INTRODUCTION. 41 



as long" as possible, the florist who wishes to excel 

 ill the art, and derive the utmost satisfaction from 

 the pursuit, should provide himself with every 

 necessary appendage for the purpose. The means 

 of temporary protection against rain, hail, or 

 snow, and awnings for the preservation of the 

 full-blown flowers, are both necessary. 



Stages, as well as beds, require these apper- 

 tinents. Few lovers of flowers, who take delight 

 in their cultivation, can grudge the expense of 

 proper means for both shade and shelter. Com- 

 mercial florists have arrangements for these pur- 

 poses on an extensive scale, embracing all the 

 advantages of convenience and utility : the ama- 

 teur, or flower-fancier, adopts as much of these 

 contrivances as is sufficient for his more limited 

 designs. 



For all bed-flowers, particularly hyacinths 

 and tuHps, the beds should be surrounded by 

 boarding from twelve to thirty-six inches high, 

 to give, for ease of examination, the necessary 

 elevation to the flowers. Staples driven in at 

 the corners and along the sides of this boarding 



