36 FLOWER GARDENING 
nothing unready. In odd moments cut stakes of 
various kinds and make or repair trellises. 
On the first day of April, some years a little 
earlier, it is safe to uncover the flower beds in 
gardens as far north as Connecticut. It is better 
for the plants, and easier for you, to do this 
gradually. The point is to give light and air to 
plants that have begun to grow, thus preventing 
the blanching that weakens shoots and foliage. Be- 
gin by lifting leaves or other covering from the top 
of plants like grass pinks that remained above 
ground all winter and from bulbs that are piercing 
the soil. 
Use the hands if there is little to do; if there is 
much, take an iron rake and draw off gently, taking 
care that the teeth do not sink deep enough to 
tear creeping plants or root up the little fellows. 
Carry all coarse stuff, like stalks, to the bonfire, 
but give the leaves, which have not begun to lose 
their usefulness, to the compost heap. 
Take off from time to time the litter between 
the plants or, if well rotted and there is plenty 
of space, work it into the ground. This is readily 
done with roses and peonies, for both of which 
the leaves in the soil will be very beneficial. Leav- 
ing some of the litter between plants serves to 
keep the ground warm. It is nature’s way and is 
not necessarily untidy. If plants need to be cod- 
dled, a little pile of litter may be left near them 
against cold April nights; some gardeners inva- 
riably do this with tulips and hyacinths. In such 
