l8 



IKISII CAKDKNING 



Si'iXACH. — A sKwiny ui!i_y be iiiadr fortiiighll^- of 

 tlie Victoria vnrioty on rich giouiul, aud tliimitd 

 early to Kooure large tliiok leaves. J^uriiig the liot 

 dry luontlis it would be udviKable to sow on iiortli 

 bordi-rs, as the jilaiits soon run to seed in tlu' 

 hunimer. A ust-liil variety to grow is the dark- 

 leaved Spinaeh, but wliich will give, a ei>ntiM\ial 

 pieking during tiie suiiinur and autumn. 



Skak.M.E. — l{o<.)t euttiii^s taken ofT wiien lifting 

 th»' erowns for forcing should be i)lanled out in 

 drills two feet ripart and liftivn inelii's bftwi'cn the 

 roots, i)Iaeiug the erown just under the surface, and 

 when well started reduce all tbo growths l)ut the 

 strongest one to form a good crown. 



Sweet Cohx. — Sow in bo.xos alx)ut the last week 

 of the month in light soil, placing the seeds two 

 inches apart, and place in gentle heat. Harden off 

 giadually, planting out at the end of May on good 

 rich ground in a warm sheltered position. Attend 

 well to watering in dry weather. 



Tru.Mi's. — Make further sowings at intervals io 

 keep ui> a supply of tender roots; encourage a quick 

 growth, aud dust the plants with soot in the morn- 

 ings when the leaves are wot, Avbicli w ill prevent the 

 attacks of fly. 



Gener.al Bemarks. — Attend to the thinning of 

 seedlings as they become fit and i^rcvent overcrowd- 

 ing. Keep the Jioe going amongst all crops on 

 favourable occasions. Box edgings may be clipped 

 now and the Malks hoed and raked, making the 

 Kitchen Garden neat and tidy. 



Till". FRUIT GAlfDKX. 

 It may still be necessary to continue the protec- 

 tion of some of the frviit trees on open walls, but 

 should not be used in such a way as to cause a weak 

 spindly growth. "Where old fish netting is employed 

 there is little danger of this, but if tiffany or other 

 close material is used it must be removed in tlie 

 daytime. 



The present month is a good time to prune neul^' 

 planted trt-es, cutting the young wood back to a bud 

 pointing in the direction the shoot is desired to 

 grow. In the event of dry weather setting in, late 

 planted trees, and also wall trees, will require 

 attention as to watering. Give a thorough soaking 

 and the following day lightlj- fork up the soil round 

 them and apply a light mulch to conserve the 

 moisture. 



Stkawberries, if not already- mulched, should be 

 attended to before the flower trusses are far forward. 

 Half decaj-ed stable litter may be used, placing it 

 close round the plants. Before the fruits are 

 formed this will be washed clean for them to rest 

 on. 



Grafting should be completed now, and the clay 

 kept well damped to keep from cracking and 

 admitting the air. 



Peaches and Nectarines Avhen well set should be 

 disbudded gradually, starting at the top of the trees 

 aud working downwards, going over a small portion 

 daily to avoid giving them a check. Retain the best 

 side growths suitably placed to furnish the tree 

 with fruiting wood for next year's crop. Partially 

 thin the fruits when the size of peas, which will 

 help to ease the strain during the stoning period, 

 finally thinning them to about ten or twelve inches 

 apart, according to the vigour of the tree. Over- 



cropping should be avoided. Watering and feeding 

 shduld receive attenti«in and regular syringing t<> 

 kei'p down Jied Spider. 



CuKliRiES and Pl^rMS growing against walls are 

 subject to attacks of greenfly at this season and if 

 not checked on the first apixarance s(Hjn spreads and 

 does much damage to the young siio«;ts. Syringe 

 with a good insecticide at once, such as (^Mui^sia 

 I'.xtract. 



THK PLIlASUIll': GROINDS. 



Half-hardy ainiuals sown last month will require 

 pricking off singly into frames before they get 

 crowded in the seed pans; after recovering from tlie 

 check, give amjjle, ventilation to secure good stocky 

 plants at bedding out time. 



IIahdy Anni'ai.s that wont bear transplanting may 

 be sown during the month. The soil shoidd be in 

 good condition for working and raked down to a fine 

 surface, as many of the seeds are very small. AVhen 

 the seedlings are A\ell up thin them out to get good 

 results. 



Perennials of all kinds nia3' be raised from seed 

 sown this month ; prick them off in nursery lines on 

 the reserve border when fit to handle, imtil the 

 autinnn, when they may be transferred to the 

 herders. Gladioli are more effective planted in large 

 clumps in separate colours than dotted over the 

 borders. Cornis may be jilanted now on rich, well 

 drained soil; plant about four inches deep, placing 

 a little sand in the hole: stake and tie up the spikes 

 as they develop. 



Lobelia Cardinalis may be split up into suitable 

 pieces and either i)lanted right away or placed in 

 frames till bedding out time. 



Roses. — Conjplete the pruning early in the 

 month, and, as the beds are finished fork in some 

 well decayed manure; failing a supply of this a 

 dressing of bone meal or super])hosphate will be of 

 f.,'reat benefit. 



Rock Plants wintered in cold frames may be 

 planted out now. Keep all weeds ^'ickcd away as 

 they apjiear. 



Sweet Peas. — Plants raised in pots last autumn 

 may safely be put out now; put stakes to them at 

 once and protect from cutting w^inds with spruce 

 b.-anches. Tie up the gi'OAvths against wind breaking 

 them. 



Violets. — Towards the end of tlie month new- 

 plantations should be made to supply crowns for 

 next winter's flowers. Break up some of the old 

 plants into small pieces, with a few roots attached, 

 aud plant on borders sheltered from the north and 

 west. Planted in beds of five lines, twelve inches 

 apart for the doubles and fifteen inches apart for 

 singles, with a two-foot alley between, cleaning and 

 pinching can be done without treading amongst tlie 

 plants. Keep the hoe working during the summer. 



April is the best time to plant Bamboos. Lift 

 with good balls of earth and apply plenty of water 

 in dry weather. Clip Yew hedges about the end of 

 the month. The pruning of Ihiddleia Veitchiona, 

 Hi/drancjca jmniculata and Cpannthun Globe dc 

 l>r«o///c6- .should be done now. Harden off bedding 

 plants gradually, finally placing them in the open. 



Sweep and roll lawns and tennis courts before 

 putting the machines on, making the grounds tidy 

 and attractive. 



