Feb.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 161 
them to change their course, and thereby finally protect the young 
plants from enemies, which would in a few hours, totally eat up the 
finest crops, particularly the auriculas. 
Tulips, Hyacinths, Anemones and Ranunculuses. 
Defend the beds of the more curious or valuable tulips, hyacinths, 
anemones, and ranunculuses, from frost, snow, and cold or excessive 
rains; the plants will now begin to appear above ground; and the 
beds wherein the finest of these flower-roots are planted, should now, 
where intended, and if not done before, be arched over with hoops; 
and in frosty, or extremely bad weather, let mats or canvas be drawn 
over them, in some measure to defend the advancing flower-buds. 
This, where it can be conveniently done, should not now be 
omitted to the choicer kinds, when required to have them blow 
in their utmost perfection; for, although they are hardy enough, 
yet, being protected in their early flower-buds from inclement 
weather, both in this and the next month, the blow will be much finer 
than if fully exposed; however, this care is not necessary for the 
common kinds, either in beds or borders. 
The early anemones and ranunculuses which were planted in 
September or early in October, and are consequently in a considerable 
state of forwardness, will still require greater protection than such 
as were late planted; for the rudiments of their flowers being in a 
somewhat advanced state, would be greatly injured, if too much ex- 
posed, especially to the great extremes of our mid-day sun, and the 
severe nigh, frosts prevalent at this season; therefore by protecting 
them carefully from the rigeur of the one, you do not expose them 
so much to the power of the other; but when both are suffered to 
act alternately with their full respective force, upon these, as well as 
upon many other of the more tender kinds of flowers and esculents, 
a disorganization of their parts is the immediate consequence, and an 
untimely death their ultimate end. This is a " golden rule," which 
ought to be assiduously observed, with respect to every plant that is 
not sufticienily hardy to bear the frosts of our rigorous winters. 
For the convenience of affording all the above choice kinds, a 
suitable protection, they ought to be planted in beds of rich compost 
mould, surrounded with a hot-bed or other temporary frame; with 
tanner's bark or other protection drawn up on the outsides thereof, all 
round, as high as the upper parts; which will prevent the frost 
from penetrating and injuring the plants next the frame. Over this 
frame, you can lay a covering of boards and mats, when necessary, 
or if you have not mats, straw or other suitable covering may be 
used. Frost will enter the beds, notwithstanding this kind of care, 
but not in sufficient force to do much injury, for these plants are 
tolerably hardy, and require only to be protected from its too pow- 
erful influence, as well as that of the sun's. 
The plants must be exposed to the full air constantly, except 
while freezing sufficiently strong to bind up the earth, and at night, 
or during the prevalence of cold heavy rains or snow. Such of the 
preceding, and other hardy bulbs, &c. as yet remain out of ground, 
X 
