178 FLOWER GARDENANNUALS. [APRIL. 



taken to prick out or transplant annuals, or stocks, but 

 by no means go on the borders while they are wet. If 

 it cannot be done by keeping on the walks, defer it un- 

 til they are in a proper state. One day of laborious 

 attention just now will save two in the heat of summer. 

 Many in the height of bustle never finish properly as 

 they proceed, which is the worst of practices. Every 

 operation ought to be completely and properly finished 

 before another is taken in hand, which will ultimately 

 prove the quickest and best method to work upon. 



Let digging, pruning, hoeing, raking, &c. be done as 

 expeditiously as strength will allow; that the time may 

 be devoted for a few weeks to the beautifying of the 

 garden by sowing and planting. 



ANNUALS. 



Those that are tender and were sown last month, 

 according to directions, will be ready to prick out into 

 another light hot-bed, about two feet high, prepared as 

 directed in February. Keep them a few inches apart 

 to let the air circulate. Give them frequent sprinklings 

 with water, and shade them with a mat for a few days 

 until they have taken fresh root ; then give them plenty 

 of air, and by the first of next month expose them night 

 and day to harden the plants for the open ground. A 

 few of the annual se.eds of every description, and of 

 every country and climate, may be sown any time after 

 the middle of the month. If the season prove favoura- 

 ble they will do well ; but reserving a part to sow about 

 the 15th of May, will guard against every extreme. 



