8o2 



THE PRACTICAL GARDEN I R. 



bring their flowers to greater perfection. Those which rcquii^' 

 it, should be shifted into larger pots in a careful manner. AW 

 suckers should be removed from the stems and potted, or 

 otherwise disposed of. Water should be now given to them 

 in moderate and regular supplies, and plenty of air admitted 

 to them, if in frames, during the day ; but care must be taken 

 to prevent them from exposure to frosts during the night, to 

 prevent the opening blossom from being nipped or injured. 



Tulips and hyacinths in beds should be protected from 

 severe frosts and rain, by being covered with canvas or mats, 

 supported upon hoops arched over them ; for as the flower- 

 buds will now be beginning to come through the gi'ound, t ey 

 are in that state more liable to be destroyed. It is, however, 

 unnecessary to protect the less valuable sorts, otherwise than 

 merely by spreading a little dry litter over them in severe 

 weather, but the more choice ones should be carefully pro- 

 tected from continued rains, snow, or severe frost. 



Carnations and pinks should be often looked over, and all 

 dead leaves picked ofij and every thing removed which tends 

 to produce damp or decay. Those which are in pots sliould 

 also be attended to, and a watchful eye kept that they do not 

 sustain any injury from slugs or mice, both of which, at thi-> 

 season, are often destructive to them. 



SOWING SEEDS OF AURICULAS AND POLYANTHUSES. 



Auricula and polyanthus seeds should be now sown either 

 m a warm sheltered spot, or in shallow boxes or pots filled 

 with light rich mould. Boxes and pots are to be preferred, 

 as being more readily removed from one situation to another, 

 as occasion may require. The surface should be made per- 

 fectly smooth and level, on w^hich the see<ls should be sown 

 tolerably thick, and covered about a quarter of an inch with 

 very light finely-sifted mould. Previously to filling the boxes 

 or pots, it is important that they be well drained at bottom, to 

 allow of all superfluous moisture passing freely off". When 

 sown, they should be placed in a situation perfectly sheltered 

 from the cold winds, but entirely 0[^>en to the morning and 

 mid-day sun. In this situation they may remain till the be- 



