THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16564, 30 May 1914, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR, THE WEEK,

KITCHEN GARDEN,

Seeds to Sow.—Cabbage, lettuce, onions (for salad), radish, spinach and turnips.

What to Plant.—Cabbago, cauliflower, endive and lettuce.

As there is little except routine work in the kitchen garden just now, digging and trenching should have attention. It would be- wise to plan the cropping arrangements for next season and deal with the different plots according to the requirements of tho vegetable to bo grown, as by doing this one can manure tho plots for peas, beans, cauliflower, etc., but the plots that are to be, sown with carrots, parsnips and beet should bo trenched deep, but not manured, as fresh manure tends to encourage these roots to produce too many rough and forked roots, which not only spoil the snmplo for sale and use, but causes much waste. Hence manure is not only wasted, but the crops much reduced in value.

Where the soil is very heavy, lime, should be applied to sweeten 11 it and make it more friable. Lime has a wonderful effect on heavy land for all kinds of crops, and should bo used more freely than if is. There are some gardens in which manure has been used too freely, as one can manure too freely, and make the soil "manure sick" and sour. Here a liberal dressing with lime will correct the "sickness" or sourness and restore the soil to a fertile condition.

Soot is a valuable manure for all garden crops, as it contains a quantity of lime. Probably this is one reason why it is so effectivo on garden soil. A strong solution cf scot water will kill worms and slugs and many other crawling pests. In gardens where tho soil is very heavy dig in plenty of long strawy manure, leaves and turf, as this will keep the soil open and tho humus affords a good rooting medium for the next crop.

When digging or trenching land at this season throw it up as roughly as possible, as the moro uneven the surface the larger the quantity exposed to the frosts and wintry weather, which has such a fertilising influence on heavy soils. It is a good plan to throw heavy land up in ridges during the winter, as this method exposes twice as much soil to the weather as plain digging. Old mortar, rubbish is another good material to spread on heavy soil. When an old buildincr is taken down there are largo Quantities of this useful mnterhl to b? had for just the carting, and those who have heavy land should,. obtain a quantity whenever there is an opportunity. FLOWER GARDEN.

Now that nearly all the leaves are off the deciduous trees a general clean up of the borders and shrubberies may be started, whilst in pew gardens planting operations will claim attention. When furnishing new gardens plant useful shrubs. There, are so many beautiful and useful flowering shrubs in cultivation that many of the old kinds can be discarded. Many of the newer shrubs and tress are noted for their beautiful autumn tints, and this section should be used freely in every selection. One of the latest trees to shed its leaves is the " Liquidamber." Two specimens of this tree have afforded a glorious sight in the,Domain Gardens during the pat three weeks, giving nearly every tint of colour and shade from a deep purple to a golden cream. Another desirable shrub for autumn tints is" the "ForsythiV'Suspcusa." Although its leaves do not have such a great range of tints as the " Lkniidamber," they are very lovely. " F. Y'iredissima " has purple-tinted leaves in tho autumn, and both of these varieties flower profusely in the spring, and when in flower have few rivals in the flower garden, When planting golden-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs try to place them or. the south side of a walk cr window, because- the brightest colour is ever on the north side of the tree. The "Cupressus Lawsoniana Aurea" is perhaps "the best of golden-leaved trees, but on tho south side of each tree there is but little gold, the shade being a light green, and many a planter

has been disappointed to find it is so dull on the south side.

This is a good time to examinp all variegated trees and shrubs, and to cut out any branches that are " green." Quite a number of "Euoriymus" are always forming green shoots, and, if these are left on the plant they require much greater strength than tho variegated branches, and in a few seasons the variegation is overgrown by tho green and tho whole character of the plant changed. The variegated Cupsessus Armgstrongi is very persistent in sending out green shoots, and unless these are promptly cut out they soon get very big and spoil the specimen. Several hollies have tho same habit and need overhauling to keep them in their true form.

When digging the flower borders do not. dig deep under and around flowering Cherries. Cherries root quite near tlia surface and should have a mulch of manure rather than have many of their surface roots shorn off. Any rhododendrons that have grown out .of shape may now be pruned hard back to improve their shape. This work is often left until spring, but if done in the autumn the nlants send out new shoots from the old hard wood much Ivetter than they do when cut back in the spring. Beds of rhododencTrons should have a mulch of rather light manure or a mixture of manure and leaf mould. Rotted turf is a snlendid material to snread on tho surface of a bed ot rhododendrons. GREENHOUSE.

The main batch of chrysanthemums is- about over, and the plants should bs cut down and prepared to supply cuttings for next season. Before, any cuttings are put in it would be well to look up notes made hi the diary as to which varieties are tho most /useful, with a. view to propagating a greater mimber" of 'those" that' are "'in request. In these days, when a lot of one shade of colour is required, one should cultivate a good number to supply the demand and not grow one or two plants each of a large number of varieties. Then there is the decorative value of the varieties as pot plants. Some have good foliage, others have thin leaves and long spindly peduncles, which, are not suitable'for pot plants, because each shoot requires a, stick to hold the blossoms erect,'and- stakes do not add to the decorative value of pot plants.

Single varieties are very- charming grown in five, and six-inch pots. The newer varieties contain some lovely shades in bronze, red, salmon, cream and biscuit-brown. These are valuable for cut flowers, but cannot be grown in the open unless covered with a. roof of calico early in April. If left uncovered frosts destroy the buds oefora they aro half open. They could bet grown against a fence or building and covered in April or grown in pots and put in a glass-house at tho end of March. In Sumner or anywhere neac the sea; where they aro free from frosts, they should be grown in large num» hers. • Cuttings should be taken aa soon as they are three inches long. Avoid heat, as they root readily in a cold frame and make sturdy plants. The stock of bedding plants* should be examined every week, and every decaying leaf removed, as one or two mil. dewed leaves will speedily destroy a large number of plants. ' Fuchsias, begonias ; and other plants resting should bo kept quite dry, as if stored where much water can reach the roots there is a risk of loss. They will keep quite sound all through the winter if dry, but if very wet eome will rot, whilst others will get so weah that they will make poor growth next spring. Tho begonias can be shaken out and stored in a box. If treated! this way do not put the tubers in ax, airtight box, but one with somo*ventu lation. Make sure that the tubers ar€ quite dry before they are put in tho box.