60 ANNUALS. [April 



APRIL. 



The ambition of every amateur and gardener during this 

 month is, to be at the head of every department and over 

 every spot. The operator's activity, in this month, almost 

 regulates the whole season. Every weed ought to be cut 

 down as soon as it appears, and the proverbial saying will 

 be realized, " A garden that is well kept is easily kept;" 

 one hour of laborious industry now will save two in the 

 heat of summer. A wet day need cause no loss of time : 

 prepare rods, bands and tallies, to be in readiness when 

 required. Many, in the height of bustle, never finish pro- 

 perly as they proceed, which is the worst of practices. 

 Every operation ought to be completely and properly finish- 

 ed before another is taken in hand, which will ultimately 

 prove the quickest and best method to work upon. 



Let digging, hoeing and raking be done as expeditiously 

 as strength will allow, that the time may be devoted, for a 

 few weeks, to the beautifying of the garden and parterre, by 

 sowing and planting. 



ANNUALS. 



Those that are tender and were sown last month, accord- 

 ing to directions, will be ready to prick out into another 

 glass frame. Keep them a few inches apart to let the air 

 circulate. Give them frequent sprinklings with water, and 

 shade them with a mat for a few days until they have taken 

 fresh root; then give them plenty of air, and by the first 

 of next month, expose them night and day, to harden the 

 plants for the open ground. A few of the annual seeds of 

 every description, and of every country and climate, may 

 be sown any time after the middle of the month. If the 

 season prove favourable, they will do well ; but reserving 

 a part to sow about the 15th of May, will guard against 

 every extreme. 



