CHAP. XII.] MAY. 329 



the proper height, generally about four inches 

 from the ground, above which the highest point 

 of the box should not reach; and the box 

 should be cut down to this line, every shoot 

 being cut in a slanting direction to a bud, and 

 only every alternate shoot suffered to reach the 

 line. Hardy annuals also may be sown in this 

 month, if the sowing of them was neglected in 

 March. The ornamental kinds of Ribes and 

 Berberis will begin to come into flower about 

 this time, as will Magnolia conspicua and the 

 common almond. 



In the kitchen-garden, April may be called 

 the grafting-month, though many gardeners 

 begin to perform that operation in 'March. In 

 the culinary department, those vegetables that 

 require transplanting, such as celery, sea-kale, 

 cauliflower, &c, are generally planted out in 

 April. The peas and beans are hoed up, as 

 are the potatoes ; the asparagus and artichoke 

 beds are dressed ; and the onions, turnips, &c, 

 are thinned. If potatoes for the main crop 

 were not planted in March, they should be 

 now. The peas should be staked when thev 

 are hoed up ; and this is the best season for 

 dividing roots of thyme and other aromatic 

 herbs. 



May. — In the flower-garden, this is the 

 month for planting out the tender annuals 

 which have been raised on a hotbed. The 

 seeds of hardy annuals may still be sown, and 

 also those of biennials for planting out the fol- 

 lowing spring. In this month, ornamental 

 perennial plants may be propagated by slips 

 and cuttings; and, if any were made in April 



