THE SECRETARY'S TORTFOLIO. 44-3 



m AND ABOUT THE HOUSE. 



HOW TO TREAT TENDER PLANTS THAT HAVE BECOME FROZEN. 



The disastrous effects which tender phints, "which liave become frozen, are 

 subject to, is generally known to cultivators ; but how or why freezing pro- 

 duces the effect it does upon plant life, is not so easily ascertained, and all at- 

 tempts heretofore made by scientific men to solve the question, have been, at 

 most, only partially successful. In practical experience it is found that the 

 length of time, and the degree of cold to which plants are exposed, affect them 

 in proi)ortion to the duration and intensity of these conditions, which points 

 therefore, to the speedy restoration of a suitable temperature, as the best means 

 of restoring plants that have been unfortunately exposed to frosts. But the 

 thawinix out should in all cases be moderately gradual, and one of the best 

 things to do when plants have become frozen, either in the dwelling, conserva- 

 tory, or open air, is to sprinkle the foliage with cold cistern or well water, as 

 the temperature turns to rise. In the dwelling or conservatory, however, it 

 will be necessary to start the fire in the stove, furnace or flue, the first thing of 

 all to give temperature an ascendency, but it should for several hours not be 

 allowed to rise above an ordinary suitable degree. Some advocate shading the 

 plants from the sun and light for some length of time, but the policy of so 

 doing has never been apparent to me, while I have frequently had proofs to the 

 contrary ; and the sun's rays striking upon the plants with gradually increasing 

 heat, in a great measure aids in their recovery. There is a great difference in 

 plants as regards their ability to resist cold, and while some the slightest frost 

 will injure beyond cure, others will bear various degrees, and even alternate 

 freezing and thawing again and again, with impunity, Avoid handling plants 

 in a frozen condition as much as possible, as the injury to them will be height- 

 ened should the leaves become bent or be roughly brushed over. To restore 

 flowers that have become frozen, place them in cold water until they have 

 thawed out. 



LEAA'ES FOR GARNISHING FRUIT. 



Some kinds of leaves are more suitable than others for this purpose. Straw- 

 berries for instance, look best associated with their own foliage ; grapes may be 

 laid on their own leaves, but there are others which suit them quite as well. 

 One of the best plants for furnishing leaves for garnishing all kinds of fruit is 

 the curled mallow, an annual of which I make three sowings in a year in ricli 

 soil — the first early in April, the second about the beginning of May, and the 

 third about the same time in June. The leaves are about the size of small vine 

 leaves, and beautifully frilled. Wherever fruit has to be garnished, this plant 

 should always be grown. The ice-plant also furnishes good leaves for summer 

 garnishing, its glistening, icy appearance having a cool and pretty effect on the 

 table. It should be sown in a pan or box, in heat, in the first or second week 

 in April, and planted out in the open border in May. These are the only plants 



