4
- ^700I4J/J>
t-v •
;
^f, ^ fiitft/i /!(>;/ woo
. ^“I'f
' */ ».f u>c/ ,iinw *
r 4-%.^ : ..
f\ ’■^tT
TiT-^ - ’V, ’• , y
!^ . i' • M3
t ' .V > '•*'*
?V';. •
K-T
■ r -.1 ■
IW .'V ■■'■%«#'^ >a?'
«**4x. ^uV>iS»
■'•i/l
''7.
S» */
< *^'’\<;' ■■ ■
’ "*■'
CATALOGUE
OF
COMMON HERBACEOUS PLANTS,
With their Colours, as they appear in each Season
from February to August,
The Names of the Flowers accented according to
the Lichfield Translation of the System of
Vegetables of Linnaeus.
V. marks varieties, of a true species.
FEBRUARY. MAY.
RED.
Anemone,
perennis,
. Single and double.
. With varieties.
. Daisie.
V. from deep crimson to
pink and white.
60
THE florist’s M
ANUAL.
FEBnUARY.
■Erica carnca,
May,
RED.
Flowers early in Febru-
Erinus AlpinvSy
Erythr6nium dens canis,
Fritilldria imperidlis,
mcledgris,
Fumdria,
s'olida,
Hyacinthus orientate,
Orobus xernus,
Phlox,
.subuldta,
setdcea,
Vrimula vulgdris, .
iiry, very liandsome.
Very pretty, grows low.
• Dog’s tooth violet.
• • Crown imperial*
With Vs.
• • Fumitory.
Bulb-rooted, flowers ear-
ly* troublesome, from
seeding profusely.
Oriental, single and
double.
Spring vetch.
• • Lychnidea.
• Awl-shaped.
Bristly.
Common primrose. Vs.
in shades of red, sin-
gle and double, includ-
ing double Polyanthus,
the florist’s manual.
61
FEBRUARY.
RED.
MAY.
Prhrmla vulgdris,
farinosa,
integrifolia,
longifolia,
villosa, .
decora,
Helvetica,
which gives a very
rich deep shade of red.
. , Mealy.
. . Entire-leaved.
. . Long-leaved.
. . Villous.
Comely, — beautiful and
showy.
, . Swiss.
BLUE.
Ahjssum deltoideum.
Anemone hepdtica,
jmlsatilla,
Apemina,
Cynoglossum,
on^halodes.
. Purple Alysson.
Single, semi-double, and
double.
Pasque flower.
. . Apennine.
. Hound’s tongue.
. Comfrey-leaved.
/
G2
the F LORI si’s
MAN' UAL.
FliJlUUiUi Y.
BLUK.
Crocus vcrnus,
7 •
Hyacmthus,
may.
Spring.
hot ry aides,
rucemosus,
Iris pumila,
Primula, . ,
marginaia,
Pulmondria,
ufficindlis,
Virginica,
Scilla,
proEcox,
bifolia,
Verna,
• • Grape.
• • • Starch.
‘ • Dwarf.
Auricula, deep blue, with
the eye brimstone-co-
loured.
Margined: very pretty
in large patches.
• . Lung-wort.
• • Officinal.
Virginian, bright blue,
• Early-flowering.
• Two-leaved.
• • Vernal.
All pretty, grow low; —
many iulbs should be
planted together.
THE florist’s MANUAL.
63
FEBRUARY.
MAY.
BLUE.
VlolOy
. Pansie — large flowered,
rich deep blue petals,
also with smaller flow-
ers and paler blue.
YELLOW.
Adonis verndlis,
, . Spring Adonis.
Alyssum,
saxdiile,
. Alysson of Crete.
. . . Rock.
*montanum, Mountain ; a brilliant yel-
Crocus,
low of low growth.
vernus,
. . Spring.
sulphureus,
susidnus,
. . Sulphur.
. . Cloth of gold.
Draba airoides.
Sengreen or Whitlow grass
of Curtis, V. o, p. 170.
* See Curtis’s Magazine, vol. 12, page 419.
04
THE florist’s manual.
FEBRUAny.
MAY.
VELLOW,
J'-'fythronium,
• • Dog’s tooth.
^mericdnum, American. Not so Jiand-
some as the other spe-
cies.
FriliUdria impeiidlis, . . Crown imperial.
HellBorus hyemdlis, . . Winter aconite.
Na7'cissics,
minor, . V eiy pretty : several bulbs
should be planted toge-
ther.
odorus,
hiilbocodium.
• Sweet-scented.
Hoop petticoat, gold-co-
loured.
Jonquilla,
triandrus,
Pseudo-
Na, 'cissus,
Jonquil, double and single.
Pale yellow, three-sta-
mined, very pretty.
Daffodil with Vs., pale
yellow, double.
THE florist’s MANUAL.
65
FEBRUARY.
MAY.
YELLOW.
Narcissus,
bicolor,
Taretta,
Primula,
veris elatior,
auricula,
. Two-c oloured.
. Polyanthus.
V. Oxlip and Cowslip.
Single and double, the
double beautiful.
WHITE.
Anemone,
nemordsa,
hepdtica,
Arabis Alpina,
Beilis,
pereimis,
Carddmine pratensis,
Crocus,
biflorus,
Wood.
. Single and double.
More rare and more ten-
der than the coloured.
. Wall-cress alpine.
. . Daisie.
V. double, very pretty.
Lady’s smock, double.
. Scotch crocus.
Two-flowered. Valua-
ble for blowing some
GG
the florist’s m a veal.
KEBRU A liv,
w
Eryth ronium,
dens cams,
Galunthus nivalis,
Hclleborus niger,
Leucojum,
vernum,
Primula nivalis,
May.
iri’K.
weeks before Crocus
vernus. The white pe-
tals and golden sta-
men beautiful in the
sunshine.
Dog-tooth. IMore rare
than the red, a beau-
tiful feature in the
mingled flower-garden :
not less than ten bulbs
should be planted to-
gether.
Snow-drop, single and
double.
. Christmas rose.
. . Snow-flake.
Spring.
. . White auricula.
THE florist’s MANUAL, 6?
I'EURUAKY. MAY.
Primula vulgaris,
WHITE.
. V. paper-primrose, single
anddouble,hoseinhose.
Ranunculus amplexicdulis, Stem-clasping plantain-
leaved crow-foot.
Sanguindria Canadense, . Puccoon, Canadian.
Tiarella cordifolia.
. . Heart-leaved.
RED.
MAY.
Antirrhinum,
AUGUST.
Snap dragons ; various
shades.
