Part 1
THE AMERICAN
FLOWER GARDEN DIRECTORY,
CONTAINING
PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTURE OF PLANTS,
IN THE
=HOT-HOUSE, GARDEN-HOUSE, FLOWER GARDEN AND ROOMS OR PARLOURS,=
FOR EVERY MONTH IN THE YEAR.
With
A DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANTS MOST DESIRABLE IN EACH, THE NATURE OF THE SOIL AND SITUATION BEST ADAPTED TO THEIR GROWTH, THE PROPER SEASON FOR TRANSPLANTING, &c.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ERECTING A
Hot-house, Green-house, and laying out a Flower Garden.
ALSO
_Table of Soils most congenial to the Plants contained in the Work_.
THE WHOLE ADAPTED TO EITHER LARGE OR SMALL GARDENS,
WITH
LISTS OF ANNUALS, BIENNIALS, AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS,
CONTENTS, A GENERAL INDEX,
AND A FRONTISPIECE OF CAMELLIA FIMBRIATA.
By HIBBERT AND BUIST. EXOTIC NURSERYMEN AND FLORISTS.
PHILADELPHIA: E. L. CAREY & A. HART--CHESNUT STREET. BOSTON: ALLEN & TICKNOR. 1834.
PREFACE.
This volume owes its existence principally to the repeated requests of a number of our fair patrons, and amateur supporters, whose enquiries and wishes for a practical manual on Floraculture, at last induced us to prepare a work on the subject. That now offered is given unaffectedly and simply as a plain and easy treatise on this increasingly interesting subject. It will at once be perceived that there are no pretensions to literary claims--the directions are given in the simplest manner--the arrangement made as lucidly as was in our power--and the whole is presented with the single wish of its being practically useful. How far our object has been attained of course our readers must judge. Nothing has been intentionally concealed; and all that is asserted is the result of minute observation, close application, and an extended continuous experience from childhood. We pretend not to infallibility, and are not so sanguine as to declare our views the most perfect that can be attained. But we can so far say, that the practice here recommended has been found very successful.
Some very probably may be disappointed in not having the means of propagating as clearly delineated as those of culture; but to have entered into all the minutiæ connected therewith, would have formed materials for two volumes larger than the present. We might have described that branch, as it has already been done in works published both on this continent and in Europe. In one of the former it is said, "You may now propagate many kinds (_Exotic Plants_) by suckers, cuttings, and layers, which should be duly attended to, particularly such as are scarce and difficult to be obtained." And the directions given in one of the most extensive works in Europe on the propagation of an extensive genus, varied in character and constitution, run thus: "Cuttings of most kinds will strike root. From the strongest growing kinds, take off large cuttings at a joint, and plunge them in a pot of sand under a hand-glass in the bark bed. Of the smaller kinds take younger kinds, and put them under a bell-glass, also plunged in heat. The sooner the plants are potted off after they are rooted the better."
Such instructions to the inexperienced, are imperfect and unavailing, which, we flatter ourselves, is not the character that will attach to the present work. We are well aware that there are persons, who, to show their own superior abilities, may cavil and say that there is nothing new. To such critics it may be answered, if arranging, simplifying, digesting, and rendering Floraculture attainable by the humblest capacity, with useful lists and tables on a plan quite novel, as we believe--offer nothing new, it may at least be called an improvement. However, we submit all to a generous public, to whom we are already under many obligations.
HIBBERT & BUIST.
_Philadelphia, April 18th, 1832._
INTRODUCTION.
In presenting this work, constructed as a monthly calendar, which is the most simple and easy method to convey the necessary operations of the year, considerably more labour has been expended, than was at first expected, to render it as accurate as possible. Some verbal mistakes may have been overlooked in the botanical names. Where such occur, the list of names at the end of the volume will enable the reader to correct them; as well as the accentuation. For such other errors as may be discovered, the indulgence of the reader is solicited.
Frequently, in the description of plants, there are Botanical and English names compounded, in order the more clearly to elucidate their several parts to those who are not fully acquainted with scientific terms. The description of the colour of flowers and habits of plants will be useful to such as are at a great distance from collections, in enabling them to make selections judiciously.
