FEB.] FLOWER GARDEN. 153 



them to change their course, and thereby finally protect the young 

 plants from enemies, which would, in a few hours, totally eat up the 

 finest crops, particularly the auriculas. 



Tulips^ Hyacinths^ Anemones and Ranunculus's. 



Defend the beds of the more curious or valuable tulips, hyacinths, 

 anemones, and ranunculus's, from frost, v snow, and cold or excessive 

 rains ; the plants will now begin to appear above ground ; and the 

 beds wherein the finest of these flower-roots are planted, should now, 

 where intended, and if not done before, be arched over with hoops ; 

 and in frosty, or extremely bad weather, let mats or canvas be drawn 

 over them, in some measure, to defend the advancing flower-buds. 



This, where it can be conveniently done, should not now be 

 omitted to the choicer kinds, when required to have them blow 

 in their utmost perfection ; for, although they are hardy enough, 

 yet, being protected in their early flower-buds from inclement 

 weather, both in this and the next month, the blow will be much finer 

 than if fully exposed ; however, this care is not necessary for the 

 common kinds, either in beds or borders. 



The early anemones and ranunculus's, which were planted in 

 September or early in October, and are consequently in a considerable 

 state of forwardness, will still require greater protection than such 

 as were late planted ; for the rudiments of their flowers being in a 

 somewhat advanced state, would be greatly injured, if too much ex- 

 posed, especially, to the great extremes of our mid -day sun, and the 

 severe night frosts prevalent at this season ; therefore by protecting 

 them carefully from the rigour of the one, you do not expose them 

 so much to the power of the other ; but when both are suffered to 

 act alternately with their full respective force, upon these, as well as 

 upon many other of the more tender kinds of flowers and esculents, 

 a disorganization of their parts is the immediate consequence, and an 

 untimely death their ultimate end. This is a " golden rule", which 

 ought to be assiduously observed, with respect to every plant that is 

 not sufficiently hardy, to bear the frosts of our rigorous winters. 



For the convenience of affording all the above choice kinds, a 

 suitable protection, they ought to be planted in beds of rich compost 

 mould, surrounded with a hot-bed or other temporary frame ; with 

 tanners bark or other protection drawn up on the outsides thereof, all 

 round, as high as the upper parts; which will prevent the frost 

 from penetrating and injuring the plants next the frame. Over this- 

 frume, you can lay a covering of boards and mats, when necessary^ 

 or if you have not mats, straw or other suitable covering may be 

 used. Frost will enter the beds, notwithstanding this kind of care, 

 but not in sufficient force to do much injury, for these plants are 

 tolerable hardy, and require only to be protected, from its too pow- 

 erful influence, as well as from that of the sun's. 



The plants must be exposed to the full air constantly, except 

 while freezing sufficiently strong to bind up the earth, and at night, 

 or during the prevalence of cold heavy rains or snow. Such of the 

 preceding, and other hardy bulbs, &c. as yet remain out of ground, 



