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proper portion of air behind the lights, and shade 

 them when requisite. This treatment is necessary for 

 ten or twelve days, or until the master, or the top, 

 pips are the size of a full-blown cowslip ; much de- 

 pends now on the state of the atmosphere, but usually 

 a full south aspect is much too sunny, will over hasten 

 the bloom, and fade the colours ; should this be the 

 case, an immediate removal to a full east aspect is 

 desirable, if the weather will admit, under a wall, or 

 other close fence ; place hand-glasses over the plants, 

 and by remaining ten or twelve days, or thereabouts, 

 the earliest blossoms will be in such a state of for- 

 wardness by the end of April, as to be fit for removal 

 to a full north aspect on the Auricula stage, or any 

 other shady situation. The mats, &c., should be 

 taken off the glasses about seven ; and if it proves 

 sunny, they should be shaded at half-past nine in the 

 morning till about twelve or one, when the sun will 

 be off this aspect. Have the hand-glasses washed 

 inside and out before placing them over the flowers, 

 as dirt and dust injures the blossoms. The plants 

 should be exposed to all rains which may fall in the 

 day from the south and south-west, from the begin- 

 ning of February till about the first week of April, 

 but more particularly after the blooming plants have 

 been moulded up. As soon as the heavy fall of rain 

 is completely over, shut them up close, and cover 

 them warm. At the beginning of April, when they 



