THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12540, 29 June 1901, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

WOIVK FOB TgE WEpf. Kitchen Garden. —When the question of manuring land is considered, lime should nob be forgqtten. Itf is wisV'toi gtv& heavy land 'a liberal dressing, also plots that have been heavily manured in past seasons. Lipie is a valnyble agept, apd on heavy soils will’ give good Results. Gas lime is a,, gqqd corrective for land that has been heavily manured in past a|ap. for soils that are sour or hard. It should be spread evenly over t](e surface, and left for several weeks before being dug in, so that all the foul gas fumes may escape in the atmosphere./ It is a good plan to disturb it by running a rake over the surface occasionally. Jlun the Dutch hoe between all growing crops as often as possible, and thus prevent weeds germinating. Select the quarter for, onions, then manure and dig it, and turn the surface over as often as possible with af digging fork. This constant exposure will sweeten tjie surface soil, and enable the bird? tp destroy all insect pests that may be in' the ground. Rhubarb.—This is a good time to make fresh plantations. Dig the ground quite two feet deep, using plenty of .manure, which should he thoroughly mixed with the soil. Plant thq new crowns, about four inches below the surface, leaving three feet between the plants, and four feet between the rows. Coyer each plant with.several inches of long manure. Flower Garden.—Malm effort to finish all work in the' shrubberies, digging borders, completing alterations before the end of this month, 'VVith the month of Jq}y will come the busy springtime, with its seed sowing, propagating, apd a hundred other items of importance'that 'must he done. Lily of the Valley should be planted as soon as possible, and no pains should be spared in thoroughly preparing the. bed. Dig deep, and should the soil be heavy, incorporate plenty, of old potting soil, leaf mould, peat and sand, with P good supply old old hot-bed ipanufe. Qive these plants an open'situation, with plenty pf spy, and good results will be obtained. Pyrethrupjis, both double and single,' are very useful phmts to supply cut flowers, but to grow these successfully they must have liberal treatment. They like good soil, plenty of manure, an open position, a moderate supply of water. They should b 6 taken up every second season, 'divided, and replanted. Greenhouse.-—Most of the chrysanthemums are over, and may be cut down, fftirat next to do witli ptpst. determined by circumstances. If a large number are to be propagated,, then the plants should be arranged alphabetically so that there is a minimum o| trouble in taking the cuttings. It "will not be necessary to keep all”the plants, and those nob wanted bad bettey be' throwp away at once, the 1 The plants reserved to give the supply of cuttings should bo placed in a very light airy position—a co.M frarpa iy qhp.tvt. the, best place’to put them—so that fhe plants get plenty of fresh air to make the cuttings sturdy. The buds on camellias are swelling fast and should be encouraged by giving the plants manure water twice each week, and syringing them on bright mornings. It is well bo make sure the plants are thoroughly watered at the. root, as they thus make much root, and should the ball get quite dry it takes a lob of water to soak it through. Plunging the pot or tub in a tank of waiter ig, the pnly r sjjxs,

way to thoroughly soak the ball through. Hyacinths should be staked directly their blooms show colour, and the same attention should bo given to the large namssug %rt ipe fpiped “iu pRt)?.