THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
167 
rough winds, and they also require shade 
during sun-shine, unless the frame is placed 
so that the sun does not reach them. The 
blooms must he carefully thinned out to the 
proper number. 
Biennial Plants, if not already sown, may 
be got in at the earliest convenience. 
Bulbs. — As the bulbs come into flower 
examine them carefully, and see that they are 
true ; if the different sorts or colours are 
mixed, mark them while in flower, so that the 
mistake may be rectified when the roots are 
taken up. This applies especially to such 
plants as Hyacinths, of which the different 
colours are usually kept distinct. When the 
ground is required for other plants, the bulbs 
should be taken up on the first calm moist 
day that presents, and carefully laid in so as 
to ripen their foliage without being again dis- 
turbed ; if this is done carefully they will not 
suffer very much from the change. 
Canterbury Bells may be sown for next 
year's blooming ; a good double (so called) 
variety is a very showy thing, and so indeed 
are the single ones. 
Carnations. — The present month is the 
season for putting them into their blooming 
pots — eleven or twelve-inch ones ; these pots 
will hold a pair. Those intended for beds 
may be planted out. 
China Asters. (Callistemma hortensis.) — 
Tiie principal batch may now be sown on light 
rich soil, under shelter ; they do not require 
heat. 
Flower beds. — These should be prepared 
for the plants without delay where the bed- 
ding-out system, now deservedly common, is 
adopted. The ground, before the plants are 
put out, should be frequently stirred, and 
brought to a finely pulverized and well- 
aerated condition. Some of the hardier things 
may be planted by the latter end of the 
month, but the more tender ones must be 
deferred a little longer. Where the trouble 
is not thought much of, the whole of the 
plants may be got out early, and protected 
every night by temporary coverings. Most of 
the annuals may be planted. 
Codctia. — This fine genus of ornamental 
hardy annuals offers an exception to what 
is usual among annual plants, for they do 
best in poor soil, especially if it be rather 
light and sandy ; their delicate tints and 
markings are brought out better under such 
circumstances than in rich soil. Every garden 
should have G. rubicunda, G. Lindleyana, 
G. vinosa, and G. Romanzovii. 
Hard)/ rncpcrs. — Attend to these, and let 
the shoots be properly regulated as they grow; 
they can never be so well done, nor done at 
all without injury, if they arc once allowed to 
get entangled. 
Hollyhocks. — These are fine flowers for 
planting among shrubs; they may be sown 
during this month for next year's flower- 
ing. 
Hyacinths. — The beds of these plants 
should be slightly protected at night, and dur- 
ing heavy rain, where fine blooms are looked 
for; and also shaded from intense sun-heat. 
Water the beds if the weather is dry. 
Lawns. — When the grass is rather thin, 
either scatter some rich soil, mixed with some 
of the proper fine lawn-grass seeds, or lay 
fresh turf ; if it is not very bad, the first is 
the best plan ; the soil should be put on when 
the ground is damp after rain, and afterwards 
rolled down. All lawns should be frequently 
rolled and swept, and mown too, with perse- 
verance and assiduity. Much of the beauty 
of a lawn during the summer depends on 
commencing to mow early in the spring, and 
repeating it very frequently, say once a week, 
for some time, till it is got to what gardeners 
call " a good bottom," which is simply this : 
the coarser grasses become weakened, and the 
finer ones, in consequence, grow better, and 
become much thickened, giving the surface 
the smooth soft appearance of a piece of 
velvet. In such a state, who does not admire 
an English lawn ? 
Narchsus. — These require similar manage- 
ment to that recommended for Hyacinths, ex- 
cept that they are more hardy. 
Pansies. — Plant out any that may be in 
pots into light rich soil, and take off a good 
stock of cuttings for autumn-flowering ; they 
may be rooted under a hand-glass. 
Perennials. — Most or all of the hardy per- 
ennials may be sown during this month. 
The plants will not flower (unless in some 
rare instances) until next year ; they may be 
had to bloom at different periods next year, 
by varying the period of sowing : sow on poor 
light ground. 
Phlox Drummondii. — This is one of the 
prettiest of summer-flowering plants, but it is 
rather shy-growing ; it does best in a cool 
peat bed. It may be planted out towards the 
end of the month if the weather continues 
favourable. 
Picotees require to be managed exactly as 
Carnations. 
Pinks. — Go over the pink beds, and press 
the soil firmly about the stems of the plants ; 
the winter usually loosens it, and the plants 
sometimes Buffer in consequence. Add a top 
dressing of rich light soil. 
Polyanthuses and Primroses. — Loosen the 
soil among these plants if it is needed, and add 
a rich tup dressing. 
Ranunculuses require treatment similar to 
Anrmones, but they are the better for rather 
more shading ; both are benefited by having 
