228 
GARDENING CALENDAR TOR MAY. 
Annuals. — Sow, plant, and thin out ; stick 
a few neat sturdy twigs amongst them, by 
which they will be supported ; this is better 
for many things than tying. 
Auriculas. — Where seed is wanted, set apart 
a few selected plants by themselves, and care- 
fully impregnate them. From the rest of the 
blooming plants remove the decaying blossoms 
as soon as they begin to fade, that they may 
not exhaust the plants ; in doing this, simply 
pick off the individual flowers, but do not cut 
away the main stalk until it is quite decayed. 
After the bloom is past, give the plants 
abundance of air. 
Carnations. — "Water, stake, and thin the 
stems of the show sorts ; sow seed. 
Chrysanthemums. — Much may be done with 
these ; plant out a quantity to take layers from 
in July. Plant any spare plants in the shrub- 
bery borders ; give manure abundantly. 
Clematis, and other climbing plants, both 
deciduous and evergreen, as they advance into 
vigorous growth, should have the branches 
thinned, and those that are retained, properly 
supported according to the position they 
occupy : this attention, which is commonly 
bestowed upon rarer plants, will not be lost on 
the more common ones, such as those here 
referred to. 
Dahlias. — Harden off, and plant out at the 
end of the month ; prepare a rich soil to flower 
them in ; but of the very choice sorts, plant 
some on poor soil, as it will be found that 
stimulated roots are the worst keepers ; they 
require much water. 
Fuchsias. — Thin out the young shoots ; 
train some as bushes, but they are most 
handsome trained to one stem or so. Clear 
away all protecting material, and dress the 
soil about them. 
Hyacinths. — Shade the beds when the 
bloom is expanded : pick off the flowers as 
they fade, that the energies of the roots may 
not be expended in seeding. If the ground is 
wanted for other plants where they are grow- 
ing, take them up carefully soon after the 
bloom is past, and lay them in, in the reserve 
garden, to complete their growth. 
Lawns. — The beauty of a lawn depends 
very much upon frequent mowing, especially 
early in the season ; they ought now to be cut 
twice a month at the least — if oftener, so much 
the better. Roll them before mowing, and 
sweep up the cut grass quite clean. 
Lobelias. — The large growing herbaceous 
varieties should be separated in March, each 
single crown being planted in a small pot. and 
set in a warm frame till it has started, and 
then hardened off: they are to be shifted 
once or twice ; and early in this month may 
be planted out in rich soil in a moist situa- 
tion, wh^re they become very fine. They are 
very ornamental on the margins of akes. 
Some may be placed in large pots of rich loam, 
and are very ornamental to set near fountains, 
or in any cool situation ; they require plenty 
of water. 
Jlimulus. — The varieties grown for beds 
must be planted in a cool moist situation : they 
all have a fine appearance on the margin of a 
lake. 
Narcissus. — Shade the best beds whilst in 
bloom, and remove the flowers as they fade. 
Take up the roots, as with hyacinths, if the 
ground is wanted. 
Pansies. Give liberal waterings in hot 
weather ; adding a little weak liquid manure 
once a week ; propagate by the side shoots 
planted under a hand light, and shade them ; 
they will also root in a cool shady place 
without covering. 
JPicotees. — Thin and support the flower 
stems, but do not tie tight ; w^ater freely in 
the morning, yet very cautiously. 
Pinks. — Of the prize varieties, thin the 
stems to one, and leave only three buds upon 
it ; water with liquid manure, w r eekly. 
Pinus. — Plant out any seedlings which ai'e 
intended for planting out ; do not place any 
manure about them, and have the ground 
beneath well drained. If any of the half 
hardy kinds are planted out, they might be put 
in a group, where they could be covered all 
together during winter. 
Polyanthus in pots and past flower should 
be again planted out and divided, if worth 
increasing. 
Roses. — Thin out the weak and over 
crowded shoots, and propagate from them ; 
remove all suckers and side shoots from those 
budded last year, and suckers and useless shoots 
from the stocks. Water with liquid manure, 
sparingly at first. 
Stocks. — Plant out, if not already done ; 
the later ones will do yet, to flower in autumn. 
Sweet Peas. — Lose no time in staking these, 
whether in rows or patches. Sow a few more 
to bloom late. 
Tigridias. — Plant out those started in pots 
into beds of light sandy soil. Others may be 
planted out at once for succession. Their 
ephemeral flowers have a very good effect 
from the number which is produced in suc- 
cession. 
Tulips. — Screen from the sun and cutting 
winds by canvas awning ; if it is made to give 
room to walk under it is the more desirable, 
as the flowers can be inspected with the greater 
comfort. Break off the seed vessels when the 
flowers are past. 
Violets must be watered if very dry ; and 
if young plants are not already taken off, do it 
soon, and encourage them by planting on rich 
open ground. They must be potted in autumn. 