Astrdntia,
major,
minor.
Aquilegia,
Columbine.
vulgdris.
Common; many varieties,
the starry very pretty.
Canadense, Canada ; red and yellow.
Anemone,
liortensis,
Coronaria or Poppy,
^lany Vs.; from deep
08
the florist’s manual.
ma y,
^lu tnonc hortcnsis.
Beilis prulifera,
Cistus,
helidnthcinum,
Cheirdnthus, cheiri,
aimuus,
incams,
A UGUST.
RED.
scarlet to pink ajid
white. By sowing seed
every spring, and plant-
ing the roots at difle-
rent periods, the bloom
of this beautiful flow-
er may be continued
through most part of
the spring and summer
months. Double scar-
let Anemone blows well
in common borders.
Hen and chicken daisie.
• • Dwarf.
Bleeding wall-flower.
Stock, ten weeks.
• Brompton stock.
THE florist’s MANUAL.
69
may.
RED.
CJtelonc,
barbdta, .
obliqua,
Didnthus,
barhdtusy
svperbus,
ccesius,
Dictdmnus,
Dodecdthem,
Meadia,
Epilohium,
angxistissimum,
Fuindria, . *
formosa,
Gauru,
biennis,
AUGUST.
Persian.
Beard-flowered.
Red-flowered.
Sweet-William.
Mule and tree-mule.
Superb.
Mountain ; star-pinks and
variety of carnations.
Fraxinella.
. . Virginian.
. Willow-herb.
Rosemary-leaved.
Fumitory.
Red-flowered.
Biennial, red and white
striped, flowers till
October.
70 THE floiust’s manual.
AlFGt
RED.
Geranium macrorhizum
• . Long-rooted.
sylvaticum.
• • . Wood.
nanguineum,
• • Bloody.
Lancastriense
> • V. Lancashire.
Gladiolus communis,
. Corn-flag, common .
Iris versicolor,
• Various-coloured.
Ldthyrus latifdlius.
• Lverlasting pea.
Lilium chalceddnicim,
. Martagon, scarlet.
Lychnis,
Alyina,
■ • Alpine.
visedria,
• • • Viscid.
Jlos-cuculi,
Ragged robin, double.
chalcedonica.
Scarlet, single and double.
Lythrum,
Salicdria,
Common.
virgdtmn.
Twiggy.
Moudrda didyma,
Common scarlet and pale
purple.
Red and yellow vetch.
Orobus rdrius,
the florist’s manual.
71
MAY.
AUGUS 1'.
RED.
Orchix mdscula,
Papdxer,
orienfale,
Pceonia,
officindlis,
temiifolia,
Phlox,
glaberrima,
stolonifera,
ovdfa,
amana,
intermedia,
jnlosa,
maculdta,
Rudbeckia purpurea,
Scilla, _ .
nutans.
Deep shade of purple red :
very good effect. See
Observations, p. 93.
Poppy.
. . . Eastern.
. . . Peony.
Common, dark, double
red, and rose-coloured.
. . Fine-leaved.
. . . Lychnidea.
. . . Smoothest.
Creeping.
. . Oval-leaved.
Fine red.
. . . Intermediate.
Very pretty.
. Spotted.
. . . Purple.
. . . Hare-bell.
. . Flesh-coloured.
72
the florist's manual.
MAY.
AUGL’ST,
RED.
Tulipa gcsneridm,
• Garden tulip. Single and
double ; single, rich deep
red : very good effect :
shades of striped red.
Tulipa,
suateolens,
Cleremontf
• • Tulip, dwarf.
Van Tol. sweet-scented.
• . Pink and white.
Thalktrmn aquilegifolium, . Meadow rue
V aleridna,
Columbine-leaved, with
purple flowers.
• • • Valerian.
rubra,
Veronica,
• • Red, two shades.
• • • Spiked.
carnea.
. Flesh - coloured, two
shades.
BLUE.
Anemone,
Coronaria, or Poppy Ane-
mone.
Varieties, The double kinds, except
THE florist’s MANUAL. 73
MAY.
AUGUST.
BLUE.
Aster alpinus,
Aconitum,
napellus.
Campanula,
persicifolia,
pumila,
Carpdtica,
Catandnche caerulea.
Cheirdnthus , incanvs,
annvus,
the scarlet, not adapted
to mingled flower bor-
ders, as they require
A
peculiarculture to bring
them to perfection.
Handsome ; grows low,
. Monk's-head.
. V. Blue and white.
Peach-leaved, single and
double.
• . Dwarf.
Carpathian.
• . Brompton stock.
Ten weeks. By sowing
the seed of stocks, and
putting out the plants
at different times, the
bloom may be con-
E
74
THE ELOIUSt’s manual.
AUGUST.
liLUE.
tinued until destroyed
by frosts.
Ccntnurea, ajamts, . Corn-bottle; large flower;
• lie bright deep blue ;
not in esteem with flo-
rists, but worthy of a
place in the JMingled
Flower-Garden.
Dracocephalum,
grandijibrum. Great-flowered, bright
deep blue, very hand-
some.
Delphinium, . . . Larkspur.
grandijlorum, . . . Bee.
datum, . A variety of the Bee
Larkspur, pale blue,
very handsome. 'I'here
are two kinds of the
double Perennial Lark-
spur, of a less and
THE florist’s MANUAL. 75
MAY.
august.
BLUE.
larger size, both beau
tiful.
Ddphrnium azureum,
Gcntiana,
saponaria,
scptcmjida,
asclepiadea,
acaulis,
Geranium, palusiris,
Hemerocdllis,
cerulea,
Iris,
cristdta,
sambucina,
. . ... Azure.
. . Gentian.
Soap-wort.
. . Seven-cleft.
Swallow-wort.
Gentianella.
The last species planted
at the edge of a border
facing the South, in a
row of four or six inches
broad, makes a superb
appearance.
. Single and double.
. . Day-lily.
. . Blue-flowered.
Crested.
Deep blue.
2
/6 - THE florist’s MANUAL.
AUGUST.
liLUE.
Iris, German, . . Pale blue, beautiful.
xiphium, xiphioides, Small and great bulbous.
Linum, . . . . Flax.
perenne, . . . Perennial.
pumila, , Dwarf.^ — Marked annual
in M r. Bonn’s cata-
logue ; certainly con-
tinues more than one
year.
Lupinvs,
. Lupine.
perennis, . Perennial, two kinds.
polanonium carukum.
Greek valerian.
Phyteima,
Bright deep blue.
orbicvldre.
Round-headed.
Scilla,
campanuldta.
