APRIL. 



634 



AQUATIC PLANTS. 



much esteemed. To have it large, it 

 should remain over the second season. It 

 seldom grows large enough for use the first 

 year, but is none the worst for remaining 

 two or even three years before using. The 

 mode of culture is the same as that given 

 for salsafy. 



Spinach. This delicious vegetable is 

 always welcome at table, and is also useful 

 for colouring green pea soup in the summer 

 months. Seed may still be sown, and if 

 sown in a shady spot the crop will last longer. 



Turnips. A sowing of early Dutch 

 turnips may be made in this month. This 

 crop is very apt to ran to seed instead of 

 swelling at the root, if sown too early, but 

 a great deal depends on the kind of soil in 

 which the seed is sown. It does best on a 

 rather retentive soil, but should be in an 

 open and unshaded piece of ground, for 

 turnips never do much good if shaded or 

 overhung with trees. A dressing of soot 

 at the time of sowing makes a vast differ- 

 ence in them on their first appearance 

 through the soil, and seems to benefit 

 them greatly. The Red Stone is a sweet 

 and good early sort. 



April. Orchard House, Work 

 in. 



Unless this is heated, keep it constantly 

 open when the outside temperature is 

 above 32. Success here depends upon 

 retarding the trees as much as possible. 

 If they start now, and there happens to be 

 a sharp frost in April, the chances are that 

 the crops will be lost. If a pipe runs 

 round part or the whole of a house, it 

 may not be allowed to move at a tem- 

 perature of 40 to 45. Place plums, 

 apricots, and cherries in the coolest part, 

 nearest the ventilators. See that the trees 

 in pots and borders are well watered 

 previous to starting, and give all the air 

 possible to keep down the temperature 

 during frosty weather. 



April. Shrubbery, &c., Work 

 in. 



Gravel Walks and Lawns. Walks 

 should be broken up and turned, if not 

 done last month ; if turned then, roll twice 

 a week at least. Lawns should 'now be 

 mown once a week. All gaps in box 

 edging should be made good, well watered, 

 and trimmed. Stake all plants that require 

 support, and keep them clear of weeds, 

 raking them smooth with a fine rake. 



Rhododendrons. These beautiful shrubs, 

 whose blooms are at the finest in June, 

 may now be planted either singly or in 

 masses. Rhododendrons like a loose, peaty 

 soil, and plenty of peat should be mixed 

 with the earth in which they are planted. 



MAY. 



Aspect and Character of 

 Month. 



The average temperature of May is from 

 8 to 10 above that of April that is to say, 

 the mean height to which it rises throughout 

 the month may be taken at from 66 to 68, 

 speaking in round numbers. The maximum 

 average of heat in May, taken over a period 

 of ten years, was found to be 65*36, the 

 'ninimum 41*7 '/*, and the average mean 

 53'54. It presents, however, an increased 

 variation in its extremes of heat and cold 

 over April, which renders it very dangerous 

 to the tender flowers and fruits of spring, 

 which now, in consequence, require in- 

 creased care in protecting them from cold 

 frosty nights, and shading them from the 

 sun's heat. 



May. Conservatory, Work in. 



Camellias. Camellias, their season of 

 bloom being past, are now in their full 

 growth, and will be benefited by being 

 shaded from the bright sunshine. An 

 application of weak manure water will 

 now be of great use to them if the surface 



