APRIL.] FLOWER GARDEN. 337 



Anemones. 



The beds of Anemones, for the present, will require exactly the 

 same treatment as the Ranunculuses ; therefore, it is not necessary 

 to say more in this place, respecting them. 



Auriculas. 



The Auriculas, towards the middle of this month, will be ad- 

 vancing in their flower stems. If any plant is possessed of more 

 than one or two principal stems, it is advisable to pinch off the pips, 

 or flower-buds, of the smallest and weakest ; in order to render the 

 blossoms of the remaining, larger and more vigorous, than they 

 would be, if this was omitted to be done in due time. 



When the pips become turgid, and begin to expand, they must 

 be preserved from rain ; nor should the early plants be suffered to 

 remain in a situation exposed to cold winds : on the contrary, they 

 ought to be selected from the rest, and removed to a shady corner, 

 where they should have hand-glasses suspended over them, or 

 placed on brick-bats or the like, to admit air, and yet preserve the 

 expanding bloom from rain. 



The farina or mealy dust, which overspreads and ornaments the 

 surface of those flowers, contributes exceedingly, to their lustre 

 and beauty ; this must therefore, be preserved upon them ; the 

 least shower of rain would easily wash it off ; it is also liable to be 

 blow n away by the winds ; and the sun, if permitted to shine freely 

 on the flowers, would occasion them soon to fade. 



Therefore, where it is required to have the more curious or 

 choice varieties, to blow in the best perfection, the pots containing 

 the plants should, according as the flowers begin to open, be imme- 

 diately removed and placed on the shelves of the auricula stage, or 

 where the flowers may be protected occasionally, from such wea- 

 ther as would deface the bloom. The stand or stage, should have 

 from three to five ranges of shelves, in proportion to the number of 

 pots, about six inches wide, rising theatre-like, one above another, 

 from the front ; having the back generally placed against a shady 

 wall, pale, or other building ; it must be constantly covered at top, 

 water-tight, sloping to the back part ; but the front and ends should 

 only be covered occasionally, by having some canvas or mats fas- 

 tened thereto by way of curtain, so contrived that it may be readily 

 let down and drawn up at pleasure ; which, when the air is very 

 sharp, or in high winds, or driving rains, must be letdown to shel- 

 ter the flowers ; but when the weather is mild and calm, let the 

 front and ends be constantly open. Or this may also be used occa- 

 sionally to shade the flowers from the sun, where it has access in 

 the heat of the day ; observing however, generally, not to let the 

 screen remain longer than is necessary for the defence of the 

 bloom. 



Regular waterings should be given during the time the plants are 

 on the stage ; examjne them once every day, to see where water is 



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