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  MONTHLY GARDENING CALENDAR FOR GROWING YOUR OWN
BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS
The object of
this Calendar is provide a summary of monthly directions
for the culture of flowering plants and also to
direct your attention to the regular management of
these flowers through the
year.
Flower Calendar: JANUARY
'Prognostics foretoken most truly some things, of Summers, and
Autumns, and Winters, and Springs; by them from the past we may all ascertain the future,
respecting the winds and the rain."
 Heat, Air, and Water, are the food
of flowering flowers, and necessary to give them health and beauty, if given in the right
proportions according to their environment. If there is any adivce for gardeners at this time
of the year, it must be "be ye temperate in all things."
Care in the use of water, is of the utmost importance in the Winter season, for several reasons. In
the first place, water will attract frost, and, therefore, should be used very sparingly in frosty
weather ; another consideration is, that in the absence of heat and air, flowers cannot absorb much
moisture, and consequently
may become injured from excessive watering ; it is also important not to keep keep flowers in a
vigorous growing state, until the season arrives when
the external air is warmer ; they can then havethe proper proportion of heat, air, and moisture at
the same time.
Perhaps the next important point to be focussed on at this time is, to see that the greenhouse, or
room, in which flowers are intended to be overwintered, is appropriate for the purpose. The room
should be light and airy, but also secure as to prevent the intrusion of external cold air, or the
departure of warm air at night..
A thermometer is indispensable in a greenhouse, or room, where flowers are kept, and the
temperature should be always up as nearly as possible to 40 decrees, in the absence of the sun. If
you neglect to keep the temperature up at this level during the night, leaving the mercury much
below 40, you
may well find your flowering flowers frozen in the morning.
At this time of the year especially, sitting-rooms, or parlours, are normally heated in the daytime
a full 20 degrees higher than what is necessary for the preservation of flowers ; consequently, as
the heat decreases at night, flowers ofton get injured, unless the heating is kept up. Air must
also be allowed to circulate ; and more water will be necessary for such flowers, than those kept
in a greenhouse would require.
Flower
Calendar: FEBRUARY.
"A cold sour Autumn, they sternly maintain, A long severe Winter will
bring in its tram ; If Summer and Autumn be both dry and warm, Calm opens the Winter, as it closes
in storm. J "
In the previous month we discussed some important points relative
to the general care of flowering flowers, we can now proceed to notice a few of those kinds
that require attention at this particular season :
Camellias, or Japan Roses. There are numerous varieties of this
valuable class of flower, exhibiting every shade in succession, from desp crimson to the purest
white ; in some imperceptibly blended, in others strikingly contrasted. They are unrivalled objects
of beauty from October to May, being set in a foliage of fine glossy verdure Double Camellias are
generally propagated on stocks of the single, which are procured by planting cuttings of the young
shoots in light mould under bell glasses ; on these, when grown to a sufficient size, are inarched
the finer kinds of double. Sometimes these latter are also struck by cuttings ; but as their
progress by such method is generally slow and uncertain, it is seldom
resorted to. These valuable flowers are too often injured by amateurs, from misapplied care
bestowed upon them, so that their whole compensation and enjoyment is reduced to the mere
possession of a handsome green shrub. Destined from the extreme beauty and unrivalled delicacy of
their flowers to become the chief pride and ornament of the greenhouse and drawing-room in the
winter season, the Camellias should have a fair chance given them to exhibit their fine bloom in
perfection.
It should be observed, that Camellias are by no means tender flowering shrubs, but require to be
kept in a medium even
temperature, and they generally succeed best in a greenhouse, where the atmosphere is damp. As the
buds begin
to swell, they will require more water than at any other time, which may be applied from the rose
of a watering pot, or syringe, while in bud, but when in blossom it should be applied to the
earth.
If Camellias are kept where there is dry air, as a result of central heating, they must have plenty
of natural air at all opportunities, or the buds will become brown and fall off; and if they are
subject to extreme cold at night, which is too frequently the case, when kept in rooms of an uneven
temperature, premature decay of the buds will inevitably occur.
To preserve Camellias in a healthy condition, they should be kept
in fresh, moderately light soil, consisting of sandy loam taken from under grass sods, and
leaf mould well mixed ; nothing being more injurious to them than overpotting ; they should
not be shifted into larger pots, until the projection of the roots show evidently that they
arc in need of it. Few flowers bear privation of sunshine in Summer better than these ; they
should, however, be kept in an open situation, where they can have a full share of light and
air.