Bell-flowered.
nutans.
. Hare- bell.
Sophora australis.
Blue-flowered.
V eronica.
prostr&ta.
. Trailing.
THE FLOKISt’s MANUAL.
77
MAY.
AUGUST.
BLUE.
Veronica chanuBdrys.,
incana,
spicdfa,
cniciata.
Vinca major,
. . Germander.
, . Hoary.
. . Spiked.
. . Cross-leaved.
Very pale blue, of a shade
very uncommon ; very
good effect.
. . Periwinkle.
When the trailing branches
are cut off, theVinca ma-
jor with its varieties will
grow in small bushes,
and is pretty ; in its na-
tural trailing state it is
very ornamental among
rockwork.
YELLOW.
Allium moly, . Disagreeable, — from its
strong onion smell ; va-
78 THE FE01US'J’’s MANUAL.
A If GUST.
YELLOW.
Antirvh'inum spartiuw,
Cdlt/ia palustris,
Cheirdnthus cheiri,
Cistun heMnthemum,
Coreopsis,
tenuifolia,
aurea,
verticil/dta,
luable a.s it supplies a
shade of deep yellow,
late in June.
Annual broom. — Grows
very low, and should
be sowed near the
edges of the borders ;
essential to the beauty
of mingled flower-gar-
dens, from June to
September.
Meadow bout, double.
Green-top, or yellow
wall-flower, double.
Dwarf.
Tick-seed sun-flower.
. Slender-leaved.
. . Golden.
. . Whorl-leaved.
. . Day lily.
HemerocdlHs,
THE elohist’s manual.
79
MAY.
august.
YELLOW.
Hancrocdllis Jiavu,
fuka,
Liliimi,
Canadaisct .
bulbiferum,
iigrinum,
(Enotkera,
pumila,
Missouri,
fruticosa,
Papdver,
Cdmbricum,
Yellow.
Copper-coloured.
. Lily. "
. Turk’s cap.
. Bulb-bearing.
. Tiger-spotted.
. Tree-primrose.
Dwarf; very low.
Paler yellow, flowers
large, the calyx spot-
ted with crimson spots,
of lower growth than
the commonCEnotheras.
Two common kinds, with
deeper and lighter shades
of yellow.
. . Perennial.
Poppy.
. Welsh; perennial.
HO
THE florist’s MANUAL.
MAY.
AUGUST.
YELLOW
Tfilipa^
fnjlvestris,
Gesneriduay
Trolliits,
Europceus,
Asidticus,
Viola,
tricolor,
lutea,
Altaica,
Dwarfj very pretty.
Single; flowers nodding ;
blows early.
Single and V. Double
yellow.
• • Globe.
• . European.
Asiatic; colour of Asia-
ticus peculiarly good
effect.
• • Pansie.
• . V'arieties.
> • • Y^ellow.
Very pale, petals curled.
WHITE.
Antirrhinum,
Anthtricum,
lilidgo,
lilidsfrum,
Snap-dragon.
. Grass-leaved.
Savoy spider-wort.
81
THE florist’s MANUAL.
MAY.
august.
WHITE,
Aclxa racenwsa,
. Branched,
AmmoKC,
Snow-drop leaved.
dichotoma,
. . Two-forked.
Beilis,
Daisie.
peretinis,
Double, very pretty.
Campanula persicifolia,
Peach-leaved, single and
double.
pxmila.
. , , Dwarf.
Cheirdnthus,
. Stock.
incdnus,
. , Brompton.
dmuus,
Ten-weeks.
Convalldria polygondtum,
Solomon’s seal, single
and double.
Dictdmnus,
. Fraxinella.
Hespens matronalis,
. Rocket, double.
Iris,
. Large.
xiphioides,
, Bulbous.
Lilium,
. . Lily.
candidum,
White.
82
the florists manual.
.'/AY.
AUGUST.
WHITE.
^'arc'mtis,
poificus, . Poet’s ; double and single.
Ornit/ivguhivi,
ppnimidale^ , . Pyramidal.
P///o.r,
•''Uateolens
Pancrdthim,
maritimum,
l^o/vgonufn,
vivtparum,
Ranunculus,
aconitifolius,
Saxifraga,
granuldta, .
Lychnidea.
• Sweet-scented.
• • Sea.
Viviparous; grows very
low, pretty.
Mountain; double.
Double.
Grain-rooted; very orna-
mental before flowering
by the green patches
of the foliage amongst
the early spring flowers.
THE florist’s MANUAL.
83
MAY.
WHITE.
august.
Scilld,
campdnulata,
nutans,
Stipa,
penndta,
*
spircea,
aruncus,
filipendula,
ulmdria,
trifolidta,
Thalktrum, aquikgifdlium,
Tulipa,
gesneridna,
Bell-floweretl.
Hare- bell.
Feather grass.
Soft.
Goat’s beard.
Drop-wort', double.
Meadow-sweet; double;
the single kinds have
little beaufy.
three-leaved.
Columbine-leaved.
. Tulip.
V. slightly streaked with
pink.
Veronica,
spicdta, Spiked.
pinnata, . Pinnate ; the prettiest of
the spiked Veronicas.
84
'niE floiust’s manual.
Y,
AI'OLTST,
wiiri’i.:.
^ inca minor. d • • i ,
Teriwinkle, with variegar
ted leaves, very pretty
when cut into buslies.
List of Plants which have blown this year, J 812,
in March .-—some of them were in blow in
February, and continued in beauty so as to form,
with those of March, a beautiful specimen of the
Mingled Flower-Garden.
I
RED, SHADE FROM PINK TO SCARLET.
Anemone,
hepatica.
Hepatica,single and dou-
ble : various shades of
single Anemone, or
Wind-flower.
Beilis,
pereunis,
Plain red, and variegated.
Erica,
cu7’nea.
Heath, very showy.
THE florist’s MANUAL.
85
RED, SHADE FROM
Erythronium,
dens-canis,
Fritillaria imperialism
Orobus,
vermis,
Primula,
BLUE
Alyssum,
deltoideum,
Anemone,
hepatica.
Crocuses.
Cynoglossum omphalodes,
PINK TO SCARLET.
Dog’s tooth, violet.
. Crown imperial.
. Spring vetch.
Double lilac. Double
crimson. Double vel-
vet ; and all the varie-
ties of Primrose and
Polianthus in shades
Purple alysson.
Hepatica, single and dou-
ble Wood : single varie-
ties of Wind-flower.
. Comfrey-leaved.
of red.
TO PURPLE.
8G
THE florist’s MANUAL.
BLUE TO PURPLE.
