April^ CARE OF CHOICE BULBS. 85 



ciallj large plants. If the weather sets in dry and hot, they 

 should be watered as often as necessity shall direct. 



Those that are established, it will be necessary to go over 

 them (if not already done) to cut off all wood killed in 

 winter, and also to thin them if too thick and crowded. 



When the above is done, let every part of the shrubbery 

 be dressed off as directed in March. Shrubs of all kinds 

 will now begin to look gay and lively, which may be very 

 much . heightened or depreciated, according to the state in 

 which the ground and contiguous walks are kept. Always 

 keep in view that weeds are no objects of beauty. 



CARE OF CHOICE BULBS. 



Hyacinths of the earliest sorts will begin to expand and 

 show their colors; of which we can boast of a few as fine 

 sorts in the vicinity of Philadelphia as in any garden of 

 Europe; but even these very superior sorts, when in bloom, 

 are too frequently neglected, being allowed to stand without 

 rods, stakes, or any means of support, likewise equally ex- 

 posed to drenching rains and scorching suns ; and the finest 

 collections may be seen after heavy rains prostrate on the 

 ground, whereas a few hours' trouble would give them the 

 requisite support, thereby preserving their beauty much 

 longer, and giving more gratification. As soon as the stems 

 advance to any height, they should be supported by wires, 

 rods, &c., and tied slightly thereto with threads of matting, 

 or any other substitute; repeat the tying as they advance, 

 avoid tying among the florets, because they grow by exten- 

 sion, and are liable to be broken off by so doing. The sun 

 deteriorates the colors very much, especially the red, blue, 

 and yellow sorts; whereas, if they were simply protected 

 from the sun by an awning of thin canvas, the colors would 

 be preserved and the beauty protracted. If there are stakes 

 drove into the ground on each side of the beds, about three 

 feet high, with others in the centre about eight feet, having 

 laths or hoops from the side to the centre, formed similar to 

 the roof of a house, so that people may walk or sit under it, 

 the canvas or awning being thin to admit of the light freely, 

 the effect in the time of sunshine, from the brilliancy of the 

 colors, is peculiarly gratifying. Where an awning is thus 

 8 



