APRIL 147 



onions, lettuce, spinach, and radishes. Mushrooms may be started 

 in the cellar during February. 



If rhubarb roots were dug for forcing in the fall, they should be 

 pushed along during January and February. Place them in a 

 warm corner in the cellar and water them well. Strong succulent 

 shoots will be very palatable now. 



Hardy annual flowers and others may be started, such as pan- 

 sies, dahlia seeds, giillardia, China aster, cobea, and canna. 



March. — Watch for a chance to prepare the soil in the garden 

 this month. Many hardy plants may be started, such as onion 

 sets, lettuce, radishes, hardy cabbage, potatoes, spinach, and 

 peas if the weather proves to be favorable. Prepare the garden in 

 every way possible. Think of all the things that have to be done 

 and get ready for the spring rush. Drain the wet places in the 

 garden, add manure here and there and add lime and wood ashes 

 where needed. Have sand ready for starting nursery seeds. 



Make extra plantings in the hotbeds. Give the hotbed close 

 attention and avoid burning out the plants. The weather is 

 very changeable and much attention is required. 



The window boxes should be filled this month with transplanted 

 plants such as tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers and others. 

 Perennial plants, such as asparagus, rhubarb and horse-radish 

 may be transplanted this month. 



This is a good month in which to start a wild-flower garden. 

 Many plants begin to show in the woods and can be taken up 

 before they make too much growth. Ferns and other plants can 

 be placed on the north side of buildings or in other shaded spots 

 where other plants would not thrive. 



Bulbs of narcissus, tulips, and others started in January or 

 February may be planted out this month. Sow hardy annual 

 flowers out of doors. Plant pansies, sweet peas, and gladiolus seed. 

 April. — -This may be a good month for the general plowing and 

 harrowing of the garden. Make additional plantings of the hardy 

 vegetables mentioned last month. Plants of head lettuce, cabbage, 

 cauliflower, and spinach may be transplanted to the open garden 

 when the weather is favorable. The hotbed can be emptied 

 enough to start seeds of cucumbers, squash, and melons in berry 

 boxes or paper boxes for transplanting in May. Vines, trees and 

 shrubs should be planted early this month if not before. It is 

 also a good time for transplanting evergreens. 

 The surplus products should be marketed if possible. Sell 