Ilyacmthus,
hotvyoides, See Curtis, vol. 15, p. 157.
Primula,
marginata, . . single blue.
Pulmondria,
officmdlis, . Jerusalem Cowslip.
Scil/a,
pra:cox, , , Early.
bifolia, . . Two-leaved.
• • Violets.
YELLOW.
Draba, . , Sengreen.
aizoides, . Whitlow grass. Curtis,
vol. 5, page I70.
Crocuses,
Fritillaria imperialis, . Crown imperial.
Narcissus,
mhior, Smallest double pale yellow.
odoi'us, . . . Sweet-scented.
Polianthus, . White, with a conspicu-
ous yellow eye.
THE florist’s manual.
87
YELLOW.
Primu/a, . Double and single primroses.
WHITE.
Anemone,
hepatica, . Wind-flower, very pale
tint of yellow, has the
effect of white.
Beilis,
Daisie.
perennis.
Double.
Crocus,
bifolia.
Two-leaved, late-flowering.
Erythrbnium,
ilenscanis.
, . Dog’s-tooth violet.
Primula,
Double and single, very
pretty. Hose in hose.
Viola,
. Violets.
OBSERVATIONS.
Many flowers in the foregoing
Catalogue continue in bloom from
July to October : and we have also a
variety of beautiful herbaceous plants
which peculiarly belong to Autumn ;
these are generally large, some of
them extremely handsome, and in
extensive flower-gardens produce a
very ornamental effect. Holly- hock,
alcea rosea, with all its beautiful
and various shades of colour, many
species of perennial asters, the com-
mon sun-flower, and some other spe-
cies of helidnthus, will not escape
THE florist’s MANUAL. 89
the attention of the genuine Florist,
if the compass of her ground be large
enough to admit of their introduction.
To the common-sized mingled flower-
garden, the recent introduction of the
Dahlias has brought a variety of rich
and brilliant colours, which must be
esteemed a valuable acquisition to
the Florist whose eye is delighted
with gaiety. Nor perhaps are any of
the plants above mentioned of too
great size to be allowed a place in the
outskirts of the garden; while in
those borders which do not admit of
the large-growing Autumnal plants,
the chief dependence for gaiety at
that season must be upon annuals ;
the hardy kinds of .which are so ge-
-nerally known as to render unneces-
90
the FLOIIISTS MANUAL.
sary the enumeration of them in this
place.
Carnations, l3eautiful in all their
varieties, contribute largely to the
splendour of our Autumnal borders :
HOI must we omit a plant so pecu-
liarly ornamental at that season, as
the double dwarf poppy; but this
will require attentive care to keep
It within the bounds of neatness, so
essential to the appearance of a
flower-garden. When once poppies
have been introduced into our bor-
ders, the difliculty will be to keep
them under due regulation ; which
must be done by early weeding out
such plants as are not placed accord-
ing to our wishes : they must also
be firmly tied to a short stick at an
THE florist’s MANUAL.
91
early period of their growth, and at-
tention given to keeping them well
supported at the root, as otherwise
they are liable, from the brittleness
of their texture, to be broken olf at
the bottom by the first high wind.
The carnation poppy is also beautiful
in its kind, but, like the dwarf
poppy, and all other profuse seeders,
requires much care to keep it within
bounds. Stocks, cheiranthus annuus,
and incanus, (the annual and the
Brompton stock,) of which we now
possess some beautiful varieties both
in size and colour, may, by judicious
management in sowing the seeds, be
procured through every season of the
year, from the early part of May, to
the period in Winter when the flowers
the florist’s manual.
are cut off by the frost. The Persian i
stock, lately introduced, has added a
new colour to those before afforded
by the rest of its tribe; producing i
large double flowers resembling '
those of the rosa multiflora. Stocks,
china-asters, and marigolds, are the
more valuable as they may be trans- j
planted into the borders occasion-
ally, as vacancies occur, without in-
jury to their growth; whence the
use of them is peculiarly adapted to
basket gardening, so much in fashion
near towns and villas.
1 he single and double colchicums
are beautiful, and give gaiety to our ’
gardens at a late season. The popu-
lar belief, that the fruit or seed of the
colchicum is produced previously to
THE florist’s MANUAL. 93
the flower, is wholly unfounded ; and,
as the peculiarities in the appearance
of the fructification of this plant gene-
rally excite the curiosity of Florists,
I venture to refer the ingeniously in-
quisitive to “ Physiological Sketches
of Vegetable Life,” page 160, plate
XL where they will find full informa-
tion on that interesting subject. The
orchis mascula, which from the rich
purple of its petals, and dark-spotted
leaves, merits a place among our cul-
tivated flowers, is rarely seen in gar-
dens, it being generally supposed that
there is some peculiar difficulty in
removing the roots of this curious
tribe of plants from their native situ-
ations of growth. I have in a former
work* hazarded the conjecture, that
* See Physiological Sketches, &c., page 136.
04 THE florist’s MANUAL.
the orchis, in removal, did not require
difierent treatment from that neces-
sary to be given to all other bulbous
plants under the same circumstances;
and I have since confirmed the just-
ness of this conjecture by experi-
ment.
It is requisite that the leaves of
all bulbous plants should be wholly
decayed before their roots are trans-
planted, as, until that change has
taken place, the process of growth in
the annual renewal of the bulb conti-
nues in progress, and the growth of
this new bulb is checked by any in-
jury which the leaves or the old bulb
may sustain. Nevertheless, as it is
frequently expedient to remove bul-
bous plants while their leaves are
THE feorist’s manual. 95
green, and even during the time at
which they are in flower, this may be
safely effected, if done with proper
precaution, and also the root may be
preserved in a healthy state, although
it will certainly be weakened. All
bulbs, if transplanted while their
leaves are in vigour, should be remo-
ved with as much soil as will adhere
to the bulbs, and great care must be
taken not to cut or bruise the root,
or the root-fibres. When transplant-
ed, their leaves should be carefully
tied to a stick, and suffered to remain
until they naturally fall from the
plant. If bulbous plants, during their
state of vigorous foliage, are sent to a
distance, they should have the same
attention given them, and the soil
96 THE feoiust’s manual.
should be closely pressed round the
bulbs, and their leaves nicely tied
together, and the whole wrapped in
sheet lead, which, by keeping them
from the air, will prevent the evapo-
ration of their juices, and preserve
them for a week or ten days nearly
as well as if they were placed in soil
for that period.
