530 THE PLEASURE, OR [OCT. 



canvas on such emergencies ; but it will not be necessary to defend 

 it from moderate rains or slight frosts : for too frequent and long 

 covering will deprive the roots of the due action and influence of 

 the air, which ought to be avoided as much as possible : it were 

 even better not to cover at all, than over do it to the certain detre- 

 inent of the plants. 



Having procured roots of the Jinest sorts, and pursuing the pre- 

 ceding instructions, you may depend on having those incomparable 

 flowers in the greatest perfection possible. 



The common kinds of tulips, being of little value, may be planted 

 in small patches of three, four, or five roots together, around the 

 borders of the garden, or pleasure ground, and covered the same 

 depth as the others. 



Planting the best Hyacinth Roots. 



The roots of hyacinths may be planted, with good expectation of 

 Success, at any time from the beginning of this month, to the 

 middle of November ; but I would prefer the middle of the 

 present month, as being the best period in which these roots 

 can be planted ; for about that time they will show a natural 

 inclination to vegetate, manifested by a swelling of the circle from 

 whence the fibres proceed, which will be soon followed by an ac- 

 tual appearance of their points, together with that of the foliage at 

 the other extremity of the root, in the form of a small cone of a 

 greenish colour. 



The bed on wbich the finest sorts are to be planted should be 

 situated in rather a dry and airy part of the garden, a southern as- 

 pect is to be preferred, sheltered on the North and North-West by 

 walls, trees, or buildings, at a distance from it proportionate to their 

 elevation ; that is, the distance of the bed from either, should be 

 equal to the height of the wall, fence, or hedge, &c. 



When the situation is determined on, the dimensions of the bed 

 should be marked out, and the soil entirely taken away, to the 

 depth of at least two feet ; the earth in the bottom should then be 

 dug and well pulverized, for about nine inches deep, and the space 

 above filled with the following compost. 



One third sea, or river sand. One third fresh, sound earth. One 

 fourth rotten cow dung at least two } r ears old ; and one twelfth of 

 earth of decayed leaves. 



The fresh sound earth of the compost, should be of the best 

 quality that the garden or adjacent country affords, and' entirely 

 free from noxious vermin of every description. These ingredients 

 should be well mixed and incorporated a considerable time before 

 wanted, and about ten days previous to planting, the bed should be 

 filled up with the compost, to about thiee inches above the level 

 of the path on the south or front side, and seven inches on the 

 north side, so as to form a regular slope, or inclination towards the 

 sun. 



On planting the roots the surface of the bed should be covered 

 \vith fresh sandy earth stbout one inch thick raked perfectly smooth 



