14 
CULTIVATION OF TENDER EXOTICS IN THE OPEN AIR. 
This will be ample enough for all the plants that can be introduced to it, as, if 
there were more, it would merely increase the liability to saturation ; and the 
necessity for allowing the roots of shrubby species to strike deeper, for the sake of 
making them more impervious to frost, will be obviated by strewing a quantity of 
dry litter over the surface of the soil while winter lasts. 
In the choice of compost for such a border, regard must, of course, be had to the 
tribe of plants wished to be grown. A miscellaneous and mixed collection is, 
liow^ever, so much to be desired, that all which can be done on this head is to prepare 
a soil that will be generally suitable, and add any ingredient in the spot where 
particular species are to be planted that may be deemed requisite. Bearing in mind 
the circumstance to which we have already alluded, that there will be a perpetual 
disposition in plants so exposed to imbibe moisture too freely, and considering, 
farther, that exuberance will be an unavoidable result of unlimited supply ; while we 
know that succulence and great luxuriance are both to be shunned, we shall do well 
to select an earth which is not peculiarly rich in nutriment, or of an adhesive or 
boggy nature. The common soil of the garden is by no means to be used. A fine 
light loam, taken from the field, and having all its vegetable constituents decom- 
posed by lying in the compost-yard for a year previously, should be the principal 
ingredient, or nearly two-thirds. To this may be added about one-third of open 
heath soil, that has been similarly exposed to the atmosphere, and a small quantity 
of sand will complete the composition. 
If it be fancied that such attention to soil is needless, it should be remembered 
that fully as much pains would have been bestowed on the plants had they been 
potted. In fact, the kind of compost which would have been given to them when 
in pots, will be a good criterion for determining the quality of that allowed them 
in the border ; since the last should be somewhat less nutritive, owing to the liberal 
manner in which it will be afforded, and the stronger stimulation, by means of 
more water and direct solar agency, to which they will be subjected. 
As an appropriate conclusion to this paper, we shall point out, generally, the 
kinds of plants to which such treatment is applicable, reserving for a future occasion 
the specification of a few to which our attention has been strongly directed. 
Taking a comprehensive view, it may be observed that evergreen shrubs are least 
of all adapted for the purpose. There are no plants that can be so disadvan- 
tageously covered in the winter as evergreens ; for it is at that season they exhibit 
their greatest beauty. Neither are there any which are so susceptible of damage, 
on account of the constant verdure of their foliage, and the more extensive 
circulation of their fluids during winter. 
AmonP' the deciduous sorts of shrubs, there is a class which will bear to have 
their shoots killed annually, and renew them in much greater numbers and vigour 
in the ensuing spring. The genus Fuchsia may be noticed as presenting an example 
of the kind. All the Fuchsias would be excellent subjects for assisting in composing 
a border of the description herein treated of. By fastening a little dry hay, or 
