DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



I. PLEASURE-GARDENING 



Air. — Give freely to all plants in houses. 



Amaryllis can now be plunged in the border or 

 planted in open ground. 



Am-monc Japonica alba. — Plant in clumps for fall 

 blooming. 



Annuals of all kinds, sow in open border this month. 

 If started earlier in boxes, and now well up, plant out. 

 but cover with pots or paper cones if the sun is hot. 

 Uncover at night. 



Ayits dislike sulphur and guano. 



Asters, sow in open borders. Like balsams, they re- 

 quire a rich, light sandy soil. They also make good pot- 

 plants. Give air and water freely. 



Azalea. — Repot and move outdoors. 



Balsams. — See Asters. 



Bedding Plants to be provided. All suitable kinds 

 are now freely offered at every florist's. 



Beg07iias that have been in the windows all winter 

 must be trimmed and well cut back if straggling, and put 

 out where they will have shade from taller plants or 

 fences. The tender sorts should not be put out too soon. 

 Tuberous-rooted begonias may now be planted in the 

 open ground. 



Border Plants. — Red and white oxalis, lobelias, heli- 

 otropes, alternantheras, pyrethrums, etc., are suitable. 



Bourgainvillea spectabilis or /lava, in conservatories, 

 want sunshine, and must not be kept too moist. 



Bulbs. — Planting for summer and fall blooming is no 

 longer to be delayed. Dig carefully around groups al- 

 ready growing, and trim the bulb-beds neatly. 



Cactuses showing faded leaves may possibly lack proper 

 drainage. 



Caladium esculentum. — Give a rich soil, all the better 

 if half manure. Provide plenty of moisture. Without 

 these requisites you cannot expect to grow the enormous 

 plants often seen. 



Camellias. — Put in a shady place outdoors, sheltered 

 from winds. Water and syringe frequently. 



Cannas, treat like Caladiu?n escidentum for striking 

 effects. 



Chrysanthemums, thin and take cuttings. 



Cinerarias. — If to be propagated fill the pot to the 

 top with sandy compost. When suckers have formed, 

 divide and pot each one separately. 



Clematis. — All imported kinds require good rich soil. 



Clcrodendrons. — Old plants are fine for summer gar- 

 dens, but must not be put out till danger of frost is past. 



Cyclamens. — An easy way to carry them through the 

 summer is to place them in the open border. 



Dahlias. — If eyes are well developed the tubers can 

 be cut like potatoes, leaving two eyes on each piece. 

 Plant not later than May 15. 



Daphne. — Prune off only the dead wood. 



Dutch Bidbs. — As soon as the spring bloom has faded 

 dig carefully, without removing the tops or all soil from 

 the roots, and set in some out-of-the-way place to mature, 

 heeling in as for nursery stock. The space which 

 they once occupied can then be filled with bedding-plants. 



Evergreens. — In planting never let the roots become 

 dry ; else they will surely be killed. 



Ferns and wild-flowers are excellent material for 

 brightening shady and dingy corners. Give them a light 

 and well-drained soil. Many native ferns are highly or- 

 namental, and require only a little care in watering in 

 the dry season, slight protection in winter, and an occa- 

 sional light top-dressing of manure. 



Fuchsias. — Give the winter-flowering plants a rest 

 by withholding water Trim the old ones and plant out; 

 they will do for the shady side of a garden. For hand- 

 some pot-plants to bloom in autumn, strike cuttings the 

 later part of the summer, and keep well pinched back 

 for eight or more weeks. 



Gardenia. — If leaves turn yellow, the plant most 

 likely needs food. Give liquid manure, and keep well 

 syringed. 



Geraniums. — Cut large plants well back. 

 Gladioluses. — Plant for succession, not less than three 

 inches deep. 



Gloxinias love moisture, plenty of air, warm temper- 

 ature and a somewhat shady position. 



Greenhouse Management . — Plants that are to remain 

 in pots over summer may be treated as advised for house- 

 plants. Plunge in soil, sand or coal-ashes to prevent 

 drying out too rapidly. Water faithfully in this season 

 of rapid growth and dry atmosphere. Sprinkle the walks 

 frequently, and syringe under benches. This will keep 

 down high heat. Keep air moist, and discourage red- 

 spider. 



House-Plants. — We always make their summer man- 

 agement easy by setting them in the open border. The 

 hardier ones, like agaves, azaleas, oleanders, hydrangeas, 

 daphnes, etc., go out first, to be followed somewhat 

 later by the tenderer kinds. If these are left in pots, 

 plunge in sand, soil or coal-ashes. Syringe frequently 

 all plants remaining in the house, as a means of keepin,.; 

 insect pests in check. Try to keep the atmosphere moi.,c 

 about the plants. 



Hoya carnosa requires much moisture during sum- 

 mer. 



llyacintiis. — Cut off flower-stalks when the leaves are 

 ripe. If they have been in the ground two years take 

 up the bulbs and heel in for a time in some out-of-the- 

 way corner, and then place in a cool cellar till October. 

 The bed will be good for annuals. Roman hyacinths 

 can remain for years in the same place. 



