110 



FLOWERS 



rates the feeble frame ? What is more conducive to a long 

 life? 



Floriculture is peculiarly calculated for the amusement 

 of youth. It may teach them many important lessons. 

 Let a piece of ground be appropriated to their use — to im- 

 prove in such a manner as their inclinations shall dictate — 

 to cultivate such plants as are pleasing to their taste; and 

 let them receive the proceeds. Let order and neatness 

 pervade their little plantations. Let them be instructed, 

 that nothing valuable is to be obtained or preserved without 

 labour^ care, and attention — that as every vahiabie plant must 

 be defended, and every noxious weed removed, so every 

 moral virtue must be protected, and every corrupt passion 

 and propensity subdued. 



The cultivation of flowers is an appropriate amusement 

 for young ladies. It teaches neatness, cultivates a correct 

 taste, and furnishes the mind with many pleasing ideas. 

 The delicate form and features, the mildness and sympathy 

 of disposition, render them fit subjects to raise those tran- 

 scendent beauties of nature, which declare the '^per- 

 fections cf the Creator's power." The splendid lus- 

 tre and veriegated hues - (which bid defiance to the 

 pencil) or the rose, the lily, the tulip, and a thousand 

 others, hnrnonlze with the fair, fostering hand that tends 

 them— v^itL the heart susceptible to the noblest impres- 

 sions — and with spotless innocence. 



Situation, — As to the proper situation for a garden, it is 

 not alwaj's in our power to choose. A level plat, however, 

 is to be preferred ; for, if there be considerable descent, the 

 heavy r?ins w^ill wash away the soil. A southern aspect, 

 sheltered from the north and north-west winds, is a proper 

 situation for most plants. An inclination towards the north, 

 or west, or any point between them, should, if possible, be 

 avoided. 



Soil, — The natural soil should be a deep loam, which is 

 easily made rich by old, rotten manure. But here, again, it 

 is not always in our power to choose such a soil. In such 

 cases we must endeavour to imitate — we must dig and carry 

 off — and bring on loam, &c. and make a rich soil. The 

 ground ought to be well pulverized v/ith the plough or the 

 spade. In a word, what is wanted, is a deep, rich soil, 

 natural or artificial, not too wet, nor too dry. 



The ground in a garden must be kept rich, and often 

 stirred. It ought to be manured every year. A compost 

 made of decayed vegetables, yard manure, rotten leaves, 



