196 THE FLORIST AND 



sets in, cover the bed with litter or straw, or what is still better a coping of 

 boards closed at the ends, which will more effectually keep off the wet and 

 prevent the frost from penetrating. As soon as the plants appear above 

 ground, the covering must be taken off, and here is again the advantage of 

 a wooden covering, which can be removed at pleasure, the object being to 

 give all the light and air possible, without the frost acting upon the foliage, 

 for if once seriously injured, you may bid good bye to first class flowers for 

 the season. Accept all genial rains, but reject sleety rain and snow, and 

 when the flower buds begin to show colour, fix over an awning of light 

 and thin canvas, which will prevent the blooms from losing their greatest 

 beauty, and keep them much longer in flower. This covering should be 

 raised sufficiently high to allow for walking under, and should be so con- 

 structed as to roll up, in order to let in genial showers or the free air on all 

 mild evenings. 



Culture in pots. — This method is only resorted to for furnishing the window 

 or greenhouse. The best kinds for this purpose are the early bloomers 

 mentioned above. If a very early bloom be required, the bulbs should be 

 potted not later than the middle of September, indeed it is best to pot early 

 in all cases, which insures a healthy stock of roots before the tops are ad- 

 vanced, and gives greater certainty of fine bloom. The neglect of this is 

 the main cause of failure in most instances ; bulbs if left to themselves in 

 the open ground throw out a considerable quantity of roots before the growth 

 proceeds upwards, and all the care and skill that may be employed, will not 

 make up for a deficiency in this respect, consequently it behoves us to follow 

 nature, as near as circumstances will allow. The most suitable soil is equal 

 portions of fresh loam, and thoroughly rotted cow manure. To produce 

 the best effect on the stage or in the window, it is best to place a single root 

 in each small pot of a pint measure, which will admit of greater convenience 

 for removing about at pleasure, or mixing the colors to better advantage. 

 Place the bulbs so that they be just covered, and after fixing all in a dry and 

 cool place, cover the whole with six inches of sand, rotten leaves, or spent 

 tan bark ; here let them remain until winter sets in, when they may be put 

 into a cool cellar or other like place. If a succession of bloom be required 

 the first lot may be removed about the middle of December into a tempera- 

 ture of 45°, and when the tops have advanced a little, again into a warmer 

 situation ; a house where roses are being forced is very suitable at this stage. 

 The remainder may be introduced at intervals of two weeks and treated in 

 the same way. Keep near the glass and let the plants be freely exposed to 



