122 
THE FLORIST. 
But notwithstanding all that we can do by planting trees and shrubs 
on elevated ground and dry soil, by way of acclimatising them— 
and most certainly this should be our first step—protection from wind 
alone being regarded as of consequence ; we should take every means to 
obtain our seeds or seedling plants from as cold a climate as the tree will 
grow in, or occupies indigenously; and in preparing the seedling plants, 
by no means coddle them by hothouse, or even greenhouse treat¬ 
ment ; but raise and keep them hardy from their first development into 
plants, until the period for planting ; their growth will be slower, but 
you will lay the foundation of as hardy a constitution as can be given 
to them. I do not wish to be understood as saying this treatment will 
make the plants more hardy than is natural to them; for all plants 
will bear only a certain limit of cold, prescribed to each by nature herself. 
But you certainly will not make them more tender; and that is the point 
to insist upon, not only in their preparatory stage, but in their after cul¬ 
ture, and that forcing them to grow beyond the power of the solar heat 
of our climate to ripen their wood is an evil which tells its own tale, by 
making them much more susceptible of injury from our winters than 
they otherwise would be. 
Above all, avoid damp valleys for proving plants on which there 
is any doubt; to the inexperienced they may appear warmer and 
more sheltered, but the damp atmosphere common to low situations is 
inimical to the maturation of the current year’s wood, on which the 
hardiness of the plant or tree will mainly depend, and its chances to 
longevity increased. 
S. 
THE OHIO SQUASH. 
This is a vegetable which I think deserves to be more generally 
known and cultivated than it is; it is very nice—far superior in flavour 
to the common Vegetable Marrow. I am of opinion that it is more 
nutritious, and what is of great importance, is, that it keeps a long time 
after being cut; they were used here last winter up to February, and 
were favourites to the last; how much longer they might have kept, 
provided I had stored more of them, I cannot say. For winter use, I 
cut them when they attain a measurement of from 18 to 24 inches in 
circumference, and I very seldom find one decay; I merely place them 
on shelves, in a dry situation, secure from frost. For cottagers, whose 
stock of winter vegetables is often limited, this Squash will be found 
most valuable, and anybody who can command two or three barrowfuls 
of well-rotted manure may grow it successfully; it may even be trained 
over hedges or other fences. Everyone to whom I have given them 
appreciates them highly. 
CUCUMIS. 
