MONTHLY CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 239 



the greenhouse ; as the plants make growth, they with few excep- 

 tions should be pinched back to cause a stout and branching 

 form. Lawns should now be mown and edgings trimmed 

 nicely, and all flower-beds hoed and raked, for if weeds are not 

 kept down as they first appear, treble the labor will be required to 

 eradicate them next month. Annuals that have been sown in the 

 greenhouse or hot-bed may now be planted out, and seeds of such 

 sorts as Mignonette, Sweet Alyssum, Phlox Drummondii, Portu- 

 laca, etc., etc., may be sown in the borders. 



Fruit-Garden. — Where it has not been convenient before, most 

 of the smaller fruits may yet be planted the first part of the month. 

 Ply the hoe vigorously to keep down weeds. If any of the nu- 

 merous varieties of caterpillars, slugs, or worms make their appear- 

 ance on the young shoots of vines or trees, a free application of 

 tobacco dust will dislodge most of them. It is best to use it as a 

 preventive, for if they once get a foothold, the crop may be ruined. 



Vegetable Garden. — Thin out all crops sown last month, 

 that are now large enough, and hoe deeply all planted crops, such 

 as cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, etc. Plant out all tender vegeta- 

 bles, viz : tomatoes, egg and pepper plants, sweet potatoes, etc. 

 Plant seeds of lima beans, corn, melons, okra, cucumbers, etc., and 

 succession crops of peas, spinach, lettuce, beans, etc. 



JUNE. 



Greeehouse and Flower-Garden. — The greenhouse may 

 now be used for hot-house or tropical plants, if such are de- 

 sired during the summer months. It should now be well shaded 

 and fine specimens of fancy caladiums, dracaenas, palms, ferns, 

 and such plants as are grown for their beauty of foliage will make 

 it very attractive. Hyacinths, Tulips, and other spring bulbs may 

 now be dug up, dried, and placed away for next fall's planting, 

 and their places filled with such plants as Coleus, Achyranthes, 

 and the various " white-leaved plants " that are suited for late bed- 

 ding. Lawns will now require to be mowed weekly in all well- 

 kept places. It is as much an indication of slovenliness to see a 

 door-yard that has any pretensions to be called a lawn, with the 

 grass uncut, as it would be to see a dust begrimed carpet in the 

 parlor. 



Fruit-Garden. — If strawberries have not been mulched with 

 hay or straw in winter, the cut grass from the lawn is a convenient 

 thing to place between the rows to keep the fruit from getting 



