SEASONABLE NOTES FOR APRIL. 



HE unusually fine weather experi- 

 enced here in this section of Ontario 

 during-theearlypartof March, makes 

 it somewhat difficult at this date — 

 March 1 2th — to outline very closely what 

 operations may be necessary or adaptable 

 for the month of April among-st the plants 

 and flowers. With the mercury registering- 

 about 52° at midnight, 70° in the shade 

 at mid-day, and the pleasant warbling of 

 robins and greybirds greeting one on every 

 side, to say nothing of reports of sowings of 

 sweet peas, etc., having already been made 

 in the open ground, it is difficult to realize 

 that we are yet three Vveeks and more from 

 the beginning of April, or yet clear of winter 

 weather. It is spring seasons such as this 

 that tempts those who have tender or half 

 hardy plants to expose them somewhat too 

 abruptly from their warm winter quarters to 

 the uncertain weather conditions that often 

 follow these seductive spells of summer 

 in early spring. The transfer of plants from 

 their winter quarters to out door life always 

 requires the exercise of care and discretion, 

 much more in seasons such as the present 

 one when spring promises to be unusually 

 early. 



A word or two of timely warning may pre- 

 vent the loss of some favorite plants. I 

 am aware from my own past experience that 

 reminders of this kind are necessary at this 

 season of the year, when we are perhaps too 

 eager in anticipating the delights of summer 

 in the garden, by undue haste in exposing 

 tender or half hardy plants to uncertain 

 weather conditions outside. 



THE GREENHOUSE. 



Bedding Plants.— The latest struck cut- 

 tings of these should now be potted off, so 

 as to become established in the pots prior to 

 being hardened off outside later on. 



As a rule carnations, geraniums, mignon- 

 ette, early sown asters and other compara- 

 tively hardy plants can be transferred to a 

 cold frame outside. A sash as well as other 

 protective material should, however, always 

 be in readiness to cover them up with in cold 

 weather. Coleus, heliotrope, lobelia and 

 the more tender varieties are safest in the 

 greenhouse until all danger of frost is past. 

 It is always wise to shade plants for a few 

 hours in the hottest part of the day for per- 

 haps a week until the growth has become 

 hardened to the more exposed position that 



