18 FAMILIJIt OAHTjEX FLOWERS. 



dating practice in respect of wecdino', &c.^ room is found 

 for these in the narrow alleys that are left for access to the 

 plantations. 



These plants are o-enerall}' regarded as tender; but the 

 outdoor culture in Holland will suggest to the reader that 

 they are liardy. As a matter of fact they are so, but 

 need a little coaxing to enable them to endure the vicissi- 

 tudes of an English spring, 



J)<'iil :iii finirilix is nftcn purchased when in flower, and 

 being then fresh from the forcing-house, it requires to 

 be carefully comforted in the parlour or the g'reenhouse. 

 When the flowering is jiast, deutzias are usually kejit in the 

 greenhouse, or are i>ut mi a window-sill, where the hot sun 

 will roast them by day and the frosty wind blow the life 

 out of them at nighl. Plants that have been forced require 

 to be gradually hardened, so as to endure the free air with- 

 out a shock. The forced deutzias should therefore be taken 

 care of, and iiave more and more air as the season ad- 

 vances, with only moderate sujiplies of water (for this is 

 not so thirsty a plant as the spirsBa), and as the weather 

 ojiens in the early part of ]\[ay they should be ]iut out of 

 doors in a sheltered corner. There they may remain until 

 the middle or end of the mouth, having a little water 

 occasionally to ])revent distress ; and in the event of frost 

 they should be taken indoors again, or have suitable shelter 

 to prevent any injury. 



We have now reached the later days of May, and the 

 deutzias should be planted out in the open ground. You 

 will, perhaps, in view of a iiue crop of Howers the next 

 spring, find a piece of rich soil for them. But that is the 

 very thing you should not do. Put the plants in an open, 

 snnny situation^ on the poorest and most stouy soil you 



