APRIL. 127 



during the first three weeks in April, will be in ample time, yet not so 

 forward as to become stunted before planting out time. Pot off first 

 struck cuttings, and keep them growing, if but gently. Start old 

 roots in the bottom of vineries, or any spare place where no increase is 

 desired, but only the old plants, which will be forward and strong. 

 Seed should now be sown. 



Flower Garden. — This month is quite as important to the flower 

 gardener as May, as he will now be busy preparing the soil in the 

 various beds for their forthcoming inmates, and he will also have to 

 sow and transplant many things hardy enough to stand the climate. 

 All vacant spaces in the herbaceous beds and shrubbery borders may 

 now be sown with hardy annuals, having first well broken up the soil, 

 and made it fine to receive the seed. Finish pruning Tea and China 

 Roses, also any others left at the general pruning. Prune and train 

 wall climbers, &c, and let the whole of the ornamental shrubs, requiring 

 cutting in, be done, that tne borders, &c, may be made tidy, after 

 which they will only require hoeing and raking occasionally. Provide 

 stakes for Hollyhocks, &c, and the proper supports for all tall plants. 

 The Grass in many places requires mowing ; don't let it grow too long, 

 if you wish for a close bottom. 



Forcing Ground. — Earth up Potatoes in frames, and the spring 

 raised Cauliflowers. Lettuces, pricked out in frames, may be transferred 

 to4;he open ground, towards the middle of the month ; harden them 

 well before removing, by allowing the sashes to remain off day and 

 night for a week. Prick out the first crop of Celery on a slight bottom 

 heat. The soil should be rich and very shallow, and the plants kept 

 close to the glass, to have them stocky and well rooted by the first week 

 in May. Where Leeks are required early, it is a good plan to raise 

 them on a little heat under glass, and then transplant. 



Fruit (hardy). — Hitherto the weather, though wet and stormy, 

 has been favourable. Apricots have set their fruit, and Peaches are in 

 full bloom. Finish pruning and nailing as quickly as you can. 

 Figs are generally the fiirst to be looked to. Have your protecting 

 materials ready. We don't know what April may require yet, but it 

 will be well to be forearmed. Raspberries may now be shortened 

 back if not done ; and if part are cut back to a foot from the ground 

 they will produce a succession, carrying on the supply from the main 

 crop till the double bearing ones come in. 



Greenhouse (Mixed Plants). — Any things tolerably hardy, which 

 can be removed to some kind of shelter, may now be cleared out, to 

 make room for better things. Tie out Pelargoniums and other specimen 

 plants. Epacris, when out of bloom, should be well pruned in, and 

 kept at the warm end of the house for a time, to encourage them to 

 grow again. Heaths and similar plants should occupy the most airy 

 and lightest places. Give plenty of air, and towards the end of the 

 month a little may be left on all night, but only when the weather is 

 mild. 



Kitchen Garden. — All the crops above ground will be benefited by 

 having the soil frequently stirred between the plants in dry weather, 

 nothing conducing so much to a vigorous growth as moving the surface. 



