Vol. 1.— No. 5. 
APRIL, 1878. 
( Published Quarterly, at 
1 26 Cents a Year. 
Fig. 33. 
SPRING WORK. 
PRING has again returned, and with it we find urgent calls for work on 
all sides; so much so, that many things must be neglected or hastily done, 
which is always very unsatisfactory, especially to any one m iking improve- 
ments about a home. But business requires the first thoughts of the large 
majority of our people, and no matter whether it is the farm, shop, or store, 
its demands are imperative, and the work necessary to be done about the 
flower garden or lawn usually falls upon such inexperienced and unskilled 
help as can best be spared from more profitable work, which usually makes 
many improvements of a doubtful character. Recognizing this great fact, we would 
suggest to our readers that it is always desirable to know just what permanent im- 
provements are to be made, and how we wish the place to appear when complete. To 
ascertain this, a detailed survey should be made of the place, and the plans discussed 
and perfected during evenings or leisure hours. Again, each year’s work should 
accomplish something permanent in the way of at least one walk qr drive, one flower 
bed or border, a few trees, shrubs or vines, so that next year the stiorttime for spring 
work may be devoted to a continuation of the work already begun. 
It is very essential to add each year one or more rare hardy trees or shrubs to the 
collection; or, what is equally as effective, put in practice the recommendations of 
the Gardeners' Monthly , for the past few years, and plant some of the hard-wooded 
vines, especially the Wistaria , by a post, and keep it cut back to six or eight feet; in 
a few years, on removing the post it will stand alone, making a tree which will bloom 
all summer. Pinch off all runners before they detract from the strength of the tree. 
Plant all hardy trees, shrubs and vines early. Sow in a hot-bed seed of tender 
annuals, that they may bloom earlv in the season ; but do not make flower beds until 
the ground is warm and ready for the seed, especially if it is clay ground. 
