THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17078, 29 January 1916, Page 5

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WORK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to Sow.—Cabbage, cress, endive, lettuce, onions (for salad), peas, radish, turnips and spinach. What to plant.—Broccoli, cabbage cauliower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, kale (in variety) and savoys. Preparations for the early spring I cabbages should be made at once by I getting the seed bed ready. This is I simple enough in autumn and npring, but just now it involves more work. Break down the soil fairly lino and mix J with it some decayed manure from a [spent hot bed, fork this in and thor- | oughly incorporate it with tine toil. "If decayed manure is not available use j rotted turf, leaf mould or any substance that will keep the soil open, retain moisture and encourage the formation of fibrous roots. A little soot or lime is good to keep away grubs mid sweeten the soil. Select a fairly open position, br.rause the seedling plants should have plenty of sun and air to make thorn sturdy. I/cave the surface rough for a week or tWo, as- this will give the birds a chance to destroy any grubs or larvas that there may bo in the soil. Sow the seed about the Middle of next month, make the surface level, and draw shallow drills one inch <ltcp and throe inches wide, giving ten inches clear between the drills. This is a much better method than sowing the seed broadcast, as with it you can put the hoe through the soil between the rows to keep down the weeds and keep the soil aerated. Besides, air and light can circulate freely between the

plants, keeping them dwarf, strong and sturdy, a condition- that makes for success. Grown thus, few if any ci the

plants will holt, that is. send up their spike of blossom instead of forming a nice close heart. Onions are not growing as well as

one would like, doubtless owing to the dry season. It would be advisable to at once give them a Li tie stimulant to hurry them on. A good solution for this purpose is lib nitrate of soda, lib superphosphate, lib kainit and -lea of sulphate of iron, mixed with 30ga.l of water and applied to the plants. .In most gardens eschalots are ready to lift and store. Take them up and spread them out on a hard, dry floor, where the sun and air can reach them, to thoroughly finish the ripening of the bulbs.

Tomato plants growing in the open should have all the points pinched off "(he shoots, to concentrate all the force of the plants to the developing and ripening of the fruits that are set. By the time these are ready for use autumn frosts will put an end to the plants. Although this is a simple detail in the management of tomatoes very few growers practise it, but, on the other hand, allow the plants to txo on making stem, leaves and blossoms until frosts kill the plants and spoil all{ unripe fruit. Asparagus beds would benefit from a good soaking, although Wednesday night's rain did an immense amount of good. The soil below the roots is still dry, and a good soaking now would keep them growing until the end of the season. A liberal application of salt would prove a good investment-

Rhubarb roots that were transplanted last winter also want water, to keep them growing and make strong crowns for next season. They will not perish if not watered, but the produco next season will be very inferior. These largo, fleshy roots require a lot of water to "keep them in good condition.

FLOWER GARDEN. Hydrangeas are flowering well this season, but to get the best possible results the shrubs should at once have n. thorough soaking. Lay the hose on tho centre of the plant and let the water run steadily several hours, to thoroughly soak the soil around and below the roots. This will increase the size of the blossoms and cause them to remain in good condition much longer than they can when the roots are in dry soil. These are not the only benefits, as tho increased vigour of the roots will make stronger wood and develop larger buds for next season. Cut off all flower heads immediately the blossoms are past their best, as this is the only way to keep beds and borders bright with blossoms until the end of the season. Once a plant has a number of scj'd pods to develop it ceases to produce the same number of fresh flowers, because of the extra strain. LAWNS. i The grass on lawns will derive much benefit "from the recent beneficial rain and the dews which we may now anticipate. This will restore that, nice green shade so much admired. Do not cut the grass too closely, but cut it often. Do not allow any weed to ripen and throw its seed on the lawn, as such seeds would soon germinate and cause a lot of trouble. GREENHOUSE. Bulbs for winter flowering should ho, potted. Hyacinths, narcissi, tulips, etc., being very useful for conservatory and house decoration, and cutflowers for vases, select good .sound bulbs and pot them at once. They are not particular as to soil, if they get fair attention with water. They may be potted in almost any mixture of soil, sand, moss, or fibre. They require less attention when grown in a compost of goo-], loam, leaf mould, and rotten manure, with a little sand.

The bulbs may bo put into any receptacle, pot, pan, bowl, brfx, jar, or vase, whatever is most suitable for use. >