182 CULTIVATION. 



The beds s?iould be prepared in September, 

 much in. the same way as is directed for the car- 

 nation. The surface should be raised two or 

 three inches above the natural level of the 

 ground, and laid rounding, or highest along the 

 middle, to throw off immoderate wet. The 

 plants should be put in about nine inches apart; 

 and, in order to have them strong, they should 

 be piped as early in the season as possible, and 

 soon as sufficiently rooted should be transferred 

 to a nursery bed, to gain strength before they 

 are put out for good. 



They may require occasional defence in rigid 

 weather, by hoops and mats ; and after being 

 hoed among in the spring, and the soil made 

 firm round their stems if necessary, receive a 

 covering of sifted rotten dung, about an inch 

 thick. This will be a source of nutriment to the 

 plants, and prevent the bed becoming too dry. 

 Vv^hen they throw up the flower stems, these 

 should be reduced in number according to the 

 size of the plant. The fewer there are allowed 

 to stand, the stronger will be those that are left. 