As the leaves of the common hardy
kinds of bulbs give an unneat appear-
ance to gardens, it is a general prac-
tice to cut them off soon after their
time of flowering is over ; and if this
practice is pursued with bulbs which
have not been planted more than one
or two years, it will weaken them so
much as to prevent their flowering
vigorously, and probably destroy the
plant ; but when the ordinary kinds
THE florist’s MANUAL. 97
of narcissus, crocuses, and snow-
drops, have continued long in the
ground, and are in large patches,
their leaves may be cut off when
about half decayed, without mate-
rially injuring the appearance of the
bloom of the ensuing year. The
leaves of the more delicate kinds of
bulbs must be tied to thin sticks,
and the want of neatness occasioned
by their withered appearance, borne
with; as cutting off the leaves of jon-
quils, Narcissus jonquilla, dog’s-tooth
violet, Erythrdnium dens-canis, hya-
cinths, &c. would be certain destruc-
tion to their roots : and if the leaf-stem
of the crown-imperial, Fritillaria im-
perialis, is not allowed to decay on
the bulb from whence it springs, that
F
9S THE FLOlirST’s MANUAL.
bulb will rarely produce a succes-
sional one strong enough to bear a
flower*. The same theory applies to
herbaceous plants, but, as from some
particular circumstances, too long to
be detailed in this short work, they
do not apparently receive equal injury
with the bulbous tribe by being de-
prived of their leaves, it is not neces-
sary to treat farther on the subject
than to suggest to the intelligent Flo-
rist carefully to preserve the foliage of
any delicate herbaceous plant until it
spontaneously decays.
N. B. The generic, specific, and
English names, are given after those
of Mr. Bonn’s catalogue : that useful
work being in the hands of most florists.
* See Additional Observations, page 116.
THE florist’s MANUAL.
99
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS
ON THE GROWTH AND TREATMENT OF
BULBOUS PLANTS.
In the demand for a new edition
of “ The Florist’s Manual,” I find that
some additional particulars respecting
the growth and treatment of bulbous
plants may render the work more
generally useful. I therefore subjoin
such remarks, as may direct the
novice in the art of gardening to
those times and seasons at which her
bulbous plants may be removed with
safety; and from the ignorance of
F 2
100 TIIK florist’s manual,
which, numbers, I believe, are an-
nually destroyed. Notwithstanding,
however, the expediency of attention
to the state of growth in a bulb at the
time of removal, it is certain that with
the particular care detailed in these
of *
pages, it may so far safely be trans-
planted in full vigour both of flower
and foliage, as not materially to in-
jure the health of the bulb, although
not without considerable hazard of
so much impairing its strength, as to
prevent the product of a handsome
flower the ensuing year.
The process of the annual renewal
of the bulb in tulip has been long un-
derstood,— even in the time of some
of our oldest botanists ; and indeed
the marks of such a process are so
THE florist’s MANUAL.
101
evident, that I cannot imagine that
any one who had planted and taken
out of the ground any number of
tulip-roots, could remain ignorant of
it; the flower-stem manifestly rising
from the centre of the bulb when ^
planted in Autumn, and as manifestly
appearing on the outside of the one
taken out of the ground in July or
August — a change which could only
have taken place from the decompo-
sition of the bulb from the centre of
which the flower-stem had proceeded,
and the production of a fresh one to
which the same flower would neces-
sarily have become external.
It is extraordinary that, although
this fact as been so long known, it
has not led to more general infor-
102 THE florist’s manual.
Illation on a subject so essential to
the knowledge of the flower-garden,
and so interesting in its own nature.
And it is with surprise that we find
in the works of our oldest and most
ingenious botanical writers, the or-
chis, the crocus, and gladiolus, (corn-
flag, or sword-lily,) described as
having two bulbs, in the crocus, and
the gladiolus one bulb growing upon
the other; and even Linnaeus, not-
withstanding his minute and accurate
research into the nature and habits of
the vegetable kingdom, suffered him-
self to be deceived by these appear-
ances, and without farther investiga-
tion marked these bulbs as distinct
from the common tribe, and dis-
criminated them by the appropriate
THE florist’s MANUAL. 103
term of bulbus duplicatus, or double-
bulbed; when, had he examined a
few of them at their different stages
of growth, he would have arrived at
the important fact, that this dupli-
cated appearance arose solely from
the process of the formation of a new
bulb, deriving its growth from the
absorption of the juices of the old one,
which he would have found gradually
diminishing in size, as the dimensions
of the new bulb above it enlarged.
The crocus and gladiolus commu-
nis (corn-flag, or sword-lily,) being
generally found in the commonest
gardens, and the luxuriancy of their
increase rendering the destruction of
a few of their bulbs a matter of no
consideration, present to the inqui-
104 THE florist’s man^ual.
l ing Florist, specimens of the annual
renewal of bulbs, which, I flatter my-
self, may induce her to pursue her
investigations through the whole tribe,
as she will find those investigations
productive both of utility and amuse-
ment. In hyacinths, narcissuses, and
various other genera, the new bulb
being formed within the old one, its
progress is more diflicult to be ob-
served. Erythronium dens canis,
dog-tooth violet, exhibits an elegant
and more distinctly apparent speci-
men of the process of the formation
of a new bulb within the old one ; and
if examined at different periods from
the first show of decay in its leaves,
even to the time beyond which they
have wholly disappeared, the process
THE florist’s MANUAL. 105
'will be agreeably visible ; and farther,
in November or December, and the
early part of spring, if a formed bulb
be carefully cut open, the embryon
flower, perfect in all its parts, with its
stalks and leaves, will be found in the
centre with a small substance at the
base of the flower-stem, which, had it
remained undisturbed, would have
been gradually formed into a flower-
ing bulb for the ensuing year ; a pro-
cess which clearly evinces, that what-
ever tends to check the growth of the
old bulb, as transplanting or cutting
off the leaves, must greatly impede
the growth of the one newly formed
in its bosom.
It is not, however, my intention to
enter farther into the subject, than
F 5
lOG THE FLOHISt’s MANUAL.
what may be introductory to the more
general study of this branch of floral
knowledge, and rendered subservient
to the management of the more deli-
cate species of bulbs : I therefore, con-
fine myself to the most obvious spe-
cimens of the habits which I believe
to obtain in every species of the bul-
bous order; and while I consider
with surprise the limited view which
was taken of this subject by the most
respectable botanists of former peri-
ods, I cannot omit remarking, with
all due deference, upon the inertness
which appears to prevail in the highly
ingenious botanical writers of the
present time, and who are so justly
distinguished for the accuracy and
utility of their researches on most
THE florist’s MANUAL. 107
Other branches of vegetable history.
