THE MANUAL OF GARDENING, 
19 
cultural purposes; we are not aware that any satisfactory expe- 
riments have been made with it in this country, but its qualities 
are about to be fully tested. A great object in the rearing of 
flowers should be not to overload them with rich or watery 
food, or they will abound in leaves while the number of flowers 
will be scanty. They must have plenty of light and sun till 
half-blown, after which they should be shaded to preserve their 
colours. Plants differ as much in their nature as animals, and 
therefore no rule can be laid down indiscriminately : some flow- 
ering plants require a highly nutritive soil, others again succeed 
best in a meagre one ; we shall point out the proper soil for each 
when speaking of the individuals. Many plants flourish best in 
a dry or sandy soil, while to others a damp, adhesive, or reten- 
tive soil is equally beneficial. There are some few flowers 
which delight in a shaded situation; but the great majority only 
produce a great abundance of fine flowers when fully exposed 
to the sun’s rays. Many flower- roots require protection during 
severe frosts, others will endure the utmost rigour of the winter 
with impunity ; no general rule therefore can be given; but the 
nature and wants of each class will be pointed out under their 
general heads. 
For more general information concerning manure, the site 
most advantageous for a garden, soils, &c., see what is said in 
our Kitchen Garden , where these topics are fully gone into. 
In the present work, the method of managing plants in pots is 
particularly attended to, pointing out which sorts are best 
adapted for that kind of culture. Pots form the whole flower 
garden of many individuals, and a very pretty show and succes- 
sion may be produced, with common attention. It is now usual 
to buy each plant when at its perfection, and then permit it to 
die; but by attending to the rules laid down in the succeeding 
pages, many plants may be reared, at a much less expense, and 
kept from year to year ; and as plants often become favourites, 
this is not only less expensive but more pleasing. 
BULBS IN WATER GLASSES.— The kinds of Bulbs best 
adapted for water-glasses, are all the species of the Narcissus, 
the Hyacinth, the early dwarf Tulip, the Jonquil, both large 
Dutch and common Iris, both the Persian and the Dwarf Scotch 
Crocuses, and in short any of the similar sorts. You must com- 
mence by procuring glasses of the proper sort, of w'hich there 
are many forms, but the one in general use is the least expensive, 
and perhaps the best; certainly it is the most convenient. Those 
with dark glasses are most congenial to the roots, but the trans- 
parent glass exhibits the progress of growth, which is no small 
portion of the pleasure of the culture; and at any time between 
October and January (after which the bulbs, if kept out of the 
