290 THE PLEASURE, OR [MARC; 



In doing this, clear the plants first from decayed leaves, and 

 take some of the earth out of the top of the pots, but not too deep, 

 to disturb the roots of the plants ; then fill up the pots again with 

 fresh earth, and give some water ; this will strengthen their roots, 

 and the plants will shoot freely, and produce large flowers. 



Pricking out early Annuals. 



If any tender annuals were sown last month, such as cockscombs, 

 tricolors, Ipomceas, sensitive plants, ice plants, balsams, &c. in or- 

 der to have them in perfection at an earlier period than common, 

 make a new hot-bed towards the middle or latter end of this, in 

 which to prick them, to forward their growth. Let the hot-bed be 

 aj>out thirty inches high, >nd make the top even ; then set on the 

 frame ; and when the great heat is over, let the earth be put in ; 

 let it be light, rich, and perfectly dry, and lay it equally over the 

 bed six inches thick ; when warm, prick the plants therein at three 

 or four inches distance each way, or some may also be pricked in 

 small pots, one good plant in each, and plunged in the earth of the 

 bed ; giving the whole a little sprinkling of water ; then let the 

 glasses be put on, observing to raise them behind a little every day, 

 to admit air and let out the steam ; shade the plants from the sun 

 till they have taken fresh root. 



When they are rooted and begin to push, they should have fresh 

 air every day ; therefore let the upper ends of the glasses be raised 

 an inch, two, or three in height, to admit it ; but shut them down 

 towards the evening, and cover them every night with mats ; re- 

 member to sprinkle them with water occasionally, giving hut a lit- 

 tle at each time. 



Keep up the heat of the bed by occasional lining with hot dung. 

 Thus these tender annuals are to be continued forwarding in growth 

 till May ; then, when the frost is totally gone, finally transplanted, 

 into large pots, flower borders, &c, 



Solving tender Annuals. 



A hot-bed may be made the beginning or any time this month, 

 hi which to sow the seeds of tender annual flowers, such as ice 

 plant, sensitive plant, Browallia's, &c. (See list of Annuals.), 

 Make the bed, and sow the seeds, as directed in last month. Or a 

 few plants may be raised in pots in any cucumber or melon hot -bed 

 now in cultivation, to a proper size for transplanting. See ApriL 



The plants raised from the above sowings will blow strong and 

 beautiful in May, June, July, Sec. 



Remember they are not to remain in the hot-bed where raised, 

 but are to be transplanted, some into pots, and some into the bor- 

 ders. See April and May. 



Sowing hardy Annual Flowers* 



Any time this month, that the ground is in good condition, you 

 may sow in the borders and other flower compartments, a variety of 



