IN THE FLOWER GARDEN. 

 PLANTING and transplanting trees and shrubs, form- 

 ing and altering walks, laying down turf, and all 

 kinds of alterations and improvements, where such is desirable, will 

 now require attention. Proceed with all despatch to plant shrubs, 

 herbaceous plants, &c, to enable each to become established before 

 spring. Amongst other out-door occupations, are pruning a variety of 

 things, supporting and protecting them at the same time, as may be 

 deemed necessary. In the protection of tender things, the principles 

 demanding attention are few and simple. A comparative degree of 

 dryness is the first great essential, whether in the atmosphere or the 

 soil. In a frame or pit, this amount of dryness cannot be guaranteed 

 without motion in the air ; and this, of course, in the absence of fire- 

 heat, must be accomplished by a very free ventilation at every fitting 

 opportunity, remembering that a small amount of frost is, in general, 

 less prejudicial than an accumulation of damp, which will rapidly tend 

 to a kind of mortification in the system of the plant. The same atmo- 

 spheric conditions are to be obtained out of doors, as far as attention 

 can secure them ; thus, half-hardy plants against trellises or detached, 

 if covered with a mat and stuffed closely with hay inside, will be in 

 danger of perishing of what we may for the present term suffocation ; 

 the same specimen will always run through a long winter better with 

 the mat alone, more especially if the collar is well protected by some 

 dry and porous material, and, above all, the root well top-dressed with 

 sawdust or ashes, or perhaps the two blended. As to comparative dry- 

 ness of the soil, that must be accomplished principally by the most 

 perfect drainage ; this is, indeed, the great desideratum with plants of 

 tender habits ; indeed, without it, other appliances are seldom satisfac- 

 tory. Mounds of new sawdust, or dry leaves, raised around the stem, 

 with a considerable body over the soil as far as the root ranges, will be 

 found of immense benefit, as retaining the ground-heat, which we 

 believe ascends in a progressive way up the stem, to alleviate the 

 effects of very severe weather. Standard and dwarf Roses of tender 

 character will soon need protection. Finish directly the planting of 

 all bulbs and Ranunculus, &c, which are intended to be put in before 

 winter ; a little sand round each will assist in preserving them from 

 wet. Also plant out in a sheltered situation Brompton or Queen 

 Stocks, so they may be protected in winter, and reserved for planting 

 out in spring. Tubers of Salvia patens, &c, should be kept dry. 

 Plants of spring flowers, as Hepaticas, Primroses, Polyanthuses, 

 Auriculas, Wallflowers, bulbs, &c, should now be planted near the 

 dwelling-house. 



Florists' Flowers. — Auriculas and Polyanthuses still require 

 well looking after. A free circulation of air amongst the pots be 



