26 MARCH FLOWER GARDEN. 



really hardy annuals are better for Autumn than 

 Spring sowings. Lose no time in making a sowing of 

 Mignonette, if not already done. Eevise all named 

 plants whilst there are blooms or fruit to tell if they 

 are tallied correctly. 



Where the stock of Bulbs is not sufficient, no time 

 should be lost in making the necessary purchases, as 

 the best are always disposed of first. Bulbs of all 

 kinds may be planted towards the end of the month ; 

 see that the beds are properly prepared before plant- 

 ing; a sandy soil is the most suitable for the gene- 

 rality of bulbs. Where the soil is not naturally light, 

 it is a good practice to put a handful of sand round 

 the base of each bulb. The beds should have a good 

 dressing of thorougjpiy rotten cow dung, which should 

 be placed from 4 S> 6 inches below the surface of the 

 bed. On no account should the manure come in 

 contact with the bulb ; this is one of the chief sources 

 of wire-worm and the cause of many valuable collec- 

 tions of bulbs being destroyed. Crocus, Narcissus, 

 Gladiolus, Nerine, Oxalis, Triteleia, and some others, 

 are better if they remain in beds for several years ; it 

 is only necessary they should be taken up when they 

 get too thick, for the purpose of dividing and reduc- 

 ing. Preparation should now be made for planting. 

 See that the sites intended to be occupied by ever- 

 greens are in a fit condition for their reception. Most 

 evergreens may be successfully transplanted during 

 the latter part of this month ; see that a good ball 

 of earth is retained to each plant, reduce the head of 

 large specimens to a convenient size where practicable, 

 and should the weather prove dry, as it usually is at 

 this season, finish the operation with a thorough soak- 

 ing of water. The foliage should also be sprinkled 

 night and morning for a week or ten days ; this will 

 materially assist the plant, as it prevents evaporation 

 at a time when the plant can least afford it. 



