72 
OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
plants at an early period, whilst the latter will retard them, from the sudden check communicated 
by the change. 
Before the close of the month it will be proper to commence planting out in the warmer and 
more sheltered parts. No time should be lost, then, in making all the needful preparations and 
arrangements for the purpose. Provide stakes and labels, and have the ground in proper 
condition to receive the plants as soon as a favourable opportunity occurs, in order that nothing 
may interfere with the expeditious and complete effectuation of the work. All that require 
support should have stakes put to them immediately after they are planted ; and trailing plants 
that are liable to be blown about and injured with the winds, should be neatly secured to the 
ground with small hooked pegs ; and, moreover, if there is any likelihood of severe weather 
following, means should be in readiness at some convenient place to protect them. 
In addition to these needful preparatory attentions, there is yet another of equal importance, 
that if not already considered should be deferred no longer. This is the arrangement of the 
plants in regard to the relative position they must each occupy ; and in forming this arrangement 
attention must be directed to obtaining a situation adapted to the nature and habits of each, and 
to the distribution of colour, with a view to produce the most agreeable effects. The first of these 
is the most important, and we cannot neglect it without frustrating our designs, however well 
they may have been conceived in other respects. Plants that need shelter must therefore be 
planted in situations that afford it, and to those that prefer a dry soil or an exposed place those 
conditions must be furnished. Other plants delight in an abundance of moisture, or beneath the 
protecting shade of trees, and if deprived of such conditions will never grow freely. To all these 
points, then, the greatest practicable exertions should be extended. It may probably be 
impossible to accomplish them to the very letter in every case, but circumstances may be 
modified in some degree to meet all exigencies. 
The distribution of colour must be effected so that those which afford the greatest contrast 
may be brought together. By opposing blue to yellow or red, and the intermediate shades to 
their corresponding tints, as orange with violet, and orange-red with violet-blue, each colour will 
appear brighter and more distinct than if the gradation was less perceptible. White may be 
used promiscuously with any other, for it will always contribute to heighten the effect. The 
brightness of any colour is further increased when in large masses, and for this reason the 
practice of devoting whole beds to a single colour is preferable to the old and now almost obsolete 
method of planting one bed with a variety of colours. 
In all plant structures, and especially in the Orchidaceous house, an increase will be required 
in the amount of humidity, commensurate with the degree of heat maintained. In houses devoted 
to Orchidaceous plants, water may be sprinkled on the floor several times a day. It is of the 
utmost moment to keep a vigilant look-out for injurious insects, and wherever they make their 
appearance, however small the number, let prompt measures be adopted to suppress them. It is 
only by early effort that they can be kept under. 
Greenhouses must have air given to them early in the morning, when the weather is 
favourable, and in mild weather a little may be allowed to remain on all nighty Above all things 
observe not to crowd too many specimens into the houses whilst they are making their growth. 
A free circulation of air and a full exposure to light is of the utmost consequence. 
Propagation and potting may still be continued where desirable. Annuals may yet be brought 
forward in pots or boxes to take the place of the earliest sowings, and to decorate conspicuous 
places. Divide the roots of Chrysanthemums and repot them singly, and plunge the pots to the 
rim in a frame or in some sheltered situation. Pluck away all decaying leaves and flowers, and 
maintain a scrupulous neatness in all departments. 