Such bulbous roots as may be in progress of blooming, will require attention this month ; turn them
frequently to the light, and increase the supplies of water as they advance towards perfection.
Attend to Campanula Pyramidalis, Hepeticas, Mimulus, Senecios, and herbaceous flowers in general ;
those not in bud should be watered very sparingly. Shrubby flowers, especially those which bud and
blossom in the Winter, and early part of the Spring, as the several varieties of Acacias, Azelias,
Calceolarias, Correas, Coronillas, Daphnes, Diosmas, Eupatoriums, Eutaxias, Fuchias, Gnidias,
heaths, Laurustinuses, Lemon trees, Rhododendrons,
Orange trees, &c, will require water once or twice a week, according to circumstances, and air
should be given at all opportunities, or the flowers will not blossom in perfection.
For the benefit of such as may wish to raise early flowers from seed, or to force Dahlia or other
roots, I subjoin the following brief directions for making a small hot-bed : In a border exposed to
the morning sun, let a pit be dug about thirty inches deep, five feet wide, and six long ; this
will admit of two sashes, each three feet by five. A frame of suitable dimensions may be made of
plank ; the back plank may be two feet wide, and the end ones sloped so as to make a fifteen inch
plank do for the front. The frame being made, set it over the pit, and then get a load of horse
manure, fresh from the stables, (not well rotted or watter sodden) spread the manure evenly in the
pit until full, then put into the frame light rich mould, or compost, to the depth of ten or twelve
inches, and the seed may be sown as soon as it gets warm. It may be necessary to observe, that in
making hot-beds, the quantity of top mould should be regulated according to the substance of manure
in the pit, and this may vary according to the use the beds are intended for, or to other
circumstances. After the seeds are sown, the beds will require constant attention ; cover up warm
in cold nights, and give air at all opportunities, to prevent the flowers from growing weak.
As we are subject to North- West winds at this season, which produce extreme freezing, it will be
better to delay the making of hot-beds to the first week in March, at which time opportunities will
frequently ofter of giving flowers a tolerable share of salubrious air, which is indispensable to
their preservation.
 Flower Calendar:
MARCH.
"If the Sun appear dim, surrounded with haze, And his disk ill defined,
and laded his rays: If white at his setting— of power if shorn, The signs are all certain,
there'll soon be a storm."
As the Spring progresses,
the external air will be soft and salubrious ; at which time it should be freely admitted to
flowers kept in rooms and greenhouses. In proportion as the flowers get air, they should have water
applied from the rose of a watering pot.
Monthly Roses will require attention this month. It should be recollected, that it is from the
young wood of these flowers that buds are to be expected : their growth should, therefore, be
encouraged, by admitting sun and air at all opportunities, and water when necessary.
Primulas. There are several species of flowers under this name, which exhibit their blossoms in
March and April ; some of which are very beautiful, as the Polyanthus, English Spring flowers,
Auricula, &c. ; but I would now direct the reader's attention to the Chinese varieties some of
which are pure white, and others of a lilac colour. They are first raised from seed sown in the
Spring, and will keep two or three years.
flowers that are full grown, will commence blooming in December, and continue to produce umbels of
flowers for five or six
months, if well attended to ; they are generally in their prime this month, at which time a little
water should be applied to the earth about twice a week.
Many species and varieties of seeds may be sown this month in hot beds, prepared as directed as per
February,
Auricula, Polyanthus, and all other species of Primula seed, should now be sown. Mignonette, Ten
Week Stock, and Dahlia seed, from choice varieties, may also be sown in pots, and care should be
taken when the flowers are up, that they be not injured by excess of moisture.
There are some splendid varieties of the Schizanthus which deserre attention at an early season. They are
rather difficult of cultivation in pots, being apt to suffer by excess of heat or moisture; and
often, when in full bloom, die off suddenly by decays at the base of the stem. No flowers will,
however, more amply repay all the care and trouble that may be bestowed on them, than those of the
elegant genus Schizanthus. The best soil for them is loam and leaf mould, with a small portion of
sand. They should be repotted as often as the pots are filled with roots, till they come into full
flower.
Hyacinths, Narcissus, and other bulbs in glasses, must have the water shifted every week, and the
glasses should be thoroughly washed every two or three weeks,
Towards the end of the month, roots of Amaryllis formosissima, Gladiolus psiiacinna Tiger flowers.
