DOMESTIC GARDEN Ix\G. 
355 
connected with the situation now under con- 
sideration, which it will be necessary to refer 
to : — being entirely situated out-of-doors, the 
plants will receive whatever rain may fall ; 
this will sometimes be sufficient to maintain 
an equable moisture, but, at other times, will 
be found to be, either, far more than is requi- 
site, or less than a necessary supply ; it is the 
former of these two liabilities that particular 
attention must be directed to, as the want of 
water will, at all times, more obviously present 
itself, and will in consequence be less likely 
to become a source of injury. The point, 
then, requiring especial attention, consists in 
providing proper and sufficient drainage to 
prevent the stagnation of the water about the 
roots at these periods ; and this care is espe- 
cially necessary to their safety through the 
winter. Perhaps the best means of securing 
this end, and of ministering also to their 
nourishment in times of drought, is to add a 
few pieces of freestone among the soil, and to 
use this latter in a rough turfy state, — by no 
means removing the stones, or larger por- 
tions, or rendering it fine by any mechanical 
process. In summer, and also during a por- 
tion both of autumn and spring, the plants 
will be liable to suffer from want of water, 
not only in time of drought, but also in many 
cases after heavy rains ; the former will sug- 
gest of itself what is required, as well as the 
frequency of its application ; but in the latter 
case the real state of the soil will be less 
obvious — the rain would, in many instances, 
be averted by the leaves, and thus the sur- 
face only would become moistened, whilst the 
interior continued to be in a state of absolute 
dryness : this can only be ascertained by 
direct observation. Plants of this nature will 
be much benefited and refreshed by frequent 
dashings and sprinklings of water over the 
foliage, in the evenings of hot dry days in 
summer. As a means of protecting the roots 
both from heat and drought in summer, and 
from cold in winter, the effects of which are 
severally manifested on the foliage, there 
would be considerable advantage resulting 
from placing the pots, containing the plants, 
within ornamental vases, or stands ; or a 
double pot, of which several kinds are manu- 
factured, would serve a similar purpose. 
There are many plants which might be 
added to those mentioned for this situation 
during the summer, for the sake of decoration 
and variety : they are such as may also be 
chosen for the ivindow-ledge, and therefore 
one general notice of them will be sufficient. 
Window-ledge. — We are here introduced 
to a class of plants which require a more 
decided degree of preparation for their allotted 
station : this can, however, be accomplished 
by the agency of a common garden-frame, as 
it is only protection from frosts, and a very 
trifling degree of assistance in spring, which is 
requisite, to secure all that need be desired. 
Pelargoniums, and plants of similar habits, 
must be preserved by inducing uquiescent state 
of the vital functions, early in the autumn, and 
subsequently removing them beyond the 
reach of frost. To produce this state of in- 
activity in the vital powers, nothing is requi- 
site but the gradual cessation of watering 
from the beginning or middle of October, 
reducing the supply in a regular manner, so 
that by the end of November, it may be 
altogether withheld ; the plants, in the mean 
time, must be kept from being injured, even 
in the slightest degree, from the frosts which 
sometimes occur about this period; afterwards 
they should be placed away quite dry in any 
situation from which frost can be effectually 
excluded. Light is not an essential requi-ite 
in these winter quarters ; although, where it 
can be secured, it will not be injurious. In 
such a position, the plants should remain until 
about the end of February, no other care, 
beyond what has been already noticed, being 
afforded them, except as far as possible to 
prevent their being excited into growth. 
About that time they should be taken out, and 
the earth being carefully removed from them, 
they should be potted singly into pots, as 
small as the roots will admit of, the branches 
pruned and cleared of all decayed or super- 
fluous portions, and then removed to the 
frame, which from this time comes into requi- 
sition : here they should be shut up closely, 
with very slight applications of water; and 
night-coverings to secure them from frost ; 
and they may remain, without further trouble, 
until they have obviously commenced grow- 
ing ; they may then be repotted into larger 
pots, air gradually admitted, and the supply 
of water increased, as the season will permit ; 
the repotting being repeated when it becomes 
requisite. About the middle of May, or the 
beginning of June, as the weather and season 
may be favourable or otherwise, they should 
bear full exposure, and may be removed to 
occupy their summer quarters. A slight 
degree of heat, after potting, added to the 
protection afforded by the frame, would be an 
improvement, though it is not absolutely 
necessary. 
Fuchsias, Calceolarias, Verbenas, &c. will 
do well enough with treatment somewhat 
similar, varying the extent to which the dry- 
ing process is carried, according to their 
respective natures : the former, too, being 
deciduous (that is, shedding their leaves an- 
nually), may be preserved in any position 
devoid of light ; the others will be greatly 
benefited, if light, as well as protection, is 
afforded to them. Such plants as Myrtles, 
DD 2 
