04; THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



hardly know the namea of these delicacies, rear, on the simplest 

 food, a considerable number of the healthiest, cleverest, and strong- 

 est canaries. 



We must, however, be guided in a great measure by the consti- 

 tution of the birds. They should be daily supplied with fresh water, 

 as well for drinking as bathing, in which they delight. Iu the 

 moulting season, a nail or bit of iron should be put into the water, 

 in order to strengthen the stomach. Saffron and liquorice are in 

 this case more hurtful than useful. Grains of the saud with which 

 the bottom of the cage is strewed, afford the birds a help to 

 digestion. 



EEMIXDEES FOR GARDEN WORK IN MARCH. 



yi 



'HRYSANTHEMUMS should be parted and planted out in beds or 

 borders, that they may be got into a growing state before the season 

 for striking their tops, or be flowered as they stand. 



Auriculas will begin to grow fast, and unless you are particularlv 



in want of increase, you will strengthen the bloom by taking off the 

 side-shoots small ; they greatly retard the main bloom if permitted to grow on 

 the plant; they may have the benefit of warm showers occasionally, it' there be 

 such during the month, but they must be shut up and housed at night. 



Carnations, Picotees, Pinks, Pansies, Hyacinths, Tulips, and bulbs in 

 general, must have the treatment already recommended continued through the 

 present month. Hardy Annuals may be sown in the borders. 



Dahlias. — Take off cuttings from those already in heat, cut them close up to 

 a joint or under side of a leaf; put one cutting each into the smallest No. 60 

 pots, and place them into the hot-bed to strike. 



Grafting. — The middle of this month is a good time to begin grafting, and 

 as it is easy to get a piece of any good pear, apple, plum, cherry, peach, apricot, 

 nectai'ine, or other fruit, you may cut down any other less valuable tree of the 

 kind. All you have to do is to cut both the stock and the graft to fit each other, 

 tie them well to secure them, and put clay or grafting wax over them to keep the 

 air out. The wax is made with resin and bees'-wax, equil parts, and a little 

 common tallow to soften it. It should be hard when cold, and melt at a low 

 temperature ; it should be laid on with a brush. The best methods of grafting 

 were described in the February Number. 



Wall Fruit. — We have no faith in protecting ordinary wall fruit trees in 

 bloom, but for those who have, now is the time trees require it most. 



Clearing the ground among all sorts of crops and young trees is a necessary 

 duty at this time. 



Sow a few Eaelt Turnips iu a warm sheltered situation, and if there be any 

 continuance of dry weather, they must be watered. 



Potatoes. — Plant a few potatoes, whole sets of moderate size and early kinds. 

 If you have any well-rotted dung, dig trenches eight inches deep, two feet apart, 

 put dung three or four inches thick in the trenches, and the potatoes upon them, 

 draw down earth upon them to cover them well three inches. These are for an 

 early crop. 



Beans. — Plant out from the seed-beds in rows two feet apart, and the plants 

 about four inches apart in the rows. 



Radishes. — Continue to sow a few, if they are required to succeed those sown 

 last month. 



Horse-Radish. — Cut horse-radish into pieces an inch long, trench the ground 

 fifteen inches deep, place these cuttings in the trenches as you make them, six 

 inches apart, and cover up with the soil which you take out of the next trench. 

 It is a vu'gar notion that you are obliged to plaut crowns ; any inch all the way 



