KITCHEN GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 250, 21 October 1893, Page 3 (Supplement)

KITCHEN GARDEN.

The genial rain which we receivod ab the beginning of this week will have bad considerable influence on all garden crops. Though there were only one or two heavy ghowers, ib was quite' sufficient bo sbarb grass and all leaf crops inbo renewed activity. Still much more will be required to be of permanent good, as the little which we have bad up to the time of writing this did not penetrate far. At the present, as the gallant Captain would say, there is every indication of more, and ib is to be hoped that we will receive it before this reaches my readers. Every indication points to this as being a very dry summer, and all cultivators will do well to make every provision so as to meet dry weather. Potatoes: Earth up the intermediate crops, finish planting late potatoes on all light dry soils. On heavy clay or on low iwampy positions thab aro liable bo geb flooded, bhe planbing can be deferred for a week or so latter. Onions: The main spring crop should DOW be well through the soil; keep them free of weeds. Still continue dibbling oub extra plants from the autumn sown crop. Prepare a smali patch of ground for sowing Onion seed broadcast so as to obtain small onions for pickling. The sowing should be made about the beginning of nexb monbh. Carrots: This is aboub the best bime to tow the main crop; they should be sown on a piece of ground that was well manured last autumn.

Continue the planting oub of cabbages, Cauliflowers, ebc.; earth up those crops which are advancing in growth. The debris of the spent crops should be cleared away as tihey are cub. Cucumber, melon, marrow, pumpkin, _tc. seeds can now be sown oub in the ©pen. Sow in small hills, and pub plenby Of well-rotted manure in each Mi. Slugs are very fond of the young plants as they tome through, and will need to be watched. s_oso who may have sown a few seed of bhe above in pobs under glass, should jjeb them hardened off with the object of planting them out in the open as soon as possible. Again, bhose who adopted our advice of a few weeks ago in sowing out in the open, and placing a box with a pane of glass over them, should now take the glass t>fi them every day, and in about a week Or fortnight tho box and glass can be Bntirely removed, accoiding to the strength nnd,hardiness of the plants. Peas : Continue sowing for succession. Earth up the growing crop and stake ball Rowing varieties. Celery : Continue pricking oub bhe seeding planbs into a bed, preparation of which was described a week or so ago. Prepare a trench for the first planting out. _ The trench should be nboub eighbeen inches deep, and plenty of well rotted manure placed in the boCtom with the good soil. French and* the running ' varieties of ibeans: Continue sowing for succession ; ib Is of no use sowing the running varieties ■nless you can provide supports for them.

Rhubarb: This should now be growing Strongly. Mu^ch the plants with welljotted manure, and if dry weather sets in Water pretty freely.

Tomatoes : Continue planting ; give plenty of manure to each plant. Attend to the usual sowing of mustard, cress and radishes so as to keep up a good lupply of small saladings. ; Earth up all crops which require the hill system of cultivation, and also break up and stir the surface soil between the rows of such as require the flab system. Give seed beds frequent dustings of lime in the ftvenings; so as to keep slugs in check. Flower Garden. Many of the early spring flowers are now beginning to feel the effects of the warm Weather. Anemones and ranunculi are almost over, seed should be saved to sow next autumn to as to get a lob of new bulbs. Cyclamens are now almosb over; a little liquid manure may assist them to flower for & week or so longer. Cinerarias which were planted oub lasb autumn are now almost over. Whenever Gbey are spent, lift and replace wibh some summer flowering planb. Ixias, spiriaxias, •tc,, are now baking up bhe running, and snake bhe borders look gay. Gladioli: Finish planbing for late flowerfog; begin to 'stake those which were planted early in the winter ; many of them Sire now beginning 'to show bheir flower fltalks and in exposed situations those mighb geb broken if nob staked before the flowers begin bo expand. Lancifoliun liluma are now growing Strongly. Mulch each clump of plants with Well-rotted manure, especially where they Are growing on poor soils. Dahlias started last month will now be growing freely. Divide old plants, and where first-class flowers are required strike from cuttings. Chrysanthemum: Take off the suckers from the old stools, and planb oub in a box for a week or so. These will soon make nice plants for general cultivation. Roses: These are now growing sbrongly ; mulch each planb wibh cow manure if possible, or water occasionally with liquid manure.

Camellias are now makingr rapid growbh ; give bhem liquid manure. On bhe state and quality of the wood they now make will next winter's flowers depend. The same (remarks will apply to the rhododendron and azalea.

Continue bbc planting oub of all halfhardy perennials and annuals; these will Include petunias, phlox drummondia, 'rtmnias, marigolds, etc. The sooner all these are out the betber now, so as to geb them established before the regular dry season seta in ; only take care thab the Elants are strong and perfectly hardy efore planting oub, or bhe slugs will be almosb Bure to demolish them.

Tender annuals, such as cockscombs, portulaca, defer planting for a few weeks longer.

Bedding planbs: The sooner those are »ow planted the better, for if deferred till later, ib will be hard to get them established, unless in such places where an unlimited supply of water can be got. In planting, try and arrange tho heights and colours so thab they will make a pleasant Contrast.

Frequently stir up the surface soil in the beds and borders wibh a hoe; do nob use the rake, as raked soil after heavy rain is apt to form a crust which will interfere with the free action of tho atmosphere in the soil.

Lawns: The grafts is now growing rapidly, and the lawn mower must be used at leasb once a week so as to keep ib properly under, Tho lawn should, where a good surface is required, be rolled Q-oaaionaJly, especially

after rains. The roller will then (jlepress any swellings which may be caused by the moisture. Greenhouse. ■ Tender annuals under glass prick oub as soon as they can be handled ; also try and harden off as soon as possible bhose which are generally termed half-hardies so as to get them oub as soon as possible. The repotting of the different stock plants should now be finished. Winter flowering plants such as zealeas, etc., should now be taken oub into bhe open and the pobs plunged in some cool, shady, moisb situation. In such places', if well looked afber with water, etc., bhey will do better than if kepb under glass all summer, and ab the same time it will allow of more space for the summer flower and foliage plants to expand in. Recently struck cuttings pob off into small pobs and keep them growing. Waber in bhe afternoon now ; give plenty of air while the sun is sbrong during the day.

Syringe slightly when closing up the house in the afternoon ; this will promote a nice warm genial atmosphere.