70 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



applying manure wlien the roots are far beyond its reach. Evergreen 

 trees and slinibs do well when planted before growth commences. 

 Deciduous trees often die when they are planted after the sap has be- 

 rrun to How : much assistance with mulching and watering can be given, 

 but continuous drenchings at the roots often do more harm than 

 o-ood. Means should be adopted to prevent shaking by wind. Let 

 walks be fresh gravelled where it is wanted. Turning will do good 

 service where it can be practised ; it saves much labour in summer. 

 Dig up all beds and borders ; if trenching can be done, so much the 

 better for the summer occupants. 



Plant Roses ; give good turf with the roots, and mulch to keep out 

 drought and to feed the roots gradually. A few Roses may be pruned 

 to give an early supply, but the main stock should be left till next 

 month at least. More than one-half of the Roses in the country are 

 ruined by being left too thick at pruning time. All small useless 

 growths should be cut out, leaving the hearts open and free from dead 

 wood. It is not necessary to cut every shoot back to two eyes. Strong- 

 growing kinds should not be cut back much. Some of the China and 

 other free-growing kinds only require thinning out. Where Roses 

 are trained on walls or other buildings, they should have old stunted 

 rods cut out, and replaced by young healthy growths. Keep them 

 clear of moss and old hard spurs. All suckers should be cut clean off 

 below the graft ; if the plants are on their own roots, some of the 

 suckers may be retained if wanted to fill up. 



Sweet Peas may be sown in rows in the open ground, but better 

 under glass in turves, pots, or boxes to be planted out. I observe that 

 sowings of common Peas with us have been saved from the ravages 

 of mice by being well dusted with lime before being covered up. The 

 vermin have scraped till they found them, and appear to have left in 

 disgust. Pinks, Carnations, Auriculas, Stocks, Mignonette, and other 

 plants wintering in cold frames or pits, must be kept free from damp. 

 Keep the surfaces clean and healthy : give light and air freely ; but 

 cold frosty winds should be avoided. Stocks and Mignonette should 

 never have the lights on when weather will allow them to be kept off. 

 The fine Mignonette grown for Covent Garden is grown more hardy 

 than what is grown elsewhere. Tilting the lights up back and 

 front is practised when weather is showery. Hardy annuals may be 

 sown in' boxes or pots for early flowering. Dahlias may be placed in 

 beat to sprout for young plants : where manure or other fermenting 

 material is employed, care must be exercised, as much injury might 

 be done quickly by over-heating. Sow Lobelia, Violas, Hollyhocks, 

 a few Stocks (if required very early), Centaurias, Cineraria maritima, 

 and other things for summer and autumn display. Let potting and 



