MAY] THE GREEN-HOUSE. 415 



GRASS AND GRAVEL WALKS. 



The grass-walks and lawns should now be duly mowed and rolled, 

 otherwise the grass will soon grow rank and unsightly; and where 

 plantain or any other kind of weeds are mixed therewith, they ought 

 to be picked or grubbed out, or else many of their seeds will ripen, 

 and thereby increase their species, which will overpower the grass 

 and render the verdure less agreeable. 



The gravel-walks should also be kept in complete order, pre- 

 serving them always free from weeds, and having them occasion- 

 ally swept to clear away all loose litter, and likewise well rolled, 

 generally once a week, but particularly after heavy showers of rain, 

 which well consolidate them, and render the surface smooth and 

 even. 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



AIR AND WATER. 



During the first ten days of this month, and in the middle States, 

 the last week of April, the doors and windows ought to be kept open, 

 night and day, in order to harden and prepare the plants for a re- 

 moval into the open air ; an extraordinary change of weather, how- 

 ever, may sometimes render it prudent to close them at night, but 

 that should not be done at this seasod except in cases of necessity. 



Water must now be given to every plant according to its nature 

 and in proportion to its necessity, as observed last month; the 

 oranges, lemons, myrtles, and other woody kinds, will require it fre- 

 quently; it is impossible to say how often ; the state of the earth in 

 which they grow will readily denote it; it should always be kept 

 moist but not wet. The succulent tribe must yet get it but sparingly. 



SHIFTING. 



Such plants as were not removed into larger pots or tubs in the 

 preceding months, and that still require it, may now be shifted as 

 directed on page 375 ; but this must be done in the first week of 

 the month, keeping them afterwards in the shade till they begin to 

 grow freely. 



Loosen the earth in the top of the pots and tubs, and refresh with 

 new compost such as had been neglected in April. 



PRUNING AND HEADING. 



You may still prune, trim, and head such of your plants as are 

 in need of that treatment ; but let it be done early in the month, 

 and as directed on pages 821, 322, and 376, which see. 



