8 



CALENDAR FOE THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



ing, as so many other things will now be coming 

 into bloom naturally. Many cuttings, neverthe- 

 less, will need to be put in for the purpose of 

 furnishing the flower-garden during summer, 

 and no better place can be found for them than 

 the forcing house. 



Greenhouse and Conservatory. — The 

 latter will now be gay with the various plants 

 that have been pushed forward into early flower, 

 and a great number of hard-wooded New Hol- 

 land plants which have their natural period of 

 efflorescence at this time of the year. There are 

 several Acacias, Chorizemas, Clematis, Aphel- 

 exis, Pimeleas, Leschenaultias, Hydrangeas, 

 Roses, &c. These, together with bulbous and 

 herbaceous plants, will make a fine display. 

 Care must be taken, however, not to overcrowd, 

 as is much too often the tendency when there 

 is such a tempting array of flowering plants. 

 Propagate such things as Francoas, Pleromas, 

 and Rochea falcata. Sow Mignonette, Bhodanthe 

 Manglesii, and other hardy and half-hardy an- 

 nuals, to give a supply of cut flowers and deco- 

 rative plants. Tuberous Begonias should also 

 be potted for flowering later on. The pretty little 

 Crassula jasminoides and other species should be 

 rooted, so that good plants may be had for 

 another season. Fancy Pelargoniums will be in 

 active growth, and as the pots get filled with 

 roots, they should be supplied with weak manure- 

 water, to assist them in sending up strong trusses 

 of flowers. Fuchsias that were started last 

 month will now need repotting. Cuttings may 

 also be rooted, to give good plants for autumn 

 flowering. 



Pits and Frames. 



Propagate Dahlias, Cannas, Zonal and other 

 Pelargoniums, for flowering in winter, Helio- 

 tropes, and other bedding plants. Pot off Car- 

 nations that were rooted in heat last month. 

 Harden bedding Pelargoniums and other plants 

 of a like nature. Sow seeds of Asters, Stocks, 

 Balsams, Chinese Primulas, ornamental grasses, 

 &c. Plant out herbaceous Calceolarias, Pansies, 

 Hollyhocks, Pentstemons, Gladiolus, &c, to- 

 wards the middle of the month, or, in warm 

 sheltered situations, at the beginning of it. By 

 so doing more room in the frames will be avail- 

 able for less hardy subjects. 



Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 



Evergreen shrubs, such as Hollies, Rhodo- 

 dendrons, Kalmias, and Andromedas, should 

 be planted in showery weather. Tidy up all 

 herbaceous borders, and do everything in the 



way of transplanting, &c., not already done 

 without delay. Grass will now be growing well 

 on the lawns, and will need cutting. It should 

 be swept first, then rolled, after which the 

 machine may be run over it. Edge and clear 

 up gravel walks, and give immediate attention 

 to any re-gravelling which may be necessary. 

 Look over and prune Roses at the beginning of 

 the month, and replace with others all which 

 have succumbed to the winter frosts. Spring 

 bedding should be looking very bright at this 

 season, as most of the plants will be in flower. 

 Keep the edges of the beds trimmed, and clear 

 off all decayed leaves or other rubbish that may 

 have been blown on by the winds. 



MAY. 



Plant-houses. 



Orchid Houses. — Many plants will now 

 have reached their full development with regard 

 to size, and when such have got firmly estab- 

 lished in the new material in which they were 

 potted plenty of water should be afforded them. 

 Sobralias should be potted before growth is far 

 advanced. These plants succeed best in a light, 

 rich compost, in which their thick, fleshy roots 

 can more easily push their way and ramble at 

 will in search of nutriment. Odoutoglossum In- 

 sleayi, 0. 1, leopardinum, and other varieties of this 

 section should also be potted and grown in the 

 Mexican or intermediate house. Other occu- 

 pants of this structure will also need attention. 

 Zygopetalums, which should have a place in all 

 gardens on account of the fragrance of their 

 flowers, should now be potted. They thrive 

 most conspicuously in a mixture of good fibrous 

 loam, cow-dung, crocks, and a little peat. They 

 must be very carefully drained, as they are 

 moisture-loving plants. Phalaenopsis that le- 

 quire fresh pots, baskets, pans, or blocks, should 

 be accommodated therewith. This lovely tribe 

 is not so difficult of management as some people 

 suppose if they receive proper attention. They 

 should be kept shaded from the sun, have a 

 uniform temperature, with a humid atmosphere. 

 Many Cattl eyas ' will be in flower during this 

 month, and these, if possible, should have a rather 

 more airy atmosphere than the others to pre- 

 vent their flowers from spotting. When flower- 

 ing is over look to their roots, and if any 

 require potting this should be done. More 

 moisture should afterwards be allowed them. 

 Odontoglossums of the crispum type will be 



