GARDEN HINTS FOE AMATEUES. 
them cautiously against cutting north-east winds, but giving them the advantage of full exposure in 
mild mornings. Tulips are forward, and in the event of cold frosty winds will require ample 
protection, or the freezing of the young flower bud may do irreparable injury. Attend carefully to 
beds of Ranunculuses and Anemones : if necessary press the soil around the forward plants, and keep 
a sharp look out for wireworm and other insects. Beds of Pansies will soon be in full splendour, and 
a most interesting display they make ; remove superfluous flowers, and protect the plants from cutting 
winds. Our best florists now grow them in pots, in frames under glass, by which means they get 
unusually large and brilliant-coloured flowers. Should the weather be dry don't forget the manure 
water. Fork over the ground for Hollyhocks and Dahlias, leaving it rough ; the former may be planted 
out at once. Propagate Phloxes and Dahlias, and as the young plants get established harden them off. 
Many of the more early-blooming varieties of Greenhouse and Stove plants will be advancing 
rapidly, and the houses will begin to wear a spring-like appearance, as some of the earlier kinds of 
Chorozemas, Dillwynias, Pimeleas, and Leschenaultias will soon be in bloom. Attend properly to 
these, and see that they do not suffer from the want of water. The potting of specimens should have 
been completed before this time, but towards the end of the month some of the free-growing kinds may 
be ready for a shift. Encourage Achimenes, Gloxinias, and the like, and start a good batch for a 
summer supply. Sow Balsams, Cockscombs, Globe Amaranthus, Schizanthus, and other tender 
Annuals, and forward all but the Schizanthus in a hotbed frame. In the Stove some of the winter- 
blooming plants will now be getting shabby ; cut them down and set them aside for a time, or if they 
are getting too large throw them away, preserving, of course, a supply of cuttings for young plants to 
supply their places. Syringe daily, and use manure water to such plants as are coming into bloom, not 
only to encourage the plants but to give brilliance to the flowers. Ventilation must be attended to in 
time, and with caution, recollecting that if the weather is mild you cannot give too much air so long as 
the temperature is kept up, but cold winds must be cautiously guarded against. The shades will soon 
be wanted : therefore get them fixed, for during the gleamy weather of April, and the changes to which 
plants are necessarily exposed, they are, if not shaded, more likely to get scorched than during the 
bright days of summer. Avoid shading, however, except in cases of absolute necessity, and then use it 
no longer than you are obliged to do so. Soft-wooded plants will require free ventilation, subject to 
the preceding remarks, as the more forward of the Show and Fancy Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, &c, 
will be advancing rapidly into bloom, and a free admission of air is necessary to give strength to the 
plants and colour to the flowers. Attend to them regularly with water, giving a little weak liquid- 
manure occasionally, say once a week, and guard against insects. Pelargoniums for late blooming 
must be stopped, and attended to, as must also Calceolarias. No plants can be more useful for very 
early and veiy late blooming than Fancy Pelargoniums, as if they are of sufficient age and size it is 
almost impossible to keep them from blooming even in the depth of winter. Growing Azaleas must be 
encouraged with a little heat and plenty of moisture ; and Camellias for early blooming next season 
will require much the same treatment. 
Cold pits and frames will be filled with young stock for the flower-garden, which must be attended 
to to get it strong. Stocks, Mignonette, Calceolarias, and old Verbenas, may be put into temporary 
frames, and protected with mats, so as to give room for the young plants now ready to be potted off 
from the propagating pit. As the plants get established, harden them off so that they may be ready to 
plant out the middle of May, or sooner in sheltered situations, for if the plants are properly prepared' a 
slight frost will not injure them, 
Continue to propagate all plants of which a large stock is required, and pot off such at the present 
time in the propagating pit as are in a fit state. When you have room, a lot of Chrysanthemum cuttings 
must be got in ; but it is better to strike late, and grow the plants properly afterwards, than to strike 
early, and to allow the young plants to get into a stunted state afterwards. 
In the Forcing Garden the Cucumbers will soon be coming into bearing, and the Melons must be 
ridged out without delay, observing to give them good loamy soil, but avoiding manure for all kinds. 
Sow Basil, Marjoram, and other sweet herbs, also some Tomatoes and Capsicums, and nurse them to get 
them strong. Sow also Cucumbers for ridges, and Vegetable Marrow towards the end of the month. 
If the main crops in the Kitchen Garden have not been got in, and the wall trees are not all nailed, 
no time must be lost in getting them in. Sow successional crops of Peas, Beans, Lettuces, Spinach, 
Turnips, Radishes, Waleheren Cauliflower, and Small Salading as often as necessary. Sow also 
French and Runner Beans, a full crop of Broeolies, Brussels Sprouts, Savoys, Borecole and Cabbage in 
the first week, and protect the seed from birds. Plant out successional crops of Cauliflowers, Lettuce, 
Cabbage, &c. Hoe and stir the ground among growing crops, destroy insects, and keep everything 
clean and neat. — P. f(^„ 