Tuberous, and such other bulbs as may have been preserved dry through the winter, may now be
planted in pots and kept in a greenhouse or light room, or else plunged in a hot bed, Those who
have no such conveniences may, however, delay the planting of sound bulbs, until the weather will
admit of their being planted in warm borders.
Dahlia roots should now be plunged in a hot-bed, to forward them, with a view to their being
separated, as soon as the eyes are discernible. SO.
Flower
Calendar: APRIL.
"The state of the wind augurs rain, as they say; When restless in
changes, now this, now that way, Or hollow, comes whistling plaintively by, The rain it betokens is
probably nigh.''
This is the most important month in the year for gardening
operations. If not done towards the end of the last month the covering must be taken from hardy
flowering flowers, early in this month, and the beds and borders attended to as required. At the
same time, clip edings of box, and clean, relay, or make new gravel walks, prune and transplant
flowering flowering shrubs, also transplant any hardy herbaceous flowers,
Sow flower seeds ; the hardiest may be sown in the open borders, and the tender in the beds,
All the soil of a garden should be dug this month, if possible, and pulverized as
directed,
It will be necessary to look over all the greenhouse flowers in
the early part of this month ; let them be deprived of dead wood, if any, by a careful
pruning; at the same time take oft* all yellow leaves ; the earth at the top of the pots
should be loosened, so as to admit the sun and air to the roots of the flowers,
If insects prevail on roses or other flowers, a fumigation with tobacco will be necessary.
Bulbous roots will require some attention this month ; those in bloom in the garden should be tied
up to wires or small sticks ; and those kept inside should be watered in proportion as they get
heat and air.
The Calla, or Ethiopian Lily, and the different varieties of Rhododendrons, will need frequent
watering while in bud a nd blossom.
Air must be admitted freely to all greenhouse flowers towards the end of this month, in order to
prepare them for the exposure of the open garden next month.
For ihe method of managing Dahlia roots ; prepare to plant tender bulbous roots, towards the end of
this, or early in the next month. The following should be forwarded in pots, which may be kept in a
greenhouse or warm room, or they may be plunged in a hot-bed ; Amaryllises, Gladioluses, Lilies,
Tuberoses, Tiger
flowers, Hydrangeas, Pomegranates, Verbenas, and other deciduous shrubby flowers, should be
cultivated early in this month
to promote the production of leaf and flower buds.
Biennial seeds, such as Wall-flower and Stock Gillyflower ; also all kinds of tender perennials
should be sown this month, if not previously done in the greenhouse, or in hot-beds.
 Flower Calendar:
MAY.
" Much dew on the grass, portends as all say, That day which succeeds
will be a clear day ; But when no dew moistens the grass on the plain, Kind Heaven requites it by
sending it rain."
As the warm weather progresses, the
gardener should be on the alert, in order to conquer the various kinds of insects. Burn tobacco
leaves in the greenhouse, so as to fumigate the flowers well, before they are removed into the open
garden ; and such flowers as may show any indications of being infested with the eggs of insects,
should be sponged with soap-suds, and afterwards well syringed and watered. Frequent sprinkling
from the rose of a watering-pot, will prevent insects from accumulating ; especially if the water
be impregnated with tobacco, by a bag of the leaves being steeped therein a few hours previous to
using it.
Choice Geraniums will need attention this month, in order that they may exhibit their flowers to
advantage. When in full bloom, care should be taken not to wet the
foliage or flowers, but this may be done freely before the buds are expanded.
If awnings were not provided last month, for the protection of choice flowers, it should be
attended to early in this month. Plant Amaryllises, Double
Dahlias, Gladioluses. Tuberoses, Tiger flowers, Sow annual, biennial and perennial flower seeds in
the open borders. Attend to the walks, edgings, &c. and see that tall flowers are neatly tied
to sticks, wires, or stakes, Procure and plant such perennial flowers as may be necessary to make
variety in the flower beds,
Greenhouse flowers may be set out about the middle of the month, and it should be done in cloudy
weather, in order that they may be prepared gradually for the shining of the sun upon them. A
situation, exposed to the sun for only one half of the day, is preferable for most flowers
especially if they can be shaded at noon.
Many flowers, such as Coronillas, Heaths, Aucubas, Myrtles, Oleanders, and several other sorts, are
subject to be infested with white and brown scaly insects ; if these cannot be effectually taken
from the flowers by washing and sponging, let the flowers be headed down early in the month of May,
and if they are well attended to, new branches will shoot out on the old stem.
