22 FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTII. 
with just sufficient protection as may be requisite to preserve them 
from being frozen. A severe frost injures the embryo flower. Give 
air on all favonrable occasions. These are the general rules to bear 
in mind this month, and should be strictly adhered to if the weather 
be severe, but if the temperature of the atmosphere is generally mild, 
then the supply of water may be gradually increased, as the plants will 
have been excited, and if suffered to languish at this time the strength 
and beauty of their bloom will be much impaired. Most people who 
raise seedling Auriculas sow the seed in the early part of this month, 
although some defer the practice until a month or six weeks later, 
when light and warmth have increased, and when less care attends 
them. Polyanthuses may be treated similarly, remembering they are 
not so easily affected by moisture, but as soon receive injury if in want 
of it. Carnations and Picotees require air as freely and water as 
sparingly as possible. The taste for these beautiful and highly fra- 
grant flowers is much increasing, and we are glad of it; few are so 
inviting. If you have not yet, as we have recommended, bought in 
those you intend to do, delay no longer, or you may be disappointed, 
or put off with inferior plants. Our accounts of the flower shows and 
notes of new flowers will furnish you with useful information of their 
quality. These are a few of the best of the new ones we saw—Scarlet 
Bizarres: Lord Radcliffe (Holliday’s); Hamlet (Hepworth’s). Crimson 
Bizarres: Thomas Hewlett (Holliday’s); Sarah Payne (Ward’s). 
Purple Flakes: Earl Spencer (Barringer’s). ose Flakes: Ariel 
(May’s). Picotee, red-edged: Gem (Youell’s); Jenny Lind (Ed- 
mund’s) ; King James (Headly’s). Purple-edged: Amy (Burrough’s) ; 
Miss Dake (Barringer’s), Rose-edged: Venus (Headly’s). 
Pinks and Pansies in beds having had a thin layer of light sod 
around them require little more attention now than seeing that the 
lateral branches are secured by pegs so as to steady them from injury 
by wind, and if it comes on very severe place a flower-pot over each, 
taking care to remove them on the first favourable change. Fir or 
Yew branches, a foot or so high, pricked round the bed is an excellent 
protection from wind, and a few stuck in among the plants is useful in 
severe weather. A sprinkling of soot over the bed tends to preserve 
the Pinks from rabbits and snails. Pinks or Pansies in pots should be 
uncovered in mild weather, so that they may receive the benefit of 
free air and gentle showers. Ranuneuluses and Anemones planted 
last autumn may be protected from injury by frost, if garden mats are 
secured over the bed. The bed for planting in next month should 
now be turned over for the last time, pick out all worms, and give it a 
slight sprinkling of lime, then spread the bed evenly, and it will be 
consolidated by the planting period. Choice Hyacinths may be pro- 
tected by similar means, or by placing an inverted garden-pot over 
each. Dahlia roots stored safely from frost are not necessarily secure 
from decay, but require examination to remove all that seem damping 
or shrivelling, potting them in rather dry soil, and placing them in a 
warm frame. The best sorts, of which a large stock is desired, will, 
about the latter part of the month, require potting and placing in the 
frame, gradually inducing them into activity. Zudips still require to 
