152 THE PLEASURE, OR [FEB. 



advance ; therefore the plants should be carefully defended from 

 frost and cold heavy rains. 



This must be done by a good covering of glass and mats, but 

 every mild and dry days the plants must be entirely uncovered. 



Any old decayed leaves, should be picked off as they appear, the 

 earth loosened at the top of the pots, some of it taken out and re- 

 placed with good fresh compost mould. This will encourage the 

 pushing of young roots, from immediately under the leaves, which 

 will greatly strengthen the plants. 



Be very cautious however, not to force those plants at this season, 

 for that would prevent their flowering in any tolerable perfection ; 

 all they require, is to be protected from severe frost, snow, cutting 

 winds and cold rains, they are to have no bottom heat whatever 

 nor are the glasses to be kept close in any kind of sun-shine, that 

 might produce a strong heat in the frame ; on the contrary, they 

 must get as much air as possible, by taking the glasses off every 

 sunny or mild day, and replacing them at night and in cold weather ; 

 and when you cannot take them totally off, raise them a little behind, 

 or slide them either up or down, at every favourable opportunity. 

 A little frost will not do them much injury, especially, until their 

 flower-buds begin to appear, but after that, they must be carefully 

 protected therefrom : cold heavy rains is their utter enemy at all 

 times, against which, you must carefully guard. 



Sow Auricula and Polyanthus Seeds. 



Auricula and polyanthus seed may be sown any time in this 

 month ; they will grow freely, and the plants from this sowing will 

 rise well. The seeds may be sown in boxes, or large pots filled 

 with light rich earth, and covered about the eighth of an inch deep j 

 then place the pots or boxes in a hot-bed frame at work, give them 

 frequent but light sprinklings of water, both before and after the 

 plans appear, and a reasonable proportion of air at favourable oppor- 

 tunities : by this means, you will have a fine crop of seedlings, 

 handsomely advanced, towards the beginning of May ; when, after 

 all danger from frost is over, (for these being tenderly raised, would 

 be subject to injury therefrom) take the pots or boxes out of the 

 frame, and place them where they can have only the morning sun 

 till ten o'clock, and that of the afternoon after five, during the re- 

 mainder of the summer. The mid-day sun you must carefully 

 guard against; for it would totally destroy your plants. 



Snails and slugs, being utter enemies to these plants, whilst in a 

 seedling state ; it will be necessary, BO soon as you sow the seeds, 

 and before placing the pots or boxes in a hot-bed, or under the pro- 

 tection of glasses without bottom heat, for either method will do ; 

 to make lines of short, coarse, strong hair, about half an inch or 

 better in diameter, to tie round each pot or box, immediately under 

 the rim ; the line being tied, trim the long loose hairs around it 

 with a pair of scissars, to a quarter of an inch in length, which short 

 prickly hairs will, as often as snails or the like approach it, in the 

 act of ascending the sides of the pots or boxes, prick them, cause 



