CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 



303 



and train them mostly to oue lead- 

 ing stem. If they are much in- 

 jured cut them down to the 

 ground, and they will throw out 

 young shoots from the roots, and 

 thus form compact and handsome 

 bushes. 



Geiifiaiiella {Gentiana acaiilis) 

 may be planted for edgings to 

 Hower- borders. It does well in the 

 shade. 



Grafting. — The choice and rare 

 ornamental trees and shrubs that 

 are inci eased by these means must 

 be attended to this month. If 

 not already done the grafts should 

 be cut before they begin to start. 



Hyacinths and Xarcissuscs. — The 

 beds outdoors require to be pro- 

 tected, ihe same as Tulip beds, 

 with hoops and mats. Forced 

 bulbs which have done blooming 

 should be hardened in a coltl frame, 

 and planted out next month in a 

 warm sunny situation, where they 

 may perfect their foHage. 



Miynonette. — So\y plenty of this 

 in the borders when the ground is 

 hght, and also in pots for turning 

 out. 



Mimulus. — Increase by division ; 

 plant either in beds or patches. 



Pansies will commence this 

 month to bloom in tlie open air, 

 and all of them begin to grow 

 fast, unless there is frost to check 

 them. It is well to cover them 

 with any open litter, like peas 

 haulm, which keeps off a good 

 deal of frost, protects them from 

 all the cold winds, and does not 

 take away light. The beneficial 

 tendency of this kind of litter to 

 all dwarf plants through the winter 

 and early spring months is either 

 not half enough known, or, being 

 known, not sufficiently practised. 

 Those in pots, under glass should 

 be shifted, if not done already; 

 or, if intended to be planted out 



in beds, the sooner it is done the 

 better. If there be any shoots of 

 choice sorts tliat you are desirous 

 of propagating, and that can be 

 spared without spoiHng the ap- 

 pearance of the plant, they may 

 be struck very easily under a bell- 

 glass, and in any of the slight hot- 

 beds that may be at work ; not 

 that heat is necessary, but that it 

 hastens the striking, and there- 

 fore, for choice things, is better 

 than waiting for the ordinary 

 method, otherwise they will strike 

 in the cold frame. It must be 

 recollected that in all cases where 

 bell- glasses are used the inside 

 sliouid be wiped dry every morn- 

 ing, and the compost kept moist, 

 but not wet. 



Perennials. — Many perennials 

 require to be sown now to bloom 

 next year. Established perennial 

 plants may also be dinded and 

 transplanted during the early part 

 of the month ; but the sooner it is 

 completed the better, in the ab- 

 sence of continued frost. 



Pinks. — Put out those wliich 

 have been kept in hand-glasses; 

 plant them a foot apart in sandy 

 loam, leaf-mould, and rotten cow- 

 dung. 



Pill us. — Protect those which 

 are putting forth young shoots. 

 In planting specimens diain the 

 ground well, trench, and plant 

 on the surface, using fre&h loam 

 to place about roots. 



Primruses. — in favouiite spots 

 place a little moss about the plants, 

 to prevent the rain from dashing 

 the soil on to the tiowei's. Plant 

 out young plants, and sow seed. 



Propayule oniainenttd trees and 

 shrubs of all kinds, according to 

 their respective natures, by cut- 

 tings, layering, or yratling. 



liunuiiculusesy after planting, 

 should be covered sKgbily with 



