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THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
WORK OF THE MONTHS. 
Brief reminders of the various operations to be carried out 
on the rockery, fernery, herbaceous borders, rosery, etc., 
during each month of the year. 
January. — Prune hardy deciduous trees and shrubs. 
Flowering shrubs, however, will only need to have dead or 
weakly shoots removed, the proper pruning being deferred 
until after flowering. Give paths and lawns a good rolling in 
damp weather. Plant hardy trees and shrubs of all kinds 
when the weather is not frosty. Hardy climbers plant during 
the month. In the event of a heavy snowfall see that the snow 
is not allowed to lie on the shoots and branches of Conifers or 
other choice trees or shrubs, otherwise the branches may get 
broken. Protect the opening flowers of Christmas Roses from 
injury by damp by placing a handlight over them. 
February. — Roses of all kinds may be planted during the 
month. So, too, may trees and shrubs, also hardy climbers. 
Clematises, Jackmanii and Viticella varieties, should be pruned 
early in the month, cutting last year’s growth back to six inches 
from their base. Other kinds of Clematises only need to have 
dead growths removed. Plant bulbs of Lilies, Anemones and 
Ranunculuses. Form new rockeries in readiness for planting 
next month. Get plots dug, manured and levelled in readi- 
ness for sowing with grass seeds in March. Form or renovate 
gravel paths. See that rooted layers of Carnations planted 
last October have not been loosened by the frost ; if so, press 
the soil dowm firmly. 
March. — This is a busy month in the flower garden. The 
planting of Hardy Perennials, Alpines, Roses, Lilies, Gladioli, 
Tigridias, Montbretias, Galtonias, etc., may now be actively 
carried out. Hardy perennials that have become overgrown 
may be lifted, divided and replanted any time this month. 
Pansies and Violas, also Carnations, may be planted. Proceed 
early in the month with the pruning of Climbing Roses, and 
finish up at the end of the month with the remaining types. 
Sow seeds of Sweet Peas in the open. 
April — Finish the pruning of Rose trees. Plant out Sweet 
Pea seedlings reared in pots. Sow seeds of hardy annuals in 
