112 



FLOWERS. 



with ricli earth, and the plant carefully placed in the centre, 

 and the mould brought into contact with the roots, and 

 moderately pressed. 



Cultivation, — The plants must be properly thinned 

 while they are small ; for, if left too near each other, they 

 interfere, grow slender and weakly. As the plants increase 

 in size, remove the weakest, and so continue to do, until 

 they stand at a proper distance. All plants of every de- 

 scription should stand at such distance one from the other, 

 as that the air may circulate freely about them, and that 

 the sun may have its proper influence in bringiog them to 

 perfection. The air and sun are absolutely necessary in 

 perfecting the growth of plants, which never ought to stand 

 56 near as to interfere with each other. 



The earth ought to be kept loose about the plants, and 

 for this purpose a prong-hoe is a useful instrument. Mov- 

 ing the earth should be done in dry weather ; as ploughing, 

 digging, or hoeing in wet weather, leaves the ground in a 

 Dad, clammy state. In a dry season, stir the earth about 



Elants, and spread old coarse hay or straw about them. Old 

 ay spread about the plants keeps the earth cool, and re- 

 tains the moisture, and is very useful to vines. 



Weeds of every species must be removed, and the soon- 

 er the better after their appearance. No weed should be 

 Buffered to flower in a garden, nor in its border. The beauty 

 of a garden depends very much on order and neatness — a 

 place for everything, and every thing in its place — keeping 

 out the weeds, and removing every thing when decayed. 

 No garden can show to advantage, where weeds are per- 

 mitted to usurp the place of useful plants. 



Shrubbery in general requires some attention. Prune out 

 all inferior, dead, and decaying branches. Keep down the 

 suckers, and clean out the weeds, and stir the earth about 

 the roots occasionally. Order and neatness add a lustre to 

 every thing. 



Cuttings are pieces, cut from trees, shrubs, or plants of 

 the last growth, and should generally retain a small piece 

 of the growth immediately preceding the last or ripened 

 wood. They should be taken when the sap is active, and 

 about six joints or buds are sufficient. Cut them with a 

 sharp knife, transversely and smoothly, near a joint or bud 

 of the previous growth, or between the two last growths. 

 Set them in rich, moist ground, in a shady place, leaving 

 two or three joints or buds above the surface. If the weath- 

 er be dry, water them, and place old hay about them, to 



