272 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



to the leaves and obstructing the pores. This indeed affects in a 

 similar manner the health of plants, as mucus accumulated in the 

 lungs affects the health of animals ; the necessary changes of the sap 

 into pulp, as of venous into arterial blood, being prevented without 

 a due exposure of the same in the leaves or in the lungs to the 

 influence of the air. Accordingly, when the shifted plants have been 

 accidentally exposed to too heavy rain, which will cause the earth to 

 spurt about and soil the lower leaves, these should be carefully 

 cleaned by watering with a fine rose, or by gentle brushing with a 

 clean painter's brush dipped iu water. 



In setting the pots which have had plants shifted into them, they 

 should be placed for two or three weeks in a shaded spot, at least, 

 in bright weather, for otherwise the sun's light will be apt to cause 

 them to droop, till they have struck from root. Care must also be 

 taken to give them repeated waterings, particularly when the weather 

 is dry. 



It is a common, but a very bad practice, to set the shifted plants 

 on the garden borders or the walks ; for not only the nights are 

 now becoming cold and the ground is therefore rendered chilly, but 

 worms and slugs get below the pots, the latter sallying out at night 

 from their lurking places do no little damage, besides often deposit- 

 ing the eggs to be hatched in the ensuing spring, within the holes 

 of the pots under the ovster shell. The best thing for placing the 

 pots upon after shifting is, a bed of sifted coal ashes, two or three 

 inches deep, which will both keep off the slugs and worms, and 

 prevent the chilliness of the ground from affecting the plants. 

 When there is not convenience nor time to make a bed of ashes for 

 this purpose, a deal board will answer pretty well. Flower-stands 

 with shelves elevated above the ground would answer, except for the 

 circumstance of their exposing the plants to a greater degree of cold, 

 at least when there is any wind stirring. 



When shifted plants are placed, during the day, on the outer 

 window-sill, and taken in at night, they only require great attention 

 to watering, from the greater dryness of their position. 



Next month we shall give directions for planting bulbs, and far 

 growing them in water glasses. 



THE CULTIVATION" OF THE STRAWBERRY. 



^HERE is not one subject connected with horticulture 

 which appears to merit the attention of every country 

 reader, more than the culture of the strawberry. The 

 fruit is so beautiful, so salubrious, so grateful to the 

 palate — to say nothing of the elegance and charming 

 scent of the blossoms which precede it — that we cannot refrain from 

 offering the experimental remarks which follow, to the notice of our 

 friends. 



We will refer to acknowledged authorities, because we desire to 



