THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 14038, 19 April 1906, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

'WORK FOR THE WEEK. Kitchen Garden.—As crops ar© clear- . ed away turn up the ground, and, if not wanted for another crop, leave as rough as possible—the rougher the better, to give the weather as great a surface as possible to sweeten'and make friable during the winter. Potatoes* should be lifted if they are in low, damp land. Horse-radish should he lifted and stored in sand for use. It is wise to trench out a bed of . horseradish, then plant a fresh one. Mould up celery in fine weather, also leeks. Soakalo should be lifted for early flowering, but keep the roots covered to prevent the crowns from turning purple. A few stools of rhubarb should be lifted and put in a cool shed to rest before being forced. Rhubarb forces much better if the roots have some restbefore being put on a hotbed or in a forcing-house. Give constant attention to lettuce to keep this crop in good condition.

Flower Garden.—The severe frosts of April 9, 10 and 11 have quit© destroyed dahlias and other tender flower plants. Dahlias have suffered very much owing to the quantity of growth made during the past moist and cool summer. The frost-blackened growth is anything but pretty, and a rush will probably, be mad© to cut it off and remove it to the rubbish-heap. This work, however, should be done with care and judgment, particularly with all plants having soft, succulent growth, such as the dahlia. It would be better for the tubers if all the growth were left untouched for several weeks. This would secure a good ripening season for the roots, and they would send out stronger shoots next spring. Sometimes dahlia tubers, although perfectly sound, will not send up any growths in the spring. Tliis is brought; about in several ways, but one in particular is cutting all the growth away before the tubers have thoroughly ripened- Therefore it is . well to remove all the worst foliage* leaving the stems untouched for several weeks before they are cut down. The same practice should be followed with all herbaceous plants, that is, leave a foot or more of the stem on the plants for some time. All cuttings of tender bedding plants that have been put in the open ground Should be lifted and put in a garden frame or glass-house, If left out after this date they may be. destroyed by frost any night. If sufficient quantities have not been rooted, lift several old plants of the varieties wanted, pot them and store _ in a cool house or frame. These will provide plenty of cuttings about July or August-. Gannas should be lifted and stored in a dry corner; cover the crowns with ashes or straw to protect them from severe frosts. • Having cleared away the summer bedding plants, the beds , and borders _ may bo planted with spring flowering subjects. Wallflower, silene, sweetwilliams, polyanthus and many, other plants are suitable for this purpose. Some manure should be given, to secure the best results, as most spring flowering plants need rather rich soil. I Lawns.—Grass will not grow much ' since the adyent of frosts. The machine should be taken up a little, so that the grass is not cut so close as during the summer. This is a good time for top-dressing lawns—an item of management that receives too little attention. Good clean soil from a grass paddock is one of the best materials for top- ( dressing. It need not be broken up too fine; the weather and garden roller will effect this after it has been spread on the surface. Thoroughly decayed manure should, if possible,- he used with the soil; failing tliis, give a liberal dressing with bon© meal. The topdressing should be left somewhat rough for a time to give the shoots of grass plants time' to push their heads through before the roller is used,- and then only a light roller should be used for a time. Any large weeds that may he in the grass should be removed before the lawn is top-dressed. Bulbs that are not planted should be got in as soon as possible; there is nothing to., gain,; hut much to lose, by keeping them out of the ground after this date.