Such Orange trees as were budded last July or August, should also be headed down early in this
month.
Auriculas, Polyanthus and Daisies, should be separated into single tufts, and planted in a shady
border for increase, as soon as they have done blossoming.
Such Carnations as may have been wintered in frames should now be exposed to the open air, in the
flower borders. Tulips, which will be in full perfection by the middle of this month, will require
constant attention.
Such greenhouse flowers as
may have done blossoming may be pruned this month, and if the cuttings be planted at
this time they will strike freely.
Cuttings of Salvia splendens and fulgens, will produce strong flowers for blossoming in August, if
planted early in this month, Chrysanthemum cuttings should now be put down, and the suckers
divided, and planted singly in the borders, or in pots, for flowering in the Autumn,
Flower
Calendar: JUNE.
" The sky dress'd in placid soft redness at night, Portends the next day
will be cloudless and bright A fierce angry redness that shoots up at morn, And tinges the clouds,
is a token of storm. "
The principal sowing season may be considered as past ; but if
any failures should have happened of former sowings, seeds may be sown the early part of this
month, which if kept watered occasionally, will grow quickly.
Greenhouse flowers will need watering every evening, in dry warm
weather ; and in the absence of dews, some sorts may need a little in the morning at
sunrise,
Hydrangeas, Daisies, Polyanthus, Primulas, &c. should be kept
shaded from the noonday sun, or they will droop, and some may die. Carnations and Pinks will need
frequent waterings at the roots, and the branches should be tied neatly to rods.
Such flowering flowering shrubs as may have been planted late in the
Spring season, should be regularly watered in dry weather. Give frequent waterings to the flower
beds, in general ; cut down dead flower stalks ; remove decayed planls, and carefully replace them
with vigorous ones from the nursery bed. Transplant annual flower flowers into the regular beds,
with a small trowel or neat dibble,
Plant Colchicums, finish planting Dahlias, and provide poles for their
support, ; water them occasionally in dry weather.
Many sorts of bulbous roots will be ripe by the end of this month ;
these should be taken up, and dried. Those cultivated in pots should not be watered after the
foliage is decayed, until the period of regermination takes place,.
Nnmerous beautiful flowers exhibit themselves this month some of
which are noticed in an article entitled The Beauties of April and May. There are, howeve several
others worthy of notice, which are omitted in that article. The several species of the Phlox are
remarkably showy flowers, and very desirable to cultivate, as they blossom in their several
varieties the whole season. Besides these are all the splendid varieties of Roses, Pinks,
Lychnises, Sweet Williams, Fox Glove, Snap-dragons, Perennial Lupins, Verbenas, Veronicas,
Valerians, &c. These should be all attended to, and their branches should be tied to neat
stakes, so as to enable them to exhibit their flowers to the greatest possible
advantage.
Dahlias that are intended for blossoming this year, should be planted
by the middle of this month, if not done before.
 Flower Calendar:
JULY.
"When flowers toward evening their bosoms expand, And bask in the
sunbeams, there's no rain at hand; But when they close up as if conscious of fear, They augur its
coming it no doubt is near"
Greenhouse flowers will need daily care at this season ; let them
be watered every evening in dry weather. Such Geraniums as may have grown large and
unwiehlly, should now be pruned, in order that their size and appearance may be improved.
Garden Roses having done flowering for the season, should also be pruned. Cut out all old exhausted
wood, and where it is too thick and crowded, shorten such shoots as have flowered,, to a good fresh
strong eye, or bud, accompanied with a healthy leaf. All wood that grows after this pruning, will
ripen perfectly, and produce large flowers the ensuing year.
If dry warm weather, it may be necessary to water such flowering flowering shrubs and roses as were
planted in the Spring ; and if Dahlia flowers could be watered two or three times a week, it would
be beneficial to their growth. Give regular sprinklings from the r.»se of a watering-pot, or
syringe, to shrubby flowers in general, but particularly Camellias, Orangeand Lemon trees,, in
order to keep them in a healthy state.
Such bulbous roots in pots, whose foliage have withered, should be kept dry until the period of
regerminating, others may be taken up as soon as ripe, after which the offsets may be parted off,
and both these and the parent bulbs dried for planting in Autumn,
The flower garden should be kept weeded and watered and the seeds gathered as they ripen ; apply
neat rods to tall-growing and running kinds of flowers. Nip off curled and dead leaves, and destroy
insects.
