OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN. 133 



selection and management, a succession of bfoom may be 

 kept up for some length of time. As, however, bulbous 

 flowers lose their richest tints about the same time that 

 annuals begin to display their beauty, there can be no 

 well-founded objection to the latter being transplanted into 

 the bulbous beds, so that the opening blossoms of the 

 annuals may fill the place of those just withered, and con- 

 tinue to supply the flower-beds with all the gaiety and 

 splendour of the floral kingdom. 



The cultivation of Annual Flowers is a delightful employ- 

 merit, and well adapted to the amusement of a Lady, who, 

 with the assistance of a labourer to prepare the ground, may 

 turn a barren waste into a beauteous flower garden with her 

 own hands. Sowing the seeds, transplanting, watering and 

 training the plants, tying them to sticks as props, leading 

 them over trellis work, and gathering their seed, are all 

 suitable for feminine occupation, and from their affording 

 motives for exercise in the open air, they contribute greatly 

 to health, and tranquillity of mind. 



But the taste of the florist will be exercised to little pur- 

 pose, in the selection of Flowers, if strict attention be not 

 paid to the general state of the garden. If there are lawns 

 or grass walks, they should be frequently trimmed, and 

 more frequently mowed and rolled, to prevent the grass 

 from interfering with the flower beds, and to give the 

 whole a neat, regular, carpet-like appearance If there are 

 gravel walks, they should be frequently cleaned, replenished 

 with fresh gravel, and rolled. Box, and other edgings, 

 should be kept clear of weeds, and neatly trimmed every 

 Spring. Decayed plants should be removed, and replaced 

 with vigorous ones from the nursery bed. Tall flowering 

 plants must be supported by neat poles or rods ; and all 

 dead stalks and leaves from decayed flowers must be fre- 

 quently removed 



In the summer season, all kinds of insects must be timely 

 destroyed, and in the evenings of warm days, the flowers 

 will require frequent watering. 



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