MAT 



165 



and other insects, and destroy as they appear with 

 fumigation, washing, and hand picking. Too mucli 

 warmth and plenty of insects go hand in hand. Watch 

 for aphides on indoor roses. 



Summary. — Continue to make cuttings. See to the 

 roots of planted and transplanted trees, and water if 

 necessary. Sow plenty of hardy annuals, and the more 

 tender sorts in a hot-bed. Plant out and prick out, 

 where protection can be given. As the w^eather gets 

 mild keep too much warmth from plants indoors, and 

 look after insects. 



CHAPTER XXIII 



GARDEN OPERATIONS IN MAY. 



In May planting out may go on with spirit, for even in 

 our late springs, frost scarcely ventures into the flowery 

 month." Mignonette should be sown in full tufts, 

 Vvdiich will come in nicely, as those raised indoors and 

 planted out, and the self-sown plants, sure to come fine 

 and early, get a little passe. 



All the showeiy or damp weather must be made the 

 most of for planting out the hardier kinds of choice 

 bedding plants, such as Calceolarias, Verbenas, Scarlet 

 Geraniums and such like, leaving Heliotropes, Petunias, 

 Anagallis, Nierembergia, aud all that may be hurt^by 

 very slight night frosts, until the end of the month. It 

 is better to _be rather late in planting out, than to run 

 risk from late frosts, provided the plants, when they are 

 put out, are moved with care to take a large undisturbed 

 ball of earth with each root. 



It is very well worth while to make and have ready in 

 May a slight hot-bed for the cuttings to have all to them- 

 selves, and it can be done with very little trouble. 

 Place a foot and a half thickness of stable litter, lay on 

 nine inches of decaying leaves, and tread them down 

 well; then add two inches thickness of w^ell decayed 

 ' leaves, and after that two or three inches of sandy loam 

 and leaf-mould mixed. Beat the surface smooth, water 

 it with warm water, and finish it with a layer of silver 



