THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17859, 3 August 1918, Page 6

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to Sow.—Beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, cress, lettuce, mustard, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, spinach, tomato, turnip. What to Plant.—Cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, herbs, lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, seakale, eschalots. In most gardens the soil is too wet for sowing needs, therefore this work must he deferred for a time. There is always the risk of failure if the seeds are put in wet, cold and sticky soil. Some gardens near the sea have a sandy soil that dries almost immediately the rain stops, and in such favoured places seed solving is hardly ever interfered with for more than a day or two. Eschalots should be planted as soon as possible. Make the ground firm, much the same as for onions, and prevss tho bulbs into the soil, deep enough to keep them in position. Potatoes. —The seed tubers of tho early varieties should be put in shallow boxes. Stand them on the narrow end, with tho eyes pointing upwards. If several are placed in a cool Greenhouse and tho tubers damped onco a day, the shoots will soon grow quite strong, and the new crop will be ready for use several weeks earlier than if tho tubers were kept in a sack, or clamp, until the soil is in a suitable condition for planting. Keep the heads of late cauliflowers and broccoli covered with one or two leaves, as a protection against frost. HARDY FRUITS. Peaches and nectarines should be sprayed with Bordeaux as a preventive against leaf curl. This pest not only destroys the first crop of leaves, but seriously interferes with the sizo and quality' of the fruit. Do not uso the mixture too strong. Tho printed' instructions should never bo exceeded. They are safe, and if observed carefully no harm will result,, but if the solution is made too strong there is a risk of burning the flower buds that are now swelling fast. VINERY. Pruning, cleaning, etc., shoulri have been finished by now. The sap will soon begin to move and the eyes nush out, when it is risky to work about the vines If any fresh soil or manure is to bo used, put it on tho border r.t once. Where- the vines are planted inside make sure tho border is thoroughly wet. . If there aro signs of dryness, give a good soaking as soon as possible. Dryness at the roots now will seriously r.ffect the sizo of tho trusses of blossoms Where tho vinos are planted outside; examine the drainage and make sure tho surplus water can get away. Should there bo any obstruction to tho drainage, clear it away at once, as perfect drainage ia essential for tho healthy condition of the vino roots. GREENHOUSE. With lengthening days and more, sunshine, tho temperature may be kept a few degrees higher in all tho glasshouses. Potting pnd seed sotving wiil oomand constant attention; and the stock of bedding plants should be carefully examined to make sure that the required number of each kind and variety is available. Seeds of tuberous begonia should be sown on a brisk bottom heat. They will come up in a cold house, but many will perish, and it pays to prepare a good bottom heat to raise begonia and gloxinia seeds. Annuals and perennials may be sown in cold frames now, and in too open next month An;' covering will do to protect tho wee seedlings from a sharp frost. Do not sow the seeds too. thick. Most of the different kinds germinate freely, therefore scatter them sparingly to give. the young plants ample room. Caladiums. —To prepare an early batch of thes-.3 beautiful foliage plants, sr-lect a number of the itrongest conns. Put these in a pan or box containing about three inches of a light compost made of equal part; of rotted turf and leaf mould, with a little sharp sand. Stand the conns on tho surface, rnd put the box in the warmest part of the stove. The box may bo put on tho floor quite near the hot water pipes, until tho leaves begin to push out from tho roots. This should bo the signal for more light- Sprav the corms with tepid water once a day, but do not use much water until tho frosh white roots begin to grow. When these new roots are about an inch loi ( . v the plants should be potted- The size of pot must bo according to the size of the tuber; but if large specimens are desired, a number can be put in one lariTc pot- The most suitable comnost is one of good loam, rotted turf, ft iky leaf mould, in equal parts, with a few pieces of charcoal about the size of a walnut, and enough coarse sand to keep the compost open. Remember, those plants make a lot of large fleshy roots and the corms of some varieties grow big and very fast, therefore do not press the compost too firm in tho pots. Avoid over-v.-.iiering. This is the causo of many failures. The onlv time that these plants need a lot of water at-the roots is when they aro making their leaves. Probably no other bulbous plant suffers quicker or moro from too much water at the root than the Caladium- This i 8 the reason for not putting the corms in pots when starting them into growth. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Sumner Resident.—Cart the seaweed on the land and dig it in, the same as you would any other manure.