Farm, Garden and Orchard Notes.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 5, 23 February 1917, Page 1

Farm, Garden and Orchard Notes.

FEBRUARY. KITCHEN GARDEN. If the weather be favourable for planting during the early part of this month, no delay should elapse- in getting in main crops of broccoli, winter green* etc., if not done as recommended last month. As the gathering of succeeding crops is completed and cleared off, prepare trenches sufficient for intermediate celery; earth up that already planted. In this climate we must, in a great measure, be guided by the seasons, both for sowing and planting; and as this is usually the driest month throughout the year, it is advisable to deter planting except during rainy weather. Better let the ground lie idle for a few weeks, and allow the plants to remain in the seed bed, than to plant during hot dry weather, ana have to water frequently. Transplant endive and lettuce and make occasional sowings of cress, mustard, radishes, etc., in moist, cool situations. Make the last sowing ot French and rushing varieties of beans for the Button. Thin the shoots of cuctHSoCTS and melons as may be requisite. Attend to tying up and thinning out tomato plants as they advance in growth. Take up shallots as soon as they indicate ripeness; store in bunches or otherwise. Keep the surface soil well stirred about crops that are not mulched, and maintain the strictest order in this department. Onions : Sow for spring use and for dibbling out, to obtain largo bulbs ; sow in drills as they are easier to keep clean. FLOWER GARDEN. This being the hottest month of the year, water should be used copiously. Take advantage of every shower of rain to roll walks so as to keep them firm and smooth. The lawn must be kept well mown, otherwise the finer grasses are destroyed, and the appearance of the lawn spoiled for the rest of the season. Finish layering carnations, picotees, and pinks; sow winter flowering sweet peas. This is the best month to bud roses. Dahlias and chrysanthemums should receive plenty of liquid manure ; also stake and tie, so as to keep them from being damaged by the wind.' Continue to plant daffodils, narcissi and jonquils ; the early planted bulbs are always best. Prune evergreens where it is desirable to keep them to any particular shape. ORCHARD. The summer pruning may still be continued if required as in the last three months, and so may the budding in some cases, which you can tell by the bark parting readily from the wood. Mulch as much as you can, but do not water ripening fruit, save only in the case of very young trees, or trees planted last year, where you dread the fruit not remaining on till ripe. Be very careful of the later fruits and keep them clear of insects, upon whom you must have no mercy this month in particular. All sorts of late fruits are much more apt to be destroyed or disfigured by insects than earlier varities. Look after and remove suckers of all kinds, except such raspberries as are wanted, and leave only three or four strong ones in that case; remove strawberry runners unless they arc wanted t > plant out in winter and if you want to f ice them under a frame for earlies (a very good plan and not expensive) pot them off now. FARM. Stubble lands should ho plough ed and worked up ready for sowing grass early in the following month. Soft turnips may be sown as the catch crop. Cape barley, oats, tares or Italian ryegrass may be sown for fodder crops. Wage war on all kinds of briars and late seedling weeds, and work land in hot weather to kilt sorrel and. couch gr.-ss. Ewes should bo selected and put to the rams for early lambs and any culls should be fattened off. All should be dagged and have their feet pared, and any suffering from foot-rot should be dressed. It is compulsory to dip all sheep during the months of January, February or March. Begin to got up potatoes as soon as they are ripe, with the skin firmly set, but not before.