iSyr.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 159 



some sorts 3 feet apart each way. jMulching to keep out drouglit may 

 require attention where soil is light and dry. Stable-litter answers well, 

 and will soon be made pure by the weather, and fit for keeping the 

 fruit clean in its season. Plants which may have been forced should 

 be protected, as they do well for planting in the open ground. 



Flower-gardens will now be in tidy order, and the grounds ready 

 for the plants. Where hardy kinds are much used, they could be planted 

 in their places at once. They will become established early, and give 

 the garden an interesting appearance at the beginning of the season. 

 Ajuga, Arabis, Cerastium, Pansies of sorts, Dactylis, many kinds of 

 ornamental -foliaged shrubs, and a host of useful things, may be 

 arranged now for edgings, &c. Where Pansies or Yiolas are to be 

 used for bedding, the soil should be rich, cool, firm, and deep. Sov/- 

 ings of annuals may be made in borders and beds where wanted. 

 Herbaceous plants may be reduced and replanted, if necessary. When 

 digging among them, care should be taken not to spread the roots in 

 the ground, as confusion would then follow. The same applies to 

 hardy bulbs j some mark their positions with a piece of wood stuck 

 beside them. Lawns will now require to be well swept and rolled, 

 any grass edgings repaired, and neatly cut where necessary ; but while 

 doing this the edgings should not be reduced, but only parts which 

 are getting beyond bounds taken evenly off". Walks should now be 

 smooth and level, frequently rolled. Weeds should not be allowed to 

 appear where they can be kept down. Box-edgings may be clipped 

 soon ; if the weather is showery, so much the better. We prefer Box kept 

 flat in flower-gardens and around flower-borders, but in the kitchen- 

 garden it suits better to be kept the shape of a wedge, and not too 

 thin. Tulips and other bulbs may require looking over, pressing the 

 soil nicely round their necks, and keeping the surfaces of beds neatly 

 stirred. Hyacinths in flower may require protection from strong sun 

 and driving rain ; those in pots require plenty of manure-water, and 

 to be shaded to prolong their bloom, keeping the pots cooL Roses 

 Tinpruned^should now have attention — suckers should not be allowed to 

 appear, but be cut clean off. Where soil is light and poor a good 

 soaking of manure-water will do much to give a "successful bloom." 

 Drills drawn, not disturbing the roots, and then covered over with the 

 dry surface soil, is a good method of harvesting the moisture. All 

 bedding plants will now be getting ready for turning out next month ; 

 while getting them hardened gradually, sudden exposure to cold is to be 

 avoided. Plenty of light and air, when weather is mild, will help to 

 prepare them ; and taking the light off altogether when weather is 

 suitable will harden them without making them " wiry " and stunted. 

 Marigolds, Asters, Stocks, and other ornamental plants, may be got for- 



