62 ANNUALS. [April 



accidents from the wind. Allow no shoots to arise from the 

 stock. 



APRIL. 



THE ambition of every amateur and gardener, during this 

 month, is to be at the head of every department, and over 

 every spot. The operator's activity, in this month, almost 

 regulates the whole season. Every weed ought to be cut 

 down as soon as it appears, and the proverbial saying will be 

 realized, " A garden that is well kept is easily kept ;" one 

 hour of laborious industry now will save two in the heat of 

 summer. A wet day need cause no loss of time : prepare 

 rods, bands, and tallies, to be in readiness when required 

 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, hoeing, and raking be done as expeditiously 

 as strength will allow, that the time may be devoted, for a 

 few weeks, to the beautifying of the garden and parterre, bv 

 sowing and planting. 



ANNUALS. 



Those that are tender and were sown last month, according 

 to directions, will be ready to pncK out into another glass 

 frame. Keep them a few inches apart, to let the air circu- 

 late. 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 seeds, of every de- 

 scription, and of every country and climate, may be sown any 

 time after the middle of the month. If the season prove 

 favourable, they will do well ; but reserving a part to sow 

 about iliQ 15th of May, will guard against every extreme. 



