94 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



may be taken from the early plants in many cases to their advantage, as it may 

 tend to keep them bushy. Balsams for bedding out may be sown in heat, but 

 they will not require such high culture as those intended for bloom in pots, as 

 sturdy plants only are required. A top-dressing of half-rotten cow-dung will be 

 beneficial to Liliums, and do not expose the pots to the hot sun. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



This is a busy month in the kitchen garden, and great exertion will be 

 necessary to do the necessary work, and it will not do to let things get in arrear. 

 Sow asparagus in drills in high rich soil and make up new beds if required. Ash- 

 leaved kidney potatoes may be planted under a full south wall about the middle of 

 the month. Plant various kinds of peas for succession crops and protect those 

 that are up with dry ashes. Plant broad beans at the beginning of the month. 

 Sow Horn carrots on a warm border. Sow various kinds of cabbage during the 

 month, and transplant autumn-sown cabbages and cauliflowers. Sow broccoli for 

 autumn use and also lettuces of various kinds. Sow onions for the principal crop 

 about the middle of the month, giving the ground a good dressing of well decom- 

 posed manure before sowing. Celery plants sown last month should be pricked 

 out into frames as soon as they are fit, keeping them close until they are 

 established, then gradually expose them to the full benefit of the atmosphere. 

 Sow another box or two at the beginning of the month, and for the general crop 

 about the end of the month. Raise capsicums and tomatoes in a slight heat, and 

 prick them out as soon as they touch each other so that they may be strong to 

 turn out at the proper time. Make new plantations of thyme, sage, mint, and 

 other perennial herbs. Sow radishes and small salads once a week for succession 

 crops. Sow spinach between the rows of peas, and a few early Dutch turnips may 

 be sown ; they will be found serviceable if they should not run. Fresh beds of 

 rhubarb should be made to ensure a good stock for early forcing as well as 

 summer use. Protect mushroom beds from frost, and make new ones in some 

 sheltered situation for a summer and winter supply. Cucumbers and vegetable 

 marrows to be sown in frames, and when up be careful not to check the plants by 

 using cold water, and close the frames early in the afternoon. Sea-kale roots may 

 be planted in a well-trenched, rich deep soil. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Protecting material for wall fruits should be provided at once, if not already 

 done, but let the trees have all the sunshine possible, as that is beneficial — it is the 

 frost that does the mischief. Should any pruning or nailiug have been neglected, 

 see to it at once. Grafting may be commenced, and be careful to clay and moss 

 the insertions securely as a protection against the cold drying winds. Such trees 

 as are affected with the American bug should be washed over with lime water. 

 It should be applied to every part of the tree while hot, taking care that the 

 mixture is well stirred before using it. Make a final pruning of apples, plums, and 

 cherries, and endeavour to complete the pruning in the first week, and the red and 

 white currants during the second ; in pruning them, thin out the branches, and 

 keep the middle open, that the sun and air may act on the fruit, which will im- 

 prove the size and flavour. Raspberries should be attended to, by cutting out the 

 dead canes and thinning those of last year where too numerous, and shortening 

 those left for fruiting. Should new plantations of raspberries be required, they 

 may be made with the young shoots of last year's growth. Strawberry plants ia 

 pots now taken in will ripen fruit in May. Place them near the glass and give 

 ■water to them when required, taking care the plants do not get dry. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Plants in the greenhouse are now in active growth and will require more than 

 usual care. Look out for green-fly and other enemies, which if not now kept in 

 check may do irreparable mischief See that there is water in the house, to warm 

 and gotten for next day's use. Take care in watering that you do not give a chill, 

 and watering and ventilation must be regulated by the weather. Fuchsias, 

 acacias, and other plants that are growing freely, may be syringed. The propaga- 



