106 Manchester Botanic Garden. 
buds make their appearance, great care must be taken to shelter thein 
from hail-storms, heavy rains, or frosts; this may be done, by round 
pieces of board, about 12 inches in diameter, having a stick passed 
through the centre of each board. These being stuck in the bed, by the 
side of the bulb, will form a cap over the top of the flower-bud, which 
can be raised higher at pleasure. This method, I have found far prefer- 
able to covering the bed with either hoops and mats, or awning, until 
the flowers are much more advanced ; for I have proved by experience, 
that either of the latter means are apt to draw up the stems so weak, as 
to render them almost incapable of bearing the cups, and at the same 
time so weakening to the bulb, that it will be at least a year or two, be- 
fore you are able to produce a good bloom again. 
As soon as the colours of the flowers begin to show themselves, it is 
necessary to cover the bed with an awning, as their exposure to either 
sun or rain would cause the colours to run and mix, and by this means, 
spoil the beauty of the flowers ; but as soon as the flowers begin to fall, 
the sheet must be again removed, and all seed-pods broken off, which 
will greatly strengthen tlie bulbs. They must be allowed to remain until 
the upper part of the stem becomes dry and withered, and the foliage 
wears a yellow hue ; as soon as this is observed, commence taking them 
up. Lay them on boards under cover, in a dry, airy situation, and let 
them remain until the following season for planting. 
I am, Gentlemen, 
Yours, &c. 
Pitsmoor, Jidy^nfh, 1831. John Revell. 
Article VI — Descrijytion of the Botanic and Horticultural 
Garden, Manchester. Communicated by Mr. William 
Mowbray, F.H.S., the Curator. 
(tENTLEMEN, 
Most willingly I comply with your wishes, in sending a 
Plan of the garden under my superintendence, for insertion in the next 
number of the Horticultural Register ; and I shall be happy at all 
times, (when in my power) to cast in my mite to assist a AA'ork, which 
will doubtless prove of great utilitjr in promoting the interests of Eng- 
lish Horticulture. I the more readily do this, at the present moment, 
as I know many persons are expecting to see an account of our 
gai'den in some one of the forthcoming periodicals. 
On examination of the Plan, it will perhaps appear that the walks 
and some of the di\'isions, do not look so well as could have been de- 
