A YEAR'S WORK IN THE GARDEN. 



605 



a great measure, will see the results of labour expended early 

 in the year. Keep the hoe going to check w eed growth on 

 all favourable occasions, and in some cases moisture will be 

 necessary for newly-planted crops, such as Cauliflowers, 

 Brussels Sprouts, and early Celery from plants raised under 

 glass. Seed sowing is also important, as now is a good time 

 to sow main crop Carrots, Beets, autumn and winter 

 Cabbage, and Peas for the early autumn supply, such as 

 Ne Blus Ultra, Late Queen, and the Michaelmas Pea. 

 Sow Runner Beans early in the month, as there is no 

 danger of frost, and with the soil in a warm condition the 

 seeds germinate more quickly. The new type of Climbing 

 French Bean has found much favour of late years. Such 

 kinds as Tender and True, Excelsior, and Earliest of All 

 are valuable varieties. Broad Beans may be sown in strong 

 soil, and a cool quarter is best for this late sowing, choosing 

 a Green or Broad Windsor variety. Turnips for August 

 supplies should be sown in the middle of the month in \\ ell- 

 worked soil. Sow thinly, and select a cool quarter, as at 

 this season Turnip fly is troublesome. Some growers damp 

 over at sunset and dust with wood ashes and soot two or 

 three times a week. This promotes growth, and once the 

 latter is active the fly is crippled. Such crops as Savoys for 

 winter are best sown thinly this month in an open place to 

 become sturdy. Sow Lettuce in variety. Planting out is 

 important both in May and June, and in the case of all such 

 things as Brussels Sprouts, the early autumn and winter Cauli- 

 flowers, and Broccoli the earlier the planting is done the less 

 attention the plants need in the trying summer months as 

 regards moisture, and there is greater freedom from cater- 

 pillar with strong plants. Lettuce should be transplanted 

 carefully in rich land, but better results will follow if the 

 seed is sown thinly in drills and the plants thinned during 

 the next three months. Celery raised in frames or in boxes 

 should be transplanted in rows 6in. apart all ways. Earlier 

 plants may be placed in their permanent quarters, as it is 

 better to plant small plants than allow seedlings to get 

 drawn. Celery seed sown on a warm border for late 

 supplies should be thinned, as the plants grown thus may be 

 lifted direct into the trenches. Frame Cucumbers should 

 be sown and planted out this month. Thinning seedlings is 

 important, as much depends on the thinning as to their 

 future success. Asparagus should be thinned severely, also 



such vegetables as Onions, Turnips, Beet, early Carrots, 

 Parsnips, and Spinach. 



The Fruit Garden. — There is less work in this depart- 

 ment than in the vegetable garden. Hoeing and clearing are 

 necessary, and newly-planted trees may need mulching 

 should the weather be dry or east winds blow. Wall trees 

 should receive attention. Remove strong shoots as they 

 appear, as these if checked at this early stage of growth will 

 give more strength to other parts of the tree. Apricots 

 should be thinned early in the month, taking these fruits in 

 hand before any other, then following on with Peaches and 

 Nectarines. Disbudding of the latter should now be com- 

 pleted, and cut out any shoots overlooked earlier. In a few 

 cases blister may be troublesome ; remove affected leaves, 

 giving such trees more shelter than others. Recently-planted 

 Strawberries will need attention in the way of moisture in 

 dry weather, and remove flower trusses. Give Strawberry 

 quarters that are at all weakly supplies of liquid manure as 

 soon as the fruit is set, but it is well not to touch the tender 

 fruits with the liquid. Thin the trusses on young plants 

 required to carry fine fruits. Mulch the surface to keep ripe 

 fruit clean, also to prepare plants for summer production by 

 removal of all flower spikes. 



JUNE. 



The Flower and Indoor Garden. — Bedding, sub- 

 tropical and otherwise, must be completed this month. 

 Choose, if possible, rather a showery time for the work, 

 and water the plants well afterwards until they become 

 well established. Finish planting out the ordinary 

 bedders of the Zonal Pelargonium type, and be careful 

 to remove fading flowers. This applies to practically all 

 plants, especially of the pod-producing type. The plants 

 cannot bear a double burden, and unless the seed-pods 

 are kept rigorously picked off, the display of flowers will 

 cease. Pay great attention at this time to Carnations. Tie 

 up the slender flower stems to neat sticks, and give water 

 freely when the weather is dry. It is as well to stir the 

 soil occasionally about the roots. This is an excellent time 

 to sow seed of perennial and biennial flowers, either out of 

 doors or in a frame, selecting a well-made bed for the pur- 

 pose, where there is not too much sun. Choice seed should 

 be sown in a shallow pan in a frame. Syringe Poses 



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