294 THE PLEASURE, OR [March. 
Tulips. 
When your choice tulips appear above ground, if on examina- 
tion any distemper, or canker, is discernible on the foliage, about 
this time, either above or a little below the surface of the soil, 
it should be carefully cut out, with a sharp knife, and the wound- 
ed part left exposed to the sun and air, which will presently heal 
it: a fine dry day should be made choice of for the foregoing 
operation. 
If the surface of the beds appear to be of too close and solid a 
texture, it should be carefully stirred up, about two inches deep, 
which will admit the air more freely to the stems, give vent to their 
exudations and encourage their growth. 
Should the weather pi-ove extremely severe, a slight covering of 
mats, placed on arched hoops over the beds, will be very serviceable 
to them. But this care or attention, is not necessary for the common 
kinds, growing promiscuously in the borders, &c. 
Ranunculuses and Anemones. 
Continue to protect your choice kinds of early planted Ranuncu- 
luses and Anemones as directed in page 161, 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 swelled, by imbibing the moisture of the soil, 
and are in this state, extremely susceptible 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, Jonquilsj Star of Bethlehem, &c. Sec; as they must be con- 
