290 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



this should not be done too suddenly, as we have generally 

 some cold weather in this month ; therefore the weather 

 must be your criterion to go by. The protection round 

 your tender Roses may also be removed by degrees. 

 Choice seeds may be sown for early flowers ; this should 

 be effected with the assistance of bottom heat, or they may 

 be sown in drills, in a box, each variety to be labelled and 

 covered with a pane of glass* There are two advantages 

 attending the seeds sown this way ; the first is, the glass 

 will cause more heat than if sown in the open ground, and 

 the next is, when the seeds are up and in the seed leaf (the 

 time most likely to be injured by the frost), the glass is 

 some protection, and if very severe weather ensues, the box 

 can be removed into the house. Again, if the seed be 

 sown in the open ground, the soil at this season should not 

 be dug more than half spade deep, as the soil is too cold 

 and would rot them. Experience will teach that when 

 seed intended to be sown thus early, the soil should be stir- 

 red only with a rake ; much benefit will result, for that 

 only which has received the influence of the sun will be 

 found congenial to the germination of seeds. 



Hardy Roses may now be propagated by grafting the 

 more choice kind on the roots of the common kinds. Car- 

 nations, Picotees, and Pinks, should not be removed from 

 their winter quarters before the grass on the commons and 

 fields begins to grow, for the sharp cutting winds this month 

 are dangerous to those flowers. When you perceive the 

 weather settled, about the last of the month, those intended 

 to flower in pots should be shifted into a five inch pot, and 

 be top dressed ; expose them to gentle showers to encourage 

 their growth. 



