The warmer, longer days, the rapid development of plants, and the greater abundance of leaf and bloom combine to render May a pleasant month in the garden. The gardener begins to see some results of his early labours, and derives encouragement therefrom. He must not, however, begin to relax his efforts yet awhile ; his attitude should rather be to follow up a good start, and not relax in the slightest degree such advantage as he has gained.

One matter on which concentration is extremely desirable is that of the subjugation of insect enemies. Aphides, slugs, snails, caterpillars, grubs, and maggots of various descriptions attack plants. Flowers, fruit, and vegetables are equally affected. All enemies become increasingly troublesome as they grow in numbers, and it should be the aim of gardeners to see that they do not increase - to attack and destroy them before they have time to spread. Fruit trees and vegetables may be sprayed, and Roses hand-picked. Sanitas and lime may be used for suppressing slugs, and Apterite or Vaporite for reducing wireworms and leather-jackets.

Beautiful window ledges do much to make house fronts attractive, and some time in May existing boxes may be replanted, and new ones made, in order to provide a summer display of bloom. Bulbs from boxes may be transferred to the garden. Zonal Geraniums, Fuchsias, white and yellow Marguerites, Celosias, Campanulas, Asters, Ivy-leaved Geraniums and Tropoeolums are all useful for window boxes in summer. The soil should be fresh, and consist mainly of fibrous loam. There should be holes in the bottom of the boxes to permit of surplus water escaping.

Plants inside windows, such as Spiraea Japonica and Pelargoniums, ought now to be in full beauty and will enjoy plenty of water. Foliage plants, such as Aralias, Aspidistras, and India-rubber Plants may be repotted. Ferns may also be repotted. Palms should be sponged, watered, and given air.

Chinese Primulas may be sown for flowering the following year.

Water Lilies may be planted in ponds or in prepared pools or tubs. Nymphaeas are particularly attractive.

Young Coleuses may be repotted and given a light position in order to develop rich colour in the leaves. Bouvardias may be repotted when they start growing, and placed in a frame. Berry Solanums might also be repotted, but it saves trouble to plant them in the garden, and pot them up in September.

A selection of Chrysanthemums, suitable for flowering in beds and borders during late summer and autumn, may be made, and the young plants put out. If desired they may be planted in a nursery bed, and transplanted to the positions where they are to bloom when the flower buds show.

A selection of Dahlias may be made, and the young plants put out in deep, rich soil towards the end of the month.

The planting of border and rock plants should be completed for the season.

From the middle to the end of May those gardeners who practise "bedding-out" for a summer and autumn display may proceed with the work. China Asters, tuberous Begonias, Cannas, Celosias, Zonal Geraniums, Indian Pinks, Lobelias, Mimuluses (for shade), Pansies, Pentstemons, Petunias, Salpiglossis, Snapdragons, Ten-week Stocks, Tobacco, Verbenas, and Violas are a few of the principal plants recommended for the purpose.

Bulbs that are lifted from flower beds to make way for summer-flowering plants may be put in the reserve garden. Primroses and Polyanthuses may be divided and planted in deep, rich soil. Wallflowers may be thrown away, and fresh ones raised from seed for planting in autumn. The beds should be thoroughly dug and cleaned before the summer plants are put in.

Roses should be disbudded and maggots crushed. Carnations should be staked and protected from wire-worm. Cyclamens and Hydrangeas may be repotted, and Arum Lilies planted out in the garden.

There will not be a great deal to do among hardy fruit, but the trees may be sprayed with arsenate solution if caterpillars or Codlin grub are troublesome. Growing grafts may be supported with flower stakes.

Vines will call for varying treatment according to their stage of growth. With early Grapes, stopping, ventilating, and watering will be the principal items. Early crops will need the shoots tying down, and the bunches thinning.

Melons in bearing will require supporting and feeding with liquid manure.

Peaches will need thinning, and the growths training.

Strawberries that are being grown in pots, and are bearing fruit, will be benefited by liquid manure.

In the vegetable garden there will still be some sowing to do. Both Runner and dwarf French Beans may be sown, likewise Beetroot.

Asparagus beds ought to be bearing now; only the thick heads should be removed, the thin ones being left to strengthen the crowns. Liquid manure will benefit the bed.

Lettuces may be thinned and planted out. Winter Greens may also be thinned. A last sowing of Broccoli should be made for next spring; likewise sowings of Savoy and Scotch Kale.

Cauliflowers may be set out in nursery beds, and if early Celery is wanted a trench may be planted. Tomatoes may be hardened in readiness for planting out. Train Cucumbers, earth Potatoes, and sow successional Peas.