BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. 37 



It may be observed farther, that establislied plants will 

 always produce their blossoms earlier and stronger in the 

 spring, than those recently transplanted ; it should, there- 

 fore, be an object with gardeners to do the business of form- 

 ing permanent flower-beds and of transplanting hardy Peren- 

 nial and Biennial plants, in Septeml)er or October. 



The hardy bulbous roots must also be planted in October 

 or November, which on being j^roperly preserved through 

 the winter, will embellish the ^^arterre in spring by their 

 early and First Flowers. 



" First flowers of the spring time, 



Bright gems of the year, 

 All lovely and blooming. 



How fresh ye appear ; 

 Springing up in the garden. 



The hedge-row and vale, 

 Enriched by the showers. 



And fann'd by the gale." 



In my preliminary observations, I directed the attention 

 of my readers to some important points respecting walks, 

 edgings, &c. Although box is supeiior to any thing else 

 lor edgings, yet, in extensive gardens, dwarf plants of vari- 

 ous kinds may be used for such purpose. Thrift is the neat- 

 est small evergreen next to box ; but Violets, Pinks, Peri 

 winkle. Pansy, Iris, Stone Crop, or even Parsley, Thyme, 

 Strawberry plants, &c., may be used for the sake of diver- 

 sity. These will require frequent watering and trimming, 

 and the Thrift, &c., should be sometimes taken up, divided 

 at the roots, and replanted. 



Box edgings will also require frequent pruning and trim- 

 ming ; and once in from seven to ten years the whole may 

 be taken up, divided, and replanted, and the surplus slips 

 may be planted in a nursery-bed, in rows about afoot apart; 

 these will be suitable for making edgings the year following. 



Flower-beds should be kept free from weeds, and watered 

 occasionally in the summer. In the autumn they should be 

 covered with leaves, straw, or light litter; this should bo 



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