The American Flower Garden Directory

The American Flower Garden Directory is, according to its full title, a work 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. The full title lists, among other things, a description of the plants most desirable in each, the nature of the soil and situation best adapted to their growth, and the proper season for transplanting.

Among other items, the full title mentions instructions for erecting a hot-house and green-house and for laying out a flower garden. The text gives a receipt for a liquid that is death to any of the Cocus tribe, made with two pounds of strong soap, one pound flour of sulphur and one pound of leaf tobacco, among other things. Certain roses are termed ever-blooming, being in flower from May until the buds are destroyed by frost. The text advises that where the branches are too crowded, the oldest wood should be cut out as close to the ground as is practicable.