March.'\ carnations and pinks. 47 



Color should be diversified through the garden as much as 

 practicable, and the highest growing sorts planted farthest 

 from the walk, so as all may appear in view. At all times^ 

 avoid crowding plants together. 



BULBOUS ROOTS. 



About the middle of this month, let the covering of tan^ 

 sawdust, or decayed leaves be cleared from the beds of such 

 as were directed to be covered in November; afterwards 

 carefully stirring the surface among them with a kind of 

 wooden spatula, or wedge, breaking the surface fine ; then 

 dress all the alleys smooth and neat with the hoe and rake, 

 clearing away every particle of litter. When the leaves of 

 Tulips are expanding, they frequently become entangled so 

 much that the force of growth breaks the foliage ; if there 

 are any appearances of this at any time, they should be set 

 right with the hand. In early seasons, these roots w^ill be far 

 advanced, and perhaps one night of frost, unexpectedly, 

 might materially injure them. When there is any suspi- 

 cion of cold weather, hoops should be spanned across the 

 beds, so that the necessary mats or canvas could in a few 

 minutes be placed over them, to ward off danger. Protect 

 the finest sorts from heavy drenching rains, and give them 

 small neat rods for support as they grow up. If the rods 

 and tyings are painted green, the effect will be improved. 

 These directions equally apply to Narcissus, Jonquils, Iris, 

 and all Holland Bulbs. 



CARNATIONS, PINKS, PRIMROSES, &c., 



Which have been protected by frames through the winter, 

 must have, at all favorable opportunities, plenty of air ad- 

 mitted to them by lifting the sashes, and in fine mild days 

 and nights, the sashes may be taken entirely off. Divest 

 them of all decayed leaves, and stir up the earth on the sur- 

 face of the pots ', those that are intended to be planted in 

 the garden may be set to one side, while those that are to be 

 kept in pots must be more strictly attended to. Of these 

 the Pinks and Carnations should be repotted about the first 



