APRIL. 



68 



in what month he would advise the cuttings to he taken, supposing the plants to he at their 

 hest the first week in June ? 



Again in Mr. Barnes' article on the much- neglected Fig, he says, " Cut a trench round 

 it a few feet off." How many feet does he meanP three or ten. Your contributors take it 

 for granted that your readers know many more details than they really do. 



D. Walker, Gardener, Kingston Park, Tunbridge Wells. 



Destroying Ants. — If J. R. Pearson puts a little treacle in a gallipot, and plunges the 

 pot in some mould so as they can get to the top, they will go down after the treacle never to 

 return ; or he may try Grishurst Compound, four ounces to one gallon of water, which kills 

 them instantly. — Nathan Cole, Gardener to Mrs. Silver, St. John's Wood, N. W. 



OBITUARY. 



It is with deep regret we record the death of Edmund Foster, Esq., of Clewer Manor, 

 near "Windsor, the eminent cultivator of the Pelargonium, which occurred on the second ult. 

 For many years he has been a most successful grower of his favourite flower, as the splendid 

 collections of specimen plants he has annually exhibited at the metropolitan shows, where 

 he has almost always taken the first prize in the amateurs' class, have abundantly testified. 

 He was also a raiser of seedlings on a large scale, and his successes in this way entitle him 

 to a first, if not to the first, place in the list of those who have laboured for the improvement 

 of the Pelargonium.* The kindness with which he was ever ready to show his flowers to 

 all who desired to see them will long be remembered by those who have enjoyed that pleasure. 

 He was also a liberal and discriminating patron of the fine arts, and possessed many first- 

 rate pictures. 



* Twenty years or more since Sylph was the admiration of all that took an interest, in this class of plants. 

 Some years after Orion was equally popular. Lord Clyde at the present time is universal, to say nothing of 

 the numerous other fine flowers that have had their day. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



Conservatory. 

 The permanent plants here will now be in active 

 growth ; their wants must, therefore, be well attended 

 to. Regulate and tie-up climbers as they advance in 

 growth. Water effectually plants in borders when 

 they require it. Syringe on line days with clean 

 water. Early-flowering plants, such as Acacias, 

 should be pruned when out of flower. Give abun- 

 dance of air when the state of the weather permits. 

 On bright, sunny days shading will be necessary for a 

 few hours to prolong the beauty of the plants in 

 flower ; it should, however, be removed early in the 

 afternoon, in order that the perennial plants may 

 make good, strong, healthy growths. Watering must 

 now be attended to daily ; but it must not be done in 

 a careless, indiscriminate manner. Plants that are 

 in a vigorous state of growth, will require much 

 greater supplies than plants that are making little, 

 or only weak growth. Indian Azaleas and Cinerarias 

 will now be a leading feature here. Remove all 

 plants as soon as they are past their best. Attend to 

 cleanliness and order. 



Greenhouses. 

 Any potting left undone last month should be at- 

 tended to at once. Plants that were shifted last 

 month will now be beginning to root into the fresh 

 soil and to make young growth; rather more air 

 should, therefore, be given on fine days, but in cold, 

 windy, or frosty weather be cautious in giving it. 

 Attend carefully to the watering, and syringe occa- 

 sionally on fine days ; shading will also be necessary 

 for a few hours in very bright, hot weather. Stop, 

 thin, and tie-out the shoots as they require it. 

 Plants in flower (of which there will now be a num- 

 ber), and which have not been recently shifted, will 

 require to be well attended in watering. 



Stove. 



Most of these plants will now be growing fre°ly. 

 To do them justice, they should have a regular bottom 

 heat of about 80°, a moist, growing atmosphere, and 



a temperature of about 70° at night, and 85° to 90° in 

 the day. Give air freely in fine weather, but guard 

 against cold draughts. Syringe occasionally, and 

 water freely when necessary. Shade a little in 

 bright weather, and give the plants plenty of room, 

 so that they may get the sun and air allaround them. 

 Shift into larger pots the stronger-growing kinds as 

 soon as they require it. Stop, train, and tie-out the 

 shoots as they grow. Keep down insects. 



Flower Garden. 

 Prepare now the beds for the reception of the 

 plants next month, by frequently turning over, and 

 by mixing with the soil a portion of leaf mould or 

 decomposed cowdung. Roll grass frequently, and 

 mow once a-week or ten days. This will give it a 

 close, firm bottom for the season. If there be still 

 any turf to be laid, the sooner it is done the better. 

 Plant Box, and push forward alterations. Plant 

 herbaceous plants and dress borders. Sow hardy 

 annuals, biennials, and perennials. Attend well to 

 the stock of " bedding stuff," and harden-off gradually 

 spring-struck cuttings. Pleasure Grounds.— All 

 planting and alterations should be completed as 

 early as possible. Attend well to the rolling and 

 mowing of the grass. Turn and roll gravel walks. 



Forcing. 



Fruit.— Pine Apples.— Withhold water from plants 

 that are ripening-off fruit; let them have a drier 

 atmosphere, and a temperature of from 85° to 90° 

 during the day. Most of the summer fruit will now 

 have " shown." See they have a regular bottom 

 heat of about 85°. When they are out of bloom, 

 maintain a moist atmosphere, and let them have a 

 temperature of 10° at night, and 85° to 90° during 

 the day. Give air freely on fine days, but close up 

 early in the afternoon. Give them liberal supplies 

 of water. Plants to fruit next winter must be kept 

 growing a little longer. The young stock must be 

 kept growing ; give them a moist atmosphere, and a 

 bottom heat of about 85°. They must have liberal 



