62 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
Uhn Savoy , Brussels Sprouts , also dwarf Kale , 
Cauliflowers , and Cabbage for autumn use, 
with Lettuce , Onions , Radishes , and Mustard 
and CVess for succession, should be sown with¬ 
out delay, supposing the soil to be in good 
working order. Some Beet should be sown as 
early as convenient in deeply-dug but not 
highly-manured ground, and all the Celery that 
will be required. The ground, generally being 
very moist after so much rain, should be kept 
well stirred on the surface, and where practic¬ 
able, lightly forked over. It is said we are to 
experience heavy droughts this summer, and 
he will be best prepared for them who has his 
ground the lightest, most open, and deeply 
stirred. Potatos , not yet planted, should be 
got in without delay, and towards the end of 
the month Scarlet Runners and French Beans 
may be sown. As our notes are intended for 
small gardens, we confine our descriptions to 
these. Every opportunity for getting in seeds 
and plants while the weather is dry and open 
should be seized, as bad weather may set in, as 
is frequently the case in April. 
Fruit Garden. —Those who make a point of 
protecting their fruit-trees on walls will need 
to be on the alert, as the blossom-buds are 
swelling rapidly, under the influence of the 
warm, sunny weather. In addition to guard¬ 
ing against frost, the trees should also be 
screened from cutting, east winds. The pro¬ 
tection used, whether tiffany, mats, &c., should 
be so arranged as to be easily removed, 
and also admit of a free circulation of 
air between it and the trees. On no account 
should the trees be shut up close, as this 
is almost as injurious as the effect of frost. 
Mulching should be supplied to early-planted 
fruit-trees so soon as dry weather sets in, and 
water given at intervals. The hoe should be 
applied to Strawberry-beds , and when clear of 
leaves, a mulching of dung and leaves, or 
any such material, will be found of great 
service. There is a promise of a rich blossom 
on all kinds of fruit-trees ; let us hope fate 
will be propitious, and that the killing frosts 
which happen between the 12tli and 26th of 
May will be much less hurtful than on some 
previous occasions. 
Flower Garden. — The spring-flowering 
plants are now getting very gay, though the 
winter has played great havoc with many of 
them. Daisies , Forget-me-Nots , Primroses , 
and a few others have come out of the ordeal 
well, and those tliat have spare plants can now 
make their beds somewhat complete. Flower¬ 
beds that have been lying empty all the winter 
will now require to be dug and dressed, and 
thrown up a little rough, for the weather to 
sweeten and pulverise the soil. A dressing of 
manure and leaves will be of great advantage 
on the mixed border, and it will save many 
things from injury from early frosts and cut¬ 
ting winds. In the case of Turf which has 
been recently laid down, a good soaking of 
water will be of service, and some old tan or 
leaf-mould thrown over it afterwards. Now is 
a good time to clip Box-edging , as the young 
growths will soon make it look fresh and green. 
All Half-hardy Annuals not yet sown should 
be placed in the soil without delay, and any 
coming up should be carefully looked after. 
With the first spell of fine weather in April, 
Hardy Annuals can be sown in the open 
ground, and any half-hardy annuals it may be 
advisable to raise in that way. 
Cold Frames. —Those who grow Auriculas, 
Polyanthuses , Primroses , &c., in pots, will now 
be reaping the rich reward of their labour. The 
plants, having been top-dressed, will require 
plenty of water on sunny days, decaying leaves 
removed, and the surface-soil stirred. ITepati- 
cas, Triteleia , many of the hardy Primulas , 
and such like plants, will now be getting very 
gay, and will require attention. Plenty of air 
must be given on all favourable occasions; and 
if green-fly puts in an appearance, a good fumi¬ 
gation should be given. 
Greenhouse. —If all who have a cold green¬ 
house have shared our own fate, under the 
hard frosts of January and February, they are, 
indeed, to be commiserated. But Auriculas , 
Primroses , Camellias , Dielytra , Forget-me-Nots, 
and other things are now flowering, and with 
Hyacinths , Tulips , and Narcissus make the 
house very gay. To keep the greenhouse in 
perfect order, the plants should be gone through 
every day, or every other day at least, remov¬ 
ing those which are decaying and adding fresh 
ones. Arrangements must be made for a succes¬ 
sion of plants, and the cold frame will be the 
nursery from which many can be drawn. Clean¬ 
liness and careful watering are the two great 
requisites just now. A batch of young plants 
of Chrysanthemum should be growing on in 
the greenhouse, to get into size for repotting 
and placing out of doors next month.-— 
SUBURBANUS. 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
8 MONO ST the new books now lying be¬ 
fore us, one of the most attractive is 
Carter’s Practical Gardener, in 
its cover of crimson and gold. The book, moreover, 
is not only showy externally, but is sound and solid 
within. Hie present edition has been considerably 
enlarged, and consists of over 200 quarto pages, 
filled with wholly new matter, which has been con¬ 
tributed by some of our best gardeners and cultiva¬ 
tors. There are ample calendarial instructions, the 
book being designed to be a “ guide to the amateur,” 
and a “ reminder to the professional ” gardener. 
Those for vegetable culture are furnished by Mr. G. 
T. Miles, a well-known authority, whose vegetables 
usually take a high place on the exhibition-table; 
flower-gardening is treated by Mr. T. Coomber; 
plant-houses by Mr. T. Baines; and fruit-culture 
