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GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



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Work for the Month in the Garden | 



SAMUEL GOLDING I 



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Wrril the opening days of Spring, much work con- 

 fronts the gardener on every side. Alake another 

 successional sowing of pens, which should be fol- 

 lowed at intervals of about two weeks. Sow the main 

 crop of onions and parsnips, salsify, some turnips, Swiss 

 chard, more spinach and lettuce, kohlrabi, celery, cab- 

 bage, etc. Plant out from frames after they have been 

 thoroughly hardened. All brassicas, lettuce and onions 

 which were sown early inside may be planted into their 

 final quarters. Some care is necessary when carrying 

 out this operation to prevent unnecessary injur)- to the 

 roots. Use a long trowel to get the roots down as far 

 as possible, and make the soil around them quite firm. 

 Plant out early leeks in well manured trenches. They 

 are gross feeders, and will repay generous treatment. 

 Some of the earliest celery can be planted out, but do not 

 force or unduly hurry these plants as sometimes the very 

 early sow-n is prone to bolt or run to seed. 



Plant early potatoes. It is always advisable to change 

 the ground for this important crop, and new seed is also 

 an important factor in securing good yields of the tuber. 



Tomatoes, egg plant, peppers and other tender vegeta- 

 ble plants that are growing on in the frames, should be 

 allowed plenty of room to develop. Keep them near the 

 glass to encourage and maintain a sturdy growth. 



Give abimdance of water to crops growing under glass 

 and pay attention to pro])er ventilation, as the more ten- 

 der seedlings are very susceptible to the sudden changes 

 of temperature which oftimes occur at this season. Con- 

 tinue to cover the sash at night until danger of frost is 

 past. 



Lose no time in finishing up new work on lawns. Grass 

 .seed sown during this month quickly germinates, and if 

 the weather is favorable, will be well established before 

 the hot days are here. 



Any alterations, dividing and transplanting to be done 

 in the perennial borders should be taken in hand now. 

 This alludes to the late Smnnier and I""all blooming sub- 

 jects. It is good practice to divide and transplant Spring 

 blooming plants during September so that they will be- 

 come established before Winter comes. Cuttings of 

 ])crennials will root freely now, and the jilants will blmini 

 well later on. They are most useful for filling any va- 

 cant spaces in the borders. 



The herbaceous ])lants are gross feeders and api>rcciaU' 

 generous treatment. Fork in a good mulch of good farm 

 manure. 



PJant out all biennials thai have winicrnl in llic cnld 

 frames. 



Prune outdoor roses: hybrid ijcrpc-tuals i-ci|iiirc a uinrv 

 severe Druning than the teas and hxbrid teas. These ni;iy 

 have all weak and useless wood removed and shoidd be 

 cut back to a gorid eve. Plant new beds as early as pos- 

 sible, and ])rei)are their (|uarters very deep and dig in 

 plenty of good cow manure, making them firm after 

 planting, and cutting them well back. 



Continue to plant decifiuous trees and shrubs, fruit 

 trees, and evergreens. Cut ofif anv damaged root with 

 a sharp knife and cut the head well back after planting 

 to maintain a balance between the roots and lo])s. See 

 that thev rlo not suffer from flroutrht until thev are es- 

 labli.slied, thai is. when root a<Mion is active once more. 



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Sow outside for late blooming, a full line of annuals: 

 poppy, Eschscholtzia, mignonette and other kinds, which 

 are known to resent transiilanting. These should be sown 

 where they are to bloom and thinned when they are large 

 enough to handle, allowing enough space for the proper 

 develojunent of each plant. 



Look over the stock of dahlia tubers and start those 

 which are needed for propagation. When dividing the 

 old clumps always be certain that the selected tuber has 

 at least one eye. One can always be sure of this if the 

 roots are started into growth before making the division. 



Cannas should be started at once. They quickly re- 

 spond to a little heat. Many of the new varieties are real 

 acquisitions to the garden. 



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This is one of the most important months on the cal- 

 endar, from the gardener's point of view, and demands 

 for his immediate attention will be in evidence in all de- 

 partments of the garden. 



A full line of vegetables can be sown during the month. 

 The earliest plants and seedlings will now be growing 

 apace, and every effort must be made from now on to 

 sow the seed at proper intervals to maintain that perfect 

 succession so desirable throughout the growing season. 



Stake early peas as soon as they are well above the 

 ground. This prevents any from trailing on the soil 

 and becoming matted by growing together, and staking 

 is also a protection from the cold and ctitting winds which 

 often prevail during the earl\- days of the month. 



Plant all potatoes at this time. 



Prepare the hills for melons, squash and cucumbers. 

 These hills may be made about six to eight feet apart, 

 according to the space at planter's disposal. Mix some 

 good manure with the soil. 



Lima bean poles can be jslaced in position. These are 

 usually placed about four feet apart each way, and if 

 done now will be all ready for planting with tin- advent 

 of warm weather. 



Sow some celery seed in the ojien ground for late work 

 and also more string beans, luirly sweet corn, bush lima 

 beans and okra may be .sown if climatic conditions per- 

 mit. I'.arly toiuatoes may be planted out in a sheltered 

 ])lace, but one must use some judgment as to when to 

 |)lant, as the locality and position of the particular garden 

 has a great influence on the time of jilanting. It is best 

 to be cautious regarding very early outside planting, if 

 one should have ample facilities for protecting the jilants. 

 .\t this time the frame room is generally taxed to its 

 fullest ca])acity, as tlic more tender bedding stock needs 

 protection. 



(iive attention to the edging of garden paths and drives 

 and have a good supply of stakes on hand to meet the 

 demand which will soon be luailc upon tlirm to|- usi' in 

 the llower garden. 



.\ friend of mine who ought to know better has many 

 unhap]>y days because he hasn't sense enough to lose him- 

 self in thinking about the problems of other jieople. Tie 

 nasn't learned the scientific truth of the statement "lie 

 thai losetli his life shall find it.'' If vou want hapi)iness 

 get it by forgetting .-ibout yourself in being useful to 

 others. — h"oi(i!i:s. 



