April.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 345 
Anemones. 
The beds of Anemones, for the present, will require exactly the 
same treatment as the Ranunculuses; therefore, it is not necessary 
to say more in this place respecting them. 
Auriculas. 
The auriculas, towards the middle of this month, will be ad- 
vancing in their flower stems. If any plant is possessed of more 
than one or two principal stems, it is adviseable to pinch off the pips, 
or flower-buds, of the smallest and weakest; in order to render the 
blossoms of the remaining, larger and more vigorous, than they 
Would be, if this was omitted to be done in due time. 
When the pips become turgid, and begin to expand, they must 
be preserved from rain; nor should the early plants be suffered to 
remain in a situation exposed to cold winds: on the contrary, they 
ought to be selected from the rest, and removed to a shady corner, 
where they should have hand-glasses suspended over them, or 
placed on brick-bats or the like, to admit air, and yet preserve the 
expanding bloom from rain. 
The farina or mealy dust, which overspreads and ornaments the 
surface of those flowers, contributes exceedingly, to their lustre 
and beauty; this must therefore, be preserved upon them; the least 
shower of rain would easily wash it off; it is also liable to be blown 
away by the winds; and the sun, if permitted to shine freely on the 
flowers, would occasion them soon to fade. 
Therefore, where it is required to have the more curious or 
choice varieties, to blow in the best perfection, the pots containing 
the plants should, according as the flowers begin to open, be imme- 
diately removed and placed on the shelves of the auricula stage, or 
where the flowers may be protected occasionally, from such wea- 
ther as would deface the bloom. The stand or stage, should have 
from three to five ranges of shelves, in proportion to the number of 
pots, about six inches wide, rising theatre-like, one above another, 
from the front; having the back generally placed against a shady 
wall, pale, or other building; it must be constantly covered at top, 
water-tight, sloping to the back part; but the front and ends should 
only be covered occasionally, by having some canvas or mats fas- 
tened thereto by way of curtain, so contrived that it may be readily 
let down and drawn up at pleasure; which, when the air is very 
sharp, or in high winds, or driving rains, must be let down to shel- 
ter the flowers; but when the weather is mild and calm, let the 
front and ends be constantly open. Or this may also be used occa- 
sionally to shade the flowers from the sun, where it has access in 
the heat of the day; observing however, generally, not to let the 
screen remain longer than is necessary for the defence of the 
bloom. 
Regular waterings should be given during the time the plants are 
on the stage; examine them once every day, to see where water i% 
2 X, _ 
