CHAPTER XIII 



FIRST WEEK IN APRIL 



to be in England, now that April's there ! " So 

 sang Robert Browning from the orange-groves of 

 Italy ; and his longing was justifiable, for there is 

 no more perfect weather than is to be found in our islands 

 this month, whilst every green thing, newly wakened from 

 its winter sleep, is endued with a freshness and morning 

 beauty unknown in tropical climes. Even those who have 

 no garden may enjoy something of this charm of spring if 

 :hey throw open their windows to let in the scent of a 

 >oxful of wallflowers, daffodils, tulips, and primroses, now 

 in full bloom. 



The spring window-box may be treated for immediate 

 effect in various ways. Button's wallflowers, sown last 

 May, are now most beautiful, and the sturdy little plants 

 (which were transplanted into a nursery-bed in July) can be 

 raised with a small fork during showery weather, and used 

 to fill a window-box, just as their first buds open. It is 

 only a matter of keeping their roots thoroughly moist, and 

 the ball of soil intact, to make them go on blooming as 

 if nothing had happened ; but in dry weather they should 

 be abundantly watered before raising them and shaded 

 for a few days afterwards. A double set of boxes is a 

 great advantage for a window, as the plants can then be 

 placed against a north wall after moving, but at this 

 time of year rainy weather is usually by no means wanting. 

 The turquoise-blue of the forget-me-not (myosotis) is in 

 charming contrast to the warm tints of the wallflowers, 

 and can be treated in the same way. Button's Perfection 



117 



