THE JOYOUS ART OF GARDENING 



depth of two inches. When the seedlings are tall enough fill in the 

 rest of the soil. Poppies may be sown March 15. They prefer Ught, 

 sandy soil. Sow very lightly. 



Aside from these, sowings in March had better be made in the 

 hotbed or cold-frame. See Chart. 



A Uttle skiU in the management of hotbeds or cold-frames is a 

 valuable auxiliary. Cold-frames, especially, are very easily managed. 

 To tender annuals an infancy spent in the kind nursery of the cold- 

 frame is safe from the hazard of a late frost, also the blooming period 

 is lengthened; while many perennials, unless given this "head start," 

 would keep the gardener waiting for blossoms until the second year. 



Seeds may be sown in boxes and placed in the frames, or, if the 

 soil be a finely pulverized loam, sown directly in the ground. Here 

 is a list or two that may be of help: 



APRIL 



All the March work which in the New England phrase, "didn't 

 get 'round to" must be done directly. 



If you have not already done so, order seeds and plants and com- 

 mercial fertilizer (if you have not well-rotted manure). 



Plant tender annuals in hotbeds or cold-frames. It is too late for 

 starting perennials here. Thin seedlings in the cold-frame. If crowded 

 they become "leggy" and weak. 



Prune fruit-trees and grape-vines if the sap has not begun to flow. 

 If you don't know how, it is better to leave them alone. No pruning 

 is far better than wrong pruning. Do not prune hardy roses — it is 

 too late; nor spring-flowering shrubs — ^it is too early. 



To prepare the ground for planting is of chief importance. A 

 careful preparation of the soil is as essential to the success of a garden 

 as a well-ordered kitchen is to the comfort of a household. 



What You Can Piant m April 



Trees and Shrubs: All deciduous trees and shrubs are best planted 

 now. Hardy roses must be set out as soon as possible. 



Perennials: All hardy perennials may be planted now. 



Annuals: The following may be sown from April 15 to 30 (lati- 

 tude of New York), or as soon as danger from severe frost is over. 

 Candytuft, California poppy, *Drummond's phlox, *marigold (African), 

 ♦marigold (French), morning-glory, nasturtium (taU), nasturtium 

 (dwarf), petunia, sweet alyssum, sweet peas, *tobacco-plant, *zinnia; 

 also *balsam, coreopsis, corn-flower, *cosmos, Japanese pink, Shirley 



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