308 THE PLEASURE, OR [MARCH 



ing, before they begin to vegetate ; during this period they become 

 very much swollen by imbibing the moisture of the soil, and are in 

 this state extremely susceptible of injury from frost, much more so 

 than when vegetation has actually taken place. 



As soon as the bed is planted, if hard frosts are likely to ensue, a 

 sufficient quantity of dry straw should be placed near it, ready for 

 covering when necessity requires, which should be kept on only dur- 

 ing severe frosts, or such as would be likely to penetrate to the roots, 

 as the effects of covering too long or too much would be as destruc- 

 tive as the reverse, by causing the roots to become mouldy, than 

 which nothing can be more prejudicial. 



Anemones are somewhat hardier than ranunculuses, and therefore 

 do not require so particular care, but if such is afforded them, it will 

 cause them to blow in greater perfection. 



PLANTING BULBS OF VARIOUS KINDS. 



As* early in this month as possible, finish planting all your hardy 

 kinds of bulbous roots, such as hyacinths, tulips, polyanthus-narcis- 

 sus, jonquils, star of Bethlehem, &c. &c., as they must be consider- 

 ably weakened by being kept too long unplanted, observe the direc- 

 tions given on pages 93 and 94, under the article tulips. 



AURICULAS. 



The first favorable weather that occurs in this month, divest the 

 auricula plants of their exterior decayed leaves, and by the middle 

 of the month, the operation of earthing up, as it is termed, should 

 commence; that is to say, the surface earth of the pot should be 

 taken away about one inch deep, and fresh compost, with the addi- 

 tion of a little loam, should be substituted in its stead : this will con- 

 tribute greatly to the strength of the plants and the vigor of their 

 bloom ; at the same time it will afford a favorable opportunity to sepa- 

 rate such offsets as shall appear possessed of a sufficiency of fibres to 

 be taken off at this early season : these offsets, when properly planted 

 in small pots, should be placed in a frame, in some warm sheltered 

 situation, till their roots are established. 



The fine auriculas should now be protected from very severe frost, 

 cold cutting winds, or excessive rains, for these would injure them 

 and prevent their blowing in good perfection ; but they must have 

 plenty of air in mild weather, and not be debarred from warm mode- 

 rate showers of rain, which will now prove beneficial. 



When the weather proves very dry, let them be refreshed mode- 

 rately with water, just to keep the earth a little moist about their 

 roots, but too much would materially injure them. For their fur- 

 ther treatment see next month, &c. 



SOWING AURICULA AND POLYANTHUS SEEDS. 



If yon have neglected last month to sow auricula and polyanthus 

 seeds, to raise new varieties, sow them as early as possible in this, 

 agreeably to the directions given on page 176. 



