THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14201, 25 October 1906, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. Kitchen Garden.—With hot sunshine and drying winds small seeds have had a very unfavourable time of late. It is during such weather that small seeds should be shaded rather than watered, as frequently only just sufficient is • given to damp the surface, leaving the soil about the roots quite dry. This treatment is much worse for the plants than leaving them alone. When seedlings or any other plants are watered give them a good soaking and put the hoe through the soil on the following morning. Rain will probably come soon, and then prompt attention must be "given to thinning out all seedlings. This should be done gradually rather than all at once, but the earlier it cis done the better. Give each plant plenty of room, as this will encourage early maturity and better quality. Potatoes that are through the ground should he moulded up a little at a time and often in order to disturb the surface soil as frequently as possible. Any tubers not yet planted should be got in as soon as possible, as there is nothing to gain but much to lose by any further delay. Peas should, be staked, when they, are just about through the ground, to encourage a rapid growth—oven dwarf varieties give much better results when assisted with a few stakes,, , Those coming into bloom should be mulched with good manure, about half-decayed, and if grass from the lawn is . mixed with it it will do no harm. _ If the early cauliflowers are mulched in _ the same way finer heads will be obtained. Asparagus that was planted ,this; spring may want water. Examine the' soil, and if dry give a good soaking to encourage the plants to make a vigorous growth. This attention is too often neglected, and the fresh-planted roots cannot make a good start, which is the chief factor in making an asparagus bed. Once the El ants are established they will require ut little attention, therefore give all. that is " necessary at this season. The trenches . for - the early rows of celery should be prepared. Take out a rather shallow trench, and fill it ■ with manure. Fresh manure should be avoided, as the roots will not take to it. If the trenches are got out at once, they will be in a good condition to receive the plants early next month. Cabbage, cauliflower, and other plants that have to be transplanted || should. receive every care. ... Too little “ attention is fx-equently given to this, and the plants fail to grow with, the vigour necessary to produce the' 1 best results. Should the soil be bn the dry side, draw the drills fairly deep, gite these a good soaking, and transplant the seedlings as late in the day as pas- - ' sible, in order to give the plants time , to. get used to their fresh home before the heat of the next day arrives. Rhubarb and seakale are sending l j an unusual, number of flower spikes this season. The flower stems on rhubarb should be cut away immediately, but these on seakale may be used as a change vegetable. Cut the flower stems when they are about six inches high, and 'cook them much the same os asparagus, and they will be found .delicious. Rhubarb that was transplanted during tbe past winter should be watered, unless rain falls soon. If not already done, give the stools a liberal mulch 'with well-decayed manure. 1 ’ t Hardy Fruits.—Nearly all kinds are giving great promise from their wealth of blossom this spring, apples especially, and, with, a continuance of good weather, heavy crops of fruit may be expected, j This is a good time to give plums, cherries and peaches a good mulch. If there is not sufficient manure available to mulch ©very tree, give it to those that have most blossom. If this is_ applied at once, it will assist the trees in developing their fruit. Strawberries will soon b© pushing up theirflower spikes, and should have some material put around them to keep the fruits free from contact with the soil. Long stable manure is about the best material for this purpose. If put on / now, the surface will be washed quite clean before the fruits begin to swell. It should be put between tire rows carefully, and packed around each plant : without breaking a leaf or flower. Hold, the leaves and flowers with one hand, and pack the manure around the plant with the other. Some protection must be given to prevent birds taking and spoiling the fruit. The best method of protection is to put the nets about four feet above the ground, so that tbe fruit can be gathered without removing them. If the nets 'are laid on the plants, birds stand on them, and spoil a groat quantity of the fruit*.