148 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 



who have no such conveniences may, however, delay the 

 planting of sound bulbs, until the weather will admit of their 

 being planted in warm borders. 



Dahlia roots should now be plunged in a hot-bed, to for- 

 ward them, with a view to their being separated, as soon as 

 the eyes are discernible, 77. 



APRIL. 



As Nature feels the sun's life-giving rays, 

 And genial showers now mark the lengthen'd days, 

 Buds and sweet blossoms, redolent of Spring, 

 To meditation soothing moments bring. 



This is the most important month in the year for gardening 

 operations. If not done toward the end of the last month, 

 the covering must be taken from hardy flowering plants 

 early in this month, and the beds and borders attended to as 

 directed, pages 22 and 37 ; at the same time, clip edgings of 

 box, and clean, re-lay, or make new gravel walks, Szc, 15 ; 

 piune and transplant flowering shrubs, 39 and 53 ; trans- 

 plant also hardy herbaceous plants, 34 and 35. 



Sow flower seed ; the hardiest may be sown in the open 

 borders, and the tender in hot-beds, 23 and 33. 



All the soil of a garden should be dug this month, if pos- 

 sible, and pulverized as directed, 22 and 65. 



It will be necessary to look over all the green-house plants 

 in the early part of this month ; let them be deprived of 

 dead wood, if any, by a careful pruning ; at the same time 

 take off' all yellow leaves ; the earth at the top of the pots 

 should be loosened, so as to admit the sun and air to the 

 roots of the plants, 99 and 101. 



If insects prevail on Roses or other plants, a fumigation 

 with tobacco will be necessary. 



Bulbous roots will require some attention this month; 

 those in bloom in the garden should be tied up to wires or 



