100 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS. 



from frames and seed-boxes to the open ground. Planting out of hardy 

 perennials, carnations, asters, etc., can also be continued for the sake of 

 succession, with good results, if particularly well cared for with the hoe 

 to guard against drying-out, or if brought along by irrigation. April is 

 also a great month for subdivision of roots of herbaceous perennials, which 

 grow in clumps; callas, fleur-de-lis, agapanthus, calladiums, water lilies, 

 and many others. It is time to begin chrysanthemum planting for fall 

 bloom, and the best of the new shoots broken from the old roots will make 

 good plants in open air garden practice, though later starting from soft 

 cuttings is usually preferred by florists. All sorts of border plants, like 

 the new growth of violets, and so forth, do better if transplanted now than 

 later. 



But there is harvesting as well as planting in April. The rose should 

 be relieved of excess of blooming shoots, the strongest chosen to remain, 

 and freed frorrt excess of buds if fine large flowers are desired. Carna- 

 tion stems should also have side blooms pinched away for the same result. 

 In plant protection there is also much to do, for nearly the whole host of 

 pests, both insects and fungi, respond to benign beckoning to the delight 

 of life in April, and the beginner should haste for expert advice as to 

 destructive measures. 



The lawn must not be neglected in the rush of April duties. Too many 

 entrust the grass to the kindness of nature because it looks fairly well, and 

 expect to rush to its assistance after other things are finished. It is a 

 mistake. Good care of the lawn in April will bring much pleasure with it 

 later. Cut out, pull out, rake out, for each weed has its own best treat- 

 ment, all the foreign growth which the winter conditions have encouraged, 

 so that the freshly starting grass may have air and space to weave its 

 velvety mat. Cut frequently, apply commercial fertilizer and sprinkle, if 

 the showers be few, and thus secure a fine spring condition of the turf as a 

 foundation of summer satisfaction. 



It is still possible to put out summer flowering bulbs if they have been 

 kept dormant. Iris should be allowed to dry gradually after blooming. 

 Early planted gladioli and watsonias should be well watered and manured 

 as they will be shooting early flower stems. Scale insects on house plants 

 should be diligently watched for and removed, and in the open the whole 

 army of leaf-eaters will be getting busy, and the garden pump or atomizer 

 should be always ready. 



MAY. 



May gathers the last of the exposed places into .the frost-free period 

 which the thermal situations entered weeks and months before, conse- 

 quently, thought of protection may be abandoned and the tenderest plants 

 brought into the open air everywhere, except perhaps in the high mountain 

 valleys below the snow peaks. All seeds can still be sown for succession 

 of bloom or of esculent parts and thus is the reputation for California for 



