1880. ] 
SUBURBAN GARDENING. 
61 
SUBURBAN GARDENING. 
S PRIL.—We are writing in tlie middle 
of March, and record with great plea¬ 
sure that the weather is eminently 
favourable to gardeners and gardening opera¬ 
tions. We have the traditional easterly winds of 
March, but they are not unkind, though season¬ 
able ; there is little of frost, and some pleasant 
gleams of sunshine ; the soil is in good work¬ 
able condition, and the newly-sown seeds are 
coming up through it in an encouraging 
manner,— 
New verdure clothes the plain, 
And earth assumes her transient youth again.” 
Kitchen Garden. —The suburban gardenerhas 
need to be constantly active here. He should now 
sow his second early and later Broccolis, such 
as A dams' Early White , Dilcoclcs Bride , Pro¬ 
tecting , Sprouting , and Late Mammoth ; should 
sow Herbs where necessary, with which to form 
beds of these useful accessories to the kitchen ; 
should plant French and Runner Beans in warm 
situations ; and where the soil is fairly dug, 
clean over his beds of Radishes, Carrots, Onions , 
Parsnips , and thin out the seedling plants 
where it is necessary to do so, stirring the soil 
about those which are left, and taking care 
that at no stage of their growth do the weeds 
overpower them. All this is best to be done 
when the soil is dry, and when the necessary 
surface-cleaning can be most effectually done. 
When the weather is moist and mild, increase 
of such useful herbs as Sage , Rosemary , Savory , 
&c., can be made by planting slips or cuttings, 
which soon take root if trodden firmly into 
the ground. 
According to the space of ground at command 
as a kitchen garden, so must the suburban 
gardener crop it. If he has space at his dis¬ 
posal, and Broad Beans are a favourite dish, 
let him plant a few of Taylor's Windsor for a 
late crop. In like manner, such Peas as Dr. 
Maclean , Veitclis Perfection , Omega , and Pre¬ 
mier, , all dwarf varieties of excellent quality, 
and good croppers, can be sown for succession. 
If more Celery is needed, it should be sown at 
once, and the Incomparable Dwarf White, 
being a quick variety, is a good one for a late 
crop. Salading is always acceptable, and care 
should be taken that enough is provided ; and as 
gardeners hope for the falling of the kindly 
rains known as “ April showers,” advantage 
should be taken of their occurrence to draw 
the soil up to the stems of Cauliflowers, 
Cabbages, &c., taking care the earth does not 
become drawn into the hearts of the plants. 
With warm rains are certain to come such 
garden pests as snails, slugs, and other ravaging 
insects, and these will need to be looked after. 
Those who are attempting to grow Cucum¬ 
bers or Melons in dung frames, should be care¬ 
ful to cover them up in the afternoon, so soon 
as the sun declines. The weather at night 
may prove treacherous, and the temperature 
may fall, and if the young fruit become chilled, 
the chances of a satisfactory crop are nil. 
Fruit Garden. —Soon, especially if east 
winds prevail, blight may be expected to put 
in appearance, and in order to have Peach and 
Nectarine trees on walls healthy, and in good 
bearing condition, the shoots should be washed 
or syringed with tobacco-water or some other 
insecticide. If the leaves show sign of mildew, 
lime-water may be sprinkled over the trees, or 
better still, some sulphur dusted over them. 
Trees against open walls need attention in the 
matter of cutting away at the base any shoots, 
except leading ones and the latest upon a last 
year’s shoot. The young shoots of Cherry 
trees are subject to attacks of a black fly, and 
these should be washed or syringed, as in the 
case of the Peach and Nectarine plants on walls. 
If dry weather sets in, and continues dry, all 
kinds of Fruit-trees will be benefited by occa¬ 
sional syringing, for want of such like attention 
in the case of imperfectly-rooted or newly- 
planted trees, or trees in a shallow, dry soil, 
the crop of fruit will drop in its infant state ; 
but syringing should not be done till after the 
blossoms have dropped off. 
Flower Garden. —Those who have a fond¬ 
ness for hardy spring flowers, such as Daisies, 
Polyanthuses , Sci/las, Primroses , <fcc., will now 
be in full enjoyment of them. To these may 
be added Hepaticas , Doronicum caucasicum , 
Anemones , Myosotis, and Wallflowers , all sub¬ 
jects of great beauty and usefulness. Nothing 
can be pleasanter than some of these in mixed 
borders, and they deserve all the attention that 
can be given them. Many other things of a 
hardy character are pushing themselves through 
the soil, and for weeks to come, in a well- 
furnished garden, there will be much to interest 
and delight. 
The pruning of Roses should be done early 
in this month, and very recently-planted Roses 
will need a good watering during drying 
weather. Clematises and Climbing Roses should 
also be pruned and got into shape for summer; 
for there is nothing like a neat appearance to 
the garden to start the season with. Any 
vacant flower-beds should be dug and dressed 
ready for the summer-planting. 
Greenhouse. —A warm greenhouse, in which 
a little fire-heat can be applied at night, should 
now have a gay and cheerful appearance. In 
such a house, Epacris , Azaleas , Camellias , 
Cinerarias , Pelargoniums , Primulas , &c., should 
be the leading subjects. The Epacris is a 
charming plant, easily managed, and free 
blooming, and when the plants go out of flower, 
they should be well pruned-in, and kept at the 
warm end of the house for a time, to encourage 
