GARDENERS’ CALENDAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 366, 30 April 1869, Page 3

GARDENERS’ CALENDAR.

M A Y

Kitchen garden.-Thisisthefirst mouth of Winter, and it is a favorable time for making any alterations contemplated, such as the forming and gravelling of paths, and the preparingfor and planting of live fences, which succeed best when planted as early as the plants can ho .moved with safety. Plant thorn quicks six inches apart; Holly, twelve inches apart. Thorn quicks that have made one year’s growth will be benefited by being cut down close to the ground and cleared of weeds. Plant rhubarb, asparagus, and sea kale in deep, rich, moist ground; but make provision for the escape of stagnant water. Plant asparagus, and top-dress old beds with short manure. Plant rhubarb, and apply manure to former plantings. Plant globe artichokes ; also cabbage and eauliflour. Sow peas and beans in sheltered places. Sow radish. Keep weeds down by every possible means. Fruit garden.—Getground in readiness for the planting of fruit trees and bushes. Itis not advisable to bring up the sub-soil to the surface by trenching, hut it ought to be well loosened to the depth of two feet at least. Trees planted towards the end of this month will succeed hotter than those planted later in the season. Prune when the trees have shed their leaves—not before. Plant strawberries and raspberry canes Flower garden.—This department will still bo interesting. The chrysanthemum, which is one of the finest Autumn flowers wo have, and whichthrives amazingly here, is now coming into bloom If- a little attention be paid to arranging the plants as to height and color, giving them a sheltered border, no flower will be more attractive at this season. Plant bulbs of crocus, narcissus, hyacinth, ionquil, tulip, &o. Gather and dry flower seeds. Choice trees and shrubs can now be transplanted wi'h safety,—such as the rhododendron, lauristiuus, pyrus japonica, cypress, laurel, cedar, and pine trees. There are many pretty native shrubs very ornamental when cultivated in the garden, and those ar deserving of more attention tbanisgenerally bestowed upon them.

A friend of mine, who is a parson in the country, and a sort of modern Vicar of Wakefield in his ways, came up to town last week, and reaped the disadvantages of change, in this respect, that somewhere or other he got a bad half-crown palmed off uprtn him. This annoyed him exceedingly, but most of all because be feared it might somehow get into circulation, and perhaps reach hands that could less afford to receive it than his mm. He would have thrown,it into the gutter hut for this consideration, and ho was pondering how to get rid of it, when it suddenly struck him that he was late for dinner with your humble servant, and therefore took a hansom cab with all speed. So nervous was he at the idea of keeping my other guests waiting, that when the cabman said, “Eighteen-pence, sir,” he gave him the badhalf-c?own ; ( which happened to bo his only piece of silver) in change for a shilling, and the poor fellow drove away. However, before he was out of sight, my benevolent clergyman remembered what be had done, aud fled down the street after the vehicle, shouting, “Cabby! Cabby! ” wildly, and waving his alpacca umbrella. The cabman, however, though be turned round, only noddedgood naturedly and drove away, leaving my poor friend inconsolable at the idea of having thus robbed an honest man. He told us the story at dinner, and most of us agreed that it was strange enough that the man had paid no attention to his signals; but a police magistrate, who happened to he at our table, asked to look at the shilling that the man had given our vicar, and then quietly remarked, “Yea 1 thought so: he has given you a bad shilling.’’—“Chamber’s Journal.”