THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

-UPEHATIOSS FOB THE WEEK

KITCHEN GARDEN.— Though there has T>eeu some nioistnie in the coastal district 0 , there are localities in Otago te which this remark does not apply. In such districts mulching in the case of s=ome crops is imperative. A toy.' of peas giowing in light soil in the ordinaiy way would be withered up in a few hours •Uiider the influence of a dij wind and hot sun, •whilst a Similar vow protected by a thick mulching oi er the roots i\ould be scarcely sff feted. The muiching keeps the ground jno.st, smothers weeds, and will be found profitable in the quantity, quality, and certainly cf the ciop. Sow cosleftuce ou a piece of ri;li .coil where, the plants cap remain after thinjamg to the. proper distance. The piactice of soy/ing seeds where the plants h-ve to come to maturity is one that should be more generally • adopted. Spring cauliflowers ought to be com•ing in now. If the plants are strong, give them .a good mulching, and they will yield a second crop of small heads after the first is cut. Kidney beans should be relied upon for providing a continual supply of tender vegetable for tie table, as although they lequue a fair amount of moisture the hot weather is more favourable to then, growth. The seed

(beds of cauliflower and savoys for winter should toe kept moist, and if there is any appearance of blight or the small green caterpillar, the .plants should have a dressing of some siinp'.e insecticide ; a weak kerosene emulsion will serve the purpose better than anything, and at ■ very small cost. The plants should be plariled out as soon as the weather permits. Some difficulty will shortly be felt in keeping up a good supply of tender salads. To ensure this rich land, regular and efficient waterings, and frequent sowings of seed are necessaiv, so 58 to keep up a succession of young plants. The best lettuces for summer sowing are the cabbage varieties, such as the Neapolitan and all ,ihe year round, as these turn in or heart better -4hpn the cos during the hot weather. ?LO W ER GARDEN.— Carnations are now coming well into flower, and in dry soils the plants will need some assistance. The surface soil should be lightly broken up and a light top-dressing of rather long stable manure given to each, plant ; this will help them to bring the flowers out to their full size. As a iu!e carnations pioduce far too many blooms if left to themselves. Before the buds become too large a portion should ba disbudded, securely tying those which are left to neat stakes. .iGimg plants of the tree varieties are often spoiled by allowing them to bloom too freely <iuring the first siason. Tha principal aim of the grows?" for the first sea.-on should be to ~ encourage the growth of grass and increase the strength of the p'.a^t. as thi- section is very free, and will flower for months if permitted. Seedling carnations which ?re now flt-warirg .should, be examined, and all single and sfmidouble varieties should be pulled out, as there is always a high percentage of worthless flowers among seedlings. Attentive amateurs can find intrclr pleasure in raising seedlings of these beautiful plants by selecting some of the bsst •and nio=* distinct kind* and fertilising thsm vith pollen fioni the best blooni3 of such as are woith growing, having in view some definite obiecv, such as the improvement of size, coloui, and habit By this means a new pleasure is ■added to the garden in watching the growth and development of the seedlings, which are

sure ta reward the grower by producing new and often valuable varieties. Bulbs of many of the spring-flowering varieties are now at res'. Those which have been planted out several years may ba lifted and stored with advantage, storing in layers of, dry earth or sand and putting sway in an airy shed; if packed too close many of the bulbs will decay. Narcissi should not ba disturbed without a good reason, as these grow and flower best when left alone for several years, so that the soil becomes solid ebout the bulb?. Anemones and ranunculi are ■better removed annually, as when giown in sandy joil they increase rapidly and become over-crowded, and, as a consequence, do not ■flower satisfactorily. The greatest care is necessary in digging and storing the bulbs and tubers ; any damaged bulbs are liable to cause Jieavy loss through decay. The planting of isub-tropicals should now be proceeded with. Datura meteloides, which may be termed hardy in some localities here, makes a fine specimen where there is room and shelter for it, but Brugneansia luiightii is superior to it, and is probably the finest plant that can "o& used in sub-tropical gardening It has fine isrnamental foliage, large white trumpet flowers, ttnd the perfume is delightful. These plants Snuat have a rich light soil and be isolated, Amaranthus tricolour or some othei lightheaved plant being used as an undergrowth to contrast -with their dark-greeu foliage. The musas and cannas are also good for this purpose, as they are veiy distinct in foliage and give a tropical effect which. j s aiot exceeded by the palm*

GREENHOUSE.— A few of the beat of the small plants of heliotrope may be selected from the bedding stock and potted. If these are grown on and kept well pinched back, they will make nice blooming plants later on. Sow a pinch of browallias for late blooming. Even 10-week stocks, if sown now, will come in useful at the end of the season. When cornellias have completed their growth they may be planted in a shady place out of doors to harden, but they will require careful attention in watering. During the summer many of the haidy palnii and draerenas will give variety to the collection in the conservatory, and the smallgrowing grasses, cypress, alternilolius, laxus, and Eitlalia japouica zebrina (if it can be got true) will be found useful to mix with the flowering plant".

FKUIT GARDEN.— Where it is intended to insert buds on young or old trees the stocks must be examined, and as soon as the buds are sufficiency developed, so that they appear piump and sound, they may be taken. If diy weather occurs — an apparently unlikely contingency this season — the stocks or trees to be budded should have one or two good wateiit.ga =o as to cause the sap to flow freely, or the baik vil! not run, without which tha operation cannot be successfully performed.