Dec, I 



THE FLOWER GARDEN 



91'; 



protected, either by covering the ground round them with lit- 

 tery dung, saw-dust, or coal-ashes. Where valuable or exotic 

 plants may have been planted and trained against walls, which 

 may be considered as an intermediate station between the 

 green-house and shrubbery, they should be protected at their 

 roots ; and the more effectually to secure them, a portable 

 glass-case might be made use of, which would sufficiently pro- 

 tect them till the return of spring. Such a compartment for 

 the cultivation of many interesting shrubs and trees, too tender 

 to stand unprotected with us, is much wanted; and indeed 

 portable conservatories of different sizes would have their uses. 

 All plants in pots should now be removed into cold frames or 

 pits before the first attacks of frost, as, if left unprotected, 

 many of them would be destroyed, although hardy enough of 

 themselves to resist extreme cold when planted in the natural 

 ground. While in such situations, they should have plenty of 

 air admitted daily, and only protected during nights and on 

 very severe days with glasses or reed-mats, which will effectually 

 protect them from cold, as well as heavy rains and snow. 



ALPINE PLANTS IN POTS. 



Continue to look over the collection of these plants, in 

 order that all appearance of decay may be removed, and that 

 they may not suffer either from an excess of moisture or be- 

 come too dry, which would, in either case, be extremely in- 

 jurious to them. 



AURICULAS, CARNATIONS, &C. IN POTS. 



The more valuable auriculas, carnations, &c., in pots, should 

 be often looked over, and all dead or decaying leaves removed, 

 and care taken that they suffer not from a superabundance of 

 moisture. Traps should be set, or other means used, to pro- 

 tect or rid them from the attacks of mice and other enemies, 

 which swarm round protected frames at this season. 



BULBOUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



Such of these as were not covered last month, should be 

 now done early in this month, for severe frosts will be found 



