46 FLORAL OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. 
dig out a space half a yard deep, and put all over the bottom a layer of 
cow manure five or six inches deep ; after which fill up with the proper 
compost (see articles upon). Auriculas and Polyanthuses in pots 
should have plenty of air in fine weather ; take off a portion of the 
surface soil, and fill up with a rich compost (see last month’s Calendar 
for these as well as on Carnations, Picotees, and Tulips). Be careful 
that the latter-named plants be firmly secured in their positions, so that 
they be not damaged by wind. A small protection against strong . 
wind should be provided on the bed side and most exposed; and Car- 
nations will require more water now. Pinks, take care to secure them 
from being blown and twisted by wind ; a few sticks pricked among 
the plants will steady them. Press the soil to the plants. Stir the 
surface of the beds occasionally. Heartsease in beds should have a 
similar protection, and a little fresh soil spread over the bed. Auri- 
cula seed should be sown in a light loamy soil, and the pots or boxes 
be placed in a cool pit; the surface must be made even by pressure 
with the bottom of a pot; keep the surface just moist whilst the seed 
vegetates. Now is the time to make a plan of the flower garden, par- 
terre, &c., and to mark each bed with the kind of flowers required, and 
then to prepare a stock to furnish accordingly, whether from the sowing 
seed or otherwise, as with Verbenas, &c. 
IN THE FORCING FRAME. 
Sow seeds of the tender annuals, as Balsam, Amaranthus, Cocks- 
comb, &c., in pots, and the half-hardy kinds, as Asters, Stocks, &c., 
either in pots or upon a bed of soil, &c. When sown in pots, do not 
water the surface at the time, but after a few days, if the soil be dry, a 
gentle sprinkling may be given, and afterwards, till the plants are up, 
great care must be taken to keep it moist, for when once softened, if 
the seeds become dry, destruction soon follows. Gardenias should be 
forced now, as also other similar plants. (See list in Stove depart- 
ment. 
ent of Hemimeris, Salvias, Heliotropes, Geraniums, Lotus, 
Bouvardias, Anagallis, Verbenas, Petunias, and such like plants for the 
open beds in summer should immediately be struck, or the plants will 
be too weak to answer the purpose. If cuttings were put off in 
autumn they should now be potted off singly into small pots, they will 
then be well established by turning out time; any long ones amongst 
them should be stopped to induce laterals and make bushy plants. 
Dahlia roots should be immediately put to force; if increase is 
requisite, take off the shoots when about four inches long. 
Dahlia seed should be sown in pots, and only just covered. Lobelias, 
too, should be potted singly at the close of the month to have them 
vigorous by turning out time. Boxes and pots of Mignonette for suc- 
cession should be sown. Achimenes, Gesnerias, Gloxinias, &e., should 
be introduced to promote their immediate growth, and as soon as the 
plants have pushed, pot them, singly or otherwise, as desirable. Ama- 
ryllis, &c., may be excited in like manner. Hyacinths, &c., approach- 
ing bloom, must be placed in an airy, light situation, and to those in 
glasses give a change of water every three or four days. At the 
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