192 Horticultural Operations for April. 



flower garden for the season. Immediately set about digging, raking and 

 clearing the shrubbery. Prune away all dead limbs and over crowded 

 shoots. Roll the lawns now before the ground becomes hard and dry. If 

 any planting is to be done prepare the ground early, so as to finish the 

 work Avhen the weather is better. Sow all kinds of seeds needed for filling 

 the flower beds. Prune and put in order all rose plantations. 



Tulips, Hyacinths, Japan Lilies and other winter bulbs should now 

 be uncovered, and as soon as they are well up, and the soil dry, stir it with 

 a trowel between the rows. 



Carnations and Picotees, wintered in frames, may be planted out this 

 month. Dig the bed deep, and manure well. 



Herbaceous Plants of all kinds may be transplanted now. 



Pansies sheltered by frames may now have the covering removed. New 

 beds may be made now from plants raised in the house. Shelter for a few 

 days, till well inured to the weather. 



PiEONiES should be transplanted and divided before they get too far 

 advanced. 



Dahlias for early blooming may be started now in the hotbed. 



Gladioluses may be planted towards the last of the month. 



Annuals of all tender kinds should be forwarded now in hotbeds or 

 frames ; and hardy kinds may be planted at the end of the month in the 

 borders. Rocket Larkspurs, Eschscholtzias, Clarkias, and many of the 

 Californian sorts, do much better for early planting. 



vegetable department. 



Make up new hotbeds for transplantations of cucumbers and melons, and 

 reline old ones, to keep up a good heat. Continue to sow all kinds of seeds 

 not yet in. 



Tomatoes early sown should be potted off", or shifted into larger size, if 

 already potted. 



Egg Plants should be repotted, if growing vigorously. 



Corn, Squashes, Cucumbers, Lima Beans, and many other tender 

 vegetables may be forwarded a month by planting on inverted sods in the 

 hotbed ; to be planted out in May, after the frosts are over. 



Cabbages, &c., already up, should now be dibbled out into cold frannes, 

 and hardened oflT, in order to get them out early. 



Carrots, Beets, &c., may now be planted in tlie open ground. 



Potatoes may be forwarded on inverted sods, covering them Avith three 

 or four inches of strawy manure. In May, each sod (about six inches 

 square,) may be taken up and planted out at suitable distances, and a very 

 early crop may be obtained. 



Asparagus Beds should be top-dressed, and lightly dug with a fork. 



Lettuces, Radishes, &.C., for a succession, should be sown in rich soil, in 

 the open ground. 



Prepare all ground for planting, as speedily as possible, and forward all 

 kinds of work. 



