Horticulture- 



190 



of producing these. According to The Treasury of Botany, " a person entering 

 a forest of these trees almost fancies himself in a Chandler's shop." The fruits, which 

 are very juicy but almost tasteless, are said to be eaten in their native country. 

 The "Necklace Tree" is a name given to Ormosia coccinia, a tall leguminous tree 

 which bears at this season fairly large and very pretty seeds which, when ripe and 

 dry, are hard and of a bright red colour, blotched with black or brown, with a 

 shiny surface. These are always appreciated as curios, and the natives make fancy 

 buttons, necklaces and ornaments of them. 



General. -Watering, mulching and judicious shading should be the order of 

 the day. Artificial watering, which is now indispensable, will quickly crust the 

 earth in beds and borders unless the soil is covered with mulch or stirred frequently. 

 Always remember that keeping the surface soil loose is the surest means of lessening 

 the evaporation. Needless to say watering as a rule should be done late in the after- 

 noon, never when the sun is shining on the plants. Any renovation of plant-houses, 

 shelves, &c, or repairs to paths and drives should now be undertaken. 



Seasonal Gardening Notes for the Hill Districts. 



By. J. K. Nock. 



The routine work is much the same as that given for last month. Some 

 of the annuals and other flowering plants will be ripening their seeds which 

 should be collected and sown from next month onwards, for the upkeep and 

 partial replanting of the beds and borders, which will become necessai'y after 

 June if a good appearance is required during August to October. 



April (next month) being about the most suitable month for sowing grass 

 seed to form a lawn, those intending to do this should at once see to the final 

 preparation of the ground. Taking for granted that the drainage has been made 

 perfect — the most important matter, for a lawn cannot be made on ground 

 where water does not run off freely— the soil levelled, and that it is in a good 

 fertile condition, or has been made so by the addition of well rotted manure 

 (fresh manure should on no account be used, for it tends to make the soil hollow) or 

 one of the mixtures of artificial manures specially made up and prepared for 

 the purpose by such a firm as Messrs. Freudenberg & Co., Colombo, the next 

 thing to be considered is weeds. The only satisfactory way to rid the soil of 

 weed seeds is to burn it. If this has been done the few that will invariably come up 

 must be constantly pulled \u> by the roots until it is safe to assume the land is quite 

 clean. It is useless to sow grass seed where weeds are likely to come up in 

 numbers, for they rob the soil of its moisture and fertility and choke out the 

 grasses which, it must be remembered, are to be a fixed crop and obtain their 

 nourishment from a few inches near the surface only. Delay the sowing until 

 the ground is clean, for it will pay in the end, though it may be annoying 

 to see the season passing away. The soil must be thoroughly firm and the surface 

 friable, as if covered by clods the seeds will not germinate ; frequently using 

 the rake to get out all stones from the top three or four inches, and after 

 each raking put on the roller. There should be two sowings to ensure even 

 distribution of the seed, making the secoud one cross the first at right angles. 

 It must be done on a quiet day, keeping the hand low, as the seed is small 

 and easily blown away in light wind. Rake the whole plot to lightly cover 

 with soil as many seeds as possible, and then roll once each way. The quantity 

 should not be stinted — three to four bushels are required for an acre, never less, 

 as the crowding of the plants gives a desirable finer herbage. Keep the land 



