288 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



In the latter part of this month commence transplanting 

 biennial and perennial flowering plants, to where they are 

 intended to flower. If those plants have been kept in the 

 house through the winter, it will be necessary to have large 

 flower pots handy to cover them at night, until hardened 

 to withstand the spring frost. In the last of this month, 

 should the weather be fine, give Carnations, Picotees, and 

 Pinks in pots a gentle watering. Auriculas, Polyanthuses^ 

 and Primulas, should be top dressed, and watered occa- 

 sionally, to encourage their growth. Seeds of choice Pan- 

 sies, Auriculas, Polyanthuses, Mignonette, Martynia fra- 

 grans, and other parlor plants, may be sown in boxes or 

 flower pots, be covered with glass, and placed so that they 

 will receive the morning sun. Those desirous of still more 

 early flowers should prepare a hot bed of stable manure to 

 start them in ; and when the plants are large enough they 

 should be potted into thumb pots, and returned to the hot 

 bed, until the roots are re-established. Roses not trimmed 

 last fall should be attended to without delay. Beds may 

 be prepared for Ranunculuses and Anemones as soon as the 

 ground can be turned up without adhering to the spade. 



THE PARLOR. 



Should the weather be warm shift the following plants 

 into a pot, one size larger than they have been kept 

 in through the winter: Wallflowers, Martynia fra- 

 grans, Geraniums, Roses, Verbenas, Heliotropes, Fuch- 

 sias, Calceolarias, Stock Gillyflowers, and many others not 

 named. Chinese Primroses may be placed in a saucer the 

 last of this month, during their flowering season, and will 



