SPRING FLOWERS. 



At this time of the year our flower-gardens present such a dreary 

 aspect, that the question naturally suggests itself, Can nothing be 

 done to shorten this dark and gloomy season ? We are apt to reply 

 in the negative, as the difficulties to be encountered amid the frosts 

 and snows of winter are so numerous and powerful, that our feeble 

 efforts to render the garden interesting would at first seem to be 

 a hopeless task ; and none are so ready to come to this conclusion 

 as the amateur, who may have lost many of his favourites, even in 

 a more congenial season ; hence it is to the amateur, and to him 

 alone, I would now say, Persevere : the case is not a hopeless, but a 

 very interesting one ; for the more care that an object requires, the 

 more it becomes endeared to us. I say persevere, and be industrious, 

 and your efforts will be crowned with (if not a full display of tender 

 flowers) at least a few remembrances of " forms departed," a few 

 first-fruits, which are always sweetest. 



In order to connect the link between autumn and spring, we 

 would now take leave of the Chrj-santhemum, which tends to shorten 

 the dull season very materially. The first floral friend that next 

 greets us is the Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger), which is a great 

 acquisition at the season in which it flowers. It makes a good bed ; 

 but being of a naked appearance, is better suited for planting along 

 with plants possessed of more leaves, such as Primulas. It is easily 

 propagated from seeds, or better by division ; and planted for the 

 summer in any spare ground, will form flowering plants for next 

 season, if so treated early in spring. The next suitable spring flower, 

 the Primrose (Primula acaulis), and its varieties, may be collected 

 in most woods, hedgerows, and waste banks ; they are much im- 

 proved by cultivation, and will flower earlier than in their native 

 habitats. If the flower-beds are small, they may be planted in masses 

 of different colours with good effect ; but if large, they look better 



