June.] FLOWER GARDEN. 4^7 



quently removed to a different soil and situation, nor will any 

 removal protract or prolong its existence more than thirty or forty 

 years; consequently, the collection should be renewed frequently 

 by raising new varieties from seed. It blows, generally, in the 

 greatest perfection from the fifth to the tenth or twelfth year, after 

 which it becomes gradually smaller and weaker; and if the flower 

 was originally very full and double with age, it loses that property 

 and the petals diminish in number, become small and irregular, 

 and finally the sort perishes. 



Taking up early Flowering Bulbs in general. 



All the different kinds of spring flowering bulbs, such as fritilla- 

 ries, crown imperials, crocuses, snow-drops, &c, whose leaves are 

 now decayed, may be taken up and treated as directed more par- 

 ticularly in the Flower Garden for last month. 



Guernsey and Belladonna Amaryllises. 



The roots of the Guernsey and belladonna amaryllis may now, if 

 their leaves are quite decayed, be taken up, their offsets separated, 

 and all the roots treated as directed for the former in page 399, 

 with this difference, that during the winter months the belladonna 

 will require rather more care and protection than the Guernsey 

 amaryllis; but both may be considered as hardy green-house plants. 

 The roots ought to be replanted before the end of July, as both 

 kinds flower late in autumn. The soil in which to plant them 

 should be a good fresh loam, mixed with about a fourth part of fine 

 sand, and the roots are not to be covered, when planted in pots, 

 more than half an inch above their crowns. 



These plants commonly flower in October, and in some seasons 

 not till November; but on taking in the green-house plants those 

 should be removed with them, and placed in the windows, where 

 they will display their beautiful flowers in great perfection. 



In such of the southern states as the winter frosts are not very 

 severe, both these kinds may be planted in the open ground, and 

 two or three inches of tan laid over the beds on the approach of 

 frost, to protect the bulbs therefrom, or the beds may be covered 

 at such times with mats laid on hoops, placed archwise over them, 

 for that purpose. 



Hardy autumnal Flowering Bulbs. 



The beginning or middle of this month is still a proper time to 

 take up your yellow amaryllises, colchicums, autumnal crocuses, 

 and such other autumnal flowering bulbs as have their leaves 

 decayed or in a declining state. 



These may be planted again immediately after separating their 



offsets, or kept up dry till July or early in August, and then 



planted where they are to flower in October, &c. The roots when 



taken up are to be carefully dried in the shade, as directed for 



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