iSgo. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



117 



LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. 



Bedding Plants. Make your estlmaU" of what wfll 

 be ueedea In this line, anil provide for It early by 

 growing the desired subjeets, or making earlj- eon- 

 tracts with llorlsls to supply what Is needed. 



Mice often do great daniace by girdling trees and 

 htHlge plants under the snowline. Tramp down the 

 snow s«x>n after every fre^h fall. 



Manure, well-composted and free from weed seeds, 

 may be drawn out on the lawu. beds and borders 

 while the ground Is fiozeu. 



Pruninsf. Shrubs may be pruned with a view to 

 preserve their natural habit. Never bring them into 

 a formal shape unless grown for hedges. The class 

 including Roses, Hai-dy Hydrangea, Burning Bush, 

 Coronilla. Amorpha, Hypericum. Altbi^as. Late-flower- 

 ing Spineas and others that bear their bloom on the 

 new growth of the season, may now be cut back quite 

 severely with good results. Almost ail other shrubs. 

 however, produce their flowers from buds on the old 

 wood, and severe pruning would only result in pruning 

 away so many tlowers. With these subjects cut no 

 more than to improve the genera! shape and leave 

 most of the pruning until just after the blooming 

 season, some months further along. Hedges of decid- 

 uous kinds should be given their annual trimming 

 during mild weather. 



Plans. Before out-door activity begins, the main 

 operations to be caTied out the coming season, needed 

 important changes, etc., should be well considered, 

 and perfect plans mapped out. This is work that can 

 be done to much better advautiige, and with greater 

 ease and thoroughness now than when the out-door 

 work begins to crowd upon our attention and efforts. 



Reqnlsites. Buy or otherwise provide for labels, 

 stakes and other requisites needed for the lawn and 

 flower beds 



Seed Sowing. At the south all hardier annuals may 



be sown out doors this month. Where early plants 

 for summer bedding are desired at the north, annuals 

 such as Balsams, Cockscombs, Globe Amaranths, Port- 

 ulaccas. Phloxes, Brachycomes, Stocks, Tropreolimis, 

 Cob£eas and kinds named under " House Plants " may 

 be started under glass. 



PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Carnations for next winter's flowering should now 

 be struck from cuttings . Keep the young plants 

 thrifty by free airing. Re-stake flowering plants that 

 may need it. 



Daisies, Pansies, Polyanthuses and other spring- 

 flowering plants if kept in cold frames should have 

 careful attention now. Be particular about the sashes 

 not leaking, also that no rain or snow water can get 

 into the frame around its sides, and have it pretty well 

 banked around to keep out the cold. Little frosts may 

 not hurt these plants but it doesn't do them any good, 

 and it certainly checks their blooming. 



Butch Bulbs. See Bulbs, also Hyacinths, under 

 " House Plants." 



Earth wronns now become more troublesome. Caus- 

 tic lime water is a perfect remedy. Soak the soil 

 thoroughly w^th it about once a month. 



Insects increase rapidly with increasing plant 

 growth. Regular fumigation in the greenhouse by 

 burning Tobacco stems, or other cheap forms of To- 

 bacco, will keep the aphis in complete subjection. An 

 infusion, about the color of tea. may also be freely 

 sprinkled on eflected plants, which should afterwards 

 be showered abundantly with clear water. Faithful 

 hand picking and frequent showering, as well as wash- 

 ing the leaves of J\'y and other smooth-leaved plants, 

 will do much towards keeping all in a healthy condi- 

 tion. Spraying daily for red spider and other Insects in 

 houses of high heat must not'be neglected. Hand- 

 pieklng, washing and brushing are the best remedies 

 for scale and mealy bug. 



Gloxinias. Do not be overanxious to start these 

 and other plants, Amaryllises, Tuberous- rooted Be- 

 gonias, etc.. before they have had their full season of 

 rest, and show an inclination to start to grow again. 



Mignonette may now be started from seed to a good 

 purpose. They will make nice plants and become very 

 acceptable for window and conservatory decoration by 

 the time mild weather sets in. 



Orchids that begin to grow during the time they are 

 in flower may be shifted as soon as done blooming. 

 Aerides, Vandas, Sacolabiums, Dendrobes, Ctelogynes 

 and several other genera do best in Sphagniun with 

 small crocks or sharp sand. Cattleyas. Ltelias. Oncidi- 

 ums do equally well in peat mixed with croks and a 

 few bits of charcoal; whilst some do best in a mixture 

 of peat and moss. 



Primroses. As the common Chinese sorts go out of 

 bloom, throw them away. It is much better to raise 

 a fresh lot from seed every year than to bother keeping 

 over a lot of old plants. Save double-flowering ones 

 that you wish to keep. For seed keep over one or two 

 plants of your best sorts and grow them in a light but 

 not stinny exposure, and with a fine camel's-halr brush 

 artificially fertilize the flowers, else the seed cup w^ll 

 be a poor one. Do not expose to warm sunshine. 



