84 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



weak and slender. If this happens early in the sum- 

 mer, a stocky growth may be produced by clipping; 

 the tops, and they will bloom in great perfection at 

 the usual season. 



The following articles were first written for the 

 American Gardeners' Magazine ; and from their con - 

 geniality to the subject matter of this book, the author 

 has been induced to lay them before his readers. The 

 first article exhibits the order of the flowery tribe, per- 

 haps better than it could have been done in any other 

 way ; and the latter may be considered worth keeping 

 in print, and is respectfully submitted by the author 

 as an appendage to the flower garden : — 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



APRIL. 



" Descend, sweet April, from yon watery bow, 

 And liberal strew the ground with budding flowers, 

 With leafless crocus, leaf- veiled violet. 

 Auricula, with powdered cup, primrose 

 That loves to lurk below the hawthorn shade.' 5 



It is generally admitted that the month of April 

 gives the most perfect image of spring ; for its vicissi- 

 tudes of warm gleams of sunshine and gentle showers 

 have the most powerful effect in hastening the uni- 

 versal springing of the vegetable tribes, from whence 