Those plants described and recommended have all, with a few exceptions, passed under our own observation, and are generally such as are most worthy of attention, either for beauty of flower, foliage, or habit, together with those celebrated in arts and medicine. Many may possibly have passed unobserved, either from their being very generally known, or difficult to obtain; but in no case has there been suppression from selfish motives. Where the words "our collections" occur, it is meant for those of the country generally, and especially those immediately in the vicinity of Philadelphia. In all our observations, no regard has been paid to what has been written by others, either in the way of depreciation, or of particular appreciation. Perhaps some other cultivators may differ from us respecting culture and soil; however this may be, we rest satisfied, as our work is designedly and professedly given as the result of our own experience, the plan laid down is our own routine of culture, and the soils are those which we adopt. We do not say that there is no soil in which the plants will not grow better, fully aware that every art and profession is subject to improvement. The table of soils has been constructed at the expense of much labour, and condensed as much as possible; to every one that has a single plant it will be found invaluable. Many are the publications in Europe on Gardening and Floraculture, the directions in which, when practised in the United States, prove almost a perfect dead letter. A work adapted to the climate must be the guide in this country, and not one which is foreign to us in every respect. On this account a work like the present has been a desideratum, considering the rapidly increasing and interesting advancement of the culture of flowers amongst the fair daughters of our flourishing republic.
To aid them and others seeking information in this instructive and delightful pursuit--to enable them to examine more minutely, and judge more correctly of the qualities, properties, and beauties of plants--have been prominent objects in this publication. Here, as knowledge is increased, the warmer will be the devotion of the delighted student; and as the mind correspondingly expands, the desire for further information will keep pace--advancing constantly in the development of nature, the mind will participate in the enjoyment, and become meliorated and purified--as the study of nature's works inevitably lead to the contemplation of nature's God, and the result of the whole prove a harmonious combination of personal gratification and mental improvement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
=HOT-HOUSE.=
_JANUARY._ Page
Of Temperature, 9 Firing and Fuel, ib. Watering 11 Insects, to destroy, 12 Shifting Plants, 17 Cleaning do., &c., 19
_FEBRUARY._
Of Temperature, 33 Insects, 34 Shifting Plants, 35 Cleaning do. and House, 37
_MARCH._
General Observations, 56 Of Shifting Plants, 57
_APRIL._
Of Temperature, 168 Observations in general, 169
_MAY._
Of Repotting Plants, 219 Hot-house Plants described, ib. Of bringing out the Hot-house Plants, 255 Succulents 257
_JUNE & JULY._
General Observations, 272
_AUGUST._
Of Repotting, 284 Repairing the House, ib.
_SEPTEMBER._
Of Dressing the Plants, 298 Taking in do., ib.
_OCTOBER._
Of Airing and Temperature, 311
_NOVEMBER._
Of Temperature, 326 Cistern and Water, ib.
_DECEMBER._
Of Firing, 337 Shutters, ib. Placing Bulbs in the Hot-house, 338
=GREEN-HOUSE.=
_JANUARY._
Green-house, 20 Of Temperature, 21 Watering, ib. Camellia Japonica, 22 Oranges, Lemons, &c., 24 Cape Bulbs, &c., ib. Hyacinths, &c., 25
_FEBRUARY._
Of Temperature, 38 Watering, 39 Oranges and Lemons, ib. Bulbs, 40 Camellia Japonica, 41 Shifting, ib. Cleaning, &c., 43
_MARCH._
Of Temperature, 57 Watering, 58 Oranges and Lemons, ib. Myrtles and Oleanders, 59 Geraniums, 60 Herbaceous plants, ib. Cape Bulbs, ib. Repotting, 61 Enarching, 127
_APRIL._
Of Repotting, 170 Watering, ib. Oranges and Lemons, 171 Myrtles and Oleanders, 173 Geraniums, ib. Of Herbaceous Plants and Bulbs, 174 Flowering Plants, 175 Insects, ib. Flowering Stocks, 176
_MAY._
Of bringing out the Green-house Plants, 258 Repotting Plants, 259 Camellias, 264 Cape Bulbs, 265
_JUNE & JULY._
General Observations, 273
_AUGUST._
Of Geraniums, 286 Oranges and Lemons, 287 Pruning do., 289 Repotting Plants, ib.
_SEPTEMBER._
Of Repairing the House, 300 Watering, 301 Preparing for taking in the Plants, ib. Stocks and Wall-flowers, 302 Chrysanthemums, ib. Cape and Holland Bulbs, 303 Repotting, 306
_OCTOBER._
Of taking in and arranging the Plants, 312 Repotting, 313 Camellias, 315
_NOVEMBER._
Of Air and Water, 327 Tender Bulbs, 328
_DECEMBER._
Of Temperature, 340 Bulbous Roots, 341
FLOWER-GARDEN.
