WORLD. 321 
May 11, 1907. 
THE GARDENING 
The Flower Garden. 
The Arrival of May. 
“ Gladdest time of all the year.” So sang 
some philosophical poet. The above is one 
line from the poem, but I really forget the 
rest; I know it went on to state that May is 
here ! And so it is ! Indeed, May is very 
much here. Down our way, we make no fuss . 
when May steps in? No dancing sweeps or 
Jack in the Green. No Maypoles, not even 
a May Day horse show. But while we have 
no particular methods of showing our 
pleasure when the 1st of May arrives, we 
are nevertheless delighted. Personally I 
always get an extra touch of enthusiasm 
about this time of the year. Everything is 
really on the move, indicating -that life has 
awakened and is determined to make up for 
lost time. I suppose it is not lost time 
really, for unless things have rest, trouble' 
follows. Even I myself require a rest, much 
to my sorrow. 
I have just returned from one of my mid¬ 
night rambles. I am pleased to term them 
rambles myself, but others predict for me 
a broken neck if I persist in covering miles 
only just within the limit, instead of stay¬ 
ing to gather wild flowers by the wayside. 
However, we all must have our recreations, 
and I prefer cycling. I dare say there are 
many of my readers who are glad to leave 
the business side of cycling, in order to in¬ 
dulge in a bit of gardening during their 
odd moments. 
Wheelbarrows. 
Speaking of the wheel reminds me of that 
torturing instrument the wheelbarrow. The 
average gardening barrow is to my mind 
a necessary evil. When loaded and pushed 
up an incline, similar to where our garden 
is situated, it is guaranteed to knock the 
wind out of the toughest of individuals by 
the time 100 yards have been covered. I 
wonder whether we ever shall see a perfect 
garden wheelbarrow. However, where gar¬ 
dening is done on a large scale the barrow 
is often wanted, and so I induce myself to 
believe it is a pleasure when carting manure 
for the purposes of mulching my Sweet Pea 
clumps. 
Sweet Peas. 
On heavy land, I have never found mulch¬ 
ing necessary, but the shallow chalky soil 
where my Peas are growing this season 
makes it compulsory. I am disposed to think 
we are in for a really good Sweet Pea sea- 
: son, for all the plants I have seen of late 
: appear to be doing exceedingly well. The 
bitter fi.osts at the latter part of last month 
did singe a few plants, but my own re¬ 
covered very quickly. I am disposed to be¬ 
lieve that the “Bacteria” dressings are a 
success, for the plants have gone ahead in 
a surprising fashion ; even the late starters 
have jumped forward, and look as if they 
meant business after all. This fact again 
indicates that Peas do appreciate nitrogen 
in their early stages. 
The Sparrows. 
I see the daily papers have been voicing 
the bird evil. In many parts of the country 
sparrows have, this season, done great 
damage to fruit blossoms. I myself have 
been particularly annoyed by the destruction 
of my Primroses, my blue ones especially. 
Many people declare that it is sheer mischief 
that makes these birds destroy fruit blossoms 
and Primroses. A year or two ago, how¬ 
ever, I found that it was not so. An ex¬ 
amination of the fallen blooms will dis¬ 
close the fact that in every case the ovary 
is missing. At the base of all flowers, be 
they fruits or otherwise, is the embryo seed 
pod, and it is this that the birds remove. I 
have watched a bullfinch tearing Qherry 
iblooms at a great rate, but he never fiqiled 
to take out the embryo fruit. Primroses are 
treated in exactly the same manner. By 
some means the ovary is removed, without 
interfering with the calyx. 
Thinning: Annuals. 
Hardy annuals I find have germinated 
very freely, and it is essential that such 
plants should be thinned out. Mignonette 
cannot be expected to produce spikes like 
Hyacinths unless the plants are growing 
singly. It is safer, however, to extend the 
thinning process so as to make sure of 
getting a plant to stand. If thinned out to 
one right away the single specimen may 
get swallowed by a slug the following 
evening. 
Half-Hardy Annuals. 
Half-hardy annuals in frames should all 
be pricked out by now. Doubtless some 
readers were caught napping when the frosts 
came last month. Several friends tell me 
that their Zinnias were all destroyed. Plants 
raised and pricked out some little time since 
should now be growing away nicely, but it 
is not yet safe to plant out save in sheltered 
districts. 
