6 
KENDALL AND WHITNEY'S 
By the middle of May, the seedlings will be ready for transferring to the beds 
or borders where they are to bloom ; but before this is done, the plants should be 
"hardened off," in order to prepare them for the change. This is effected by 
gradually giving the plants more air, and, when the weather is favorable, remov- 
ing the sashes wholly during the day ; or, if more convenient, removing them to 
a cold frame, where they can be fully exposed in the day-time, and protected at 
night with a covering of mats. Much must be left to the judgment of the culti- 
vator ; the object being to prevent the plants from being injured by a too sudden 
exposure to the open air. 
BIENNIALS AND PERENNIALS. — Biennial and perennial plants are almost 
indispensable additions to the flower-garden, displaying their blossoms early and 
late, succeeding and even flowering with the spring bulbs, and continuing long 
after the frost, has destroyed the hardiest annuals. They are so easily cultivated, 
and require so little care, that they must be ranked as the most permanent and 
showy objects of the flower-border. We only need name the Larkspur, Phlox, 
Coreopsis, &c, as a few among the many elegant groups. 
Biennials are those plants that generally do not flower until the second year, and 
after blooming die. These include many splendid species, such as the Foxglove, 
Canterberry Bells, Sweet Williams, Hollyhocks, &c. Perennials are plants which 
do not bloom until the second year, but continue to bloom for years in succession, 
and may be propagated, after once obtained, by division of the roots, growing 
more vigorously and flowering better if divided. 
The proper time for sowing the seeds of hardy kinds is in April or May, in 
order to obtain a good strong growth the first year, and a greater abundance of 
flowers the second ; but the sowings may be continued with success as late as 
August. Whether the seeds are sown in beds or in the border, the young plants 
should be thinned out, and afterwards transplanted, giving them more room, and 
encouraging a vigorous growth by hoeing, watering, &c. On the approach of 
severe frosty weather, protect the plants with a light covering of leaves or coarse 
manure, and the succeeding year they will blossom in great profusion. 
THE SOIL AND ITS PKEPARATION. 
The best soil for annuals, and for most flowering plants, whether biennials or 
perennials, is a light, rich loam. In such they grow readily, and attain to great 
perfection of bloom, with but little care. By the application of proper manures, 
or sand or clay, they can be brought to such a condition as to answer all the pur- 
poses of a flower-garden. Deep and thorough trenching in the autumn, if possi- 
ble, and the application of very old decayed manure or leaf-mould, will give the 
amateur a well-prepared and suitable soil. 
Where the soil is too light, a thin layer of clay, if to be had, should be spread 
over the surface in the autumn, and dug in, after being pulverized by the winter 
frosts, in the spring. This, with the use of old manure— that which has lain a 
year or more, and been frequently turned over till it becomes thoroughly decayed 
—will keep the garden in good condition. No unvarying rules can be given ; 
much must be left to the judgment of the amateur. He must understand that the 
soil of a good garden shdulcl be deep, w T ell pulverized, friable and rich. 
When the flower-garden is to be a specialty, then more pains ought to be taken, 
and those who are about to do this, if they have not the requisite information, 
will consult something more than a catalogue. Our hints are intended for the 
mass of the people who love flowers, and do not wish to incur great expense in 
the gratification of their taste. To the former class we recommend Breck's 4 'New 
Book of Flowers." 
PEEIOD EOE SOWING. 
This must depend much upon the season, as well as the locality. As a general 
rule, the proper time to commence sowing is about the middle of April, though a 
few sorts may be planted as soon as the ground can be got ready ; and, for a sue- 
