336 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



the ground. Heavy soil often crumbles readily after frost 

 in these months. Planting may be done when the soil 

 is ready. Prune and pot a few selected plants, and place 

 in the greenhouse. Delicate dwarf Teas in the open 

 ground may be protected by drawing a few inches of 

 soil up to them in January, and standards by placing 

 some bracken in the branches. Tender varieties on walls 

 may be protected by being covered with a mat. This 

 protective work may be done in January or earlier, 

 according to the weather. 



March. Complete planting this month. If the winter 

 has been mild, and the Roses have consequently broken 

 into growth at the upper part, it will be well to shorten 

 them about half-way to the point of ultimate pruning 

 early in the month, and complete the pruning at the 

 end. Cut newly planted Roses hard back at the end of 

 the month. Look out for green-fly on indoor plants, 

 and vaporise the house to prevent its spread. 



April. All pruning may be completed early in this 

 month. Teas and Hybrid Teas sometimes start later 

 than Hybrid Perpetuals, but the pruning can be com- 

 pleted by the middle of April. Look over wall Roses 

 and cut out superfluous growths. Crowding should not 

 be permitted. Fasten the main shoots to the walls with 

 cast-iron nails and shreds or other approved means. 

 Prune back the shoots of budded Briers when the Rose 

 buds begin to grow. Attend to the watering of indoor 

 plants, and give liquid manure once a week. Give 

 abundance of air. 



May. Plants will now be growing fast, and the first 

 tints will be much admired. Keep a sharp lookout for 

 grubs, and examine any curled leaves. Thin the shoots 

 of plants which are wanted to give fine flowers. Put pot 

 plants that have finished flowering in the opeii air on 



