MAY J THE GREEN-HOUSE. 391 



Grass and Gravel Walks. 



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

 ed ; 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 over- 

 power 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 will 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 removal into the open air ; an extraordinary change of wea- 

 ther, however, may sometimes render it prudent to close them at 

 night, but that should not be done at this season, except in cases of 

 necessity. 



Water must now be given to every plant, according to its natura 

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

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

 frequently ; it is impossible to say how often, the state of the earth 

 in which they grow, will readily denote that, 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 in page 353 ; 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. 



