When "February fill-dyke" has played its traditional part, the April garden is full of promise. The well-moistened soil promotes a strong flow of sap. Shrubs and fruit trees burst their fat buds. Bulbous plants, which love moisture above everything, and rarely get enough of it, grow into large masses and bloom profusely. But April showers are welcome, especially to those gardeners who have soils which get steely under the influence of cold, harsh March winds. The rain softens the hard lumps, and enables the cultivator to crumble them with his tools; and showers are very welcome to the seedlings which are now coming through, both in flower and kitchen garden.

There is no greater stimulus to young crops than a shower and a hoeing. Observe how the plants leap after rain and soil-loosening. They "jump" in a way that gladdens the grower's heart. The rain sets the sap moving with fresh supplies of food; the hoeing lets in air and uproots weeds.

I have already said that the gardening year ought to begin in winter, because the rougher work, such as preparing soil, making lawns and forming paths, can be done with greater deliberation and thoroughness. But many amateurs make their annual start in April, and my advice to them is to resolve, by prompt and resolute action, to make the most of every fine spell in the month of showers. Let them set-to at their soil with a will, deepen it, manure it, and push on their pruning, planting, and sowing with real gusto. Hours wasted in the earlier months may be made up sometimes, but in April lost moments are never found again.