House and Garden 
will be found very attractive. Even if the floor is not 
of hardwood it can be given an excellent finish of 
transparent stain followed by two coats of floor finish. 
This will leave it with a half-dull surface, which 
while hard preserves the elasticity so desirable. 
This surface is not slippery, nor will it hold dirt as 
closely as some other kinds of floor finish. When 
some places wear light through constant use such 
as the treads of stairs, a little stain should be 
applied before the finish is brushed on in order that 
the surface color be restored. Once gotten in 
good condition a wood floor is comparatively little 
trouble to care for, and is, without question, the 
most sanitary ol all. 
The preserve closet may well be attended to at 
this time also, either carefully renovated or rebuilt. 
It should be in some cool dry place, not the top shelf 
in a large pantry, but a series of shelves specially 
segregated and arranged. 
THE GARDEN 
PREPARATIONS for gardening should be 
^ completed. In fact during the month much 
actual gardening may be done provided, of course, 
the frost is out of the ground. If during the past 
or former months the parts of the yard on which 
flowers and other plants are to be grown was not 
thoroughly broken, it should now be done. Even 
if heretofore broken up and heavy rains have fallen, 
the soil will be only in the better condition for plant¬ 
ing if given another spading and then thoroughly 
clodded or pulverized. 
In laying off rows or in the construction of beds 
use a line for the purpose of measuring distances. 
Do not trust to the eye either for straightness of line 
or equality of distances. Only a little additional 
time will be required to secure straight lines and the 
final results will fully compensate. 
Keep a watch on the shrubbery which will now 
begin to show vitality if not actual growth. Do 
not permit the strong growing plants to overgrow 
the weaker ones. Cut the former back to retain 
uniformity and symmetry. In fact if any pruning 
has been neglected, finish up before there is any new 
growth. Eet the plants all start off with new 
growth. Both foliage and flowers will be the more 
luxuriant. 
It is about time to begin transplanting—removing 
tbe plants from the hotbed to the open yard and 
putting out new stock from the nursery. As 
weather conditions are uncertain, regard must be 
had therefor. All frost must be out of the ground 
or else the plants will become chilled and early and 
vigorous growth much retarded. 
It is best to take plants up with a trowel, leaving 
a good sized ball of earth about the roots which 
should be pressed to keep it intact. The ground 
being ready for the plants, make a hole with a single 
stroke of the trowel, insert the plant and firm into 
place. Do not set the plants too close to each other 
—leave room for proper ventilation, sunshine, and 
cultivation. 
Eor setting trees or plants of larger growth, it is 
well to observe these directions: 
When received from the nursery heel them in and 
work fine dirt in around the roots and water well. 
Eet them remain thus until ready to set out in per¬ 
manent positions. 
In setting out permanently, dig the holes from four 
to six inches deeper than the tree or plant is to 
be set. Eill this extra depth with fine surface soil. 
Do not set the roots, which should be straightened, 
on a hard clay bottom. Eet the plants set about two 
Inches deeper than in the nursery, slightly lean the 
stem to the southwest, work fine dirt about the roots. 
When the roots are covered, firm the whole with the 
feet and finish with loose dirt. Let the surface 
earth slope slightly towards the plant. 
Before putting the tree in place remove all bruised 
and broken roots with a sharp knife, cutting from 
the lower side upwards, leaving smooth, sound ends. 
Cut off at least two-thirds of the last season’s 
growth. Head the plants low and as near as prac¬ 
ticable of uniform height. 
Do not start the garden by leaving rubbish lying 
about in heaps—such untidy places are the breeding 
abodes of insects and vermin. 
There is nothing gained by trying to garden when 
the soil is so dan^p that it sticks to the shoe, or the 
hoe. The stirring of soil about plants when such 
dampness exists is an actual detriment to growth 
and to the soil which such cultivation causes to crust 
and bake. 
It is almost impossible to grow any annuals in 
shaded positions. Pansies do well when protected 
from the hot afternoon sun, but if they are sur¬ 
rounded hy continuous shade the growth is usually 
straggly while blooms are small. About the only 
thing to plant in very shady positions are herbaceous 
plants or shrubs. 
There are four absolute essentials to flower grow¬ 
ing. The plants must breathe; they must drink; 
they must feed; and they must have proper envi¬ 
ronments. To supply these essentials must be a 
part of the work programme. 
Plants not only breathe through the leaves but 
{Continued on page 13, Advertising Section.) 
