Vol. 2.— No. 2 . RICHMOND , IND . , APRIL ,1879. { at 
Fie. 86. 
SPRING AGAIN. 
l^jfcrNCE more the warm and genial sunshine announces the near approach of 
Spring-time, with the accompanying enjoyment of sweet singing birds, and 
a still more welcome return to life and vigor of a dormant vegetation. But 
these returning pleasures are nowhere more fully appreciated and welcomed 
than by the people living within the temperate zone, and especially so, after 
such a cold and severe winter as the one just passed ; for old Boreas ushered 
in the new year of 1879 with a terrible howl throughout the whole northern hemi- 
sphere, and as a sequence the vegetable kingdom, unless well protected, is a great 
sufferer from his fearful blasts. 
In the last number of the Index, which was issued during the severe weather in 
the middle of the winter, we gave an illustration of a Winter Flower Garden (green- 
house) in the temperate zone during winter; which, however, can only be enjoyed 
by comparatively a few. And at the head of this article we give an outside view of 
one of the many-good designs for a large Conservatory, which also suggests the fact 
that we must no longer confine ourselves to the greenhouse or window garden for 
our floricultural work, but must move outside to prepare for summer. There is only 
a very short time in spring suitable for certain kinds of work to be done, and when 
it is not done at the proper time it is usually equivalent to labor lost. Trees, shrubs, 
and many kinds of vines, must be planted early to enable them to get a start before 
the hot, dry weather; or, if they are to be only pruned, (not replanted), it should be 
done before they start. Buildings and fences must be repaired or repainted; the 
lawn must be cleaned and often enriched; the flower beds must be arranged, and the 
vegetable garden must be prepared and many things planted early. In fact, there 
is more work to be done in March, April and May, than can be done at all satisfactori- 
ly by the majority of our people. 