We find the orchis tribe characterised
as bearing two distinct bulbs, and the
difficulty of removing any of the spe-
cies from the fields into our gardens
ascribed to some peculiarity in the
plant. Also the rare circumstance of
the autumnal colchicum not ripening '
its seeds until the spring after their
formation in the preceding autumn,
has given rise to an unwarranted opir
nion, that the fruit is produced pre-
viously to the expansion of the flower,
and which, from want of a little farther
investigation, has become an esta-
blished popular belief.
I am desirous to rouse my sister
florists to the exertion of seeing for
themselves ; and by shewing with how
108 tup: florist’s manual.
little trouble the errors mentioned
above may be confuted, I hope to
excite them not to acquiesce in the
belief of any extraordinary fact, until
they have examined the foundation on
which it rests. I have annexed some
representations (see Plate 5,) of the
bulb of the large purple orchis. Orchis
mascula, which will fully refute the
belief which obtains of that order of
plants bearing double bulbs, and will
also exhibit the extraordinary change
which takes place in the form of the
bulb from its early state of growth to
the time when it has attained perfect
maturity ; and respecting the diffi-
culty of removal, I can aver from ex-
perience, that there will not be found
any circumstance necessary to be re-
THE florist’s MANUAL. 109
gavded, but what occurs in the trans-
plantation of all other bulbous flowers
during the periods of their growth ;
and as the large purple orchis will be
found peculiarly ornamental in the
borders of the mingled flower-garden,
our trouble in bringing it thither will
be well repaid.
As this orchis is usually found
growing in hay-meadows, and the
leaves having generally disappeared
before the grass is cut, it is commonly
expedient that it should be trans-
planted in a state of active growth, and
I should recommend the removal of
the plant to take place as early in the
spring as its beautifully spotted leaves
have attained about half their size ;
when, if it be taken up with clod of
110 THE florist’s MANUAL.
earth completely enveloping the root,
and carefully shaded, and occasion-
ally watered, it will rarely fail of pro-
ducing a vigorous flowering bulb the
ensuing year, and might probably
bloom the year of removal; but, in
order to strengthen the root, it will be
better to pinch off the flower-stem as
soon as it appears, as during the time
of flowering a large portion of nou-
rishment is drawn by the fructifica-
tion from the old root, and, conse-
quently the newly forming bulb is
robbed of its due share of sustenance.
1 am the more inclined to enter a
little into the detail of the habits of the
bulbous tribe of vegetables, by having
recently met with some remarks upon
the failure in the flowering of the
THE florist's MANUAL. Ill
Guernsey lily, {Amaryllis Sarnknsis,)
the second year after importation into
this country, which seem to shew
that, notwithstanding the necessity of
preserving the green leaves in vigour
until their natural period of decay is
pretty generally allowed, the principle
from which this practice is deduced,
has not been fully attended to. In
that valuable repository of ingenious
inquiry, the “Horticultural Transac-
tions,” there are various papers on the
treatment of the Guernsey lily, writ-
ten with the view of obtaining an an-
nual succession of bloom : the writers
all agree in the expediency of pre-
serving the green leaves from injury,
but do not appear to have investigated
the prime cause from whence this ex-
1J2 THE florist’s MANUAL.
pediency arises, as they all seem to
concur in the supposition that the
bulbs of Guernsey lily continue indi-
vidually through a course of years, and
that the flower formed within the
bulb of one season, may, by various
accidents, be so retarded in its growth
as to require a succession of seasons
to bring it to maturity. This little
work does not admit of much detail
upon the subject ; but as many florists
have found it impracticable to bring
not only Guernsey lily, but other
choice bulbous plants to bear flowers
annually, they may not be uninterest-
ed in a short discussion of the prin-
ciple on which the methods of treat-
ment of that beautiful tribe should be
founded.
THE florist’s MANUAL. 113
It is with g-enuine diffidence that
1 bring forward an opinion which in
any degree militates against such
authorities as Mr. Knight, and other
eminent botanists, to whom horticul-
ture and vegetable physiology are so
greatly indebted ; and I am led to
this presumption solely by the wish
I entertain of inducing all florists not
only to become acquainted with the
methods of treatment of their bulbous
plants, but also to examine the prin-
ciple on which that treatment is be-
lieved to rest.
Contrary to the supposition that
the bulb of Guernsey lily continues
individuallij from year to year, gra-
dually acquiring increase of strength,
until it attains the power of produ-
114 THE FLORISTS MANUAL.
cing flowers, 1 believe it to be govern-
ed by the same laws, which by re-
peated experiments, I have uniformly
found to obtain in all bulbous roots,
and from which I have deduced the
following position ; — that every bulb,
whether arrived at the mature state
of flowering, or the less perfect one of
producing leaves only, annually be-
comes absorbed by a similar bulb
proceeding from the flower-stem, or
from some other part connected with
the old bulb, the perfect formation of
the new bulb being effected in the
course of a few months. At whatever
season the leaves of bulbous plants
are entirely decayed, at that period
the bulb for the ensuing year will be
perfectly formed, and in possession
THE florist’s MANUAL.
115
of all the parts which are to be deve-
loped in the Spring or Autumn fol-
lowing; and if at that season a bulb
of mature age be carefully cut open,
it will display an embryon flower,
exhibiting in miniature the various
parts of fructification. If the bulb
remain in the ground, it will continue
at rest several weeks after these parts
are perfected, and will then begin to
vegetate ; first shooting forth root-
fibres and green leaves, which gene-
rally appear in the form of a bud, and
the whole will proceed slowly, until
in Spring, both leaves and flowers
come forth in full perfection : but, if
from any untoward circumstance, the
flower should have been injured in its
growth, so as to prevent its appear-
HO* tiiE florist’s manual.
ance at the usual period, no length-
ened time, nor the most assiduous
care, will bring it to perfection ; the
flower will perish, and the process of
the formation of a new bulb must
take place by the absorption of the
juices of the bulb of the preceding
year, before a flower can be produced,
and to this process the green leaves
seem essential; but whether from
their juices contributing to the in-
crease of the new bulb, or from their
action being necessary to the well-
being of the parent bulb, while foster-
ing the young one in its bosom, I can-
not presume to determine. Be that
as it may, the necessity of nurturing
the old bulb, with its leaves, after
flowering, seems to be nearly esta-
blished.
