26 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



grown them in a heavy soil. I cannot, however, understand the 

 force of the argument that the sand preserves the bulbs from damp, 

 because my acquaintance with the use of sand, when confined 

 below the surface, convinces me that it retains more moisture than 

 the ordinary soil. 



The bulbs are planted in a border four feet wide, adjoining an 

 important walk, in the following manner : the first row at one foot 

 from the edge, and another at three feet, so that there is a space of 

 two feet between the rows. The border is rather below the level of 

 the walk, as I find, when they want water, by having the border rather 

 lower than the walk there is no waste of water by its running away 

 at the sides. I have long since learnt that attention to these matters 

 is of vital importance in the saving of labour, and for the well-doing 

 of such plants as require the aid of the water-pot. My border is at 

 all times kept free of weeds, and about the first week in June it has 

 a mulch two inches in thickness of half-rotten manure ; and as soon 

 after as the weather becomes hot and dry the plants are watered 

 about twice a week, at the rate of not less than four Jarge water-cans 

 to every square yard, so that the very lowest roots may receive benefit 

 from it. All that now remains to be said is simply, that the flower- 

 spikes must be carefully staked and tied, as soon as they have made 

 sufficient progress to require support. The tops of the stalks should 

 not reach higher than the lowest flower on the spike. 



THE JASMINE. 



HE word jasrninum is generally supposed to be derived 

 from two Greek words, signifying violet-scented, or as 

 was observed by Dr. Royla, it may have had its origin 

 in the Arabic name, Tasmeen. The common or officinal 

 jasmine is the flower of the palace and the cottage, and 

 has long been esteemed for its fragrance. The French are noted for 

 their numerous compositions of sweet-scented oils, pomades, and 

 essences, and the following are two that are easily made : — 



Jasmine Pomade. — Take a frame, formed of four pieces of wood, 

 two inches deep, and one foot square, with a groove arranged to 

 support a piece of glass, which is to form a moveable bottom ; on this 

 spread a layer of the following pomade : — Beef suet, one part ; lard, 

 three parts. Into this stick fresh jasmine flowers, in different parts, 

 every day, or every other day, for one, two, or three months, or until 

 the pomade is sufficiently scented. In this way, in some of the large 

 manufactories in France, are treated from 2,000 to 5,000 frames, 

 which are piled on each other to a convenient height, by which 

 method the perfume is prevented escaping; or what flies off is 

 absorbed by the surrounding frames. 



Oil of Jasmine. — Take an iron plate, on this place a cotton 

 cloth, imbued with olive oil, then a layer of flowers, and lastly an 

 iron plate ; repeat the series as convenient, and change the flowers 

 for fresh ones until a proper scent is imparted ; then apply a pressure, 

 collect the oil in glass bottles, and let it rest until fined ; lastly, pour 

 off the clean. 



