310 



CALENDAR OF OPEEATIOXS FOR APRIL, 



pips Avill naturally close together 

 at the e<Jges : a little adjustment 

 of them in tlieir places, so as to 

 prevent thera lapping over each 

 other, will be necessary at the last 

 moment. Water is to be given 

 freely all the month, and especially 

 to the blooming plants; while all 

 offsets and small plants, though 

 not so lavishly supplied, must 

 nevertheless be kept moist. 



Alpines. — Increase tlie supplies 

 of water. Plant out what can be 

 spared in romantic spots, but keep 

 duplicates of the better sorts in 

 pots. 



Anemones — Sowearly on aloamy 

 soil of medium texture and rich- 

 ness; separate the seed by mixing 

 with silver sand ; sow thin, and 

 cover slightly, and shade if the* sun 

 is scorching. 



Annunls. — Harden off and plant 

 out those of the hardy kinds kept 

 in frames, and sow again eai'ly. 

 The half - hardy kinds must be 

 shifted. Preserve some of the best 

 to flower in pots, and put out the 

 rest by the end of the month in a 

 good situation ; protect f hem by in- 

 verted pots, or fir or other boughs, 

 from wind, cold, and sun. To keep 

 off vermin place a ring of quick- 

 lime around them. Sow both in 

 heat and in the open border : the 

 slightest kind of hotbed will be 

 sufficient. 



Biennials and Perennials are 

 sown this month or next, that they 

 may acquire growth during the fine 

 months. When they are large 

 enough to handle conveniently 

 they may be planted out in nur- 

 sery-beds, to be strengibened and 

 got ready for planting wliere they 

 are to bloom before the winter sets 

 in, autumn removal being far 

 better than spring. 



Bulbs. — As the bulbs come into 

 flower examine them carefully, and 



see that (hey are true. If the if- 

 ferent sorts or colours art- mixed 

 mark them while in flower, so that 

 the mistake may be rectified when 

 the roots are taken up. "When the 

 ground is required for other plants 

 the bulbs should be taken up on 

 the first calm moist day that pre- 

 sents, and carefully laid in so as 

 to ripen their foliage without being 

 again disturbed. If this is done 

 carefully they will not suffer very 

 much from the change. 



Carnations and Picdees. — These 

 must be potted this month in size 

 sixteen, or twelve, or eight pots, 

 according a^ you wish to have one, 

 two, or three plants in a pot. The 

 compost has been already de- 

 scribed. The mode of potting is 

 to fill the pots one-third full of 

 crocks, rather sunk in the middle, 

 to form a basin ; then put some 

 soil over the crocks, about enough 

 to make the ball of earth in which 

 the plants are taken from their 

 store pots stand, so that the upper 

 surface may be level with the top 

 of the pot. Now take the plant, 

 with its ball of earth, out of the 

 small pot, by tapping the edge of 

 it wrong side downwards, with two 

 fingers on each side of the plants, 

 so that the ball and plants will be 

 bottom upwards, and the surface 

 in your hand ; turn this over 

 gently, and put in the middle of 

 the large pot ; fill up all round it 

 with the compost, gently pressing 

 with a small stick, so that it may 

 be closed about the ball, but not 

 rammed hard ; give the large pot 

 two or three taps upon thie table 

 1 to settle it all well together, and 

 ; before leaving them give a littlo 

 j water. These, if potted early in 

 j the month, should be put into a 

 sheltered situation, and by right 

 on shelves, or stages formed of 

 boards placed along flower -pots 