Rose Propagation. No better season for it than 

 from now on. Use cuttings from the best aud strong- 

 est wood of recent growth. Never from the time the 

 cutting is put in, until the yoimg plant is fit to 



set <^ut. allow it to suffer for want of water. For* 

 g<Hid plants it is absolutely necessary to keep them in 

 coutiuuous health.^ growth. j 



Salvia splendens needs ample root-room, and a cool 

 temperature at this season. Keep the plants In good 

 growth all the time. 



Verbenas like fresh, sweet soils. Shake them out, 

 and repot when the need of it Is shown by their ceas- 

 ing to grow. Keep near the glass, giving plenty of air. 



FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



Caterpillars. When spraying with arsenical poisons 

 is odiipted as a regular practice, little danger Is to be 

 feared from leaf-eating insects. Where this is not 

 done, the eggs of tent caterpillar, etc., which can be 

 readily detected by an observant eye near the ends of 

 twigs where usually deposited, should be carefully 

 looked up and removed. 



General Management. Saw off the stubs left by 

 broken branches, and cover the wounds with thick 

 paint or melted grafting wax. Cut cions, if not already 

 done. Young trees need protecting from mice and 

 rabbits. Consider If it will be profitable to plant more 

 trees, shrubs, or vines. Make a list of what is needed, 

 and order early. Scraping the moss and old dead bark 

 off, and washing the bodies with some alkaline liquid 

 can always be recommended on general principles. 



Gooseberries and Currants. Prune on mild days 

 where needed. Apply a few shovelfuls of good manure 

 to each bush . 



Grapes. Repair trellises where rifeeded. Painting 

 the wooden work will usually pay weU. Prune vines 

 neglected until now. 



Manure. Don't expect good fruit and plenty of it 

 unless the trees and bushes are well fed. Top-dress 

 the orchard and small-fruit patches, and keep weedy 

 manure out of the Strawberry beds. 



Record of Varieties. Such can best be kept in shape 

 of a complete map of the orchard and fruit patches, 

 drawn on stiff heavy paper for permanent use. Mark 

 every tree, and every row of small fruits or Grapes, 

 and write in the name of the variety. Then if the 

 labels on trees, shrubs or plants be lost, you can easily 

 trace up the name of variety. 



Strawberries. Heavy winds are liable to blow the 

 mulch off pKrts of the patch, and thus expose the 

 plants to injury by cold and heaving. Examine the 

 beds frequently, and replace the mulch where needed. 



possible, avoiding cold draugiits. Stop side shoots at 

 second joint, aud attend to proper fertilization of the 

 fruit blossoms. Prepare beds, and sow for later crops. 



Grapes. The late houses to be kept as cool as possi- 

 ble by airing freely in all suitable weather. Houses 

 just started to be given a temperature of 50', gradually 

 Increasing as growth commences. Vines In flower 

 require strict attention to avoid dampness which 

 would prevent fruit setting. In the earlier houses the 

 fruit should be thinned as soon &3 the berries are the 

 size of small Peas. 



Nectarines. Keep houses cool by airing freely. 

 Prune aud tie up. Paint larger branches with soap 

 and sulphur. Fertilize the flowers careful Ij'. 



Parsley growing in boxes or in cold frames may be 

 given liquid maniu"e frequently. 



Peaches. Treat like Nectarines. 



Strawberries. Give liquid manure at times tmtll 

 the fruit shows indications of ripening, when It should 

 be withheld, and the fruit exposed to heat and light 

 as much as possible. Start plants for successional crops. 



«##;^>-A 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Asparagus. A dressing of well composted stable 

 manure, or of some good high-grade complete ma- 

 nure, will come acceptable. Salt, at the rate of about 

 two pounds to the square yard, is often recommended, 

 but while it does no harm it is by no means sure 

 whether its application is followed by positive bene- 

 ficial results. Expect none near the seacoast. 



Catalogues of seedsmen at once to be sent for, and 

 thoroughly examined. Make out a list of seeds need- 

 ed, and order early. 



Cold Frames need strictest attention, especially 

 duripg clear, warm weather. Air freely, and harden 

 off wintered plants to get them ready for setting in 

 oi)eu ground. 



Hotbeds. A leading feature is to have the manure 

 evenly distributed and well tramped 

 down, so there will be no depression 

 in center. See illustration. 



Lettuce, Radishes and other early 

 vegetables usually sell well in manu- 

 facturing towns, but the grower must 

 take them to market himself. Study 

 the wants of your local market, and 

 sow and plant to meet the demand. 



Manure is the foundation of a good„,^°„/g t'venty di 

 garden. Accumulate, buy and get in 

 readiness all that may be needed. Guard against 

 leaching or firefang in stock now on hand. Order what 

 commercial fertilizers may be required. 



Mice and Moles where troublesome in hot beds and 

 cold frames, should be caught in traps or otherwise 

 got rid of. 



