HINTS FOR THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
235 
uring, before the roots have taken good hold of the soil, or the stems cover the 
urface. Well-rfoliaged shoots are a great means of preventing evaporation after 
iiey have once covered the soil, and hence they render an excess of moisture still 
ore hurtful. In our climate, moreover, the occurrence of long-protracted 
•idity is less prevalent than wet and cloudy weather. We are rarely visited 
ith such seasons as the spring of 1844 ; and when they do occur, it is an easier 
atter to shade our choice things, or employ some means of preventing eva- 
oration (which is always preferable to repeated waterings) during their con- 
' nuance, than it is to be ready with a protection to ward off every shower, 
orae cultivators lessen evaporation by mulching their borders, others by covering 
le soil immediately about the plants with small pieces of slate ; we have also 
nen shallow beds of scarlet Pelargoniums, and similar strong-growing plants, 
„)vered for the season with small round whitish pebbles from the sea-shore, for 
fie same purpose ; and others again, cover the whole bed with mats for a few 
ours in the middle of clear sunny days, and during dry winds, till the plants 
re firmly established. Upon the whole, then, we have little to fear from 
dry soil, compared with the evils that arise from one surcharged with 
loisture. 
We are fully persuaded, too, that the borders of the flower-garden are 
enerally made both too deep and of richer materials than the plants demand, 
’he proneness of half-hardy plants to assume a redundancy of vigour in the 
pen garden rather requires some reduction of the means by which it is engen- 
bred, than to increase stimulatives to further it. Flowers are the main thing 
joked for, and we only want a sufficient growth to promote their development, 
nd to cover the bed with shoots and foliage. The effects of a deep soil are 
lerely to allure the roots away from the surface, and gorge the entire system 
vith water, which cannot be assimilated, and is hence opposed to the furtherance 
'f a floriferous state. Some plants, as the TropcEolum tuherosum^ Nieremhergia 
^Inearis^ Scarlet Pelargoniums, Lobelia gracilis and other small-growing species, 
Wesemhryanthemmn tricolor^ and the hardy dwarf Gentians, require but a very 
light covering of soil, if a strata of lime-rubbish, charcoal, coal-ashes, broken 
)ricks, and similar bodies is laid beneath. At Ohatsworth many plants have 
xisted throughout the winter in the raised architectural beds in the Italian garden, 
vhilst the same kinds have perished in the adjacent borders. 
Another thing which ought to be studied is the contrivance of screens on the 
^nost exposed sides, particularly when the situation is subject to rough winds. 
3y recommending shelter, however, we must not be interpreted to include shade, 
lor yet to advise a confined situation. Few conditions can be less favourable 
kan a close stagnant atmosphere in a low place. The only shelter necessary is 
nerely sufficient to break the force of the strong sweeping winds which mutilate 
render things so excessively. In a moist place, in the bottom of a valley, a 
considerable play of air is useful in carrying off the noxious vapours and moisture 
i 
.1 
If 
