May.] Flower Garden. 135 



Having, for the defence of the choicell kinds of thefe 

 flowers, fixed hoops acrofs the beds'the former month, let 

 the ma:o or canvas be always ready for drawing over them 

 when there is occaficn to ihelter the plants. 



The mats, hz. fhculd be drav/n over every day, when the 

 fun fhines, about nine or ten in the morning ; and fhould 

 be taken off about four or five in the afternoon. The mats 

 ftiuflalfo be drawn Over the hoops, to defend the flowers 

 from heavy fncwers of rain., when fuch at any time 

 happen. 



Where this fhading and fheltering thefe kinds of flowers 

 is duly pra<^ifed, it will preferve them a long time in 

 their fulleil beauty, at leafl a fortnight or three weeks 

 longer than if they were to be fully expofcd ; and they 

 will alfo be much finer. 



Mind that the hoops which are fixed acrofs the beds for 

 the fupport of the mats be not too low, for that would 

 hide and darken the flowers too much, draw them up 

 weak, and render the bloom lefs brilliant. 



The beft way to preferve the bloom of thefe plants^ 

 without weakening them, is this ; but it fhould have been 

 done in April. 



On each fide of the bed, let forae flout flakes be fixed 

 upright in the ground, at twenty inches, or two feet dif- 

 tance from one another; and let each flake fland three or 

 four feet high ; to thefe let hoop arches be fixed crofs the 

 bed ; the coverings of mats or canvas are to be drawn over 

 them occaflonally, and there will be air fafiicient to pre- 

 ferve the flowers flrong, and their colours lively. 



Someperfons who are very curious, ered an awning, or 

 fhade, of hoops and mats, over thefe flowers, high enough 

 to walk under ; taking care that the mats come low 

 enough on the fides, to keep the fun from darting upoa 

 the bloom. 



The beds of fine tulips and hyacinths, in particular, 

 deferve fuch a frame as this conftrufted over them : 

 the work is foon and eaflly done, and the expence of the 

 materials is but trifling, were they to be bought ; and no 

 pains fhould be fpared, to preferve the beauty of the 

 choicefl kinds of thefe defirable flowers. 



Hyacinths paj} Jlo<werihg, 



When hyacinths are paft flowering, and the leaves jufl; 



beginning 



