KITCHEN GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 3

KITCHEN GARDEN.

The weather has been all that could have been desired for carryingl on all classes of garden work. Continue the manuring, digging and trenching of all vacant pieces of ground, so as to get all laboured before the wet weather sets in. The late dry weather suits splendidly for this purpose. While digging1 do not break up Hie soil. Simply turn the different spits over, and allow the action of the sun's rays and atmosphere to pulverise it. Plant out another batch of cabbage and cauliflower plants. If the vveather be dry puddle the roots of the young plants in cow dung and water before planting, and water them after planting. Sow a small patch of seed of both, and after sowing water the bed and keep it moist till the usual autumn rain sets in. Celery: Continue earthing up as the plants require it. Plant out another row, so as to get good plants in the late spring. Sow another lot of turnips, carrots and spinach for early spring use. Thin out former sowings which are beginning to grow strongly. See that you give each plant sufficient room to fully develop. After thinning breakup the surface soil between the row with the fork or the hoe. Pumpkins have almost- at present stopped growing, but will again start into active growth with the first rain: and will continue doing so till we receive the'first frost, after which those which are required for use during- the winter should be harvested. Tomatoes which have been well attended to' this season have given splendid returns and at the present time have also- a good deal of fruit upon them. Wherever fruit has formed pinch off all the shoots, so as to send all the strength of the plants into it, so that it may ripen before the winter sets in. Where old fruit is beginning to colour, strip off some of the foliage, so that the sun's rays .may get fully at it. Continue using liquid manure as long as the present dry weather continues. Lettuce: Prick out another small bed, keep them moist till we receive heavy rains. Sow mustard, cress, and radishes. These also will require to be watered till the moist weather comes. Strawberries, if not already planted, put them" out at once, as formerly dealt with. If planted now and kept moist till the rain come they will grow and make splendid plants for fruiting next season. All old strawberry plants which have fruited for two' seasons should now be dug or trenched into the groivnd and manured and used for other crops for at least two years' before the ground is again planted with strawberries. The debris of all vegetable crops should be cleared off the ground and mixed with hot fermenting manure, so that it may rot speedily and come in for use for spring cropping. All^ vacant pieces of ground not required tor winter crops should now be sown in oats, which, if not required for green, feed will make a splendid manure it duo- back into the soil when about a foot in height. Keep all weeds under. FLOWER GARDEN. This has been a fairly good autumn, only it would have been better if we had .received a little more rain for the late autumn flowering plants. btill those who make autumn flowering plants a speciality should take care to provide plenty of water artificially. Most Of the summer and early .autumn annuals are spent. The debris of a 1 such should be cleared off the ground. Such debris if mixed up with new fermenting manure will make a splendid compost for manuring the soil m the early spring. Perennials which have spent their flowers should have the stalks cut oft so as to prevent the plants maturug seed, as its production greatly weakens the plants. ~« + Continue planting- the different spring flowering ' bulbs and tubers. The sooner the main lot of those are planted now the better. Only reserve a few of each for planting later, with the object of obtaining late flowers in the spring1. . Chrysanthemums are now beginning to flower, and promise to make a grand display. Give plenty of water and also liquid manure occasionally. Dahlias are still giving plenty _oi flowers, especially where they are well looked after. Pinch out .all superfluous shoots and cut oft all blooms as soon as the flower is spent. Liberal supplies of water must also be given- Recollect that if the dahlia is liberally dealt with If will continue in flower well into May. Finish all new work or improvements as soon as possible now, as it is imperative that such ■ should be completed before the wet weather sets in. This is the best time ot the year for manuring and digging1 the flower borders, especially where the soil is a stiff retentive clay. If worked now while in a dry state it will be much better for the soil than it laboured while in a wet state. Clay soils are often ruined for years simply by being laboured during the winter. If clay is dug and manure placed in the bottom riow, it will keep th* soil free and open all the winter, and in the: spring it can again be worked with ease. Light sandy or light volcanic soils improve if laboured while in a wet ! state Lawns require cutting at least once a week to keep them tidy. Top dressi in"1 of the lawns should be pushed on with vigour, so as to get the labour finished before the heavy winter rams I set in. Sow a little fresh grass seed ! after top-dressing, rake the seed in, and roll with a heavy, roller. GREENHOUSE. qVndine1 might almost be dispensed with nSw Ferns will have almost.

completed their growth and can be kept a little drier. Less water will also be required for the other plants. Summer bulbs and tubers going to rest should, also be watered very sparingly. Cinerarias which have attained sufficient size so that they can be handled should be pricked out- into boxes, so as to get them well advanced for early planting. Keep up a good circulation of air during the day.