HINTS FOR THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
2;34 
grounds. Such cases often exist ; they are, however, easily remedied by passing 
drain along the upper side to intercept the flow. Now, this is a matter ^ 
much importance, especially in a wet season ; although it is one seldom looked ti 
Other drains may carry the water away freely, but the water in its passage rol; 
the ground of a portion of its heat. A drain on the upper side prevents more wi| 
from entering the soil than what falls immediately upon it ; and must therefoi 
assist largely in keeping up its temperature. 
The necessity for forming other drains will of course depend on the natui 
of the soil and subsoil. In a clayey ground they will be indispensable, and 
will likewise be needful to adopt some means of ameliorating the mechanic;, 
texture of the earth, so as to render it sufiiciently pervious to air and moisturi| 
to enable it to carry a healthy vegetation. Sand, or the scrapings from a flit 
road, vegetable and coal ashes, are amongst the best substances that can be usee 
And where they can be obtained in suffleient plenty, light loamy earth, decayin' 
leaves, and heath-soil, or the refuse from charring stacks will be found highl 
beneficial. I 
To promote the utility of these preparatives in the general improvement (? 
the soil, particular care should be employed in forming the beds severally. Aj 
least a foot of loose stones, covered with brick and lime rubbish, or other sul 
stance capable of furthering drainage, should be laid in the bottom of each beej 
Tlie advantage of this is greater than most people imagine. Nothing can p 
more injurious to tender plants in the open border than an accumulation of wat^ 
about their roots : it produces a coldness in the soil, which, in spring especialljj 
is so far mischievous that it frequently effects the destruction of the plant, anj 
generally causes an inertness, which is not recovered from for some time. Mor^ 
over, although, as the season advances, and the soil gains a little warmth, tli| 
plants may recover, yet they will then imbibe so much ichorous matter that the^ 
will be forced into crude growth, producing nothing but gross stems and leave{[i 
which, on the recurrence of a long period of rainy weather, often assume a yelloi 
aspect. These are, perhaps, extreme cases ; but all who have had much experiencj 
in the outdoor culture of tender plants, are well aware that degrees of the sam|i 
evil are constantly witnessed in retentive soils and confined humid places. 
familiar instances, we need only mention the gross plethoric growths of thj 
common varieties of Petunia and Pelargonium^ particularly the scarlet kinds. Jjj 
is, indeed, as necessary to provide a quantity of broken porous materials t! 
carry off superabundant water from the beds of a flower-garden, as it is t| 
employ drainage in the bottoms of flower-pots ; or, if possible, it is more so, foj 
we may regulate the supply of water to the pots, but we cannot cover our flowei| 
beds from the rain. ' 
There is less danger of greenhouse plants suffering from drought in th 
borders in summer, than through an excess of humidity. The only period a 
which even an excessive dryness proves injurious to any considerable extent is 