Rockeries. 
If.not already done, rock plants should 
be given a dressing of well-rotted manure, 
and soil if necessary. Winter rains not in¬ 
frequently wash out a good deal of the 
earth between the stones. Beds which are 
to be filled with glass-raised stuff should 
now be in fit condition. 
Lifting: Bulbs. 
If bulbs are at present occupying them, 
lift carefully as soon as flowering is over 
and replant in temporary quarters. Exer¬ 
cise care when lifting the late-flowering 
Tulips, as the stems are very brittle. 
Beds for Summer Flowers. 
Work some rotten manure into the beds, 
especially if Asters are to be planted. Do 
not use much manure where Geraniums are 
to be planted, as it induces rank growth 
and few flowers. 
Roses. 
Roses require attention now. Buds are 
showing in some places, and to get good 
flowers only the central bud must be left. 
Some of the growths below the buds should 
also be removed. Keep the sprinkler going 
whenever possible, as it helps the 'foliage. 
Gladioli should not be kept out of the 
ground any longer. 
Keep the hoe going wherever the soil is . 
panning down. 
Sowing: Perennials. 
Do not delay in sowing Perennials, valu¬ 
able sorts should- be sown in boxes. Never 
sow Primroses in the open. They are ver} r 
slow starters’, and may get overlooked. 
Early Chrysanthemums need to be planted 
at once, but keep a wary eye on Dahlias. 
They are not safe at night. Some border 
plants will soon be calling for stakes. Keep 
a plentiful supply at hand. 
Lawns. 
I.awns must be regularly mowed now. 
Once a week is generally sufficient, but on 
rich land, grass grows very fast, so the 
mower must be used at discretion. Quite 
recently I heard of an amateur who was 
seeking to learn how he could check his 
grass from growing, as it entailed mowing 
twice weekly. iSome of us would like our 
lawns to grow at that pace. Keep machines 
well oiled, and make sure there are no stones 
upon the grass. 
Carnations. 
Carnations are growing well, and many 
require stakes. If the soil is poor, a light 
dressing of superphosphate or of rotten 
manure will be valuable. A light dusting 
of lime and soot is beneficial also. 
The Fruit Garden. 
Strawberries. 
Strawberries are moving fast now, and 
after giving the beds a good hoeing, litter 
should be laid down. Big crops must not 
be expected from plants set out a few weeks 
ago. Indeed, it is a wise plan to remove 
the buds, which, will help the plants won¬ 
derfully. 
Keep the hoe moving among trees that 
have not been mulched with manure. 
Wall Trees. 
Make sure that wall trees are not suffer¬ 
ing for want of moisture. Give the trees 
a good syringing on warm days. Use the 
paraffin emulsion spray as soon as aphides 
appear. Many wall trees, especially Plums, 
are ruined by the black fly. Quassia solu¬ 
tion is also a good remedy. 
Peach Trees. 
Young wood of Peaches, etc., should be 
laid in as it extends, allowing the shoots 
plenty of room. See that the trees are not 
overbearing. In some places, I fear fruit 
will be scarce. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Celery. 
Early-raised Celery may be planted out. 
A cool, showery day is the time for such 
work. 
Seedling: Greens. 
Seedling greens are better if pricked out 
prior to planting permanently. They make 
more fibrous roots, and are less liable to 
club. 
Onions. 
Onions have come up well this season, 
and it. Is time the hoe was among them. 
Give a dusting of lime and soot if not al¬ 
ready done. 
Beans. 
Runner Beans should all be in by now. 
I have never found a late sowing give an 
extended or late crop. Always sow a few 
in a box. They may be wanted. A final 
sowing of French Beans may go in. Peas 
also if conditions will allow it. 
Keep up a constant supply of Lettuces, 
Radishes, Spinach, etc., by frequent sow¬ 
ings. 
Lettuce. 
Lettuce from the early sowings will scon 
be fit for planting out. Never use spindly 
plants. 
There is still time to sow Carrots and 
Beets. 
Parsley should be thinned out well, in 
order to get good stuff. 
Potatos. 
Potatos move very fast now, and in many 
places earthing is necessary. By doing this 
the stems are protected from frost. If the}’ 
get frozen, the crop will be- very poor; 
frosted "foliage is not nearly so serious. 
. ‘ Horti. 
