APRIL. 



prevent them being broken off by high winds, 

 and pay particular attention to catching mice, 

 which are often very obnoxious, and do much 

 harm to Crocuses and Snowdrops. Towards the 

 latter end of the month plant out Sweet-peas 

 and other annuals which have been raised in 

 pots. Protect them with evergreen boughs if 

 the weather should make it necessary. 



APRIL. 



Plant-houses. 



Orchid Houses. — This is a busy month 

 with all gardeners, as so many plants require 

 attending to. In this department there is much 

 necessary work, caused by the rapid growth 

 and development of plants under the fostering 

 influence of increased sunshine and longer days. 

 Ccelogynes will have finished their flowering 

 period, and therefore will either need potting 

 or fresh surfacing. Those of the cristata type 

 do best in baskets suspended from the roof. 

 Many of the Cypripediums and Dendrobiums 

 will also need repotting as they start into fresh 

 growth; as will likewise Epidendrums, Masde- 

 vallias, Phaius, Sobralias, &c. The two last- 

 named require rather large pots, and should be 

 grown in a mixture of turfy loam, peat, leaf-soil, 

 and sand. The pots should be well drained, as, 

 during the growing season, these plants consume 

 abundant supplies of water. The former does 

 well in the hothouse or any place where it 

 can have bottom heat. Shade, however, is 

 necessary, or the leaves may scald. Vanda teres 

 will now be showing flower and should be shaded 

 from the sun. Any of the other species that 

 need potting should be looked to, as, if left to 

 themselves, they are apt to become leggy. 

 Attend to Cattleyas, and repot or surface any 

 which are commencing growth. As the weather 

 becomes milder there should be a free circula- 

 tion of air, but cold draughts must be carefully 

 avoided. The Odontoglossum house will not 

 need fire-heat, unless an occasional frosty night 

 should make an exception. Keep the stages, 

 paths, and pots well moistened by damping 

 down two or three times daily. The plants 

 may also be syringed both morning and evening. 

 If the sphagnum is growing well, it may be 

 taken as a sign that the plants are receiving 

 the right treatment. The Dendrobium house 

 requires to be kept at a temperature of 70° at 

 night during mild weather, but may be allowed 

 to fall 5° or 10° if the season is cold, as too 



much fire-heat is harmful, and encourages insect 

 pests. The plants in active growth may be 

 watered from above with a rose. Shade from 

 the direct rays of the sun, but raise the blinds 

 as soon as the sun is off them, in order that its 

 rays may keep up the temperature of the house. 

 Hothouse. — The greater part of the potting 

 in this department will have been finished, ex- 

 cept in the case of young plants that have been 

 propagated from cuttings or seed. Do not on 

 any account allow these to become either pot- 

 bound or overcrowded in the seed-pans, for if 

 either of these contingencies arise, the plants 

 will become stunted in their growth or spindly 

 while young. 



All seedlings should be kept as near the glass 

 as possible, and those newly placed in small 

 pots should be kept close and shaded from the 

 sun. 



Pot up Achimenes, Gesneras, and Gloxinias, 

 and start them into growth. Continue to pro- 

 pagate such plants as Euphorbia jacquiniceflora, 

 Ixoras, Begonias, iEschynanthus, Acalyphas, 

 Dracaenas, Coccocypselum discolor, Pandanus, Gar- 

 denias, and Thyrsacanthus rutilans, as many of 

 them will be useful either in producing a supply 

 of flowers or furnishing plants for house deco- 

 ration. Shade will be needed whenever the sun 

 is bright, and this will prevent the necessity of 

 too much watering. Keep the syringe well at 

 work amongst the foliage, in order to destroy 

 all insect pests. The temperature should vary 

 from 65° at night to 85° by day under sun- 

 heat. 



Intermediate House. — Ehododendrons of 

 the Javanicum type will now need special care. 

 They must be potted firmly in peat, and after- 

 wards carefully watered. Streptocarpus will now 

 be in bloom, and if seed is needed, the flowers 

 must be kept dry. Pot on seedlings as they 

 get large enough. Many palms will also need 

 looking after, as thrips are nearly certain to make 

 an appearance. Air should be admitted liberally 

 on all favourable occasions. The temperature 

 should range from 55° at night to 65° or 70° 

 by day. 



Forcing House. — Sow seeds of Bicinus, 

 Tobacco, Solanums, and other plants of orna- 

 mental foliage, to produce, early in the month, 

 plants for use in sub-tropical gardens later on 

 in the year. If these are grown on in a brisk 

 heat till the middle of next month, and then 

 gradually hardened, they will become large 

 plants by the time it will be advisable to plant 

 them out. It will not be necessary to introduce 

 any more hardy shrubs to be forced into flower- 



