MARCH.] FLOWER GARDEN. 



siderably weakened by being kept too long implanted, observe the 

 directions given in pages 74 and 75, under the article Tutifi*. 



Auricula's. 



The first favourable 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 addition of a little loam, should be substituted in its stead ; this 

 will contribute greatly to the strength of the plants, and the vigour 

 of their bloom ; at the same time, it will afford a favourable oppor- 

 tunity to separate such offsets as shall appear possessed of a suf- 

 ficiency 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 auricula's 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 

 moderate showers of rain, which will now prove beneficial. 



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

 derately with water, just to keep the earth a little moist abouttheir 

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

 ther treatment see next month, &c. 



Solving Auricula and Polyanthus Seeds. 



If you 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 in page 152. 



Carnations. 



Being provided with some of the finest and most valuable carna- 

 tions, for with the common sorts it will not be worth while to take 

 much pains ; you should proceed to the potting of them between 

 the middle and latter end of this month. 



The proper compost for those flowers, is as follows, viz. 



One half fresh, sound, loamy earth, taken from the surface of a 

 rich pasture ground, turf and all, and not more than four or five 

 inches deep. 



One third, or a little more, of old horse-dung, such as had bee 

 a year previously used for hot-beds. 



One sixth coarse sea, or river sand. 



These ingredients ought to have been mixed together in autumn, 

 laid in a heap about two feet thick, in an open exposure, and turned 

 three or four times during winter ; so as that all the parts may be 

 well incorporated and have the benefit of the frosts : early in March 

 it should be gathered into a round conical heap, to drain and be- 



