Gardening for Amateurs 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 late in Hpril 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



PRUNING Shrubs. Evergreens 

 such as Laurel, Holly, etc., may 

 be pruned at once where this is 

 necessary, and young growth will appear 

 in a very short time. The work needs 

 more care than is often bestowed upon 

 it, a knife should be used, not secateurs or 

 shears. A good many flowering shrubs 

 may now be pruned, but this work needs 

 more discrimination or much damage may 

 be done. The kinds to prune now are chiefly 

 those that bloom on the growth made the 

 previous year, the old stems which have 

 flowered being removed as far as possible. 

 A good example is the Forsythia or Golden 

 Bell tree, which is often trained to walls, 

 the growths being trimmed back annually 

 when the flowers are over. 



Shirley Poppies. Poppies in general 

 stand transplanting very poorly, so that it 

 is wise to sow seeds where the plants are 

 required to bloom. Sow now, and thin the 

 seedlings in good time to 12 inches apart. 



Tropaeolum. This favourite annual pre- 

 fers a sunny situation, but also thrives 

 fairly well in the shade, though flowering less 

 freely there. The climbing varieties are 

 useful for covering unsightly objects, while 

 those of the Tom Thumb class are excellent 

 for bedding. The Canary Creeper (T. Canari- 

 ense) is a general favourite. All may be 

 sown now where they are to flower. 



Castor Oil Plant. This is often used 

 in bedding arrangements for the value of 

 its ornamental foliage ; the seeds are sown 

 in a heated greenhouse, the seedlings being 

 hardened off, and planted out in June. It 

 can be grown quite easily by sowing seeds, 

 where the plants are wanted, at the end of 

 April. Sow several near together 3 inches 

 deep, the most promising plants only to 

 be retained ultimately. Very rich soil is 

 necessary to grow this plant well. 



Bulbs from Pots. Bulbs that were 

 forced into bloom early in the year and have 

 been for a short time in a cold frame should 



be planted out in suitable positions now 

 in shrubberies, under trees, and similar 

 spots, for instance. Roman Hyacinths are 

 useless after forcing, and should be thrown 

 away. 



Clearing Lawns of Weeds. Daisies 

 are the commonest weeds found in lawns, 

 and to get them out by hand is practically 

 impossible. Lawn sand as advertised for 

 this purpose may be applied now according 

 to directions. Deep-rooting plants such as 

 Dandelions and Plantains must be dug out 

 with as much root as possible attached, 

 using an old knife for the purpose. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 

 Shading. This becomes necessary as the 

 sun gains power, and is best provided by 

 means of canvas blinds attached to rollers, 

 for during dull periods the shade is un- 

 necessary, in fact more or less harmful. 

 Where these are not available limewash, or 

 preferably whiting mixed with milk should 

 be applied to the glass at once. After 

 heavy storms some of this may be found to 

 have been washed off, and it should be 

 replaced without delay. 



Potting Aspidistra. This plant, known 

 as the Parlour Palm, is a favourite for use 

 in living rooms, and if carefully looked after 

 in respect of watering and sponging, it stands 

 such treatment better than most plants. 

 Plants that need repotting, or dividing, 

 may be attended to now. A compost of 

 fibrous loam 2 parts, leaf -soil 1 part, with 

 some rough sand or grit, suits these plants 

 admirably. Drain the pots thoroughly, and 

 immediately over the crocks place some of 

 the rougher portions of the compost. It 

 is advisable to keep the plants in the green- 

 house for a few weeks until the roots " take 

 hold " of the new soil. Palms, Dracaenas, 

 and similar plants may be treated in the 

 same way. 



Cyclamen after Flowering. Upon the 

 treatment given the roots now will depend 

 to a great extent the flowering next winter. 



