KITCHEN GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 3 February 1894, Page 3 (Supplement)

KITCHEN GARDEN.

jjp tothsprefient the weather has been all Hub could bava been desired for the different crops, there from timo to lime bw'ng just bean sufficient rain to keep op a #?od healthy growth. Tomatoes are now growing strongly Mid giving an abundant return. See to niocbing oab of superfluous shoots, at the Lna time tying up those which are bearIne fruit, and thin out some of tho larger |nd older leaves, so that the sun's rays may : Earth up tha earlier planted nops and plant oufc another^ trench. After planting, see that the soil in the lottom of the trench is thoroughly saturated

with water. ~ \ Oniona: Gather those which have tliorougbly ripened ; dry for a day or so in the sun before storing past. Any onions which may be thick in the neck, give the wok a sharp twist ab the base of the bulb. Ihia will help them to ripen. All the jnions which have grown thick at the neck trhaveaofb bulbs should be used first, as they will nob keep nearly so long as those that have ripened hard and clean. Cucumbers: The early plants will have spent themselves. Clear away the haulm Dff the ground. The later plants* if kepb troll watered, will still give a good return, especially if a little liquid manure be occalionally used. Pampkinß, marrows, and piemelons are making strong growth. See to the thinDing out) of superfluous shoots, and pinching back those which Bhow a tendency to travel out) of due bounds ; also water occafionally with liquid manure. Rook melons: Keep thinning oub of tarren shoots, only retaining sucb as will fruit. The drier those are kept now the better flavoured the fruit will be. It the plants of the above are kepb moist or overJed with liquid manure, the fruit they will produce will be large, soft, and strong and tank in flavour. Continue sowing for succession French fiid running varieties of beans ; earth up those which are advancing in growth. those which are in fall crop pick euch as we teady for use ; never allow the pods to Smell and tipen the seed, as this will rob the later portion of the crop, which is just forming. Make small sowings of cabbages and caulipowers, so that good plants may be ready for planting out cm the first favourable opportunity later on in the autumn. Attend to the usual sowings of mustard, iress, radishes and lettuces. Those oughb enly to bo sown or planted in moist, cool lituabions, and if possible kepb moisb by Artificial means. The soil between the rows of all young or email growing crops should be frequently broken up with tho fork or hoe, so as to keep ib in a free, open condition. Water cughb alto to be frequently applied to all inch as produce a soft, succulent growth. Where a good supply of rhubarb is required for autumn use, the plants ought to be well mulchod and liberally fed with liquid manure. Old strawberry bed which have fruited for two seasons running, should now be dealt with. Liberal supplies of new stable manure should be wheeled over the surface, and the. whole eithor trenched or deeply dug into the soil. This will get the ground Unto first class condition for some other crop later on in the autumn. Collect all the haulm or debris of vegetable srops and put ib in a heap. Sprinkle ib ■well with lime aud salt so aa to kill all vegetable and insecb life. Weeds, grass *nd fresh stable manure should be liberally Janixed with tha above, and if water bo Applied so as to moisten it, it will coon rob. In a few months this will make a valuable tompo for either the vegetable or flower garden. Flower Garden. The frequent showers of rain received nave just been sufficient to keep most flowering plants in a healthy state of (growth. Early and late autumn flowering plants are looking well through this cause. Early summer flowering annuals ana perennials which are spent, should »ow receive attention. The plants of the former nhoulrl bo cleared, away off the firound, and flowering stalks of the latter cut) back. Perennials such a3 the antirrhinum nnd dianthtup, if the seed poda are *ut o.t immediately after they have done flowering, will nb O n C e send out a number w secondary shoots, which will H ive a good Show O f flower d|iring the aufcumn> Qn ftii those plants tho great consideration ia ■ot to a low them t,o weaken themselves by *ne production of seed. Cookscorabaare now showing a good hoad and if stored occasionally with 2K mT n< M;iu by the end oi next toonth produce a fine head. Lalsam. areaUo now in full flower. They Jught to bo kept pretty moisb, so as to get ttelate flowers to fully expand. n here porbulaca and phlox drummondi Jove bo On extens.vdy planted, tha re.ulb will bo a splendid show of colour. These i,]L V °Ur finesß flowering bedding Shnfl f Bummer and autumn. Give Plenty of water so as to keep them growing. ««« • £ VVIII "OVV re(^uire constant attenflnl . V ay of Pining out of superSoil 10 PBand the mtine off °f »»™b ?£?r- P c-% of liquid manure should JeLi Tf*' ?as fco kee P tho"> * perl Zl\ i 9 °f erowth- Whor° *«>e above 2o?M y P°rformed a constant suocesChrysanthemums: Where a good display Sl°£W°7 w» 'or cutting is required, tnS °tßshould reduced on the plants hi til 8re k only from fo"to six, accordKM? BLrengbhßL rengbh of the Planta' From flowet, ?f !u 00t8 wiH «ive an abundance of •TwL c plants be healthy. Once I llhl, eaoh Plan* should receive wastSL 8^ pply of li(luid manure food SP tbe 80il »>>onb the roots in a FSoSJff Ti^™- See thab each plant KKlft* 1 - 80, fchat they may n°fc be form flower bu hd 8 r i " *"* commeaceto TJw cameliia b now forminj; flower buds.

A good dose of liquid manure once a week during this process will help them wonderfully, or mulcli with well-rotted manure and water witk clean water.

The soil in,the mixed borders should be frequently broken up with the hoe so as to keep it free and open. As the hoeing is proceeding the debris of all spent plants can be cleared away. Foliage bedding plants: Continual attention must from now on be paid to the piachine back of shoots, so aa to keep them within due bounds. A liberal supply of water Bhould also be given at leasb once a week, so as to obtain strong growth and well-coloured foliage. Walks: AH that will be necessary now will be to go over them once a week with the rake, so as to keep them free of weeds and give them a fresh appearance. Lawns : The grass is lasting well this season, and will require to be mown frequently. Water should be applied to keep it green and fresh.