42 INTRODUCTION. 



serve to admit wooden or iron hoops, which, 

 connected along the centre and at the eaves with 

 slight laths, form a sufficiently firm and effective 

 frame to bear any covering of mats or canvass. 



Carnation stages are either single or double ; 

 that is, having one or both sides composed of 

 graduated shelves. In the one case, a walk in 

 front is sufficient ; in the other, the walk is 

 carried all round. Those for auriculas are 

 similar ; both being raised on feet, each of 

 which stands in pans of water, to prevent the 

 visits of creeping insects, which very frequently 

 molest the florist. 



When the fohage of the plants has advanced 

 so far as to be in jeopardy from frost, &c. the 

 hoops are placed, and the coverings got ready to 

 be employed as the weather directs. Tulips are, 

 much more than others, liable to be injured, es- 

 pecially during the months of February, March, 

 and April. They are then most easily damaged 

 by hail, or by water resting near and afterwards 

 frozen round the flower-bud ; and, though every 

 care should be bestowed to protect the plants 



