VILLA GAEDENING 525 



MARCH 



Flower Garden and Shrubbery. — Finish planting decidu- 

 ous trees and shrubs. Mulch and water if dry. Transj^lant 

 evergreens in dull showery weather. Tiu-n gravel walks and trim 

 turf- edgings. Prune all kinds of evergreen shrubs. Cut Ivy on 

 walls and fences close in with the shears. Divide and replant all 

 kinds of hardy plants. Plant Ranunculus and Pansies beginning 

 of month. Stir the soil freely among advancing spring flowers. 

 Press the soil round the necks of Pinks or other plants loosened 

 by frost. Roses may still be planted, and towards the end of the 

 month old-established beds of Roses should be pruned. Prepare 

 beds for Carnations, Hollyhocks, Dahlias, and Phloxes, by adding 

 manui"e and fresh turfy soil. Prune and train Creepers. 



Fruit Garden. — Protect the blossoms of wall trees. There are 

 many ways of doing this, which are fully referred to elsewhere. 

 Remove the coverings from Figs on walls end of month. Tie in and 

 shorten Raspberry canes. Keep a sharp eye on Peach trees, and 

 if the green or black aphis aj^pears apply Tobacco powder. New 

 plantations of Strawberries may be made now if sufiicient were not 

 planted in August. 



Vegetable Garden. — Sow Onions, Parsnips, Horn Carrots, 

 Peas, Beans, Cauliflowers, Brussel Sprouts, Borecole, Leeks, Chervil, 

 Spinach, Seakale, Lettuce, Turnips, Radishes, Asparagus, Parsley, 

 and small Salads. Plant Cabbages, Lettuces, Globe Artichokes, 

 Cauliflowers, Jerusalem Artichokes, Potatoes, Horse-radish, Seakale 

 Sets ; Rhubarb may be divided and replanted. Make up Mushroom 

 beds in the open air. Prepare new Asparagus beds for planting 

 in April. Manure, dig, and make ready for cropping all vacant 

 land. Earth-up, and stick all Peas as they require it. Plant 

 cuttings of Water-cress under north wall or in a frame, and keep 

 moist. 



Conservatory. — The house will be gay now with bulbs, 

 Cinerarias, Primulas, and forced plants, such as Azaleas, Roses, 

 Rhododendrons, Richardias, Prunus, Lily of the Valley, Wegeilias, 

 Deutzias, Dielytras, and Spiraeas. Camellias, Acacias, and Australian 

 plants generally, will be very gay. In a light house the Zonal 

 Pelargoniums will be a strong feature. Witli the longer days will 

 come a greater demand for water. Plants that have done blooming 

 should have all straggling growths reduced, and be moved to a 

 rather warmer position to make new growth. Hard -wooded 

 plants must not be kept in the warm conservatory too long. 



