KITCHEN GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1900, Page 3

KITCHEN GARDEN.

We have now had sufficient rain to moisten the soil, so that all ordinary garden operations can be carried on without the use of artilicial waterings. See that a large patch of cauliflower and cabbage plant is dibbled out on well prepared soil. To get these vegetables in good condition the soil should be made very rich with litter manure. Earlier planted crops, see that they are properly earthed up before they get too top-heavy.

Sow a small patch of onion seed to provide for saladhig and also for

planting- out iv the early spring. Onion seed sown now and replanted in the spring will produce larger bulbs than the seed sown in the spring of the year.

Sow another few rows of carrots, turnips, and winter spinach. Thin out advancing crops of the above, and stir up the surface soil between the rows so as to keep it free and open.

Plant n row or so n-f b'-nad beans. Plant out sh:iVi+« ' ato onions in rich, well-pi'epared soil. . (~,...,. .... 'Us shoots under, and pick oil! any of the large leaves that may be shading the fruit from the sun's rays.

Lettuce: Prick out another batch of plants. See that they are planted in rich soil, so that they may grow crisp and juicy.

Mustard, cress and radishes: Sow frequently in warm svinny situations. Strawberries: Those who may not as yet have planted out the young plants sho\ilcl put them out at once as the soil is now sufficiently moist to keep them growing. There will still be time for the young plants to grow a Hittle before the cold wet Weather of winter sets in.

Asparagus beds should now receive some attention. Cut down all the old stemp and spread [plenty 6f wellrotted manure over the surface of the bed and fork it in, taking care not to injure the crown of the plants while doing so. After the forking is completed, give the bed a good dressing of coarse salt. Seakale: Deal with in the same way as the asparagus. Rhubarb: Lift and place the roots in a dry place for the winter months. This will give them a check. If left in the soil all winter there will be a certain amount of growth which will weaken their productiveness next season.

"Where new asparagus or rhubarb beds are required the beds should be made now. The soil should be trenched to a depth of at least two feet and plenty of litter manure placed in it. Neither of the above will succeed unless liberally treated.

All late potatoes and kumaras ought now to be lifted and stored past for winter. Continue manuring, digging, and trenching all vacant pieces of ground. All such not wanted for winter cropping should be sown with oats. Where not -wanted for . green feed they • can be dvg1 down for ' green manure, as all soil is better under some crop during the wet months of winter.

FLOWER GARDEN. The weather is now all that could be desired for carrying- on all g-arden operations. The soil is now sufficiently moistened to allow of all bulbs* tubers, and any other plants to be planted with perfect safety. All improvements, such as the making of new lawns, top dressing rid ones, or making" new flower beds or borders, should now be completed as soon as possible. All such work should be finished before the cold, i heavy rain which is to be-expected .towards the end of this month. If the finishing of new work is deferred [it cannot be accomplished at the same cost or with the same ease as when the soil is dry. All the flower beds and borders which are occupied with a mixed collection of plants should now be thoroughly well manured and dug on. While the digging proceeds, see that the soil is laboured to as great a depth as possible. At the same time permanent plants which have overgrown the spaces allotted them can be reduced. Lilium and other bulbs and tubers gone to rest should have a mark placed over them, so that their whereabouts will be known when plantingother spring flowering annuals, etc. Anemones, ranunculi, tulips, ixias,' narcissi, bulbs, etc., if not already planted should be put out at Once, so that they may get a good start. Gladioli.—A few of the. inferior varieties should now be planted, with the object of getting a few flowers in I the early spring.

Chrysanthemums. —The best of the show of flowers is now over for the season. As soon as all the flowers are spent cut the stalks hard back. This will cause the suckers to come quickly.

Dahlias will still continue to give plenty of flowers till the cold weather sets in. Keep them well tied to their supports. Lawns. —Now is the best time to top-dress lawns which have got into a bad state. Give them a top-dressing1 of good, rich soil. See that the soil is thoroughly worked into the roots of the old plants. Thoroughly level up all holes or depressions. Sow fresh grass seed, rake, it well into the ground, and roll heavily, Give the usual autumn paring to the grass edgings, and reform those that from frequent parings are beginning to make the walks too broad.

Large evergreen shrubs can be moved from one position to another with perfect safety now. The best plan is to dig a hole from four to six feet in diameter and two feet dsep, taking away all the clay from the bottom and replacing" it with good soil- Then lift your shrub, with as large a ball as possible. Have it conveyed to the hole and planted, watering it immediately after planting. After it is watered see that the plant is firmly staked and tied to prevent the roots being worked backwards and forwards. Large shrubs, lifted and planted at thfs season will sncft?-ftd

much better than those transplanted a month hence.

UItEENHOUSE. The sun is not so powerful now. Discontinue shading, and begin to water in the morning instead o\'. the afternoon. Keep the winter flowering plants as near the glass as possible. All cacti, with the exception of the epiphyllums should now be pretty dry and placed on the back shelf. Itemove winter flowering plants from their summer quarters outside into the house. (Jive all the plants a thorough overhaul, to clean them of insect pests, and keep up a free circulation of air on all bright days.

Cinerarias. —Continue pricking off the young seedlings as they can be handled. Those that are well established in boxes place out in the open to harden off.

Continue the sowing of all hardy annual and perennial .seeds. Those, if sown now under g-lass, will grow well, and if pricked into boxes later on will make strong, sturdy plants for early planting out. In fact, it is little use trying to grow most of those from seed in the open, as slugs and snails are almost sure to get the bulk di' them.