THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



945 



all winter. To prevent the frosts from injuring the roots left 

 in the ground, they should be covered all winter with coal- 

 ashes, saw-dust, or littery dung, sufficiently thick to prevent the 

 frost from incrustating the ground beneath. Many cultivators 

 take the roots up, and pack them amongst dry mould ; while 

 others take them up and place them upon shelves, or other- 

 ways dispose of them till the season for planting. Others 

 bury them in pits, like potatoes, or pack them in ridges in 

 cellars amongst sand, or cover them with straw. It is im- 

 portant that they be disposed of, in whatever way they may be 

 kept, so that they may be preserved sufficiently moist to main- 

 tain the living principle, but not so moist as to hazard their 

 being rotted, nor yet injured by frost. 



During winter, but particularly during the first few weeks 

 after they are taken up, they should be often carefully ex- 

 amined, as they are more likely to become rotten when first 

 taken into the house, than afterwards. It is of little conse- 

 quence how or where they are kept during winter, so that they 

 be dry and secured from fi'ost. In advising that they be kept 

 in the ground during winter, we are aware that we deviate in 

 opinion from that of cultivators in general ; however, we do 

 not offer this opinion as being our own exclusive practice, as 

 many cultivators adopt the same, and have come to the same 

 conclusion, namely, that they produce their flowers much 

 sooner and stronger. In order to prevent their becoming too 

 bulky in the plant, a circumstance which follows this practice, 

 we prune off all the shoots as they come up, except one, two, 

 or three at most, according to circumstances, and continue 

 this pruning during their whole growth, so as to model them 

 into what size or form we choose. 



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