March. J FLOWER GARDEN. 297 



the pot, and the space between it and the sides idled up with the 

 prepared compost. 



If your plants have been wintered one plant in each pot only, a 

 size much smaller than the above will be sufficient to shift them 

 into, but when three plants grow and flower together in a large 

 pot, they appear to more advantage. 



This being done, give the plants a little water, and observe that 

 the earth comes no higher up their stems than it did in the former 

 pots, nor should the compost come nearer than within an inch of 

 the top of the rim, after it has been gently shaken or struck against 

 the ground in finishing; as an inconvenience will attend its being 

 too full when the operation of laying comes to be performed, which 

 requires some additional mould on the surface, for the layers to 

 strike into. 



When the plants are thus potted oft' for bloom, they should be 

 placed in an open airy part of the garden under an arch of hoops, 

 that in case of cold drying winds, Heavy rains, or cold frosty nights, 

 mats may be thrown over, to preserve them from the effects of 

 such unfavourable weather. In this situation they are to remain, 

 always open to the air, except in the cases above mentioned, and 

 be kept regularly watered with soft water, as often as appears ne- 

 cessary, from a fine rosed watering-pot. For their further treat- 

 see next month, May, &c. 



The plants which were planted in large pots last autumn, where 

 they are to remain to flower, should now have the old mould taken 

 out as near to their roots as possible, without disturbing them, and 

 replaced with fresh compost, after which, treat them as above. 



The common carnations in beds, borders, &c, may be removed 

 towards the latter end of this month and planted where desired. 



Pinks. 



The culture of pinks is much less difficult than that of carna- 

 tions; they are hardier, more easily propagated, increase more 

 abundantly, and are less liable to incidental casualties than the 

 latter. 



A good fresh loamy soil, dug and well pulverized, about twelve 

 or eighteen inches deep, and well manured and mixed with cow- 

 dung, two years old, is all the preparation that is necessary for this 

 charming flower. 



The plants designed for the principal bloom should be planted 

 where intended to blow in September or early in October, as they 

 do not flower quite so well if removed later in the season; they 

 should be planted at about the distance of nine inches from each 

 other, and the bed should be laid rather convex or rounding, to 

 throw off" excess of rain; but will require only a slight covering or 

 protection in case of frost; and this only for the superior kinds. 



The beds should be kept free from weeds, and the surface stirred 

 up a little if it inclines to bind. 



They may also be propagated now freely, by slips from their 

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