PROPAGATOR'S CALENDAR. 583 



up and forcing next November. Finish grafting hardy fruit-trees of all kinds, 

 if not already done. Propagate herbs of various kinds by cuttings, divi- 

 sion, or seeds. Fruit-trees generally, such as Apples, Pears, Plums, 

 Cherries, Medlars, Figs, Gooseberries, and Currants, may be increased by 

 cuttings, layers, or by grafting, which last-named operation may now be 

 generally performed. Sow kernels of Apples, Pears, Quinces, and Med- 

 lars for stocks, as recommended last month. 



Flower-Garden and Shrubbery. Now is a good time to increase hardy 

 perennials by division, if not already done. Plant Gladioli and other hardy 

 bulbs in beds or borders. Seeds of all hardy herbaceous plants may now 

 be sown in cool frames or on the open borders, protected with oiled-paper 

 frames or hand-lights. Finish up grafting ornamental-flowering shrubs in 

 fine weather ; complete plantations ; beat up failures ; finish hedge-plant- 

 ing ; sow remaining deciduous tree-seeds not already undertaken ; dry and 

 clean between the lines of plants still to stand in nursery, and finish, if 

 possible, the transplanting into nursery-rows of all young seedling trees, 

 particularly deciduous kinds ; green-crop with Potatoes nursery land not 

 planted up. This is the best preparation for land to be sown with tree- 

 seeds in autumn. Commence to graft ornamental trees, such as the varie- 

 ties of Ash, Beech, Oak, Elm, &c. Sow, in heat, Asters, Balsams, 

 Cockscombs, Marigolds, Stocks, Zinnias, and other half-hardy annuals ; 

 Larkspur, Mignonette, Sweet -peas, and hardy annuals out of doors ; 

 seeds of greenhouse and stove plants. Sow seeds of Verbenas in well- 

 drained pans, placed on a genial bottom-heat of 70 to 80. Seeds sown 

 early in the month, and pricked off in boxes as soon as fit to handle, make 

 fresh and vigorous plants for the flower-garden in June, and withstand 

 drought and insects much better than plants from cuttings. It is a pity 

 the Verbena is not more often treated as an annual. Put in slips, cuttings, 

 or offsets of Auriculas ; and seed from choice varieties may now be sown. 

 Sow seed also of Primroses, Polyanthus, Stocks, Violas, and other popular 

 hardy flowers. Annuals of all the hardier kinds may now be sown in the 

 open beds and borders. Sow tender annuals and perennials in heat. Sow 

 seeds of Oaks, Beech, Conifers, &c. Large cuttings or truncheons of 

 Willow, Poplar, Alder, Elders, Mulberries, &c., may now be driven into 

 the banks of streams, where they are to remain. Propagate rare trees and 

 shrubs by layering, and graft curious and rare varieties of deciduous trees, 

 English and Weeping Elms, Willows, &c. Sow seeds of Sweet-brier, and 

 also of the Common Brier, for Rose stocks. Plant out seedlings from the 

 seed-beds into nursery-rows. Cut or head back stocks budded last autumn. 

 Caragana frutescens, C. arborescens fastigiata, C. jubata, and the singular 

 weeping Calophaca (Colutea) Wolgarica, all handsome lawn-trees, may now 

 be grafted on standard stocks of Caragana arborescens, as also may be the 

 beautiful Hamilodendron argentaim. 



Plant and Fruit Houses. This is a busy month, when vegetable life 

 everywhere is becoming more vigorous every day. Bedding-plants of all 

 kinds will now be in a fit condition for propagating and getting forward for 

 May or June. Start Pelargoniums and Fuchsias for cuttings. Overhaul 

 tuberous-rooted Begonias, Gloxinias, Achimenes, Tydseas, Nsegelias, and 

 other gesneraceous plants, and pot off some for starting. Sow seeds of 

 Gloxinias, Balsams, and stove and greenhouse plants generally, in a bottom- 

 heat of 65 to 75. Cuttings of Gardenias, Ixoras, and other stove plants 

 may now be inserted, as also Sparmannia, Fuchsia, Heliotrope, &c., for 

 winter flowering. Sow Mignonette, Phlox, Dianthus, and all hardy or 

 half-hardy annuals ready for planting out in May. Divide Valottas and 

 other bulbs. Graft Roses on the Manetti stock, or on roots of the Wild- 

 brier, in a gentle bottom-heat of 70. In mild weather, all kinds of orna- 



