CHAPTER X. 



GENERAL FLOWER GARDEN. 



" In all places, then, and in all seasons, 



Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings ; 



Teaching us, by most persuasive reasons, 



How akin they are to human things." LONGFELLOW. 



WE grow in the garden many kinds of flowers, and select as 

 many species of as many classes as we can obtain at a 

 moderate cost ; so that in each season, as far as climate may permit, 

 we have some blossoms to gladden our eyes with their perfect forms 

 or brilliant colours. In the general flower-garden we cultivate Bulbous 

 plants, so beautiful in early spring ; Perennial plants, so useful because 

 they remain from year to year without renewal ; Bedding plants, by 

 which we secure masses of bright flowers between June and October; 

 Annual flowers, which come up in spring, blossom, and perish after 

 they have seeded ; Biennial plants, which grow one year and flower the 

 second ; Greenhouse plants, which require protection from frost, and 

 which give us flowers when the winter's blast has stopped outdoor 

 growth ; Hot-house plants, which require tropical temperature, both in 

 winter and summer, for their successful culture. Besides, we have 

 rosaries, alpineries, ferneries, and orchid beds, for the special cultivation 

 of particular classes of plants. 



BULBOUS PLANTS. 



The first flower which appears in early spring, and delights us after 

 the rest of plants during winter, is the Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis, 