THE florist's MANUAL. 117
Notwithstanding, however, the con-
currence and experience of the most
respectable testimony, in the neces-
sity of the preservation of the green
leaves in order to the production of
bloom the ensuing year, we find an
exception in the management which
the florists of Holland are said to give
their hyacinths, which is worth inqui-
ring into. The treatment directed is
to take the roots out of the ground,
and to cut off the leaves as soon as
they begin to wither, — a practice en-
tirely contrary to that which I have
uniformly seen succeed with hyacinths
which have been blown in glasses
or pots, or such as have flowered
in borders ; as I have always found
the bulbs shrivel and decay, if I have
118
the florist’s manual.
liappened to remove them before their
leaves had wholly disappeared, and
liave not attended to carefully pre-
serving the leaves. Various experi-
ments also which I have made, have
all tended to ascertain the advantage
of suffering the leaves to decay upon
the plant.
It is however certain, that our
knowledge of the laws of nature is
but in its infancy, and that our know-
ledge of the laws of vegetable life has
scarcely passed its first stage, and
that a year does not elapse without
presenting us with some new fact,
which apparently contradicts our rea-
soning upon those which had gone
before, and to which, from that rea-
soning, we have yielded our assent.
THE florist’s MANUAL. 119
It is therefore my wish not only to
lay before my readers what I believe
to be a well-established theory, but
also to make them acquainted with
every objection which may appear
adverse to that theory.
Light having hitherto been esteem-
ed essential to the vigorous growth of
vegetable life, I cannot omit men-
tioning here a fact which I have lately
received from respectable authority,
of hyacinth flowers being blown in
perfection, by being placed in the
dark until their blossoms were ex-
panded. Such extraordinary devia-
tions from general practice founded
on established principles, are worth
attending to, in order that their uti-
lity may be proved or disproved by
120 THE florist’s MANUAL.
farther exjieriment : and although the
prime intention of this little volume is
to assist general florists in their en-
deavours to produce from their flower-
borders brilliant effect, a short de-
tail of a few curious and recently-dis-
covered facts, relating to vegetable
life, may to some readers not only
prove interesting, but may lead to in-
vestigations, which maybe useful both
to the philosophical and practical parts
of the science.
A practice which now seems to be
coming into general use in the treat-
ment of geraniums ought to have its
place here, — a practice so contrary to
our established belief of the theory of
I
life, that it may at least afford matter
of laudable curiosity ; and the more,
THE florist’s MANUAL. 121
as it may be useful to the cultivators
of the geranium tribe, who do not
enjoy the means of conveniently
housing their plants through the win-
ter. The method adopted, is, to take
the plants out of the pots or borders
wherein they have grown the prece-
ding summer, so early in the autumn
as to preclude their having been, even
in the smallest degree, affected by
frost, and before the ground has been
saturated with rain ; the leaves must
be stripped off, and the branches and
fibres pruned, leaving only the woody
part of the stem, and the larger roots.
The object in cutting off the top and
leaves is to prevent the plant from
decaying by the sap, which abounds
in the more tender shoots, and it is
G
122 THE florist’s manual.
thought more likely to be kept in a
state of rest, by taking away the more
fibrous part of the root. The plants
must then be laid in a dry shady
place to heal; after which the bot-
tom of a box should be covered with
dry sand, and layers of Geraniums
and sand placed alternately until the
box is filled ; then put the box into a
cellar, or any place safe from the
effects of frost. When re-planted in
May, they will shoot vigorously, and
make a more shewy appearance than
newly-raised plants.
We so little understand on what
that principle which we call life de-
pends in either the animal or vegeta-
ble world, that we ought not to be
surprised by any mode in which we
THE florist’s MANUAL. 123
may see it act, however contrary lo
that which usually passes under ■ our
observation. We also find some ana-
logy in that tenacity of life now dis-
covered in geraniums, to that which
is said to exist in the tribe of mosses,
which, it has been asserted, have
resumed their original verdure after-
having been preserved dry for several
years ; but whether they likewise re-
tained their vegetative faculty, has
not, I believe, been ascertained : —
another extraordinary instance of our
indolence of research into the wonders
of Nature]
The treatment of the Dahlia genus
which has now been adopted with suc-
cess for some years, is similar to that
to which geraniums are beginnihg to be
G 2
124 THE florist’s manual.
subjected ; there is, however, this
difference in the plants — the Dahlias,
like carrots, die to the ground an-
nually, leaving roots stored with sac-
charine matter, for the support of the
germinating bud in spring ; the gera-
nium seems to be composed of woody
fibres only, without any reservoir
of nutriment from which life can
be sustained ; — but- even if this be so,
the fact of reviviscence in the vegeta-
ble creation after the plant is appa-
rently become a dry stick, is not more
surprising than what is recorded in
the animal kingdom of the return to
life of caterpillars and other insects,
after having been frozen into masses
of ice.*
* See Kirby’s Entomology, vol. 1. page 4o3.
THE florist’s MANUAL. 125
Crown Imperial, Fritillaria imperialis,
page 97.
It must be understood that although
the leaf-stem of the crown-imperial
being suffered to decay on the bulb
from whence it sprang, is believed to
be essential to the vigorous formation
of the bulb for the ensuing year, it
will be advantageous to the growth
of that bulb, carefully to cut off the
flowers as soon as their petals have
lost their colour, in order that the
nutriment which the germs might re-
quire to bring their seeds to maturity,
may be expended solely upon the
growing bulb.
In corroboration of this theory of
strengthening the root by taking away
12G THE florist’s manual.
the flower, 1 detail the following ex-
periment of Mr. Daniel Carter of Ful-
ham, as stated by him in the first
volume of the Horticultural Transac-
tions, page 362, and by which gar-
deners may see that they may obtain
as fine bulbs of various species in
their own gardens, as any they can
import from foreign countries. Mr.
Carter, in his cultivation of Narcissus
Polianthus, gathered all the flowers
as soon as two or three were ex-
panded, cutting the stalks close to the
root, and being very careful not to in-
jure the leaves. By this management he
obtained an abundant crop of healthy
bulbs every year ; whereas in a bed
left for the purpose of perfecting seed,
very few roots produced, the follow-
THE florist’s MANUAL. 127
ing season, a complete bunch of
flowers, and many roots none at all.
The bulbs from which the flowers were
taken, and which formed vigorous
new bulbs, had been blown in pans of
water, a method by which bulbous
roots are generally supposed to be so
much weakened, as not to recover
their strength for two or three years,
nor could I have imagined, that the
process of the growth of a vigorous
new bulb could have been completed
under such treatment; and it is to be
wished that Mr. Carter had given a
full account of the manner in which
he managed the bulbs, both before and
after the time at which their flowers
appeared.
I2b THE florist’s MANUAL.
