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Work for the Month of March 
I By John Johnson, Massachusetts | 
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THE work done last month in the hot-hed depart- 
ment was but a foretaste of this month's require- 
ments. Beyond the handling of young stock of 
previous sowings, a fall coin])lenient of both vegetable and 
flower seeds must be sown this month, attention given to 
bush fruits, shrubbery, roses, perennial border, asparagus 
and strawberry beds, as well as the beds in which are 
planted early flowering and bulbous stock. 
As the transplanting of seedlings becomes necessary, 
the cultivator of the hot-bed system iinds himself deci- 
dedly handicapped against his more fortunate neighbor, 
the man with a greenhouse. A little patience and due 
regard to weather conditions will, however, work won- 
ders. Should a previous sowing have failed lose no time 
to make good the loss. Be not discouraged — Sow again. 
Raising young plants this early in the season is a constant 
struggle with Nature, and an occasional failure befalls 
the most skilful cultivator. Look to the cause of the 
trouble and, if possible, try to avoid a recurrence. Such 
rebuffs properly dealt with are but stepping stones to fu- 
ture success. 
Handling Seedlings. — In the greenhouse seedlings may 
be pricked off when ready to handle, but where this fa- 
cility does not exist the cultivator must exercise judg- 
ment. Avoid chilling the young plants by exposure, either 
atmospheric or by the use of a too cold compost. Prepare 
soil for pricking off seedlings, similar to that seeds were 
sown in. A compost containing grit and a goodly portion 
of leaf-mould, or well-decayed manure, such as that from 
a spent hot-bed or exhausted mushroom bed, will be suit- 
able, and will encourage the formation of fibrous roots. 
Shallow boxes are generally preferable to small pots for 
the first shift. Indeed, boxes may be with advantage 
employed for any subsequent transplanting that may re- 
quire to be done before the final planting. Less room is 
needed by this method, which not only facilitates water- 
ing and transportation but off'ers some advantages at 
planting time. 
Where small pots are used in quantity, plants often 
suffer neglect in watering and pot-bound starvation. In 
this condition, the roots being so matted, the plants do 
not readily take to new quarters. For similar reasons 
the roots of plants taken from flats or dug from frames 
should not be unduly packed with the hands. 
Egg Plant, Peppers and Tomatoes will require a little 
more warmth than the general line of things. 
Onions intended for show purposes should not be given 
much animal manure in the soil at this stage, and in prick- 
ing off these exercise a little extra care. The primary 
root of the onion usually descends to a much greater 
depth than the top-growth would suggest, and as this 
solitary root first emitted is the sole support of the young 
plant, endeavor to keep it intact at the time of transplant- 
ing. 
Sozving Seeds. — This is a favorable time for the sowing 
of most anntials required for bedding. Take advantage 
also of the present by starting from seed sown inside, a 
few beets for setting out later. String beans, peas and 
sweet corn trans])lant readily and may be similarly treated 
in northern districts to prolong the season of these desir- 
able crops. 
Supplement last month's sowings of Cabbage, Cauli- 
flower, Celery, etc., by now putting in seeds of maincrop 
49 
and late varieties. Next month will, however, be early 
enough to sow winter celery. 
The increasing power of the sun's rays demands ex- 
treme watchfulness, air the hot-beds early in bright 
weather, but avoid cold draughts. Remove the covering 
on cold frames in which stock has Ijetn carried through 
the winter. Peel off decayed foliage, and ventilate freely 
on all favorable occasions, removing the sash entirely on 
warm days. 
The Flozver Garden. — As the weather shows signs of 
breaking up, gradually insure the light by removing the 
loose covering material on roses. Toward the end of the 
month will l)e early enough to start pruning. Ramblers 
may be first dealt with. If these were taken down for 
the winter, cut away all old wood not required for filling 
in and tie in only as many of the strongest canes of the 
previous season's growth as may be necessary. Don't 
overcrowd them ; allow 18 inches between the canes and 
avoid stiffness in training. The Hybrid Perpetual type 
may next be given attention. These can be pruned closer 
than is good for most of the other varieties, but if a fine 
display of flower in the bed is the desired aim, it will be 
advisable to leave strong growths 2 to 3 feet long and 
several of these on a bush. This method is productive of 
a profusion of small flowers with short, weak stems of 
little value for cutting, but effective in the mass. For 
finest individual flowers prune more vigorously. Hybrid 
Teas and the more tender varieties should be left till last. 
When the work of pruning is done, clear away rubbish 
and lightly fork over the beds, incorporating a little 
manure. 
As soon as the frost is out of the ground rake off 
strawy litter or other protection used on the perennial 
border. Although the Spring months are considered by 
some cultivators a better time than Autumn for over- 
hauling perennial borders, I believe the latter season 
presents numerous advantages. However, any planting 
in this de])artment deferred since last tall shotild be hur- 
ried along at this season. Perennials are gross feeders 
and the borders would now benefit by a dressing of short 
farmyanl manure, or other comjilete fertilizer forked in. 
Beds containing bulbs for Spring and early Summer 
displays should also have the surface soil stirred as soon 
as the winter covering is removed. Trim grass verges 
that need it as soon as the weather permits of the work 
being done, but cut away only sufficient to give a uniform 
edge. Where the soil is of a sandy nature it is better 
to do this somewhat obliquely to prevent crumbling in 
dry weather. Above all, avoid a deep edge to either 
flower beds or pathways ; these might appear trim to some 
people but void of all elegance to those of an aesthetic 
frame of mind. Try to keep the width of the verges 
strictly in accord with the paths and borders they skirt, ' 
and to which they furnish the setting. It is not uncom- 
mon to see a pathway 4 to 6 feet wide bounded bv a grass 
edging as many inches in width. This is altogether wrong 
and oftentimes the result only of unnecessary and wan- 
ton whittling on the part of inexjierienced woi-kmen. 
Shrubbery Border. — In the shrubber\- finish any prun- 
ing left over from late Fall and avoid formality.' How 
painfully square is the pruning done of many of our most 
charming and naturally elegant shrubs. This often hap- 
pens where s])ecimens have attained dimensions which, to 
meet certain requirements, enforces their being kept 
