THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9617, 15 September 1894, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

This few fine days experienced this week has enabled outdoor garden operations to be again resumed. Weeds have grown apace, and everywhere an appearance of neglect prevails, which is not to be wondered ab considering daily and routine work could nob be gone on with on account of protracted web weather. At present so much demands immediate attention that it is difficult to know what to commence first. With the exception of a few varieties of the hardiest annuals that have been raised in i boxes, planting may be discontinued for a week or two in order to allow time to dig or fork over the beds and borders, and give the whole department a thorough overhaul and tidying up. Spring flowering shrubs and trees begin to enliven the grounds, conspicuous amongst them being magnolia conspicua (the yulan tree), which is one of the first to bloom and most beautiful ; its large, fragrant, lily-like blossoms are produced in the greatest profusion just before the leaves comeout, giving the treea most picturesque and unique appearance. This species is a native of China. Magnolia purpurea is a good companion to the proceeding variety, and equally hardy. Its large tulip-like purple flowers are produced at the extremities of the shoots. Both should have a place in every shrubbery. Phocinia glabra may also be seen in perfection at the present time. This exceedingly handsome, hardy evergreen shrub is also a native of China and Japan. The flowers are produced in great abundance in flat corymbs at the ends of the shoots, and contrast well with the large, shining, dark green leaves. The common laurel perfumes the air with its fragrant blossoms. The yellow kowhai, Sophora tetraptera, a native species, and the only deciduous tree belonging to .New Zealand, now presents a mass of yellow pendant blossoms that literally cover the tree making it one of the most conspicuons and unique of nature's objects that adorn the landscape. The tree should be planted as extensively as it deserves, being interesting and attractive during all stages of its growth, and particularly during the present month, and when it is clothed in its new foliage, which takes, place shortly after the flowers drop. The double flowering varieties of peaches and the scarlet kowhai are also very showy. Azaleas and Rhododendrons are now beginning to blossom, all of which impart a most splendid and cheerful appearance. Amongst small growing shrubs the flowering currant is worthy of mention, being one of the first of the deciduous varieties bo blossom. Amongst evergreens Diosma erecoides, the varieties of abutilons and heaths are conspicuous. There will shortly be a host of deciduous as well as evergreen shrubs in flower that will give an ample supply for some time. KITCHEN GARDEN. Work in this department must be carried on with the utmost despatch, as the season is advancing, and little cropping has been done for the .last few weeks. Successional plantings of cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuces, onions, etc., musb be made, also sowings of peas, dwarf and runner beans, turnips, carrots, onions, radishes, parsnips. Herbs that are raised from seed, such as parsley, basil, etc., may now be sown, and old roots of thyme, sage, marjoram, and others be taken up, divided, and re-planted. The surface soil around growing crops should be lightly forked or deeply hoed, to allow the action of the atmosphere to penetrate and sweeten the ground. Potatoes that are sufficiently advanced must be earthed up, also cabbage and cauliflower plants.

THE VINERY. The weather during the laab few weeks has been anything bub favourable for this department, particularly for vines thab are being forced on for early market. The cold squalls and sudden changes making it almost impossible to keep anything like an oven temperature io the house. Later varieties are now well under way, and will need constant attention in disbudding, stopping, tying, and those that are further advanced thinning of the bunches and berries. Disbudding is the first operation demanding attention after the vines are fairly started into growth, that is removing all superflous shoots that start out around the base of the lateral. Nothing, however, is gained by disbudding until the buds are fairly well advanced, and the most promising bunch decided upon. Then one or two laterals should, be left? to grow

each spar, according to the space lefb between the laterals. If the spurs are close, and strong, healthy growth is made, one lateral from each spur will be sufficient. On the other hand, if space is abundant, two shoots may be left on some of the spurs, one to carry the bunch, and the other to aid in covering the trellis with foliage, and produce good strong pruning buds for next season. Constant attention must be given the vines throughout the whole season of growth. Stopping needs to be done almost daily daring the growing period of the vines, as.the laterals grow so quickly that it is almost impossible to keep pace with the work. Iciamosbimportant, too, that too much young growth is not removed from the vines at any one time. Shanking in the berries is often caused in this way. Vines are are allowed to grow away until most of the shoots require stopping at one time then . a general thinning out takes place. The result is shanking caused by the loss of sap that exudes from the wound instead of going to feed the bunches. Make it a rule to go over the vines each morning, or at least four times a week, and pinch back the laterals as they require it. By doing this only a few laterals will require to be removed from each vine at one time, and Very little time will need be spent in going over the whole of the vines. The tying up of the laterals need to be very carefully performed, and must be done little by little. •To attempt to bring the laterals at once into the position required, is sure to end in loss. The shoots, are very brittle when young, and need gentle handling. Tie each lateral so as to secure it against breaking oS with its own weight, and after the wood is a little hardened, then it may be brought into the position required. The number of bunches each vine should carry must be regulated by the strength and vigour of the canes. In all cases, the grower must make himself acquainted with the capabilities of the vines and act accordingly. Vines that produce regular and heavy crops of fruits must have very liberal and careful treatment. The borders should at once receive a good heavy mulch of manure. Kepos.