Planting. At the south all hardy early vegetables 

 may be planted, also Potatoes, Asparagus beds. Rhu- 

 barb, and Horse Radish plantations may be got in 

 readiness for cropping. The most successful garden- 

 ers never hesitate to take some risks In early planting. 



Rhubarb. If desired early, a few plants may be 

 covered by boxes or kegs, and fermenting horse- 

 manure piled on pretty thick on these. 



Salsify and Parsnips to be dug as soon as the ground 

 thaws. 



Seeds, Examine the stock on hand, and prociu-e 

 what else is needed. If this is delayed much incon- 

 venience, delayed planting, etc., maybe the result. 



Vegetable Cellars. Keep as cool as possible by 

 airing freely in suitable weather. Clear out rubbish. 



THE POULTRY YARD. 



Charcoal for the Fowls. Charcoal is much 

 appreciated by them. The best is formed of 

 charred grain. I'orn roasted like Coffee and fed 

 twice a week would no doubt pay for the trouble. 

 — Rural Canadian. 



Feeding Cabbage. Place a head of Cabbage 

 in the poultry yard and the hens will know how 

 to use it. Cabbage makes an excellent addition 

 to the ordinary dry food, and is highly relished 

 by all classes of poultry, especially at this season, 

 when green food is not readily obtained. 



Vegetable Food, Cook up Turnips and mix 

 with bran and meal, and then lookout for the 

 egsrs. If you have any Corn fodder to spare cut 

 up a lot in short lengths and spread over the 

 poultry house floor. Among this throw the 

 grain ;'it will get the fowls to scratching.— Ex. 



Force of Habit. Hens are not always hungry 

 because they follow the feed box, for they will 

 run to a person carrying a pan of Corn, merely 

 because they have been accustomed to be thus 

 fed. An unexperienced person is apt to feed 

 them when he sees them apparently so eager for 

 food. Feed only as much as they will eat up 

 clean at certain hours, to prevent their getting 

 too fat for egg laying. 



Pea Fowls. Of the common peacock, original- 

 ly from India, Malabar and Ceylon, there are 

 several varieties, among which are the common, 

 white and parti-colored The Japanese peacock 

 from India diifers from the common species in 

 the blue color and the metallic reflections of the 

 neck, while the gi-een-necked peafowl, from 

 Cochin China and the Indian Archipelago, is 

 distinguished by the neck being of a gieen color. 



Feeding for £gg9. Id feeding our breeders we 

 aim to get eggs that will hatch chickens with a 

 strong constitution and good qualities, while in 

 feeding layers we want eggs, and only eggs, 

 whether they will hatch or not. To this end we 

 keep only pullets of last year's hatch and feed 

 all they will eat of rich food, constantly growing 

 richer. If they flag, we give a stimulant to im- 

 part to them a fresh start. Red jicpper is the cheap- 



FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER 

 GLASS. 



Asparagus should be freely aired whenever possible. 

 To Insure tender shots, malntaiu rapid growth by 

 close attention to proper heat, ventilation and water- 

 ing. Start roots Into growth for succession. 



Cucumbers. Maintain a temperatm-e of 65'' or 70^ 

 by night, and Tif to SS"' by day. Give air whenever 



(Mirf tpcU made: thejirst witlioiit regard to having the 

 stributed and firmed, causing settling into a bad shape 



est and herhaps the best thing for the purpose 



Feeding in Winter, The food is usually in 

 such concentrated form that the fowls can fill 

 their crops in a few minutes. Then they stand 

 moping in the cold or return to their perch for 

 greater warmth. If fattening be the object this 

 is well enough ; liut it gives small chance for the 

 healthful thrift necessary for egg production. 

 The feeder who always makes his hens scratch 

 for their living gets the most eggs. Feed small 

 grains, Oats or Wheat, and throw this among so 

 much finely cut sti-aw that they will pick but 

 one grain at a time. The health and prolificacy 

 of barnvard fowls that depend on the manure 

 heap for their living is due to the fact that they 

 have to earn what they eat before they get it- 

 American Cultivator. 



General Uanagement. Wheat and Oats should 

 be given alternately- Oats always dry ; Wheat 

 either dry or cooked, I have invariably had 

 good results from feeding sound Wheat boiled 

 to bursting. A moderate dose of sulphur given 

 twice a week serves as a laxative and blood puri- 

 fier. Season all soft food with a pinch of salt. 

 A small quantity of flaxseed meal mixed with 

 their morning ration is also strongly advised. It 

 makes their plumage bright and glossy, and 

 deepens the color of their combs and earlobes. 

 Pronde a plentiful supply of grit or sharp 

 gravel. Keep feeding-troughs and drinking- ves- 

 sels clean and wholesome. Make a number of 

 nice new nests, for hens thus cared for will pay 

 for the trouble by heaping your egg-baskets 

 when the market is at its best.— Canadian. 



