660 CALENDAR FOR LOW-COUNTRY 



pests are prevalent. Constant attention must be directed to the destruction 

 of pests and the supplying of vacancies. Weeds are apt to become trouble- 

 some this month. The surface of the soil should be frequently pointed o\er, 

 as the continuous rain tends to cake it. Attend to potting of plants generally ; 

 this should be about the last shift for flowering plants for the season. Re- 

 plant strawberries. Cadjans or some similar material should be obtained for 

 covering all plants that are susceptible to frost, which is now liable to occur 

 at night at the higher elevations. Sow vegetables of all kinds. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MOIST LOW-COUNTRY 

 BY THE AUTHOR. 



The following general remarks may need modification accord- 

 ing to weather, local circumstances and elevation. For average 

 rainfall in principal towns in Ceylon, see page 5. 



January. Weather generally dry, with strong North-east wind. Plant- 

 ing operations in the open should now cease. Collect fallen leaves on lawns, 

 etc., and place in a deep trench to form leaf-mould. Order plants of roses, 

 etc., from abroad, so as to receive them in April or May. Cloves are now in 

 season. These should be collected before the buds open, and spread out on 

 mats to dry in the sun. Tamarinds, pine-apples, and Cochin-goraka are fruits 

 in season. Congea lomentosa well in flower. 



February. Usually the driest month of the year, with dry parching 

 winds. The surface soil should be stirred up frequently so as to check the 

 evaporation of moisture. Much watering will be necessary for pot-plants, 

 shrubberies, beds and borders. Overhaul pots and seed-pans, and ; order new 

 stock if required ; these cannot be made so well in rainy weather as now. 

 Syringe pot-plants frequently, at least twice a day in hot dry weather. Repair 

 drives and paths. Mulch surface soil among crops of all kinds. Where 

 practicable, all plants with delicate leaves should be afforded partial shade. 

 Do not water bulbous plants which may now be in a resting state. Flower 

 seeds may be ordered from Europe. Star-apple, pine-apple, and lovi-lovi in 

 season. Bombax, Jacaranda, Bignonia venusta, Gliricidia and Tabebuia in 

 flower. 



March. Weather dry and hot, and most trees, crops and tender plants 

 suffer from drought. Towards end of month plant out yams, sweet-potatoes, 

 and similar root-crops. Watering, shading and mulching should be the order 

 of the day. Loosen the surface soil frequently where artificial watering is 

 carried on. Syringe pot-plants morning and evening with clean water. Re- 

 potting of plants should be carried out now. Fruits in season : Pine-apple, 

 pomegranate, cannonball tree, velvet-apple and Madagascar clove. In 

 flower : Jacaranda, Gliricidia, Spalhodea campanulata, Bignonia venusta, Saraca 

 declinata, Amherstia nobilis, Tabebuia, etc. 



April. Weather hot and muggy, often with thunderstorms. Keep 

 drains, water-channels and culverts clear of leaves and rubbish, and provide 

 means of escape for excessive rain water. Plant out yams and native 

 vegetables of all sorts. Overhaul banana clumps, cutting out barren stems 

 and dried leaves, and burying these round the plants. Orange, jak-fruit, star- 

 apple and bullock-heart in season. Cassia grandis, Schizolobium, Bignonia 



