DECEMBER. 



WITH respect to the operations of this month, 

 unless in some measure to repair the neglects of the 

 last, it would seem to be dormant as to the culture 

 of the flower garden. The industrious florist will 

 nevertheless find much to occupy his time, in pre- 

 serving in order what he has already done, and in 

 making preparation for future successions. The bulbs 

 which have been planted, as directed in the fore- 

 going month, must be protected from frost by some 

 artificial covering. Litter will answer this purpose, 

 but is unseemly ; when made use of, it should be 

 neatly tied, so that when removed in mild weather, 

 it shall not have dirted or deformed the beds and 

 alleys. Where it can be done with equal conve- 

 nience, a temporary awning of canvass or matting 

 will have a neater appearance, and will preserve 

 cleanliness ; it should, however, be but temporarily 

 used, and in the above mentioned cases of emer- 

 gency. Evergreen boughs, sawdust, or turf-mould, 

 will protect sufficiently from frost. Nevertheless, 

 a neatness of effect will result from the other prac- 

 tice, and a judicious and systematic awning is al- 

 ways transferable to its appropriate' use, which is 

 that of shading the flowers when in blossom. I am 

 not for recommending extravagance in any depart- 

 ment : but there are few who can indulge in bulbous 

 roots worth cultivating, who may not venture the 

 additional cost of well-constructed awnings,* with 



* On the subject of awnings, I have been informed by a scientific 

 friend, for indeed I am no philosopher, that awnings of a lighter 



