APRIL.] 



THE GARDENER. 



Ill 



yet opened their flowers should be syringed very gent- 

 ly, and if the moisture has not been sufficiently eva- 

 porated during the night admit some fresh air in the 

 morning. 



Forced Roses are now in blow; take them and other 

 plants in the same state, or ready to blow, from the 

 forcing pots into the greenhouse or conservatory, and 

 put those that have flowered (or those which you wish 

 to keep in flower) into a shaded place. Move out 

 some of the hardiest and well-established potted plants 

 if you want room into temporary pits shaded only 

 with matting. 



Pits and Frames^ — Sow seeds of cucumber and 

 vegetable marrow in moderate hotbeds for putting out 

 next month. If the Aphis, or the thrip, or red spider, 

 attacks your melons, syringe gently under the surface 

 of the leaves with a solution of half an ounce of soft 

 soap dissolved in half a pint of tobacco, and a quart 

 of plain water. One person must hold up the leaves 

 while the other uses the syringe. Kaise the sashes of 

 your frames to let the condensed air evaporate, else 

 the solution will destroy the plants as well as the in- 

 sects feeding on them. When watering melons in the 

 ordinary way, pour the water, not on the leaves, but on 

 the roots, and not after the fruit is setting. 



Flower Garden. — Transplant tender annuals in 

 hotbeds — and if the plants are delicate, renovate them 

 with guano or sulphate of lime. The guano should 

 be largely diluted with water. Half-hardy plants 

 will still require occasional protection. 



Sow hardy annuals and biennials of various sorts in 

 beds and borders. Lay some fine compost over the 

 beds of Ranunculuses when they are coming up, and 

 press it round the necks of the plants when they are 

 well up. 



Shade the Pansies intended for shows, and preserve 

 them free from slugs. Cross breeding by impregna. 



