THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 371 



be dry for a day or two than water them in damp weather. At the same time, the 

 soil in which heaths and other plants of like character are potted must not be 

 allowed to get dust dry. Cyclamens, and single and double primulas, now coming 

 into flower, must have the warmest corner the house affords. Look sharp after 

 green-fly, and fumigate immediately it makes its appearance. Eemove every 

 decayed leaf, and keep everything as clean and sweet as circumstances will 

 permit. 



Stove. — The temperature advised for last montb will be suitable for this. 

 Nothing must be done to excite any of the occupants unnecessarily, just now, or 

 the summer growth will be poor and weak in consequence. Attend carefully to 

 Ferns, especially the delicate kinds, like the Gymnogrammas, Nothochlamas, and 

 Cheilanthes, the fronds of which soon decay, if wetted frequently, or exposed to a 

 damp atmosphere. All kinds should be kept as quiet as possible. Sometimes the 

 close-growing Selaginellas will rot at this season, and the best way to stop its 

 progress is to clear away the decayed portion, and then sprinkle the plants with 

 dry sand, and place them in a dry position near the glass for a short time. The 

 necessary precautions must, however, be taken to prevent the tender growth 

 flagging. 



Kitchen Gaiidex. — Draw a little earth to the Beans and Peas now peeping 

 through the ground, and keep a sharp look-out for mice, which are very busy 

 just now, and trap them directly they make an appearance. In very sharp 

 weather, cover Celery with long litter, for it soon rots in the centre after it has 

 been frozen. Take up a supply of Jerusalem Artichokes and Parsnips for imme- 

 diate use, and place in the root-house, and cover with dry sand or soil ; but the 

 principal bulk should remain in the ground for the present, as they are firmer, and 

 eat more mellow than when taken up at the beginning of the winter, and stored in 

 the root-house. Frosty mornings must be taken advantage of for getting manure 

 on vacant quarters ; and when the weather is unfavourable for out-door work, 

 overhaul the root-stores, and remove all that exhibit the least signs of decay from 

 contact witli that which is sound. 



Fkuit Garden. — Pruning of all fruit-trees, excepting the Peach and Nectarine, 

 must be commenced in earnest. Lay in no more wood than is really required, for 

 nothing is gained by over-crowding, but much lost. Give Apple-trees infested 

 -with American blight a thorough washing with strong brine, but avoid damaging 

 either fruit- buds or wood-buds. See that trees planted last month are properly staked, 

 and cover the soil immediately over the roots with six inches of half-rotten stable 

 manure, to prevent the frost loosening it. 



Pits and Frames. — Violets must be protected in cold and frosty weather, but 

 draw the lights off entirely whenever the weather will admit of its being done 

 with advantage. Auriculas, Carnations, Pansies, Pinks, and Picotees, must have a 

 free circulation of air about them at all times, excepting when the weather is very 

 damp or frosty. A few degrees of frost will not do so much injury as a stagnant 

 atmosphere. The early-potted Hyacinths and other Dutch bulbs must be uncovered 

 at once, and exposed to the light. .Remove successive batches to the forcing-pit, 

 the temperature of which should now average GO 3 . Syringe flowering shrubs 

 overhead slightly once a day, to enable tiie buds to push strong. 



Fokcing. — See directions for last month. Bhubarb, Seakale, and Asparagus 

 may now be lifted, and introduced into heat; the first must be taken up without 

 the roots being broken about, and with as much soil adhering to them as possible. 

 The roots can be placed in any out-of-the-way corner of the stove or forcing-house. 

 Seakale must be forced in the dark, but Asparagus should be forced in a frame, 

 close to the glass, and receive abundance of air to develop the flavour. Sow 

 French Beans in small pots, and shift into larger ones as soon as they are well 

 rooted. Place near the glass to keep them dwarf and stocky. 