_JANUARY._
Flower Garden, 25
Of Framing, &c. 26 Pruning, 27
_FEBRUARY._
Of Pruning, 44 Planting Shrubs, 48 Hyacinths and other Bulbs, 51 Framing, ib.
_MARCH._
Of Planting Box Edgings, 130 Sowing Tender Annuals, 131 Sowing Hardy " 132 Sowing Biennials, 133 Planting Perennials, ib. Bulbous Roots, 152 Repotting Carnations, Pinks and Primroses, 153 Auriculas, 154 Ranunculus and Anemone, 155 Roses, planting, ib. Pruning Climbing Roses, 159 Planting Ornamental Shrubs, ib. Grass-plats and Walks, 160 Gravel-walks, 162 Fancy-edgings, ib. Grafting, 163
_APRIL._
Of Annuals, 178 Biennials and Perennials, 179 Dahlias, 180 China Roses, 182 Climbing " 189 " Plants, 196 Deciduous Shrubs, 199 Planting Evergreens, ib. Care of choice Bulbs, 201 Anemone and Ranunculus, 203 Auriculas, 204 Carnations and Pinks, ib. Polianthus tuberosa, 205 Jacobea Lily, &c. 207 Tiger-flower, 208 Walks, 209 Evergreen Hedges, 210 Box-edgings, 211 Grass-plats & Flowering-plants, 212
_MAY._
Of Annuals, hardy and tender, 266 Hyacinths and Tulips, ib. Anemone and Ranunculus, 267 Dahlia, Tuberose, and Amaryllis, ib. Auricula, Polyanthus and Primrose, ib. Wall-flower, double, 268
_JUNE AND JULY._
Holland Bulbs, 274
Autumn flowering-bulbs, ib.
Carnations and Pinks, 275 Of Laying Carnations and Pinks, 277 Pruning Roses, 278 Budding, 279 Watering, 281
_AUGUST._
Of Evergreen Hedges, 293 Carnations and Pinks, 294 Bulbous Roots, ib. Sowing Seeds of do. 295 " and gathering Seeds, 296
_SEPTEMBER._
Of Dahlias, 307 General care of Plants in pots, ib. Beds for Bulbous-roots, 308
_OCTOBER._
Of Planting various Bulbs, 317 " and transplanting, 302 Grass and Gravel-walks, 322 Planting Evergreens, ib.
_NOVEMBER._
Of Protecting Choice Bulbs, 329 Tuberose, Dahlia, Tigridia, and Amaryllis 330 Erythrinas, ib. Primrose and Daisy, 331 Choice Carnations, Pinks, and Auriculas, ib. Protecting Plants, 332 " Seeding-bulbs, 333 Planting Deciduous Trees and Shrubs, ib.
_DECEMBER._
General Observations, 342
ROOMS.
_JANUARY._
Rooms, 28
Of Temperature, ib. Watering, 29 Camellia Japonica, ib. Insects, 30 Bulbous Roots, 31
_FEBRUARY._
Of Temperature, 54 Hyacinths, 55 Camellias, ib.
_MARCH._
General Observations, 165
Of Flowering Plants, 166
_APRIL._
Of plants brought from the Green-house, 214 Flowering Plants, 215 Bringing Plants out of the cellar, ib.
_MAY._
Of Bringing out the Plants, 269 Cape bulbs, 270 Repotting, 271
_JUNE AND JULY._
General Observations, 282
_AUGUST._
General Observations, 296
Sowing Mignonette, 297
_SEPTEMBER._
Of a Stage for Rooms, 309
General Observations, 310
_OCTOBER._
Of taking in the Plants, 323 Bulbous roots, 324
_NOVEMBER._
Of Camellias, &c. 335
_DECEMBER._
An outline of culture of plants, 344
Index of Plants, 353
Description of Soils, 375
Table of Soils, ib.
On the construction of a Hot-house, 345, 348
" " " Green-house, 349
On laying out a Flower Garden, 349, 352
OMITTED IN MARCH.
_Jasmìnum_, Jasmine. A few species of this genus are celebrated either for the Green-house or Rooms. _J. odoratíssimum_, Azorian, has very sweet-scented yellow flowers, blooming from April to November. _J. revolùtum_ is the earliest flowering one, and of the same colour; it is apt to grow straggling, and should be close pruned as soon as done blooming, which will be about June. _J. grandiflòrum_ is frequently called Catalonian, and should be pruned early in spring to make it bloom well, especially old plants. _J. officinàle_ is a hardy climbing plant for arbours, walls, &c. There are several varieties of it, and it is reported there is a double one.
