DEC.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 573 



this place to repeat all the instructions given in November for that 

 purpose, and therefore I refer you to page 557, &c. for information. 



Some of the Van Thol, and other early tulips, which were plant- 

 ed in pots in October, may towards the end of this month, be placed 

 in the Hot-house, or in any other forcing department, to produce a 

 winter bloom of flowers. Early hyacinths, spring crocuses, snow- 

 drops, dwarf Persian Iris, and polyanthus-narcissus, may now be 

 forced in like manner : but observe, that you are to reserve a suffi- 

 ciency of each sort for several successions, so as to have a constant 

 supply of flowers until those in the open ground begin to blow. 



When the plants are just beginning to flower some of them may 

 be taken in, to decorate parlours and other rooms. 



Care of Auriculas and Carnations, 



Your choice auriculas and carnations must now be defended from 

 heavy rains, frost, and snow ; but large portions of air must be 

 admitted to them at every favourable opportunity, otherwise the 

 auriculas will start to flower at an untimely season, and the carnations 

 will draw, become weakly, and be good for nothing. Neither of 

 them are very tender, and consequently should not be kept too 

 closely shut up. 



Polyanthuses and Double Primroses. 



The fine polyanthuses and double primroses, require exactly the 

 same treatment as the auriculas and carnations, which need not be 

 repeated; the common polyanthuses and primroses, will succed 

 very well in the open borders, but will be the better of a slight 

 covering of straw during the continuance of severe frost. 



Double Daisies. 



Continue to protect and treat your double daisies as directed in 

 page 558. You may now place a few of the best plants which you 

 have in pots, in some of the forcing apartments, to promote an early 

 bloom. 



Planting Bulbous Roots. 



In the early part of this month, should the weather continue 

 open, or that it is practicable to work the ground, you may plant 

 hyacinths, jonquils, tulips, double narcissus, star of Bethlehem, 

 crocrises, snowdrops, or any other hardy kinds of bulbs that yet re- 

 main out of ground ; but it is wrong, if it can be avoided, to defer the 

 planting of them to this time. However, it will be better at all 

 events, to plant the above kinds now, should it be practicable, than 

 to keep them up till spring ; but it will be very proper, and indeed 

 I may say necessary, to cover the newly-planted beds immediately 

 with straw, or other light covering, for such roots as have not pro- 

 duced fibres before the setting in of frost, are much more vulnerable 

 to it, than those that have. 



