ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 359 



PARLOR FLOWERS AND PLANTS IN WINTER.-(4r<. 2.) 



THERE arc so few who care enough for flowers to trouble 

 themselves with them during the winter, that it seems 

 almost in ikind to criticise the imperfections of those who 

 do. But it is very plain that, for the most part, skill and 

 knowledge do not keep pace with good taste. Not to point 

 out defects to those who are anxious to improve would be 

 the real unkindness. 



There are two objects for which plants are kept over. 



Plants are housed for the sake of their verdure and 

 bloom during the winter ; or, simply to protect them from 

 the frosts. Our first criticism is, that these two separate 

 objects are, to a great extent, improperly united. Tables 

 and window-stands are crowded with plants which ought to 

 be in the cellar or in a pit. Plants which have bloomed 

 through the summer will rest during the winter. To 

 remove them from the heat and dust of the parlor to place 

 them in a dry, light, warm cellar, will certainly conduce to 

 their entire rest, and the parlor will lose no grace by the 

 removal of ragged stems, falling leaves, and flowerless 

 branches. When a large quantity of plants are to be pro- 

 tected, and cellar room is wanting, a pit may be prepared 

 with little expense. Dig a place eight or ten feet square, 

 in a dry exposure. The depth may be from five to six feet. 

 Let the surface of this chamber be curbed about with a 

 plank frame, the top of which should slope to the south at 

 an inclination of about three inches to the foot. This may 

 be covered with plank except in the middle, where two 

 sash may be placed. The outside of the plank may be 

 banked up with earth, and if light brush or haulm be placed 

 upon the top, in severe weather, it will be all the better. 

 The inside may be provided with shelves on every side for 

 the pots, and thus hundreds of plants may be effectually 

 protected. During severe freezing weather the sasli should 

 be covered with mats, old carpet, straw or anything of the 