Orange and Lemon trees may be budded at any time this month, and those which were headed down in
the Spring, should be examined, and all superfluous shoots must be pruned off with a sharp knife,
leaving only the strongest ; the tops of which should be pruned off to promote their branching.
Myrtles, Oleanders, and such other flowers as may have been headed down in May, will need similar
treatment.
Carnations, Pinks, Panseys, Running Verbenas may be layed this month for propagation, many kinds of
cuttings, as Geraniums, Roses and exotic flowering flowering shrubs, may still be planted with
success.
 Flower
Calendar: AUGUST.
" When clouds slow dissolve, as if ttirn'd into air, And vanish from
sight, the next day will be fair ; But when, in succession, they darker appear, With watery aspect,
then know rain is near."
Greenhouse flowers will need particular
attention this month. They should be watered every evening in dry weather, and as soon as the
extreme heat of the Summer is past, which is generally by the latter end of this month, or early in
the next, preparation must be made for replenishing with fresh compost, and repotting such flowers
as are intended to be cultivated through the Winter in a greenhouse, light room, or garden frames.
Previous to the commencement of this business, let such compost as is suited to the various kinds
of flowers, be provided.
Those who may have a number of flowers in various sized pots, should provide a few new pots a size
larger than the largest in use ; the largest flowers being shifted into the new pots, leave the
next sized pots for the second-sized flowers, and by pursuing this plan of shifting until the whole
are done, the smallest pots will be left for such flowers as have been propagated in the course of
the Summer.
The shifting of flowers requires considerable attention and judgment, as some flowers, if kept in
too large pots, will sustain considerable injury : therefore, in such cases, where the fibrous
roots have not spread around the pot, nothing more is necessary than to rub off a little of the
outside mould, and then to substitute fresh compost for the roots to run in.
Such flowers as may have become pot-bound, and whose roots are matted around the pot, will, in many
cases bear reducing. If the matted roots are carefully pared off, and the flowers shifted into good
fresh compost, they will soon take root, and grow freely : but it will be necessary to prune off
all surplus branches of the flowers, previous to repotting them, and to shade them for a week or
ten days.
Pieces of tile, or broken pots, should be laid over the aperture at the bottom of the pots, to
enable the surplus moisture to drain off, or the roots will sustain injury.
The flower beds will need attention this month. Water Dahlias and other choice flowers in dry
weather ; cut down all decayed flower stalks, as soon as the seed is gathered, and pull up annuals
as they cease to flower.
Plant Oxalises in small pots, and prepare compost for other tender bulbs to be planted in pots next
month. Rose flowering shrubs, Orange, Lemon trees, &c. &c., should be budded early in this
month if not done before.
Flower
Calendar: SEPTEMBER.
" Light vapours o'er valleys and rivers at night, Foretoken the next day
salubrious and bright, Especially when they at morning appear, To rise up the hill sides, and
vanish in air."
Such greenhouse flowers as may have been
repotted and pruned in the course of the last month, should be looked over, and if they have taken
root, they should be exposed gradually to the Sun, and watered moderately in dry weather.
If any of the greenhouse flowers were plunged in the flower beds, they should be taken up and
pruned early in this month, and then put into suitable sized pots.
Half-hardy perennials, such as Carnations, Daisies, Primulas, Lilies, Hydrangeas, &c. should be
taken up, divided carefully at the roots, and then put into moderate sized pots, and attended to as
before directed for greenhouse flowers.
Many hardy kinds of flower seeds may be sown this month. This is a good season to propagate kinds
of hardy perennial flowers, by parting the roots; and those that were raised from seed in the
Spring, may be transplanted into regular flower beds, in cloudy or wet weather. Plant Crown
Imperials, Persian Cyclamens, Ixias, Lachenalias, Lilies, Ornithogalums, Oxalises.
Such Chrysanthemums as are intended to be protected while in blossom, should now be taken up and
planted in moderate sized pots. Seeds of Schizanthus, Ten- week Stock, Mignonette, and such other
species as may be desired to decorate the parlour or greenhouse, should be sown this
month.
 Flower Calendar:
OCTOBER.
" A warm open Winter doth often succeed ; A hot and dry Summer, by all
'tis agreed ; A hard frosty Winter its rigour retains, And holds gentle Spring in its cold icy
chains."
In the early part of this
month, preparation must be made for the housing of greenhouse flowers. Previous to this being done,
let the room or greenhouse be white-washed with lime, which will prove pernicious to insects, and
prevent their generating amongst the flowers.
