128 
THE FLORIST. 
weak liquid manure, to give brilliancy to the flowers. Water freely 
and shade in the middle of the day when the sun is very bright. 
Ventilate freely when the winds are not too parching or cold. Give 
each plant as much light and space as possible. Keep an eye on seed¬ 
lings, and select the finest for the following seasons. Felargoniums 
will now require increased attention, as they are making considerable 
progress. The flower buds of the May plants will now begin to appear 
above their foliage. Whenever the weather is mild, air should be 
freely given, and that early in the morning; the house, however, 
should be closed sufficiently early in the afternoon to dispense with fire- 
heat as much as possible. Very careful attention must be given to 
watering the plants, which, during dry harsh weather, should be care¬ 
fully examined twice a day. Shading from the midday sun will be 
necessary. Prepare and lay up some good turfy loam with some deer 
or sheep manure, which, occasionally turned over during the summer, 
and kept sheltered from heavy rains, will make excellent compost for 
potting in the autumn. 
WORK FOR SMALL GARDENS IN APRIL. 
Auriculas. —These will now be in their perfection. Carefully look 
over and take notes of your bloom, even though you may have done it 
with the same kinds before, the effect of season being quite as interesting 
to a thorough amateur as anything else. Of all new kinds, if you 
possess any, take special notice, carefully comparing them with older 
varieties in the same class, so as to see whether they are an advance 
upon them or not. If you have seedlings, do not trust your own 
judgment, but submit them to some one who has grown them well. A 
good bloom will now reward all the care and potting that they have 
had for months. Carnations and Picotees. —Any that have been left 
unpotted should now be finished off, and during this month should be 
in some sheltered place where the cold biting winds cannot injure 
them; if they have been, gradually hardened off they will bear it 
better than if kept in close confinement until potting time. Pinks .— 
The surface of the bed must be kept stirred, and a top dressing given. 
They seem with me to have suffered much from the severe winter, but 
time will tell, as they very rapidly make growth, when once they set 
to work at it. Pansies. —These will now be coming into bloom, and 
will require a liberal supply of water. Pinch off superfluous shoots 
and make cuttings of them. Watch for slugs, which are very destructive 
to the bloom. Greenhouse. —Bedding plants of various kinds may now 
be removed to pits or frames, so as to give more room for growing 
plants. Cuttings of Verbenas, &c., may still be struck in a hotbed if 
required. Fumigate for green-fly and syringe in fine weather ; both 
of these operations tend very much to the health of the plants. General 
Wo7'k. —Move Japan Lilies out of doors—a cool place they like best. 
Prepare beds for and plant Gladioli. Get all ready for the bedding-out 
work, which will take place next month. Keep all clean and tidy, and 
destroy all slugs, &c., unmercifully. “ Delenda est sluggiana ” must 
be the cry with gardeners. 
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