Hyacinths, when blown in glasses,
are only laid upo?i the water, and fre-
quently decay, from being exposed,
it is believed, to too much moisture.
This, however, may not be the cause,
as the larvae or grubs of insects are
not unfrequently found within the
coats of the bulb, which becomes dis-
eased by their depredations, and
would perish, if not carefully attended
to, in whatever situation it might be
placed. Be the cause what it may,
hyacinths blown in glasses are so lia-
ble to perish by the decay of their
bulbs, .that an account which I lately
met with of the restoration of a de-
cayed bulb by the anti-putrescent
properties of charcoal may be worth
attending to.
THE florist’s manual. 129
A hyacinth bulb placed in water,
threw out only a few fibres, which
soon died at the extremities, and the
bulb became in such a state of decay
as to be offensive. A table-spoonful
of powdered charcoal was stirred into
the water, which immediately cor-
rected the disagreeable smell ; but on
the second morning, after the applica-
tion of the charcoal, the offensive
smell began to recur. Charcoal and
water being renewed three times, at
the interval of two days, the bulb be-
came perfectly sweet, and flowered as
well, and nearly as soon, as one of the
same variety (Groot verst) whi,ch was
placed on the same chimney-piece
near it.
130 THE florist's manual.
To those of my readers who may
wish to cultivate Hyacinths in beds
separate from their mingled flower-
borders, 1 flatter myself that the fol-
lowing directions, with the plate an-
nexed, may be acceptable. The bulbs
of double hyacinths may be planted
at any time from the middle of Octo-
ber to the middle of November. The
bed on which they are to be planted
should be situated in rather a dry and
airy part of the garden : a southern
aspect is to be preferred, sheltered on
the north and east by trees or build-
ings about the distance of six or seven
feet from the border, care being taken
to have them sufficiently distant to
prevent the droppings of the trees
falling upon them. A shelter of ever-
greens would protect and give beauty
to the whole ; and in this age of disco-
very it has been imagined that ever-
greens emit warmth, by which tender
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THE florist’s MANUAL. 131
plants placed near them are nurtured,
and it is said that many delicate
plants so situated, have been pre-
served through severe winters, when
others which have not had that ad-
vantage have perished. Of the ad-
vantage of the shelter formed by
the continuance of the leaves on
those plants denominated ever-greens
throughout the winter, we cannot
doubt : the rest must be left to future
investigations, — it will, however, re-
quire a series of judicious and accu-
rate experiments to establish the fact.
The plan of the border of hyacinths,
as described by the plate, is esteemed
superior to any other for its elegance
and simplicity.* Each bulb, those of
the outside excepted, will be in the
centre of a hexagon, and the whole at
equal distances from each other. The
* Scale of the plate, half an inch to a foot.
1-32 THE florist's manual.
width of the surface of the bed is
tour feet, the six rows across it are
eight inches asunder, and the two out-
side rows are each four inches from
the sides of the bed. Under the
heads of red, white, or blue, all hya-
cinths may be comprehended, except
a few yellow sorts which may be
classed with the whites. It is advisa-
ble to have pots of the different kinds
of hyacinth in reserve, that if any of
the bulbs on the border perish, their
places may be immediately supplied
by others of a similar colour.
The earlier blowing sorts should be
planted about an inch deeper than the
rest, from four to five inches ; the
whole being planted from three to
four inches deep : the deeper planting
will retard the bloom, and bring it to
perfection with the later flowering
kinds. A bed of hyacinths never re-
quires watering at any period: the rains
THE ELORISt’s MANUAL. 133
that happen after planting, are gene-
rally more than sufficient, both for the
roots and bloom ; and after the bloom
is over, they are rather prejudicial than
otherwise, unless very moderate.
The following curious circumstance
has been observed. If frost pene-
trate into the soil so as to reach the
bulbs, especially about the time that
the plants begin to appear above
ground, it will cause some of them- to
shoot forth their flower-stems, and
blossoms; but, if the roots become
entirely frozen through, they are in
danger of being destroyed.
The above directions, with the plan
of the hyacinth-bed, are taken from
“ The Florist's Directory ” by James
Maddocks, a book containing much
useful knowledge, and some beautiful-
coloured specimens of the flowers of
hyacinths, tulip, ranunculus, &c. with
minutely detailed methods for bring-
ing them to the highest perfection.
134 THE florist’s manual.
Guernsey Lily, Amaryllis Sarniensis.
As the culture of the Guernsey Lily
seems to have become an object
■ of much interest to all admirers
of green-house plants, the following
observations, extracted from a paper
in the Horticultural Transactions by
the Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert, may
be found useful in the direction of its
treatment. Mr. Herbert esteems the
Guernsey lily decidedly a native of
the Cape, from whence he has received
the bulbs dug up in a wild state. He
has found that the only attention
the plant requires is to give it suffi-
cient air, while the leaves are growing,
that they may be strong and bark-
coloured ; to protect the leaves from
frost, keeping the pots near the light,
if under glass ; to give moderate and
regular supplies of water ; and to leave
the bulb nearly dry, from the time the
THE florist’s MANUAL. 135
leaves decay, that is, about Midsum-
mer, at latest, till the end of August,
when the flower-bud should appear.
Whenever the sprouting of the bulb is
tardy, it should be assisted by placing
it^for a short time in a warmer situa-
tion. If the stigma does not expand
so as to become after a few days trifid,
it is a sign that the temperature is ra-
ther too low to suit the plant, and the
leaves will probably not push freely
without more heat.
A good yellow loam without any.
manure will suit Guernsey lilies very
well ; but they will probably thrive
in any wholesome compost which
does not tend to canker the bulbs.
They should be planted partly above
ground, for the wet earth round
their necks will prevent their flowers
thriving, and will even sometimes de-
stroy them. The old coats about the
neck of the. bulb, which hold water
136 THE florist’s manual.
like a sponge, should be pulled oft’.
It is -at the time that their leaves are
growing, that a very free admission of
air is most necessary ; and on the
health of the leaves will depend the
strength of the bulb.
It might be advantageous to cut
off the flower-stem immediately the
flowers begin to - decay. Also, by
adopting Mr. Carter’s method in the
management of Polianthus Narcissus,
a certain number of flowering bulbs
might be annually procured.
I cannot omit a practice in the com-
mon culture of flowers, which I have
found very advantageous, viz. when-
ever a plant is removed or brought
into the borders, to fill the hole with
fresh soil.
MARIA ELIZABETH JACKSON.
Somersal Hall, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.
THE END.
I.iondon :
Printed by S. and R. BENTLEY, Dorwt-itrert.
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