Farm, Garden and Orchard Notes.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 28 July 1916, Page 1

Farm, Garden and Orchard Notes.

KITCHEN GARDEN. JULY. Towards the end of the month if the weather is dry, sowing of a good many early vegetables may be made, carrots, parsnips, dwarf peas and broad beans, parsley radishes, and small salad plants. Plant out and prune gooseberries re-make strawberry beds, and clean, re-plant and stake raspberry canes, bearing in mind that none of these operations must be carried|out if the ground is sloppy. The weather must be fine anc the soil fairly dry. ORCHARD. Planting is now in full swing and should be pushed ahead vigorously, you may plant peaches, pears, plums, apricots.

nectarines, apples, medlars, mulberries. figs, filberts, walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, currants, gooseberries, raspberries and blackberries (improved American are the best). In choosing a site for an orchard if their are any doubts to the natural drainage, dig a hole three feet deep and it after some hours have elapsed water has collected in it otherwise than from rain, some means must be devised for draining the ground. Prune all the trees above mentioned, but avoid doing this work in severe frosty weather. Grafts can now be taken, especially those of cherries or plums, which succeed better if cut off early. After the grafts are cut off put their ends in soil in a sheltered situation, out ot the rays of the sun, until the grafting season comes on. Now is the time to cut back old trees intended to be grafted, for |if left until tiie sap begins to move the bark round the where the limbs have been off is apt to die back, and thus produce canker. Cut off the heads of budded stocks ; those of the quince should be cut off early in the month. Clean between strawberry rows and mulch with long dung. FARM.

Skim-plow grass last that is required for turnips. Pough turnip land as fed off ready lor oats or wheat. Ewes will now be coming forward for early lambing, and will want careful looking after. Look out for foot-rot paring and dressing feet where necessary. Do not keep your ewes in lamb on turnip entirely, abortions being often due to so doing. Do uot forget such winter work as stubbing up briars and furze along the sides of the fields and to put up a new gate where it would be a convenience, etc. FLOWER GARDEN. Daphnes should find a place in every garden, however small, as they produce their beautiful sweet scented flowers very freely during the winter. The sweet violet commences to flower early and continues throughout the winter and spring months. Proceed with the planting of hardy shrubs, trees, etc., paying particular attention to the arrangement of heights and colours. Plant roses and other hardy plants. Keep the soil well stirred around all bulbs above ground. Plant a few hardy gladiolus bulbs for early flowering. Box edgings may now be laid.