A GAIN the cheerful month of Maj' is ushered in, and 



■^^ the gardens, hedges, and fields, begin to teem with 



and glowing tints of their floral treasures. 





all the verdancj' and glowing tints of their floral treasures. The 

 occasional return of frost, which have recently intercepted and ob- 

 structed the stream of vegetable activity, have their severity more tem- 

 pered, yet all danger is not positively passed over, and the floral 

 cultivator must for a fortnight longer exercise caution. Tins month 

 is the usual period for planting out in masses, as well as promiscuously, 

 those greenhouse and frame plants, as Geraniums, Heliotropes, Petunias, 

 Verbenas, &c., wliich in consequence of their previous habitations will 

 be somewhat tender, and the new shoots being delicate will be the more 

 liable to receive injury by a slight frost, and such occurrences we have 

 often known to take place even beyond the middle of May. 



It is, however, very desirable to plant out, as early as possible, in 

 order to ensure an early show of bloom, and have the beds, &c., covered 

 entire. Where this system of adorning the flower garden is carried 

 out to a great extent, and we observe it to be increasing every suc- 

 cessive year, it is rendered proportionably diflScult to give entire pro- 

 tection, so as to guard against casual frost and cold at night, but as far 

 as is practicable, a covering of canvass, cotton, mats, or similar article, 

 should be used ; sucli may be elevated above the tops of the plants, by 

 sticks stuck into the beds somewhat close, or by having rods bent over 

 the beds, &c., upon which the covering may be thrown and secured 

 down at the sides. Thus provided, the plants may safely be turned out 

 into the open ground earlj- in May, they will tlien be obtaining root- 

 hold in the soil, and speedily cover the beds. An early removal of 

 such plants into the open beds is sometimes verj^ desirable, where the 

 pits, frames, &c., are required for other purposes. Where there is 

 ample pit, or frame room, then a delay is not a matter of importance 

 on that account, and a continued growth of the plants in their warmer 

 habitations will produce larger specimens when turned out later, but 

 to turn out earlier and have the protection above stated secures a finer 

 display, and the addition of extra potting, watering, &c , requLsite 

 while under pit or frame cover, will be obviated. 



If any of the preparatory arrangements for planting out are yet in- 

 complete, no further putting off should be indulged in. 



Fresh loam, peat, and well rotted manure are essentials in due propor- 

 tion, and if not alreadj' provided should be done without delay, we have 

 always found fresh soil induced a finer bloom. With plants that are 

 of a gross habit, less manure of course is requisite ; exotic plants 

 turned out, should never be gorged with fresh dung, it generally 



