210 THE PHIL ADELP HIA FLORIST. [Nov'b. 



fin 

 of all things. The influence of such characters is great over their (y 



neighbors, for one neatly kept garden leads to imitation in others, ^ 

 and imitation leads to improvement. Where the garden is treasured 

 there will be a well guided household — this is clearly demonstrated 

 in the dwellings of the florists, for however coarse the food or meagre 

 the furniture, there is a clean "hearth-stone," a clean tidy wife and 

 children, everything orderly and neat, social comfort, and domestic 

 contentment has there its abode. Frequently have I known the dis- 

 sipated collier and his slovenly wasteful wife reformed by the in- 

 fluence of these examples. When neither the stern reasoning of the 

 reverend divine, nor yet the austere lectures of the indomitable Mrs. 

 Pardiggle (as Dickens has it) could make any impression, the country 

 florist has accomplished the reformation by the sight of his beautiful 

 spot, a little friendly chat and the gift of a few flowers. It would be 

 well if we had more of these "Old Fogies" around our different 

 neighborhoods ; surely the force of example is needed. If here and 

 there throughout the country their little paradises were dotted about 

 they would look like something celestial amongst the innumerable 

 slovenly lots. May we see the time when an ill kept cotter's garden 

 will be a novelty. And here a word to the committees of Horti- 

 cultural Societies : — Give a list of prizes for the productions of small 

 gardens at your exhibitions, it has a great tendency to encourage 

 those of little means, to cultivate their small lots. Tne following 

 brief remarks may be of service to some of your readers who are fond 

 of winter and early spring flowers : — ■ 



Place one or more frames, according to means or space at command, 

 in a sheltered spot facing the sun, loosen up the bed below, a spade 

 deep, and fill in eight or ten inches of good mould ; obtain a quantity 

 each of, Polyanthus, Primrose, Neapolitan, or other sweet violets, 

 (the Neapolitan is the best,) Ten Week or Intermediate Stock, Wall- 

 flower, Auricula, Pansy, Snowdrop, Crocus, Hyacinth, Early Van- 

 thol Tulip, Sweet Alyssum and Mignonette. The two last may be 

 carefully lifted with balls of earth about the roots, though it is better 

 to sow them in the frame about the beginning of September. Plant 

 at the distance of six to ten inches apart according to habit of growth, 

 give a good watering to settle the soil and fix the roots, keep the 

 glass close and shaded for a few days, afterwards give air freely in 

 bright and mild weather. Line the outside of the frames to the top 

 about a foot wide with earth or litter to keep the frost from penetrat- 

 ing, and when severe weather sets in ; cover with straw mats or other 

 convenient material, at night ; give air freely throughout the winter on 

 bright days, avoiding cold cutting winds, and close up a little before 

 sundown, to retain some warmth for the night. At intervals when 

 the soil gets dry give a good soaking of water, not little and often, 

 but a sufficient quantity to pass down to the bottom roots. Allow the 

 soil to become dry again before more is applied, always taking ad- 

 vantage of a fine morning for the application. In severe weather it 

 is better to be too dry than too wet. Attention to these little points 

 will ensure success, and without the aid of a greenhouse — by these 

 means a fine display may be kept up throughout the whole winter, 

 and a perfect dazzle in early spring. There are few persons who 

 \ have not these means at command, and those who have not tried it 

 JL will be well satisfied with the results. A little stock of the greater 

 [«^part once obtained will serve from year to year, so that the first ex- 



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