MONTHLY CALENDAR. 705 



with crimson, pink, or scarlet. In each of these classes many exquisitely beau- 

 tiful named flowers exist ; but any one intending to grow these should visit 

 some good collection, such as the Battersea, St. John's Wood, or Slough, when 

 they are in flower, and choose for himself. 



2207. Soon after tulips have finished flowering, the leaves will ripen and 

 die ofil They should be immediately taken up with all the soil that will 

 adhere to the bulb, slightly dried, and put away in drawers or paper bags, 

 each sort by itself. During the summer they should be frequently looked 

 over to see that they are not decaying. On the 1st of October rub off all the 

 offsets, and plant them by themselves, and prepare for planting the entire 

 stock as already directed. 



i2cS. Amidst the many floral beauties claiming our attention, we still give a 

 prominent place to the tulip ; and considering its many great merits, wo may, 

 without flattery, dismiss them in the language of Thomson : — 



♦' Then comes the tulip race, where Beauty plays 

 Her idle freaks ; from family diffused 

 To family, as flies the father dust. 

 The varied colours run ; and while they break 

 On the charm'd eye, the exulting florist marks 

 With secret pride, the wonders of his hand. 

 No gradual bloom is wanting from the bud 

 First-born of spring, to summer's musky tribes ; 

 Nor hyacinths of pure virgin white. 

 Low, bent, and blushing inward ; nor jonquils 

 Of potent fragrance ; nor narcissus fair, 

 As o'er the fabled fountain hanging still. 

 Nor broad carnations, nor gay spotted pinks, 

 Nor, showered from any bush, the damask rose. 

 Infinite numbers, delicious smells. 

 With hues on hues — expression cannot paint — 

 The truth of Nature and her endless bloom." 



2209. As the year closes, and we wait in hope for the coming forth of the 

 flowers, let grateful reverence swell our hearts as we exclaim with Hemans : — 



" I love Thy name, 

 That Thou hast mantled the green earth with flowers, 

 Linking our hearts to Nature ! By the love 

 Of their wild blossoms, our young footsteps lost 

 Into her deep recesses are beguiled. 

 Her minster cells, dark glens, and forest bowers. 

 Amidst the low religious whispering". 

 The silvery leaf sounds of the soHtude, 



The spirit wakes to worship, and is made 

 Thy hving temple." 



D. T. F. 



§ 3.— The Kitchen-Garden. 



2210. We are now in the dead of winter. Nature has done her part towards 



producing a supply of suitable matter for the table, and if the gardener has 

 done his part, there need be no lack of suitable crops ; but what there is must 

 now be depended on for some time to come, for vej^etation is at a stand-still, 

 and whatever seeds or plants are put in the ground now, will not move or 

 grow for two or three months to come ; but if vegetation does not move, that 



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