166 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



on deciduous trees denote the rising sap, all nature 

 feels the pulse of spring. 



GENERAL WORK 



Nearly all plants should be pruned and fertilized 

 at this time, soil stirred, rubbish cleared away and 

 plants and seeds put in the ground. A month or so 

 later the value of such work is much less than if done 

 at present. The only plants which should not be set 

 out until later are those of a strictly tropical nature, 

 most of which are foliage plants like cyperus, canna, 

 elephant's ear, etc. Another tropical root or bulb 

 which should wait for a month is the dahlia. Fer- 

 tilize all growing plants, but not dormant ones. 



After a rain time should elapse sufficient to dry 

 the soil into a workable condition, for soil worked 

 when unfit becomes still more unfit for planting. In 

 the meantime, if soaking rain has not come, put your 

 soil in a condition to receive all that falls. There 

 is always considerable doubt as to our rainfall, in 

 time and quantity, but it is far better for plant life 

 than the water pipe supply, so that we should aim 

 both to catch and to hold it. For this purpose leave 

 your soil in the rough, well spaded up, until you need 

 to use it. After each rain, for fear no more will 

 come, hoe and rake the surface as deeply as you may 

 easily go, to conserve what has already fallen. 



SEED SOWING 



Begonias of the tuberous rooted section may be 

 grown from the seeds indoors, and it is also time to 

 plant seeds of torrenias which are of a like delicate 

 nature and suitable for the same positions, whole 

 or partial shade. 



Sow seeds for fall and summer flowers: Antir- 

 rhinum, aster, calliopsis, celosia, chrysanthemum, 



