have taken fresh roots, which will be within two weeks. Colour should be diversified through the garden as much as practicable, and the highest growing sorts planted farthest from the walk, so as all may appear in view. At all times avoid crowding plants together. BULBOUS ROOTS. About the middle of this month, let the covering of tan, saw-dust, or decayed leaves, be cleared from the beds of such as were directed to be covered in November; afterwards carefully stirring the surface among them with a kind of wooden spatula, or wedge, breaking the surface fine; then dress all the alleys smooth and neat with the hoe and rake, clearing away every particle of litter. When the leaves of Tulips are expanding, they frequently become entangled so much, that the force of growth breaks the foliage: if there are any appearance of this at any time, they should be set right with the hand. In early seasons these roots will be far advanced, and perhaps one night of frost, unexpectedly might materially injure them. When there is any suspicion of cold weather, hoops should be spanned across the beds, so that the necessary mats or canvass could in a few minutes be placed over them, to ward off danger. Protect the finest sorts from heavy drenching rains, and give them small neat rods for support, as they grow up. If the rods and tyings are painted green, the effect will be improved. These directions equally apply to Narcissus, Johnquils, Iris, and all Holland Bulbs. CARNATIONS, PINKS, PRIMROSES, &c., Which have been protected by frames through the winter, must have at all favourable opportunities plenty of air admitted to them by lifting the sashes, and in fine mild days and nights, the sashes may be taken entirely off. Divest them of all decayed leaves, and stir up the earth on the surface of the pots; those that are intended to be planted in the garden may be set to one side, while those that are to be kept in pots must be more strictly attended to. Of these the Pinks and Carnations should be repotted about the first of the month. Those that have been kept in four inch pots, should be put into pots of seven inches, and those that are in five inch pots may be put into eight inch. Give a gentle watering after repotting. Pinks do not require the pots so large, but the same treatment in every other respect. Where the extremity of the leaves are decayed, cut them off, with any other decayed leaves: the pots must be well drained with shivers or fine gravel. Give them plenty of air, otherwise they will be weak in growth. Primroses and Daisies may be planted out in shady situations; the sun destroys them during summer if exposed. • AURICULAS. These beautiful and highly interesting plants are, to a great degree, neglected in our collections. It cannot be from want of beauty or fragrance that they have not attracted our attention, for they are exquisite in both. We are rather inclined to think that those who have them do not give them the treatment they require yearly to perfect their bloom. They should now have the surface earth taken off about half an inch down, and fresh soil added, which will cause them to put out fresh fibres about the upper part of the roots, and greatly increase their growth. The frame in which they are placed should now face the east, as the sun will be too strong for them; and about the end of the month turn it to the north. The glass of the frame may be white-washed, which will partially shade them from the sun, that being their delight. Give them water sparingly until they begin to grow, and never water them over the foliage previous to flowering, as water injures that fine mealy-like substance found on many of the sorts, and which so greatly improves their beauty. Defend them, therefore, from rain and high winds. To have them flower strongly, only one flower stem should be allowed to grow. The first one that shows is generally the best. At all events leave the strongest, and cut off all the others, or only nip off the flower pips, which answers the same end. Never keep the sash off during night, in case it rain before morning. RANUNCULUS AND ANEMONE. The frames of Ranunculus and Anemone must have plenty of air, and give frequent sprinklings of water. The sashes or shutters should be taken entirely off every mild day, and in fine nights leave them exposed to the dew. Stir the earth amongst them, breaking it fine and making all neat and clean. They require liberal supplies of water after they begin to grow. ROSES. This is the most favourable month for planting all kinds of garden roses, which must be done as soon as the weather opens, and the ground in a proper state. The earlier they are planted the more perfect they will flower. Never delay planting when there is an opportunity; for if delayed until the leaves are expanded, the bloom will be much weakened, and the probability is, there will be no flowers, and the plants meet with a premature death. It has been said, "there is a particular advantage in planting some every ten days, even to the middle of May; for the flowering of them may be retarded in this way, and the bloom of these delightful shrubs continue for a much longer period." One moment's reflection will convince us, that nature, while in her own element, will not be retarded, suppose there was no danger of instantaneous death to the plants. The artificial means that might be judiciously adopted, with which we are acquainted, to keep back the blooming of hardy plants, is to lift them as soon in spring as is practicable, put them in boxes of earth, and then place them in the driest part of an ice-house, until the desired time of planting, which may be delayed as long as the required time of flowering. This will be found a true method of retarding the flowering of roses especially, and not going counter to the rules and principles of nature. There are many beautiful varieties of the garden rose in cultivation, the names of the finest of which we will give in the following catalogue. African black, very dark crimson, compact and very double. Agreeable violet, large purplish red, expanded and double fine. Arbre superb, bright rose-colour, large and extremely double. Aurora, bright pink, compact and double. Belle amabile, fine dark red, large and double. Belle hebe, large purplish red, cupped, double and fine. Belle rouennaise, a very superb rose, with red centre and blush edge. Baron de Stael, bright cherry colour, globular, large and double. Belle Africaine, same as African black or African. Broomley rose, fine red with blush edge, very compact and double. Black tuscany, dark crimson, changeable, expanded and double. Belgic or Dutch Provins, red with very large flowers, cupped and extra double. Coronation, very brilliant, almost approaching a scarlet, large expanded and double. Cabbage Provins, or Centifolia of the French, fine rose, very large, globular, pendular, and extremely double. Cinder rose, large blush, with pink centre, expanded and double. Cleliée, rosy blush, expanded, very large and double. Delicious, rosy colour, large compact and double. Dingy, clouded purple, reflexed, large and double. Eelemensi, rich rose-colour, fine bold petals, cupped and double. Edinberger, violet purple, very compact and most perfectly double. Flanders, vermilion colour, compact and double. Fairy parasol, changeable pink, globular and double superb. Fanny parissot, pale blush, very compact and double. Grandis royal, deep pink, large, expanded, and double. Globe white hip, beautiful white, globular, and most perfectly double. Giant velvet, light crimson, large and double. Helen, light pink, very large cupped and fine. Harrisoni,* bright yellow, cupped, small and semi-double. Isabella, blush pink, very profuse, cupped and double. Imperial blush, delicate blush, expanded, large, and double. Juliana, delicate pink, compact and double. King of Rome, deep red, very large, compact, and exquisitely double. King of the reds, red, expanded and double. King of Mexico, reddish purple, imbricated and very double. Leonore, purplish red, very compact, imbricated, and double. La Belle Augusta, shaded blush and white, expanded and double. La folie de carse, red, robust habit, profuse flowering, imbricated and double. Madam Hardy, pure white, large, globular, and exquisitely double. Margin hip, white with red edge, expanded and semi-double. Monkwood, bright rose, imbricated and very double. * This Rose with a "Florist's privilege," has been sold for the yellow sweetbrier. It is also called Hogg's yellow Rose. |