Begin the first week in this month to place all the shrubby flowers, such as Orange and Lemon
trees, on the back shelves; others should be so placed that they can be cultivated to advantage,
and they shouldall be arranged in regular gradation, so as to have the low-growing or dwarf flowers
on the front shelves.
Stockgillies and Wall-flowers should be taken up, potted and kept in a shady situaion, until they
have taken root.
Such Dahlia flowers as have been cultivated in pots should be sheltered from the chilling air, and
those in the ground
will need attention.
Prepare the ground for all the hardy kinds of bulbous flower roots. Towards the end of the month
plant Anemones and Ranunculuses, Crocuses, Crown Imperials, Gladioluses, Hyacinths, Irises, Ixias
and Jonquils, Lilies, Narcissus, Ornithogalums, Pseonies, Tulips, For the management of bulbous
roots in pots and glasses, see pages. Prune flowering flowering shrubs, and make new plantations of
them.
Chrysanthemums should be neatly tied up to small sticks, and watered occasionally with liquid
manure, to promote their blossoming in full perfection. Those in pots intended to be protected for
late flowering, should be watched and taken in, on the appearance of a frosty night; they may,
however, be exposed to the air as much as possible when it is soft and salubrious, as should all
other half-hardy flowers.
 Flower
Calendar: NOVEMBER.
" When nuts are but few, and they small and hollow, A cold and wet
harvest, there's no doutt, will follow; But when they are plenty, and good, 'tis agreed, A rich
golden harvest is sure to succeed."
During the continuance of mild weather, greenhouse flowers should
have air at aii opportunities, and water in proportion, as heat and air are attainable,
Bulbous roots' in pots and glasses will also need attention, 93 to 100.
Half hardy flowers, such as Stock gillies, Wall flowers, Carnations, Primulas, Hydrangeas, Daisies,
&c. must either be pi iced in frames, or in a greenhouse early in this month.
If Dahlia, Tuberose, and other tender roots were not taken up last month, let it be done in due
time this month,
Cover up flower beds with leaves, straw, or light litter, finish planting bulbous roots before the
frost sets in. Plant Anemones and Ranunculuses, Crocuses, Hyacinths, Irises, Ixias and Jonquils,
Lilies, Narcissus, Pseonies, Tulips. These, and all other kinds of flowers, will need protection
before the setting in of the Winter. Flowering and ornamental flowering shrubs may be planted in
mild weather, lay long litter round the roots of them, and also of the Grape vines and other tender
flowers, flowering shrubs.
Before the Winter sets in severely, let such Chrysanthemums as may have been cultivated in pots be
pla ted in the garden, or as soon as they have done blossoming,
Plant Gladioluses in pots,
also such other bulbousroots as may be required to be kept in rooms.
Mignonette, and other tender seedling flowers under protection, will require attention at this
season; they should not be over watered, or the flowers will perish with mildew.
Camellias should be frequently syringed while in bud, or watered over the foliage with a rose
attached to the watering pot, as should all other shrubby flowers.
Flower
Calendar: DECEMBER
"A wet sultry Summer, prognostics affirm, A boist'rous Autumn
will bring in its turn ; A cold sour Autumn and bummer portend A Winter severe from beginning
to end."
If all was not done as directed last month, there is now no time
to be lost. All kinds of tender flowers in pots, should be set into frames or pits, and plunged in
old tan or light mould ; and in the event of severe frosts, coverings of mats, straw, &c. must
be laid over them.
Greenhouse flowers will need constant care and attention. When water is necessary, let it be given
in mild weather. In case of accidents happening from frost, I would remark, that the sudden
transition from cold to heat, is often more destructive to flowers than frost itself. If,
therefore, flowers get frozen, and cannot be screened from the rays of the Sun, they should be
watered as the air gets warm, and before they begin to thaw. If sufficient attention be paid, so as
to have the temperature of the house gradually rising, as the water is sprinkled over the leaves,
it may be a means of preserving flowers that would otherwise be destroyed.
See that the greenhouse, or room in which flowers are kept, is so secure as to prevent the
intrusion of cold air, or the departure of warm air in the night season.
Collect from heaths and rocks, such kinds of earth as are suited to the different species of exotic
flowers, and gather up leaves of trees. If you intend to make hot-beds of them, they should be put
together dry ; but if you intend them for compost, they may be laid together as wet as possible, in
order that the) may rot for use in succeeding years.
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