150 
GARDENING CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 
THE FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. 
Soiv annuals by way of succession — a little 
of everything worth growing, but give due 
prominence to those acknowledged to be 
superior and suitable, for whilst variety is 
desirable, it is quality and not quantity which 
satisfies most. 
Plant and Transplant, both hardy and 
tender annuals ; also biennials and perennials 
generally ; attend to these latter promptly. 
General Directions. — Have the soil tho- 
roughly prepared to receive the seeds and 
plants, by being well wrought, whether it be 
rich or poor ; if it be in either of these ex- 
treme conditions, try and modify it imme- 
diately. The lawns must be swept and rolled, 
and if worms and moss are found to prevail, 
lime-water and soot will counteract both. 
The rake as well as the hoe will now be re- 
quired, yet too great a fineness of soil on the 
top is objectionable, and must be avoided. 
Choose if possible showery and cloudy weather 
for planting, or meet the case by watering and 
shading. Be still afraid of frosts injuring 
the tender growth of such plants as start 
early. 
Slugs are effectually destroyed with quick 
lime ; they may also be decoyed by handfuls 
of fresh grains from the brewery, or what is 
perhaps as good, a little bran placed below an 
inverted flower-pot, raised enough to allow an 
easy entrance. 
Alpines. — Increase the supplies of water. 
Plant out what can be spared in romantic 
spots, but keep duplicates of the better sorts 
in pots. 
Anemones. — Sow early on a loamy soil of 
medium texture and richness ; separate the 
seed by mixing with silver sand ; sow thin, 
and cover slightly, and shade if the sun is 
scorching. The autumn-planted old plants 
will be in splendour ; from the fine sorts take 
away all the weak and imperfect flowers, and 
water liberally in dry weather. 
Annuals. — Harden off and plant out those 
of the hardy kinds kept in frames, and sow 
again early. The half-hardy kinds must be 
shifted and put out by the end of the month 
in a good situation ; preserve the best to 
flower in pots. Those transplanted protect 
by inverted pots, or fir or other boughs, from 
wind, cold, and sun. To keep off vermin 
strew quick-lime around them. 
Auriculas. — Give additional water to those 
in bloom ; also shade more. As the prize sorts 
require constant attention and operating upon, 
erect a stage or bench in a sheltered corner, 
on which to place the plants under hand- 
glasses, raised upon pots or bricks six inches 
high ; over the whole make as it were a tent 
of transparent cloth : reduce the pips to seven 
of the most equal and promising ; adjust them 
by tucking in small pieces of moss or wad- 
ding ; preserve uninjured the powder of the 
favourite kinds. Protect against cold, and 
cutting winds, night and day. 
Carnations. — Pot now, in eight, nine, or 
eleven inch pots ; give thorough drainage, 
and put some turfy soil above the crocks ; 
attend to filling the interstices between the 
ball and the pot ; water gently, and place in 
a sheltered spot or on stages. Plant out the 
worst in rows two feet apart and one between. 
Clematis and Deciduous Climbers will be 
benefited by going over them, and thinning 
the shoots as with fruit trees ; tie and nail in 
as required. 
Crocus. — At the end of the month the 
leaves may be tied up in knots out of the way 
of other plants, until well ripened ; mean- 
while the ground can be sown or planted. 
Dahlias. — Proceed with shifting and pro- 
pagating. The striped sorts are beautiful for 
the borders ; a few may be planted at the end 
of the month in good situations ; they delight 
in a rich soil and plenty of water. Give 
plenty of air to those in frames, but close 
them at night. 
Fuchsias. — Remove the coverings by de- 
grees ; thin out the shoots, and in most cases 
train them with one leading stem. 
Hyacinths. — Slightly protect early in the 
month ; the fine sorts are worthy of a tent 
over them. 
Hollyhocks — Plant them in masses or singly 
in rich soil ; a circular figure filled with them 
is admirable. 
Jasmines, Honeysuckles, &c. — Thin out 
the shoots, before they require to be nailed, 
or tied, and attend to that when necessary. 
Laurels, Laurustinus, &c. — Cut out all 
shoots destroyed by the frost ; the head of 
the bush should be well balanced ; this should 
be done immediately. 
Lobelias are all worthy of attention. Z-. 
fulgens and splendens should be separated and 
potted afresh into light soil, and placed in a 
hot-bed for a few weeks ; prepare a place for 
them by deep digging and richly dunging. 
Mignonette. — That kept in pots may be 
planted out the middle of the month, to give 
immediate effect ; thin out the early sowings. 
Mimidus, (Musk plant, &c.) — These plants 
are all easily grown, and beautiful either as 
single plants or in masses. The musk-plant 
forms an excellent summer bordering, and will 
succeed in a shady place. 
JPansies. — Form new beds, both of seedlings 
and standard varieties ; plant the old plants in 
masses in the borders ; sow seeds, and forward 
in heat. Propagate the fine sorts ; the young 
suckers from the roots strike very well in 
gentle heat, also under a hand-glass, or even 
