WORK IN THE GARDEN FOR THE WEEK.

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1254, 6 August 1910, Page 5 (Supplement)

WORK IN THE GARDEN FOR THE WEEK.

Kitchen Garden.—Another sowing of mid-season varieties of t>9p.s be now made to keep up successional supply. Tiie strong-growing sorts should be selected, as they stand the heat of the summer better than the more delicate early varieties. .Veitch's perfectionis probably the best pea for the climate, as it is a sturdy grower and crops well. Carter's daisy, Sutton's dw.'ir? defiance. and' stratagem, are als'i good sort?; for the main crop; and while there ■are a number extra varieties nowa"days usually grown for show purposes, there is a wonderful saving of labour for general use to have the pods containing from eight to eleven peas neaTly double the size of ordinary market peas; but the secret of getting large, well-filled pods is to plant the seed wide, giving each pea deep, weel-manured ground. Success2in to 4in from its neighbour, in ional sowings of broad beans, such as broad "Windsor, may also be made in tows 2ft apart in soil of a retentive character. Lettuce, radish, and other small saladings in frames or warm borders will need protection from siugs, which are very destructive to these plants when in a young state. If the surface drainage is defective it may be remedied by noting tho places where the water lodges in wet weather. In gardens where clay predominates it should be improved by addition of sand, ashes, lime rubbish, charcoal, etc.

iFlower Garden.—Begin to prune roses. A portion only should be don't at this pruning, another portion a month hence, and the remainder in six "weeks. This will extend the blooming 'season considerably. in pruning, cut out all hard brown wood, leaving last season's growth, if possible. Keep the main stems equidistant from each other and the centre open. Cut back strong shoots to an outside bud. Tea iroses noisettes, and mosses require .very little pruning. If the bush is crowded, it may be thinned out. No time should be lost in planting ranunculus, being closely allied to bog plants, likes a, cool subsoil,, and, to grow them well a damp situation should bo selected for the .bed. The ibest compost is a, mixture of peat and fibrous loam, a igood layer of cow dung manure feeing placed below itV The older plants of carnations should have all the old flower growths cut clean, away, and the new growths, wihich should now be pushing up, should be tied securely to neat stakes, [which wiil be all the attention they beyond keeping clean. Old stools of delphiniums will be much improved by dividing and replanting n small and healthy portion; old stools are liable to throw up a large number of spikes of flowers instead of a few told spikes, which make a grand display in the garden for a considerfefcle time. This class of plant heteen, much, improved during . recent years, and can now be had in manj tints of hlue; a yellow form has been Introduced, under the name of zalil, hni it t» rather difficult to grow. Attention should be paid to seedling plants of pansiee, keeping them free from weeds, transplanting them a* soon as they are strong enough into

the borders where they :n'e to ttmver

Many other hardy annuals and biennial should be planted out during '■'us month; where they h;:ve beer-

tn'own on from iir. + vni!!-K<>»v.'i ?ed + l '»v make an early display of l)loor. before tue general noweriiir c ' i ason of the spring sow)) annual' Nose beds should have a good dressing of manure; half-decayed stal)lt

Willi urc is tlie best to apply, whieJ 4.s cooler aiul iijoiv suitable tti:i- .

many of tue artificial manures which are often recommended. Care slioulo he used in digging not to damage tin* roots which a.re near the surface. Itoses on briar stock should he carefully examined so as to remove any suckers which have pushed up. whicn if allowed to grow, soon destroy tho rose. All kinds of shrubs and ornamental treee may still be planted with safety. Fruit Garden.—The present month should see the completion of the planting of all sorts of fruit trees. All kinds of stone fruits should be finished first, as thes are the first to show signs of starting into growth. Where it is intended to graft young trees or head down old trees for the same purpose, the necessary scions should be secured now, and heeled in the earth or damp sand until thy are required. Unless the scions are taken off while the trees are in a dormant condition, the work will not be as successful as could be desired. Many old trees of pears and apples which may be in a healthy and vigorous condition, but fail to fruit, or are inferior varieties, should he headed back and regrafted with scions of some approved variety. If the work is carefully done the scions make a rapid growth on account of the established condition of the stocks, and come to bearing much quicker than newly-planted trees, thus saving valuable time. If, however, the trees to be cut down are not healthy and vigorous, they should be grubbed out rather than perpetuate a weak and •unhealthy growth. Pruning of" all kinds of fruit should be completed ;.s soon as :-.:>:! the, fruit quarters cleaned up, burning off all rubbish Which may have accumulated during the winter.