APRIL. 127 



Flower-Garden. Finish the planting of deciduous and evergreen 

 shrubs without delay ; the latter will, however, succeed if the 

 weather is showery till the end of the month. Mulching, however, 

 and frequent dampings overhead will be necessary. Turn over and 

 prepare beds and borders, for planting the various bedding-out plants, 

 that every tiling may be in readiness when the season arrives. 

 Phloxes, Pentstemons, Carnations, Stocks, and similar things, should 

 be turned out into beds, &c. without delay. Many kinds of peren- 

 nial plants may yet be divided for increase, or where the plants are 

 too large ; attend to neatness, and watch for vermin. Finish pruning 

 Tea and China Roses and their hybrid species, and other shrubs, as 

 danger from frost is nearly over. Climbing-plants against walls and 

 trellises should be pruned and neatly tied in, if not previously done. 



Forcing. Look at last month's directions for Vines; bring on 

 succession vineries gently. Vines in pots, and those in inside 

 borders, keep moist by occasional waterings; using liquid manure 

 freely during active growth. Peaches disbud from time to time ; tie 

 in shoots ; syringe frequently ; close rather early in the day to obtain 

 additional heat, and save fires ; give air liberally in forenoon ; avoid 

 draughts. Succession-house keep rather dry, till the fruit is set; 

 afterwards syringe, &c. as directed last month. Strawberries getting 

 ripe, allow more air to colour and flavour them; bring on succes- 

 sions; water with liquid manure while swelling. Pines out of bloom 

 keep damp at root and top; maintain steady bottom-heat; tempera- 

 ture of house by night 65°, day 75°. Successions recently potted 

 keep close till growth commences, after which more air ; do not water 

 till they begin to make fresh roots. Melons, stop and train ; keep a 

 good heat ; fertilise the female blooms ; earth up as wanted ; bottom 

 75°-80°, top heat by day, sanie; 68° by night; water sparingly; use 

 pure loam to grow them in without manure, and make it rather firm ; 

 close early on sunny days, damping the walls or soil at same time. 

 Cucumbers J stop and train carefully ; keep the vines thin ; avoid 

 taking off full-grown leaves of either Cucumbers or Melons ; keep the 

 fruit in a cool place when cut; heat, top and bottom, same as for 

 Melons; sow hardy kinds towards end of month, for ridging out under 

 hand-glasses. 



Fuchsias. All these require to make fine plants is plenty of 

 room ; this in a moist genial atmosphere, and they may be grown 

 to any size, using good rich soil. Cuttings may be continued to be 

 put in for late blooming plants. 



Hollyhocks. Prepare ground for planting out, which may be 

 done towards the end of the month. If it has been deeply trenched 

 with plenty of manure, the Hollyhock will succeed in almost any soil^ 

 but should not be planted under trees, or too near hedges. The 

 plants should not be allowed to become pot-bound ; it would be ad- 

 visable to give them a shift if the planting has to be deferred. Seed- 

 lings, if large enough, may be planted out at once. 



Kitchen Garden. Continue to plant out Cauliflower, Lettuce, &c. 

 from the frames, choosing a showery day for the purpose. A deep 

 rich soil should be afforded them. Earth up and stick Peas when 



