This section is from the book "Wrinkles And Recipes, Compiled From The Scientific American", by Park Benjamin. Also available from Amazon: Wrinkles and Recipes, Compiled From The Scientific American.
Choose those whose leaves are of a deep green, and in all cases those which are short and bushy, and have no bloom upon them. If, however, they are in bloom, cut off the flowers before planting, which will only delay the blooming a few days, and Will greatly strengthen the plant. If the plants have been reared in a greenhouse or under frames, keep them a few days before setting them in beds, placing them out of doors in the daytime, and taking them in at night, in order to make them hardy and prevent them suffering from the cool night air. If the plants are placed in a cold-frame, either before or after being planted in the beds, be careful to lift the frame during a great part of the daytime, otherwise the moisture which gathers on the inside of the glass will fall upon the plants and infallibly kill them by what is called dampness.
 
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