8 
CALENDAR FOR THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 
ing, as so many other things will now be coming 
into bloom naturally. Many cuttings, neverthe¬ 
less, will need to be put in for the purpose of 
furnishing the flower-garden during summer, 
and no better place can be found for them than 
the forcing house. 
Greenhouse and Conservatory. —The 
latter will now be gay with the various plants 
that have been pushed forward into early flower, 
and a great number of hard-wooded New Hol¬ 
land plants which have their natural period of 
efflorescence at this time of the year. There are 
several Acacias, Chorizemas, Clematis, Aphel- 
exis, Pimeleas, Leschenaultias, Hydrangeas, 
Roses, &c. These, together Avith bulbous and 
herbaceous plants, will make a fine display. 
Care must be taken, however, not to overcrowd, 
as is much too often the tendency when there 
is such a tempting array of floAvering plants. 
Propagate such things as Francoas, Pleromas, 
and Bochea falcata. Soav Mignonette, Rhoclantlie 
Manglesii, and other hardy and half-hardy an¬ 
nuals, to give a supply of cut flowers and deco¬ 
rative plants. Tuberous Begonias should also 
be potted for floAvering later on. The pretty little 
Grassula jcisminoides and other species should be 
rooted, so that good plants may be had for 
another season. Fancy Pelargoniums will be in 
active grorvth, and as the pots get filled Avith 
roots, they should be supplied with Aveak manure- 
Avater, to assist them in sending up strong trusses 
of flowers. Fuchsias that were started last 
month Avill now need repotting. Cuttings may 
also be rooted, to give good plants for autumn 
floAvering. 
Pits and Frames. 
Propagate Dahlias, Cannas, Zonal and other 
Pelargoniums, for floAvering in Avinter, Helio¬ 
tropes, and other bedding plants. Pot off Car¬ 
nations that Avere rooted in heat last month. 
Harden bedding Pelargoniums and other plants 
of a like nature. Soav seeds of Asters, Stocks, 
Balsams, Chinese Primulas, ornamental grasses, 
&c. Plant out herbaceous Calceolarias, Pansies, 
Hollyhocks, Pentstemons, Gladiolus, &c., to- 
Avards the middle of the month, or, in warm 
sheltered situations, at the beginning of it. By 
so doing more room in the frames Avill be avail¬ 
able for less hardy subjects. 
Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 
Evergreen shrubs, such as Hollies, Rhodo¬ 
dendrons, Kalmias, and Andromedas, should 
lie planted in shoAvery Aveather. Tidy up all 
herbaceous borders, and do eA r erything in the 
Avay of transplanting, &c., not already done 
Avithout delay. Grass Avill noAV be groAving Avell 
on the laAvns, and Avill need cutting. It should 
be SAvept first, then rolled, after which the 
machine may be run over it. Edge and clear 
up gravel Avalks, and give immediate attention 
to any re-gravelling Avliich may be necessary. 
Look over and prune Roses at the beginning of 
the month, and replace with others all which 
have succumbed to the winter frosts. Spring 
bedding should be looking very bright at this 
season, as most of the plants Avill be in floAver. 
Keep the edges of the beds trimmed, and clear 
off all decayed leaves or other rubbish that may 
have been bloAvn on by the winds. 
MAY. 
Plant-houses. 
Orchid Houses.—Many plants Avill iioav 
have reached their full development Avith regard 
to size, and Avhen such have got firmly estab¬ 
lished in the neAv material in Avhicli they Avere 
potted plenty of Avater should be afforded them. 
Sobralias should be potted before groAvth is far 
advanced. These plants succeed best in a light, 
rich compost, in which their thick, fleshy roots 
can more easily push their Avay and ramble at 
will in search of nutriment. Odontoglossum In- 
sleayi, 0.1, leopardinum, and other A r arieties of this 
section should also be potted and groAvn in the 
Mexican or intermediate house. Other occu¬ 
pants of this structure Avill also need attention. 
Zygopctalums, which should have a place in all 
gardens on account of the fragrance of their 
floAvers, should iioav be potted. They thrive 
most conspicuously in a mixture of good fibrous 
loam, coAv-dung, crocks, and a little peat. They 
must be very carefully drained, as they are 
moisture-loving plants. Phalaenopsis that le- 
quire fresh pots, baskets, pans, or blocks, should 
be accommodated therewith. This lovely tribe 
is not so difficult of management as some people 
suppose if they receive proper attention. They 
should be kept shaded from the sun, have a 
uniform temperature, with a humid atmosphere. 
Many Cattleyas will be in floAver during this 
month, and these, if possible, should have a rather 
more airy atmosphere than the others to pre¬ 
vent their flowers from spotting. When floAver¬ 
ing is over look to their roots, and if any 
require potting this should be done. More 
moisture should afterwards be alloAved them. 
Odontoglossums of the crispum type Avill be 
