Jan.] 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



843 



FROPAGATING BY LAYERS. 



This mode of jn-opagation, although not to be generally 

 recommended, as the plants mostly originated by it are found 

 to grow to trees less handsome than those which are ob- 

 tained by seeds or cuttings, is still the most expeditious and 

 sure mode for obtaining rooted plants, and is therefore too 

 often practised by cultivators. There are, however, many rare 

 and valuable plants that are found so difficult to propagate by 

 other means, that it is necessary often to adopt it. For many 

 of those plants, this and the three following months are 

 peculiarly adapted 



PROTECTING TENDER SHRUBS AND PLANTS. 



Great care should now be paid to those shrubs and plants 

 ^, liich are of themselves not sufficiently hardy to stand our vari 

 able, and often inclement winters, without protection. Sup- 

 posing that, upon the approach of winter, they have been matted 

 up, or otherwise protected by temporary coverings put over 

 them, as well as their roots protected by laying some dry fronds 

 of fern, straw, or saw-dust over their roots ; in fine days the 

 covering which is over their branches should be removed, 

 to allow them to enjoy as much light and air as possible, and 

 such covering should only be again applied on the appearance 

 of severe frosts. Such shrubs and herbaceous plants, as may 

 have been planted in autumn, should be also protected at their 

 roots by spreading litter, fern, or straw over the surface, to 

 prevent the admission of frost, which to them would be ex- 

 tremely injurious, and to many even fatal. 



ALPINE AND RARE PLANTS REQUIRING PROTECTION. 



The Alpine plants in pots^ in frames or pits, or those which 

 are rare and require such protection, should be daily looked 

 over, and all appearance of damp removed. The glasses 

 should be kept constantly on them, unless in fine days, when 

 they may be partially removed. Such plants, while in an 



