228 SCHOOL AND HOME GAEDENING 



Clear off all prunings and make the surface ready for mow- 

 ing later. 



This is the best time to sow grass seed on the bare spots 

 of the lawn. Spade around the fruit trees and perhaps a small 

 circle around the shade trees bordering on street or road. 



Look over the tops of plum and peach trees to see if there 

 are any "mummied" fruits. These should be removed and 

 burned or buried. They carry spores which would infest the 

 next crop. 



Flowers.— -Transplant some ferns from the woods to the 

 north or east side of the house. Have the soil very rich by 

 adding well-rotted manure and leaf mold from the woods. 

 A cool place sheltered from the sun is necessary. Look for 

 roots and plants of wild perennial flowers. Transplant them 

 from the woods and fields to a place in the garden which - 

 we will call the " wild border." Collect many anemones, iogr 

 tooth violet, wake robin, mandrake, blood root, and others you 

 can find. 



Bulbs, such as tulips, narcissus, and others that have been 

 forced in the house or hotbed may now be put in the garden. 

 Some of them may bloom again later this season or early next 

 spring. 



Early this month the bulbs set last fall should be coming 

 through. Look over the beds carefully and see that conditions 

 are favorable. The' mulch may be partly removed, if it is 

 coarse or lumpy. 



The hardiest annual flowers may be sown out of doors this 

 month. 



APEIL 



Vegetables. — ^Complete any plowing and other prelim- 

 inary work for the garden. Rake or harrow all the beds several 

 times until the plants are sprouted. It pays to keep the whole 

 .garden in the form of a fine seed bed throughout the month to 

 save moisture, sprout weed seeds and warm the soil. 



Make the largest plantings of peas, lettuce ("Pig. 185), 



