APRIL. 199 



some parts of the country averaging' a foot or more in depth ; but in the 

 absence of frost in the soil, the fine clear sky and bright eun have 

 melted it away, and nothing is wanted but a genial rain to cause it to rapidly 

 disappear. No rain has fallen since the month of December last. Un- 

 doubtedly our "April showers " will be " copious rains " this season. 



Grape Vines. — No finer or more favorable weather could have been de- 

 sired for forcing than the last month. An almost unclouded sky has prevailed, 

 with an abundance of sun heat, and this is all the grape grower can wish at 

 this season. The earliest vines will now be coloring their fruit, and as the 

 weather will now admit, air should be liberally given. Discontinue any 

 damping of the house ; keep the laterals stopped, according to their vigor. 

 Vines in greenhouses will now be setting their fruit, and will need to have 

 a little warmer temperature for a short time ; attend to thinning out in good 

 season. Maintain a moist and genial atmosphere, suiting it to both plants 

 and grapes, and stop all laterals rather short so as not to ehade the plants. 

 Cold graperies will now require care ; syringe the vines, to cause them to 

 break evenly, and tie them up to the trellis in good season. Close the house 

 early, and do not keep too high a temperature during the day. Attend to 

 the grape borders ; rake off the coarse litter and fork the surface, that it may 

 admit the warmth of the sun's rays, and receive the genial showers of 

 April. 



Strawberry Beds should now be uncovered, and as soon as the ground 

 is dry and in good order, the surface manured and slightly dug between the 

 rows. The latter part of the month is a good time to make new beds. 



Raspberries should be uncovered, the vines pruned of the slender wood, 

 and tied to stakes ; manure and dig the ground early, and make new plan- 

 tations. 



Blackberries should be headed in, leaving only good stout canes five or 

 six feet long. 



Currants and Gooseberries should be pruned early. 



Grafting should be commenced at once, beginning always with the 

 cherries. Root grafts should now be set out in nursery rows. 



Frdit Trees of all kinds may be planted, pruned, &c. Wash the stems 

 with whale oil soap to keep the bark healthy and clean. 



The Canker Worm grub will now begin to run, and the trees should 

 be kept constantly tarred. 



FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 



The busy month is upon us, and the gardener who is not prepared for it, 

 SO far as he could possibly do so, will be constantly worried and pushed till 

 the planting season is over, — that is, if he is ambitious to have everything 

 under his charge in the best condition. There is enough to do in every 

 department, but with a little system all may be accomplished. Begin 

 every operation in time and complete it before commencing another. The 

 out-door and in-door departments alike require attention. In the former, 

 ground must be prepared, plants set out, seeds sown ; and, in the latter, re- 

 potting must be kept up, propagation still go on, and preparations made for 



