March.] FLOWER GARDEN. 295 



to them. But this care or attention is not necessary for the com- 

 mon kinds, growing promiscuously in the borders, &c. 



Ranunculuses and Jlnemones. 



Continue to protect your choice kinds of early planted ranuncu- 

 luses and anemones as direct in page 160, they will now require 

 particular attention, as the rudiments of their flowers will be ad- 

 vancing, which would suffer greatly if too much exposed to nipping 

 frosts. 



Finish planting the ranunculuses and anemones that are yet 

 kept out of ground for a successional bloom, which is to be done 

 agreeably to the directions given in October. 



Ranunculus roots will remain in the ground several days after 

 planting, before they begin to vegetate; during this period they 

 become very much swollen by imbibing the moisture of the soil, 

 and are in this state extremelyftsusceptible of injury from frost, 

 much more so than when vegetation has actually taken place. 



As soon as the bed is planted, if hard frosts are likely to ensue, 

 a sufficient quantity of dry straw should be placed near it, ready 

 for covering when necessity requires, which should be kept on 

 only during severe frosts, or such as would be likely to penetrate 

 to the roots, as the effects of covering too long or too much, would 

 be as destructive as the reverse, by causing the roots to become 

 mouldy, than which nothing can be more prejudicial. 



Anemones are somewhat hardier than ranunculuses, and there- 

 fore do not require so particular care, but if such is afforded them, 

 it will cause them to blow in greater perfection. 



Planting Bulbs of various kinds. 



As early in this month as possible, finish planting all your hardy 

 kinds of bulbous roots, such as hyacinths, tulips, polyanthus-nar- 

 cissus, jonquils, star of Bethlehem, &c. &c, as they must be con- 

 siderably weakened by being kept too long unplanted, observe the 

 directions given in pages 80 and 81, under the article tulips. 



Auriculas. 



The first favourable weather that occurs in this month, divest the 

 auricula plants of their exterior decayed leaves, and by the middle 

 of the month, the operation of earthing up, as it is termed, should 

 commence; that is to say, the surface earth of the pot should be 

 taken away about one inch deep, and fresh compost, with the ad- 

 dition of a little loam, should be substituted in its stead: this will 

 contribute greatly to the strength of the plants and the vigour of 

 their bloom; at the same time it will afford a favourable oppor- 

 tunity to separate such offsets as shall appear possessed of a suffi- 

 ciency of fibres to be taken off at this early season: these offsets 

 when properly planted in small pots, should be placed in a frame. 

 in some warm sheltered situation, till their roots are established. 



