96 
OPERATIONS FOR MAY. 
whilst others again are little scathed by a fiercer storm : hence the sheltered and the more 
exposed places should be apportioned according to the constitution of the individual. 
Considerable protection is afforded to tender exotics, when first planted out in spring, by Mr. 
Edmonds 5 system of planting the beds in March or April with Pansies (common sorts, see p. 157? 
vol. xi.) leaving room for the insertion of the former in May, and as they advance in growth, 
gradually removing the Pansies. In such a season as the spring of 1844, or during the casual 
occurrence of keen drying winds, so fatal to tender border-plants, the utility of this practice is 
very sensibly apparent ; and if the borders are properly drained, no evil will result from it in a 
wet season. Towards the end of the month, the Pansies will need reducing and trimming, to keep 
them from overspreading and choking up the after-occupants. 
In planting Dahlias, and other tuberous-rooted plants, a place should be provided for the 
future reception of stakes, by inserting a peg of a similar thickness, and about a foot long, beside 
the plant. By this means the injury resulting from the splitting of the tubers in staking, which 
so frequently occurs when no precaution of the kind is taken, is entirely prevented. 
A source of much after trouble and vexation is often thoughtlessly suffered to arise by 
allowing rank weeds to remain and flower in retired parts of the grounds, amongst the shrubberies 
and other back places, from whence they diffuse their seeds around on every side, and create 
tenfold more labour in removing their offspring, than a timely eradication of the first would have 
demanded. Economy is always better studied in preventing, than by first permitting and then 
removing ; and weeding can never be said to be more than half done, if it be confined to the 
flower-beds, instead of extending to the contiguous sources from which their seeds are supplied. 
A very injudicious system obtains largely of emptying the greenhouses of the chief part of 
their occupants towards the latter part of this month, under an impression that the plants are 
benefited by it. Nothing can be more erroneous ; and we think a littie reflection and careful obser- 
vation, will speedily convince those who are not too much wedded by prejudice to the practice, that 
it is opposed to the very nature of things. It may not be so apparent in some of the more robust 
species ; but when we come to deal so with the more delicate kinds, we find the injury in an 
inconfutable and undisguised form. At this time plants are making new shoots, which are 
hence immature and tender, and need a corresponding share of protection from adverse 
influences, to enable them to continue in health and vigorous extension. But if they are 
removed to the open air they have to combat all the vicissitudes of our varying clime ; and 
hence it depends on the hardihood of their constitution, or the occasional favourableness of the 
season, whether they retain the garb of health or not. It will be more judicious, therefore, to 
defer their removal till a later period, when the tide of growth will be somewhat abated and the 
shoots progressing towards a mature state. 
Whilst, however, we would keep those plants in the houses for some time yet, that are 
designed for specimens, it should be borne in mind that the houses ought not to be crowded up 
with more plants than they can conveniently contain. Each plant should stand free from its 
neighbour. And now that they are growing fast, although it may be advisable to be more 
sparing of ventilation during the day than is commonly practised ; yet it is equally beneficial to 
step aside from the common way, and keep the house cool during the night, by allowing the 
sashes to remain partially unclosed till a late hour ; and, if it can be done without danger of 
frost, wind, or heavy rain, they need not be entirely closed throughout the night. Shutting up 
early in the afternoon with a view to economising heat, is acting the miser's part, and defeats its 
purpose by causing an unnatural attenuation of the shoots. It increases their length but not 
their strength. 
Greenhouse plants, as well as stove-plants, should now be syringed daily in bright weather, 
and a damp atmosphere created by dashing water on the paths. Neither of these practices 
should be performed late in the day. The general directions last month relating to the stove 
and orchidaceous house will apply with equal propriety to this. In both structures, and also in 
the greenhouse, shade will be requisite in sunny weather. Cleanliness and order must prevail 
throughout ; dead leaves and flowers immediately removed ; measures employed to suppress 
insects ; plants staked and tied as they require it, and a bushy habit preserved by stopping back 
the shoots of those plants that display a disposition to straggle. Bulbs and annuals that have 
done flowering or are growing shabby, should be discarded. Repot Chrysanthemums as they 
want it. 
