286 THE PLEASURE, OR [MARCH. 



Tulips. 



When your choice tulips, appear above ground, if on examina- 

 tion any distemper, or canker, is discernable on the foliage, about 

 this time, either above or a little below the surface of the 

 soil, it should be carefully cut out, with a sharp knife, and the wound- 

 ed part left exposed to the sun and air, which will presently heal 

 it : a fine dry day should be made choice of for the foregoing 

 operation. 



If the surface of the beds appear, to be of too close and solid a 

 texture, it should be carefully stirred up, about two inches deep, 

 which will admit the air more freely to the stems, give vent to their 

 exudations and encourage their growth. 



Should the weather prove extremely severe, a slight covering of 

 mats, placed on arched hoops over the beds, will be very serviceable 

 to them. But this care or attention, is not necessary for the com^ 

 mon kinds, growing promiscuously in the borders, &c. 



Ranunculus's and Anemone's. 



Continue to protect your choice kinds of early planted Ranuncu- 

 lus's and Anemone's as directed in page 153, they will now require 

 particular attention, as the rudiments of their flowers will be ad- 

 vancing, which would suffer greatly, if too much exposed to nipping 

 frosts. 



Finish planting the Ranunculus's and Anemone's that are yet 

 kept out of ground for a successional bloom ; which is to be done 

 agreeably to the directions given in October. 



Ranunculus roots will remain in the ground several days after 

 planting, before they begin to vegetate ; during this period, they 

 become very much swelled, 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 

 during severe frost, or such as would be likely to penetrate to the 

 roots ; as the effects of covering too long or too much, would be as 

 destructive as the reverse, by causing the roots to become mouldy, 

 than which, nothing can be more prejudicial. 



Anemone's are somewhat hardier than Ranunculus's, and there- 

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

 it will cause them to blow in greater perfection. 



Planting Bulbs y of various kinds. 



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

 kinds of bulbous roots, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, Polyanthus-Nar- 

 cissus, Jonquils, Star of Bethlehem, &c. &c. ; as they must be con- 



