Practical Hints for Amateurs 



THINGS TO DO IN APRIL 



NOT much actual work can be done 

 in the garden this month, at the 

 x^orth, but a good deal can be done 

 toward getting ready for active work as 

 soon as the weather becomes favorable 



and the ground is in proper condition. 



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Where the frost is out of the ground 

 spading can be done. But do not attempt 

 to do anything in the way of pulverizing 

 the soil until the sun and air have had an 

 opportunity to exert •' their mellowing in- 

 fluence on it. If ground is worked over 

 when wet it will simply be reduced to 

 clods. What should be aimed at is that 

 perfect pulverization which does away 

 with every clod and lump. This can only 

 be accomplished after the soil has lost its 

 early condition of excessive moisture by 

 drainage and evaporation. Let it lie as 

 thrown up for several days before attempt- 

 ing to reduce it to that fine, mellow con- 

 dition which makes it favorable to the 

 reception of seed. 



❖ * 



If gloxinias and tuberous begonias have 

 not been potted they should receive im- 

 mediate attention. 



* ❖ ❖ 



Many plants will have completed their 

 flowering period. These should be gradu- 

 ally dried off. By that I do not mean 

 that they should be allowed to get really 

 dry, but that the former liberal supply of 

 water should be greatly reduced. We do 

 not aim to encourage growth at this sea- 

 son. Many of them can be cut back to 

 advantage now. 



❖ * * 



Pelargoniums ought to be coming into 

 bloom. Keep them cool, but give all the 

 sun possible without causing them to wilt, 

 also give a fertilizer once a week. It will 

 not need to be strong if given weekly. 

 Keep watch of the aphis. Soap baths are 

 not available after flowering begins. The 



remedy then is fumigation with some of 

 the nicotine extracts. 



Eepot fuchsias which are to be called 

 on for summer flowering. See that they 

 are never allowed to get dry at the roots. 

 Shower them two or three times a week. 

 Pinch back the ends of the growing 

 branches in order to encourage the produc- 

 tion of side branches and make the plants 

 compact. 



* ❖ ❖ 



Go over the geraniums and mark those 

 which you do not care to make use of an- 

 other season in the " house. When the 

 weather becomes warm these can be trans- 

 ferred to the garden, where they will be 

 quite likely to flower well the greater part 

 of the season if cut back when put out. 



^ H= 



If any old plants seem to have outlived 

 their usefulness make cuttings from which 

 to perpetuate the stock. It is not too 

 early to start plants for next winter's 

 use. The sooner it is done the better. I 

 would advise throwing out all inferior 

 varieties. 



* * 



Shrubs may have to be reset this month. 

 Perennial plants may need removal or 

 division. This can be done before growth 

 begins better than later. Do not neglect 

 it until the plants have made such a start 

 that removal of them will result in a check 

 from which they will not recover in time 

 to do good work this season. If care is 

 taken to lift the plants with considerable j 

 earth about their roots they will not suffer 

 much by removal. Of course, they should 

 be cut back somewhat. Kemove the weak | 

 branches and the old ones. Make the soil 

 rich in which you plant them, and water I 

 well if the season is a dry one, in order | 

 to assist them in getting a good start. But \ 

 as a general thing no water will be needed I 

 by plants set this month. 



