HINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 15, 18 January 1901, Page 3

HINTS.

Short horn carrot seeds sown now upon sxposed sunny sites usually form acceptable roots for serving whole at the approach of winter, or later. Sow thinly einther broadcast or in drill rows—the latter for preference, as subsequent superficial culture is made easier. * Globe artichokes should have the old Sower stalks cut down to the ground line as soon as the flower heads are cut for use, by which means the stool roots will be better able to form young shoots, which is their best conservative during the winter season. Summer bulbing onions are best pulled up and harvested once they have finished swelling and the tops commence ripening. This is more particularly the case as regards such transplanted varieties as Lisbons, Tripolis. etc. Once th-sy are pulled up. attend closely to the drying process by turning over repeatedly until they are fit for storing. Potato onions are included in the above category.

Grapes in cool houses will now need tlose scrutiny and attention to secure .'hem against damping and the occasional jotting of sundry berries. A dry atmosphere must be maintained, and this can .\>e done, during fairly line weather, under water-tight roofs, by giving air both day md night. On no account must these structures be shut up, so that condensed moisture may envelope the berries, else the rotting of batches of berries upon sundry bunches will be inevitable. This loss is accelerated wherever wasps or •flies are permitted to enter and puncture the fruit. Plenty of fresh air is indispensable. 'Twere folly to grow' a crop and permit damp to destroy large percentages. Both the watering and shading of pot plants will have to be done more and more studiously as autumn advances. Many plants have finished their summer growths and blooming, hence will only require a fair amount of latent moisture constantly about the roots. Any that are watered when already wet enough soon iecome soddened, with the result the soil becomes sour and the roots suffer. The <4ld plan of rapping pots with the knuckles to ascertain if they ring—a proof of dryness—should again be resorted to in .the case of valuable specimens. Contemplated improvements in gardens Should be matured before surrounding leciduous trees, etc., shed their leaves, so _at the results may be determined under ihe most favourable conditions. The sooner the work is- done the better, after •imch a rainfall as will moisten ground surfaces sufficiently deep to facilitate ground working and the transplanting of trees or plants it is intendec! should be transplanted. Many improvements, can be effected in the majority of gardens Vitb less outlay and labour than is often imagined and are desirable often both for effect to give room to growing trees and Hhrub's, or as regards the trend of walks for °Teater convenience- also. Shifting a gravel path, or part of such, is a more trivial matter than many imagine, and is quickly done, once begun; yet what marked improved effect can be produced by simply altering ugly curves, etc. The practical work will presently be described. Chrysanthemums in the open ground require liberal treatment in the form of manurial waterings, now that they have made a good root base, and are extending above ground. Sometimes Ac ground around the collars of the plants is too high, so that waterings flow away from rather than towards the roots. A mulching of manure placed around them, or the soil hoed up to them so as to form a basin-like hollow will economise waterings and insure more moisture exactly where wanted. The fact is, the roots immediately around the stems require most ■Water and dry more quickly, and this has to be considered. See that all are duly staked, and tied securely against high winds. Many early blooming plants will be advancing to the flowering stage, when, if fine individual blooms' are required, the buds must be thinned, the best only to be retained. Strawberry plantations require attention now that crops are taken. The plants, if to be retained' for future fruiting, should be gone over individually and all runners and discoloured leaves cut off them; after which a good hoeing between the plants will be beneficial. This will let more air and light play about the plants to assist in forming good crowns for next year's flowering. Such beds as are not to be retained dig up at once and prepare for such future crop as is to occupy the ground. Strawberry growing has undergone a marked change during the last decade. It was customary to retain plantations' for three years at least; to-day, one and two years is mostly the limit of their duration. By this practice larger fruit and heavier crops are secured. It is important also, in connection with the latter plan, to secure good forward runner plants for planting. That the labour is greater the more frequently beds are planted goes without saying. Each grower must, therefore, be Influenced by his resources. ,