lO THE DESTGEE & CONARD COMPANY'S 



Wintering in a Pit. — Many persons are very successful in wintering tender Roses, and other 

 half hardy plants, in a pit. A pit is made by digging out a space in the ground like a cellar. It should 

 be sunk four or five feet deep in dry well-drained ground, and, if possible, in a sunny or sheltered situa- 

 tion ; the sides may be walled from the bottom with stone, brick or boards, six inches or a foot higher 

 than the surface of the ground outside, and nicely banked up all around. The pit should be tightly 

 roofed, or covered in part at least, with glazed sash, so arranged as to be easily raised at one end to 

 admit air. Plants can be set in pots, or planted in the bottom ; if the latter, good soil should be put 

 in for the purpose. Roses from open ground should not be taken in till danger of severe freezing, 

 moderate cold will not hurt them. When ready, take up carefully, cut off at least one-half the tops, 

 and plant nicely in the bottom of the pit, taking care to firm the earth tightly on the roots. As the 

 plants are not to grow much, they may be set quite close; water thoroughly when first put in, but 

 afterwards, only when dry ; keep moderately close for a few days at first, and afterwards give air freely 

 in fine weather. This is important for the health of the plants. If desirable the pit may be made 

 large enough to admit of your going in occasionally and examining them. Keep a sharp lookout for 

 insects, mice, &c. 



Roses Standing Alone. — To protect large Roses standing alone, drive a stake as tall as the 

 plant firmly by its side, tie the plant nicely to the stake, then take straight straw or Evergreen boughs 

 of a suitable size, stand them neatly and closely around and bind firmly together with bands six 

 inches apart. 



Another Plan. — Take an old box or barrel, knock out the top and bottom, turn it over the 

 plant and fill loosely with leaves, clean straw or small evergreen branches. A free circulation of air 

 is desirable, the object is not to keep the plant warm, but to break the force of sudden and violent 

 changes of temperature, bright sunshine, and cold drying winds. Never put any material in contact 

 with the plant that will ferment, heat or rot, or that will retain water and become wet and soggy. 



PLANTS BY MAIL; 



The excellent facilities offered by the Post Office Department for carrying small packages of plants 

 and other goods, by mail, has proved a great public convenience, and is now considered as indis- 

 pensable as having letters and papers delivered in the same way. It gives persons in all parts of the 

 country the opportunity of purchasing the choicest goods in the best markets. As money can be sent 

 safely by Postal Order, and the best houses advertise in the leading newspapers, ladies can do their 

 shopping where they are treated best ; no difference if this is 3000 miles away. 



GENERAL NOTES. 



Pretty Homes. — A few flowers will do more towards making a home pretty and attractive than 

 many times their cost expended in any other way. There is really no excuse for cheerless homes 

 when they can so easily be made pleasant and inviting by a little judicious planting; a bed of Roses, 

 a few flowering shrubs, some pretty climbing vines, honeysuckles, &c., will make the humblest home 

 a place of beauty. 



Residents in Cities who order plants sent by mail should be very particular to give their 

 Street and Number. Packages by mail that have to be handled separately from letters and papers 

 ure liable to be overlooked in city Post Offices, unless plainly directed to Number and Street, 

 carriers sometimes forget packages of this kind. If not received promptly, be sure to ask at the Post 

 Office for them. 



Headquarters for Roses. — We lead the Rose market in this country. If you want Roses, 

 the place to get them is at HEADQUARTERS. 'We treat our customers so liberally that we every 

 year give away in Premiums and Extras more Roses than most establishments grow. 



Flowers in School-Rooms. — A friend tells us their district school is in charge of a lady who 

 loves flowers. She has induced her pupils to plant and care for some fine plants which bloom beau- 

 tifully, and gives the school-room a charming appearance, the children have become much interested, 

 and gladly assist in the care of the plants, while the school-room is one of the prettiest places in the 

 village, and in wonderful contrast to the bare walls and staring windows usually seen. The idea is 

 an excellent one, and worthy of being extensively imitated. 



