March.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 295 
siderably weakened by being kept too long unplanted, observe the 
directions given in pages 82 and 83, 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 addition 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 suf- 
ficiency 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. 
The fine auriculas should now be protected from very severe 
frost, cold cutting winds, or excessive rains, for these would injure 
them and prevent their blowing in good perfection, but they must 
have plenty of air in mild weather, and not be debarred from warm, 
moderate showers of rain, which will now prove beneficial. 
When the weather proves very dry, let them be refreshed mo- 
derately with water, just to keep the earth a little moist about their 
roots, but too much would materially injure them. For their further 
treatment see next month, &c. 
Sowing Jluricula and Polyanthus Seeds. 
If you have neglected last month, to sow auricula and polyanthus 
seeds, to raise new varieties, sow them as early as possible in 
this, agreeably to the directions given in page 160. 
Carnations. 
Being provided with some of the finest and most valuable carna- 
tions, for with the common sorts it will not be worth while to take 
much pains; you should proceed to the potting of them between 
the middle and latter end of this month. 
The proper compost for those flowers, is as follows, viz. 
Or.t half fresh, sound, loamy earth, taken from the surface of a 
rich pasture grcund, turf and all, and not more than four or five 
inches deep. 
One third, or a little more, of old horse-dung, such as had been 
a year previcusly used for hot-beds. 
One sixth coarse sea, or river sand. 
These ingredients ought tc have been mixed together in autumn, 
laid in a heap about two feet thick, in an open exposure, and turned 
three or four times during winter; so as that ail the parts may be 
well incorporated and have the benefit of the frosts: early in March 
it should be gathered into a round conical heap, to drain and be- 
