48 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



these protectors over cloches and hand-lights arises 

 from the opacity of their earthenware sides. This, 

 and the enclosed atmosphere well stored with caloric, 

 render them frost-proof in ordinary weather. In 

 seasons of severe frost the semi-level or gently sloping 

 surface of their roof may readily he covered with 

 litter, mats, houghs, or other cold-rcsisters, thus in- 

 suring the safety of the plants. Bell-glasses and 

 hand-lights are not only sooner cooled down to the 

 standard of the surrounding atmosphere, but their 

 peculiar forms render it difficult, almost impossible, 

 to cover them effectually, unless indeed sufficient 

 litter is used to reach as high as their crowns. 



Protectors with wooden sides, grooved on their 

 upper inner edges for the reception of glass, have 

 also been very success- 

 fully used. These ab- 

 sorb less heat than the 

 earthenware ones, but 

 they also part with it 

 more slowly, so that 

 virtually the sides of 

 such are proof against 

 the ingress of cold. The 

 chief objection to the 

 use of wood thus placed 

 on or in the damp 

 earth is that it very 

 soon rots ; otherwise no 

 protectors can be more 

 simply made, put up, or 

 used. A six-inch-wide 

 board in front, one inch 

 thick, a foot-wide one at 



the back, placed a foot apart, the distance being 

 spanned with a sheet of 21-oz. glass, wiU carry 

 numbers of salad and other plants safely through the 

 winter. The sides of old packing-boxes, without 

 top and bottom, placed on the soil with one or more 

 sheets of glass over them, form rough-and-ready, yet 

 very safe and useful protectors, that must be within 

 reach of all. We have even heard of old hat, bon- 

 net, and ribbon boxes — those made of paper and of 

 shavings — deep punnets, and other forms of basket 

 and of wicker-work, doing good service as pro- 

 tectors in the early spring and autumn. Calico, 

 canvas, and felt protectors, tightly strained on any 

 sort of rough wood or wire frames, are also very 

 efficient. 



But these last-named contrivances bring us in 

 close proximity to the one-light frame, itself per- 

 haps the most useful appliance within the whole 

 range of horticultural practice, and the germ of 

 all our magnificent glass-houses for horticultural 

 purposes, which will form the subject of our next 

 chapter. 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Bt WrLLIAM WlLDSMITH. 



Fig. 10. — Special Protsotor of Glass aucl EarLbenwore. 



VASES AND BASKETS. 



AS adjuncts to the various styles of flower gar- 

 dening, and of summer bedding in parti- 

 cular, vases are indispensable ; but, like everything 

 else connected with gardening, good judgment is 

 requisite, as to what number, size, or shape shall 

 be employed, and what positions they are to occupy. 

 All of these conditions can only satisfactorily be 

 dealt with according to the standpoint or style of 

 each garden. Thus, the question of vases and 

 baskets becomes to a large extent a personul matter. 

 But for all that it may be well to indicate the hne of 

 procedure to best insure 

 a, good result ; and first 

 as to the extent to which 

 this form of floral decora- 

 tion should be carried. 



Number. — A severely 

 formal parten'c may most 

 appropriately have the 

 largest number of vases, 

 but even in this connec- 

 tion their use may be, 

 and often is, excessive. 

 On the pedestals of steps, 

 and principal angles of 

 balustrades, and also on 

 the turf as dividing- 

 morlcs, so to speak, 

 between the var^'ing 

 designs of beds — to this extent only ought they to 

 be used. Those having anj- doubt as to whether 

 more or less should be employed, may soon decide 

 the point by temporarily placing either vases, or 

 their representatives in the ■form of blocks of wood 

 or large flower-pots; and if, after surveying the 

 garden from all points, it has the appoai-ance of 

 being over-weighted with ornament, or if the vases 

 cut up or intersect the view of the beds, their 

 number should be reduced till such appearances are 

 imperceptible. In small gardens their niunber 

 should be confined to the pedestals of steps at 

 the entrance to the house, and as centres on the 

 grass-plot. 



Size and Shape. — These points also are only 

 determinable after taking into account the character 

 and surroundings of the garden. Ob^^ously vases 

 of large size would look quite out of place in a smaU 

 garden, and vice vend; whilst as to shape, the 

 simplest designs are ever the most pleasing, and — 

 what is of greater importance — are generally better 



