HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 55 



If one part of the drain be on a lower grade than the rest below it, dirt will 

 lodge there and choke it ; water will rise to its own level, and all escape, ex- 

 cept what is in the low grade, but the earthy matter wont — it will all stay 

 there. The eye can never be depended on in a grade ; grading pegs should 

 always be employed; after the drain is laid shavings, or something like it, 

 should be placed thickly over it to prevent the soil from working its way in. 

 By the time that rots the soil will have become compact. A drain like that 

 will do good and be lasting. Those who have to make new beds^of Roses 

 cannot be too early in getting that job finished, as the sooner they are in the 

 better. The same may be said of all deciduous trees or shrubs. It is a mis- 

 take which often proves fatal, to leave these things to "the last moment." — 

 The beautiful hardy plant Weigela rosea is not half so common as it ought 

 to be ; I see some of our florists announce a white variety. Yfhere box edg- 

 ings have become large and unsightly, the end of the month will be a good 

 time to take them up for replanting. 



The warm days will bring Hyacinths, Tulips, and so-on, planted out in 

 the open ground, to the surface ; the severe nights following these will often 

 destroy the flower buds, unless a few inches of old tan, leaves, or ashes are 

 spread over them. Herbaceous plants, if not divided or planted where want- 

 ed in the falL should be done at the earliest convenience; they rarely do good 

 when planted late in spring. Where the ground is dry and in good work- 

 ing order, most kinds of hardy annuals would be better sown about the end 

 of the month ; the earlier they are sown the finer they flower. 



Finish pruning and tying up all ornamental vines, and get all things neat 

 and in order. 



GftEEX-HousE.^-Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Calceolarias, and the like, in- 

 tended for blooming, should receive their final shift this month, if the pots be 

 well filled with roots. The former, if intended for specimens, will be much 

 aided by " tying out." A wire, with loops in it a few inches apart, fastened 

 around under the rim, is the best thing for the purpose, the shoots tied down 

 to it with twine ; when they are growing well they are much benefited by 

 manure water once a week or so. If the plants do not grow symmetrical, 

 pinch back the strongest shoots to encourage the weaker ones. Fuchsias 

 should never have their leader stopped, but be kept growing in a cool,|moist 

 temperature, with abundant light and air, repotted as often as the pots are 

 well filled with roots into sizes a little larger ; they are fond of 9- sandy loam 

 with rotten manure in small quantity, well drained with charcoal; when pro- 

 perly drained they take a large amount of moisture. The red spider is a 

 great enemy; watch closely for its appearance and apply the remedies point- 

 ed out in former numbers. 



