KITCHEN GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 42, 20 February 1897, Page 3 (Supplement)

KITCHEN GARDEN.

The heavy rains which fell laet week have left the soil bo thoroughly moistened that ib will nob likely get too dry again during the balance of the autumn.

Sowing of turnips, carrots, and ail other v/infcer crops m&y now bo undertaken. Cabbages and cauliflowers can also be planted extensively now so ay to obtain early winter crops. Earth up the growing crops, which should now be showing rapid development. A small patch of both the above should now be sown co as to produce plants for late autumn planting. Celery : Earfch up as the plants advance in growth, and prepare another row for planting about the. end of this month. Leeks: Earth up in much tho same manner as for celery.

Pumpkins, marrows and pie-melons since the late rains havo again started to grow rigorously, and it is necessary to soe to tho pinching back and regulating of shoots. If dry weather sets in again, give water. ~ Rock-melons : Pinch oub superfluous shoots, and freely expoae the fruit to ihe full action of the sun's rays. On no account give the plants any water. Tho drier they are now kepb tho richer tho flavour of the fruit will be.

Cucumbers : The late plants should do well since tho raine. Regulate and thin out, and give a little liquid manure occasionally, so as to keep them in a vigorous state of growth.

Tomatoes: These two- also growing stronger and unnecessary growth should be kept bock. Tio up further bhoobs to the supports, and whera the old leaves are shading clusters of fruio piok such leavos off, as tho fruit will ripen hotter when fully exposed to the sun. A little liquid manure occasionally greatly assists in swelling the fruit. Onion 3 : The late sown crop should now be ripe. Lift at once and (dry in the Bun for a few days before storing past. Where there are any thick necked and badly ripened bulbs they should be kept separate and used first, as they do not ksep long. The beat place to etoro onions is a cool lofb through which air finds a free passage. Potatoes : This has beon a bad season for all Jate crops. The hot, dry spring and summer greaily retarded their growth, and the tubers did not swell well. Then, just as they were beginning to ripon oil heavy rama set in, which caused them to starb into a 3econd growth, which will make the tubers very indifferent eating. All such as are left in tho soil should bo lifted at once, for if moiat weather nets in they will be utterly spoiled. Anyone who may possess a few choice varieties which have started growing should re ■ plant sodjo of tho tubers now. They will grow, and during the wintur will produce pobatoea which will make capital seed for planting next spring. Tho present is the best) time of the year for digging and manuring all vacant pieces of ground. When digging now, the manure can bo used in a new or green state. If dug now and left for a few weeks tho soil will be in gplendid condition tor later autumn pluubiDg and sowing. Flower Garokn, The late moisb weather has freshened up all classes of autumn flowering plants and in all instances where water was "Used during the dry weather a good autumn supply of flowers will yet be obtained. Portulacca, phlox drummondi, cockscombs, asters, are now, considering tho eeaaon, doing remarkably well, and if dry weather sets in water should be used so as to keen up the display as loug as possible. Tho moisture haa also started the late autum bulbß,notably,thebelladonalilie9,which will look well now for a few vveoke. Anemones which were left in the ground are growing strongly, and ii we have a moist autumn they should be in flower by April. Still, although those bulbs which were left in the ground are doing well, I would'nob advise tho planting oub of any dry tubers till about this lime next month. If plantod now the moisture in the soil would immediately causa them to ebart jnto growth, and if a bob. dry autumn sets in they would gob a check which would spoil them for producing first-class flowers. Those which are started will give early flowers, and others planted at the usual season will come in for flowering ab their usual period. Tho same remarks will apply to all autumn bulbs. The moisture has started the seed weeds to grow strongly, and many of the early spring flowering annual? are now growing by the thousand from seed ehed during the spring. It would be aa well to go over all such beds or benders with the hoe so as to kill them before they get beyond the seedling stage. Where there are a taw plants of the annuals ib would be advisable to retain for early flowering, ib would be easy to leave them. Ab tho time the hoeing takea place all epenb annuals should be cleared away off the ground. Perennials also which have.paseed flowering should have their flower ebalks cub back. Other prominent plants which may have overgrown the spaces allotted to them should also bo trimmed back. Dahlias: Pinch back superfluous shoots ami tio up bo their supports. A little liquid immure will also greatly assist the late flower*. Chrysanthemums will also be benefited by a eimilar treatmonb. Lawns: The moieb weathor has caused the grass to start growiug with vigour, aud it will take a good deal of trouble bo keep ib under. Ths machine must be used ab least once a woek, and whore the soil is very rich bwice a week will be required till the present excessive growth gets checked. Also where there ia an excess of grass being cut the rough of ib should be raked off or ib will be apb bo clog tho knives of the machine and render it impossible to cut it). Greenhouse. Give plenty of water and a little liquid manure to nil strong growing plants. Plants requiring more pob room move inbo larger pots. Keep a good look out for insect pesbs and eradicate them ac coon as they make their appearance. Sow a pan or bo of cineraria eeed, also a small pinch of calceol&ria seed. Syringe when closing up the tiotuo ia the afternoon.