TIMELY TOPICS FOR THE AMATEUR. 



i6i 



Fig. 17S7. Ditch Hyacinth, "Norma" 



J- Gadby. Plioto 



etc., should be out of their winter quarters 

 by now ; plants of these that have not been 

 re-potted recently, will ijive better results if 

 treated to a few doses of liquid cow manure 

 once or twice a week after growth has com- 

 menced ; this is a safe and effective fertilizer 

 for all such plants. 



Sow and transplant annuals and biennials 

 as required. Edge walks and roll lawns af- 

 ter rain. 



Mig-nonette that has been grown in pots 

 during- the winter may be planted out in the 

 border early in May ; you will secure some 

 spikes of bloom early by this method if you 

 don't disturb the roots when transplanting. 



Don't forget to shade hot bed sashes, and 

 open and close them morning and afternoon 

 on sunny days ; one or two hours' neglect 

 now may mean a season's failure. 



Fruit G.\rden. — Planting and transplant- 

 ing are the main features just now in the 

 fruit garden. 



Plant trees and bushes as soon as possible 

 after receiving them ; don't throw the bun- 

 dle of trees down anywhere and leave the 

 roots exposed to sun and air, and then blame 

 the nurseryman for failures. 



In planting give the roots plenty of room 

 in all directions, pack the soil firmly, and 

 don't plant too deep. 



If you cannot plant the trees at once, heel 

 them in deep, do not lay them down and throw 

 a little loose soil over them, but dig a good 

 deep hole and place the roots in and tramp 

 the soil firmly around them. 



A light mulch of long manure helps newly 

 planted trees, but don't smother the stem of 

 the tree ; keep the mulch just clear of the 

 stem. Remove mulch from strawberries, 

 and cultivate until the flowering period, then 

 replace the mulch, you will have cleaner and 

 better fruit by this method. Treat the 

 gooseberry patch in the same way. I find 

 that a light mulch in summer helps the fruit, 

 and keeps down mildew to a great extent. 



Rhubarb beds like a heavy mulching of 

 manure in the fall ; remove a portion of the 

 mulch now if too heavy. 



Spraying apple, pear, and plum trees with 

 the blue stone mixture before the buds swell, 

 keeps down black spots or fungi. For mak- 

 ing mixture see published formulas in the 

 " Horticulturist." 



Vegetable Garden. — Plant peas and 

 beans as required for successive crops. A 

 few rows of spinach may be sown for late 

 use. I find the Victoria spinach stands the 

 hot sun best, but the Viroflay is the best for 

 general use. Transplant early celery into 

 frames, or plant in the open ground. Sow 

 main crop of celery seed for late planting. 

 Sow cabbage and cauliflower outside for 

 late crops. 



Early cabbage and cauliflower raised in 

 frames may be planted out. 



The early express cabbage is a good first 

 early, and comes in quickly, about the time 

 asparagus is getting over. 



