ng it from the evil effects of excessive rains and strong winds;
this may be easily done by placing an inverted bell-glass over the
plants, invariably lifting this off on fine and warm days, and whenever
there is no fear of damage from sudden winds or rains. Stifling hardy
plants by keeping them in a confined atmosphere, whether indoors or out,
is the worst possible plan to follow in order to procure early blooms.

* * * * *

An important feature in connection with next summer's display must now
be considered, and the preliminary arrangements carried out as far as
possible during the present month; it consists in the formation of new
shapes of beds, and a general reconstruction of design. But, as we have
previously intimated, it is most undesirable to have a small garden
chopped up into a number of beds, as then the greater part of space will
be needlessly taken up by walks. Too much uniformity is just as
undesirable as an excess of irregularities. No change of any sort should
be carried out without well considering whether such would be for the
better, and also whether the garden in its altered state would yield a
correspondingly greater amount of real pleasure, tantamount to the time
and trouble involved in effecting the change. Presupposing that some
change or other is to be done, great care must be taken not to destroy
the roots of various perennials, which may be hidden beneath the
surface, as many a rare and beautiful plant is in this manner often
destroyed.

* * * * *

The amount of planting to be done now is by no means extensive, but it
should only be done in dry weather. Narcissus, crocus, hyacinths, and
tulips should be all in the ground by the end of this month at the very
latest, and will produce bloom in very desirable succession to those
planted a month or two previously. A surfacing of cocoanut-fibre refuse,
which may be obtained from most seedsmen or nurserymen, will be found an
excellent protection against frosts, and also against the ravages of
slugs. The curious roots of ranunculus should be at once planted; these
roots consist of small, fleshy, spindle-shaped claws, which are united
at the crown. In planting, the claws should point _downwards_. Few late
spring flowering plants excel the ranunculus in richness of colour; and
to be grown with any degree of success a rich soil is essential, one of
light loam, leaf-mould,