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GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



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I Work for the Month in the Garden | 



I SAMUEL GOLDING | 



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DURING the last few years much has been done to 

 arouse enthusiasm for home gardens among ama- 

 teurs. The War Garden movement did much to 

 accomplish this desirable end, as it aroused popular in- 

 terest in the growing of vegetables and flowers among 

 people who were formerly content to buy their products. 

 They discovered that it pays to produce fresh vegetables 

 for the table, and flowers to embellish the home, with the 

 added attraction of more beautiful home surroundings. 



Many of the keenest amateurs of today commenced 

 home gardens from a sense of duty, and now retain them 

 for the pleasure and profit which they derive. Their 

 gardens prove that the lesson of intensive culture has been 

 thoroughly grasped. Some have turned their attention to 

 flowers, specializing in one or more varieties, and their 

 roses or dahlias show that they have become real experts 

 in their knowledge of and cultural efficiency in their par- 

 ticular subject. This is one of the most encouraging signs 

 of the future of horticulture. 



With the advent of Spring, the attention of all growers 

 is once more focused upon the garden. Vegetables of 

 high quality will be the aim of all, which can only be at- 

 tained by a thorough .system of cultivation, that is, by deep 

 digging or plowing, and the constant use of the cultivator 

 during the growing season with the judicious use of 

 fertilizer. 



As soon as the frost is out of the ground and conditions 

 will permit, lose no time in manuring and digging, or 

 plowing, where it was not done in the Fall. Deep digging" 

 is a most valuable asset to future operations. If the ma- 

 nure is of a strawy nature, it must be placed, as deep as 

 possible, so that it will not become exposed when prepar- 

 mg for sowing or planting crops. Light, sandy soils are 

 the best for early crops, as they do not retain the moisture 

 in the same degree as heavy soils, and in gardens of this 

 description, early crops of peas, and spinach can be sown 

 as soon as the ground is fit, that is, when it is in a friable 

 condition, and can be easily worked. 



For the first crop of peas it is advisable to plant the 

 round seeded varieties because they withstand any pos- 

 sible wet spells better than the wrinkled or marrowfat, 

 which though superior in quality, are not quite so hardy, 

 and the seed is prone to rot should April prove wet and 

 cold. Where space is limited it is a good plan to sow 

 the peas in rows wide enough to admit the sowing of 

 spinach between. This crop will be over just before the 

 peas are ready to be picked. 



Plant onion sets. Sow onion seeds and ])arsnip, and 

 any other hardy vegetables towards the end of the month. 

 Prepare the asparagus bed by forking in well-rotted ma- 

 nure, or a good dressing of bone meal, which should be 

 done with care to avoid breaking many surface roots. 

 Cover strawy manure over rhubarb crowns. 



Close attention should be paid to vegetables growing 

 in the pits and frames regarding ventilation and cultiva- 

 tion between the rows, thinning out plants that are too 

 thick. Endeavor to conserve the sun heat by closing as 

 soon as possible in the afternoons, and also try to main- 

 tain perfect successions. 



Manv of the seedlinirs sown last month will require 

 transplanting, and should he pricked ofif as soon as they 

 can be handled. ,\fter they have been transplanted, they 



should be kept close and shaded from bright sunshine for 

 a few days, until root action has commenced. Then 

 gradually harden off as they become well established. 



Sow more cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, also 

 a full line of tomatoes, egg plant, peppers, celery and 

 lettuce for planting out later on. 



Allow no time to be lost in getting any arrears of prun- 

 ing done on bush fruits, cutting back red currant and 

 gooseberry bushes to a few eyes near the fruiting wood. 

 Remove old wood from black currant bushes. Raspber- 

 ries that have been covered will need attention. Tie up 

 in position after removing the litter and \> eak canes, cut- 

 ling back and thinning as desired. Give them a mulch of 

 manure. Remove the covering from strawberry beds, 

 although it is wise to leave a mulch for some protection 

 for a time around the crowns. 



Annuals that are needed for bedding and for cut flowers 

 should be sown this month, but the sowing of some va- 

 rieties must be influenced by whatever time the flowers 

 are needed. If wanted in September or during the Fall 

 it is better to defer their sowing until the end of April 

 or early in May, when they should be sown outside. This 

 refers to such subjects as asters, zinnias, nemesias, mari- 

 golds, etc. 



Cclosia plumosa in its various colors have become de- 

 servedly popular as a bedding plant, its lasting value and 

 bright plumes are a real asset to the garden. 



Another plant that is worth attention is the Hunne- 

 mannia fumariccf oVia, which when associated with S.ahia 

 patens, makes a pleasing combination in the garden or 

 border. Brozi.'alUa spcciosa can be recommended for its 

 free and continuous blooming. It must be sown early. 



Early flowering or border chrysanthemums deserve 

 more attention than is usually aiiforded them. The merits 

 of these plants are gaining more recognition each year, 

 for they are almost indispensable during the month of 

 ( V-tober, as cut flowers ; and do much to make the her- 

 baceous border attractive at a season when the majority 

 of flowering plants has ceased to bloom. Although 

 hardv in some locations, it is a wise precaution to lift the 

 clumps and winter in the cold frame. Vv'here this has 

 already been practised they will soon require some care. 

 These flowers can be prop.igated by cuttings and dividing 

 the clumps. 



Remove the covering from roses as soon as the climatic 

 conditions permit. The climbing and rambler varieties 

 should be pruned and tied into position, though they need 

 but little pruning in the Spring, other than cutting out 

 any dead and weak or useless wood, providing, of course, 

 that the old flowering wood was cut out after last year's 

 blooming. It should be done at that time, as it encourages 

 vigorous growth, and is conducive to a w?ll ripened con- 

 dition which will help to enable them to withstand the 

 rigors of Winter. Where rhododendrons, box, etc.. have 

 been protected by cornstalks or .straw, the protection can 

 be taken a\vay before the month is over. 



Now is a good time to carry out work in the shrubbery 

 where shrubs have become overgrown. The shrubs can 

 be thinned and cut into shape, but the regular pruning 

 season of flowering shrubs depends entirely on the char- 

 acter and habits of the individual plant. Spring bloom- 

 ( Coiitinncil on page 512) 



