214 THE GARDENER. [May 



Some good soil next tlie roots, made firm and well soaked with water, 

 then covered over with dry soil, will keep them right, and growth 

 takes place at once. Stakes should be firmly placed when trees and 

 shrubs are large enough to be affected by the wind. Young shrub- 

 beries should have the surface of the soil well hoed, and all made 

 neat and orderly. Coniferse, which have lost their tops and more 

 than one leader forming, may have the most central and best one 

 left, and the others reduced or cut out. 



FLOWER- GAEDEN. 



The soil which is to receive the summer and autumn flowering plants 

 should (where vacant) be in good healthy condition, having been well 

 turned up to the weather. Any manuring or addition of soil neces- 

 sary should be given without delay, and the soil well broken, to be 

 ready when the plants are taken to their quarters. It is not profitable 

 to be in a great hurry, as severe weather is often experienced at end 

 of month. All hardier kinds should be planted first, leaving the most 

 tender kinds to end of month or first week in June. Decide on tbe 

 style in which the plants are to be arranged. Calculate the numbers 

 required, and number the stock which are ready for planting, then 

 set about the work vigorously till all are planted. The patchwork 

 system (carpeting) seems to have had its day, and has not now so 

 many admirers. And no wonder, when one sees so much ground un- 

 naturally covered with small shapes, made with flowers and foliage, 

 and these forms not of the most pleasing character either ; but there 

 are styles of this bedding in the hands of some men who are able to 

 make it pleasing, and the opposite of what is often practised. The 

 effort to cram as many kinds and colours on one bed or border is all 

 that is studied by some. There is no beauty in this ; but it is not our 

 duty to try to regulate taste. Another evil which is not checked is 

 the cutting up of lawns into beds, probably among fine trees, with no 

 other object in view but to stick flowers about. A flower-garden in 

 its place is all very well, but nothing is so pleasing and beautiful as a 

 well-kept lawn round a dwelling ; and insignificant beds among fine 

 trees are much out of harmony and good taste. 



Hardy Annuals may now be sown : they mostly require good ground 

 and proper attention to thinning. More Mignonette and Sweet Peas 

 maybe sown. Propagate all spring- floweringplants by cuttings or 

 divisions. When done with for the season, the plants should be 

 arranged in the store-garden, and kept clean and orderly till wanted. 

 Plant out Violets : they may be increased by cutting and divisions. 

 Polyanthus may be increased in the same manner. Stocks and Asters 

 may be planted in quantity — they are always acceptable. Pansies in 

 full flower may require a soaking of water. Young plants not turned 

 out should have prompt attention. They do well on rich cool soil, well 



