160 THE PLEASURE, OR [Feb. 
-advance; therefore the plants should be carefully defended from 
frost and cold heavy rains. 
This must be done by a good covering of glass and mats, but 
every mild and dry day the plants must be entirely uncovered. 
Any old decayed leaves, should be picked off as they appear, the 
earth loosened at the top of the pots, some of it taken out and re- 
placed with good fresh compost mould. This will encourage the 
pushing of young roots, from immediately under the leaves, which 
■will greatly strengthen the plants. 
Be very cautious however, not to force those plants at this season, 
for that would prevent their flowering in any tolerable perfection; 
all they require, is to be protected from severe frost, snow, cutting 
winds and cold rains; they are to have no bottom heat whatever, 
nor are the glasses to be kept close in any kind of sun-shine, that 
might produce a strong heat in the frame; on the contrary, they 
must get as much air as possible, by taking the glasses off every 
sunny or mild day, and replacing them at night and in cold weather; 
and when you cannot take them totally off, raise them a little behind, 
or slide them either up or down, at every favourable opportunity. 
A little frost will not do them much injury, especially, until their 
flower-buds begin to appear, but after that, they must be carefully 
protected therefrom: cold heavy rains is their utter enemy at all 
times, against which you must carefully guard. 
Sow Auricula and Polyanthus Seeds. 
Auricula and polyanthus seed may be sown any time in this 
month; they will grow freely, and the plants from this sowing will 
rise well. The seeds may be sown in boxes, or large pots filled 
with light rich earth, and covered about the eighth of an inch deep; 
then place the pots or boxes in a hot-bed frame at work, give them 
frequent but light sprinklings of water, both before and after the 
plans appear, and a reasonable proportion of air at favourable oppor- 
tunities: by this means, you will have a fine crop of seedlings, 
handsomely advanced, towards the beginning of May; when, after 
all danger from frost is over, (for these being tenderly raised, would 
be subject to injury therefrom) take the pots or boxes out of the 
frame, and place them where they can have only the morning sun 
till ten o'clock, and that of the afternoon after five, during the re- 
mainder of the summer. The mid-day sun you must carefully guard 
against; for it would totally destroy your plants. 
Snails and slugs, being utter enemies to these plants, whilst in a 
seedling state; it will be necessary, so soon as you sow the seeds, 
and before placing the pots or boxes in a hot-bed, or under the pro- 
tection of glasses without bottom heat, for either method will do, 
to make lines of short, coarse, strong hair, about half an inch or 
better in diameter, to tie round each pot or box, immediately under 
the rim; the line being tied, trim the long loose hairs around it 
with a pair of scissors, to a quarter of an inch in length, which short 
prickly hairs will, as often as snails or the like approach it, in the 
act of ascending the sides of the pots or boxes, prick them, cause 