ERRATA.
Page 104, _dele_ "_L. Silaifòlia_ has leaves bipinnatifid and smooth; segments wedge-shaped and cut; _L. dentáta_ and _L. ilicifòlia_, are the finest;" and place it to "_Lomàtia_," page 103.
Page 321, ninth line from top, _dele_ "_Pèdulis_."
THE
AMERICAN FLOWER GARDEN
DIRECTORY.
Hot-House.
_JANUARY._
At all times be very careful of the temperature of this department, and more especially at this season of the year, as a few minutes' neglect might materially injure many of the delicate plants. The thermometer ought to range between 58° and 65°. In fine sunshine days, admit a little air by having some of the top sashes let down, one, two, or three inches, according to the weather, and let it always be done from eleven to one o'clock; but by no means in such a manner as to cause a draught in the interior of the house, which would be very prejudicial. Therefore be always cautious during cold weather, in administering that necessary element to vegetation, which is so conducive to health.
OF FIRING AND FUEL.
The Hot-house ought never to be left entirely to inexperienced persons, because they are not aware of what might be the result of inattention even for an hour. Attention to the following observations will obviate every difficulty. About this season of the year, frost generally sets in very severe in the middle states. Suppose the day may have all the clemency of spring, the night may be directly the reverse. Every precaution is necessary to guard against extremes. According to what was said last month, it is understood that the shutters are put on every night at sundown, and in severe weather, they must be put on as soon as the sun goes off the glass. If the shutters are omitted till late in severe frost, it will so reduce the heat of the house, that you cannot overcome it by fire until near midnight; and when done, the fire or fires have been made more powerful than they ought to be, proving uncongenial to the plants that are near the flues. The air, as above directed, having been taken off the house at one o'clock, as soon as the mercury begins to fall in the thermometer, kindle the fire, and supposing it is anthracite coal, in twenty minutes, with a good drawing furnace, the heat will operate in the house. If a coal fire, kindled about four o'clock, it will require an addition about six, and then may be made up again about nine or ten, which will suffice until morning. The quantity must be regulated by the weather. If the fuel is wood, it must be attended to three or four times during the evening; and when the mornings are intensely cold, one fire in the morning is requisite. When there are bad drawing furnaces the fires must be made much earlier, perhaps by two or three o'clock, which will be easily observed by the time the fire takes effect upon the air of the house. The temperature ought never to be under 55° of Fahrenheit.
OF WATERING THE PLANTS.
To do this judiciously, is so necessary to vegetation, and so requisite to understand, and yet the knowledge so difficult to convey to others (being entirely acquired by practice,) that if the power was in man to impart it to his fellow-men, he would possess the power of perfecting a gardener by diction. However, the hints on this important point of floraculture, will be as clear and expressive as can at present be elicited. All plants in this work that are aquatic, shall be specified as such; and those that are arid shall be duly mentioned. All others will come in the medium.
All the plants must be looked over every day, and those watered that appear to be getting dry on the top. It must be strictly observed not to give water to any but such as are becoming dry, and let it be given moderately at this season. Two or three days may perhaps elapse before it need be repeated. There is not so much liability to err at present in giving too little, as in administering too much. Vegetation amongst the stove or Hot-house plants will soon begin to show, and the soil will prove uncongenial if it is impregnated with stagnant moisture. Small plants should always be watered with a pot, having what is termed a rose upon it. The surface of the rose, that is, where it is perforated with small apertures, ought to be level, or a little concave, which would convey the water more to a centre, and make neater work, by preventing any water from being unnecessarily spilt in the house. The size of the pot will be regulated by the person to suit the conveniences of the place. Water, when applied either to the roots or foliage of the plants, should be about the medium temperature of the house. The cistern, built on the plan herein recommended, will always give this, and sometimes more, which can easily be reduced by adding cold water. Where there are no cisterns, a tank or barrel might be in the house, in which the water could stand for one night or more, as is most suitable. When water is given without being thus aired, it chills the roots, prevents a luxuriant growth, injures the fresh and healthful appearance of the foliage, and too frequently gives to all the plants a sickly hue.
OF INSECTS, THEIR DESTRUCTION, &c.