ROCK PLANTS. 67 



addition to my borders, in a part of my garden 

 that was formerly very ugly, and on that ac- 

 count always neglected. 



It is usual for persons who have hyacinths 

 and tulips to tie them up to short sticks, as soon 

 as the flowers begin to be top-heavy. When 

 you have a bed of fine hyacinths, you must 

 protect them from sun, rain, and wind : the sun 

 not only causes the blossoms to ^ fade, but 

 shortens the time of their continuance in per- 

 fection. 



The rains and winds of this month are 

 equally destructive : indeed, an April storm 

 will sometimes strip off half the bells from 

 the flower stalks, and snap in two some of the 

 heaviest and finest blossoms ; so if you wish 

 to make a good show, and to double its dura- 

 tion, build a cover over them. 



The great tulip and hyacinth fanciers have a 



