256 FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH. 



The preparatory study and the final execution of the 

 plans recommended had somewhat delayed the fall 

 potting of the plants, until a few frosts had warned 

 me that there was no time to lose. Unfortunately, 

 when I appointed a day for effecting the transfer 

 from the garden to pots and boxes, and went to 

 Flushing for the express purpose, I discovered, to my 

 dismay, that Patrick was in a great state of confusion 

 as to which flowers were hardy and which required 

 removal. As my reading had not extended to that 

 question, or I had forgotten it amid the extensive list 

 generally catalogued, I had to go mainly on what 

 might be called general principles. By general prin 

 ciples is meant that, as the cold had been pretty se 

 vere, it might be presumed to have exercised a pre 

 liminary influence on the tender species ; so, wherever 

 a perennial was observed to be withered and have a 

 sickly appearance in its leaves, it was taken up and 

 potted. 



Fortunately, I was well acquainted with the char 

 acteristics of verbenas, carnations, and Johnny-jump- 

 ups, and selected them without trouble; but as to 

 other matters, I felt, to the last, that there was con 

 siderable uncertainty. The verbenas having struck 

 root at every joint, and as I felt that not one must Be 

 lost, a very considerable number of pots was neces- 



