ON PROTECTING EXOTIC PLANTS THROUGH THE WINTER SEASON. 251 
would be necessary than to preserve them from damp and frost, and this object 
might be easily attained by covering them with the tarpauling before-mentioned. 
Under these circumstances, there can be little doubt that many of our exotic 
plants v^ould attain great perfection, and flower most abundantly in the summer ; 
while their novel appearance in the open ground, when divested of every trace of 
their winter covering, would certainly contribute much to the charms of the 
pleasure-grounds. We know of no genus of plants that would have a more 
splendid effect, or to which this treatment would be more congenial, than the 
beautiful Fuchsias, those universal favourites ; and, in extensive collections, a 
whole bed of a pretty considerable size might be most appropriately devoted to 
their culture. 
A prepared border in front of an ornamental wall, which latter might also be 
covered with exotics, would afford admirable facilities for protecting and cultivating 
many of the choice bulbs, herbaceous plants, and even dwarf shrubs, which are 
commonly kept in the greenhouse ; and we are convinced, that such a system of 
cultivation is not sufficiently regarded in these days of refinement in horticultural, 
as well as other processes. 
One important principle necessary in carrying either of these designs into 
effect, should not be lost sight of. It is that of commencing to cover the erection, 
of whatever kind it may be, at an early period, every night during the decline of 
the autumnal season ; for, by this practice, not only are early frosts guarded 
against, but the heat of the ground being much greater at tliis season than that of 
the air, is thus prevented from evaporating, and the plants are retained in their 
accustomed health and beauty much longer than they would otherwise be, and 
their branches and buds have a much better opportunity of arriving at a state of 
maturation previous to their powers being suspended. 
The principal objections to the practice here recommended, are, that the 
covering of the erection will have a rather unsightly appearance during the time it 
is found necessary to employ it ; and that, in very severe winters, a sufficient 
degree of light cannot be admitted to preserve the plants in a healthy state. We 
have previously shown how the latter may be in some measure obviated, and as 
the former is of very trifling importance at that dull season, we cannot allow it to 
influence our opinion. The system therefore has our cordial recommendation, not 
only as affording facilities for growing many beautiful plants, where otherwise 
they could not be admitted, — which is certainly of the greatest moment, — but also 
as a means of introducing a number of most ornamental exotics into the pleasure- 
grounds, which have hitherto been confined to the greenhouse or stove, and which, 
by being fully exposed to the atmosphere during the growing or summer season, 
and not having their roots confined in a pot, would luxuriate and flower more in 
their natural character, than any of those which were kept in a house could 
possibly do, even though they were supplied with every substitute for the great 
natural agents which the ingenuity of man could devise. 
