THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17955, 23 November 1918, Page 9

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN

Seeds to Sow.—Beans, beet, broccoli, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, lettuce, melon, onions (for salad), peas, radish, spinach, turnips, vegetable marrow.

What to Plant.—Cabbage, cauliflowers, Brussels .sprouts, lettuce, leeks, potatoes, vegetable marrow. Tho welcome rain will give all vegetable plants a great stimulus, and gardeners should do everything possible to conserve as much moisture ns possible, by (1) putting the cultivator or hoe between all the growing crops to make the surface loose and open; (2) mulching any crop that would benefit from this method, and moulding up potatoes that are forward enough. Any plants that have to be transplanted should be put in their final quarters while the ground is moist. Tho plants suffer less, and the results will be more satisfactory. This is a good time to make a final sowing, of late kale, broccoli and savoy. It is a good plan to raise all these different plants from one sowing, and the crops from the late seeding will often prove mora valuable than those from tho first, because they will com© in fresh, just when required. Many runner beans that wore cut by the late frost ore breaking into growth, and will soon grow very fast. Put stakes to theso plants at once; it is strange how much faster they grow when they have something to cling to. i They not only grow faster, but they fruit earlier. Therefore it pays to j stake them.

Complete the thinning of oil seedling crops. Tho sooner this work is done, onco tho plants are big enough to handle, the better. Onions are crowing fast, and promise to give heavy crops. A liberal dusting with soot will he of great help to them ; they Room to just revel in soot. VINERY. "Amntcur" asks for somo notes on "thinning grapes," and fchis.beinc the season when many aro engaged with this work wo willingly comply with tho request'. With "thinning" the regulation of the growth must ever bo ono of tho most important items in grape cultivation. Some people seem to think that the "thinning" is the first and most important part of the season's work. They engage a qualified man to thin tho berries, and after that tho vines have to tnko pot luck, and at tho end of the season, if tho grapes aro small and badly coloured, with many shanked berries in the bunches, thoy exclaim, "Mr Blank thinned them." Tho regulation of growth is tho most important item in grapegrowing, ventilation and watering second and thining third. Tho vines should bo examined at least twice a week, to remove all surplus or unnecessary growth. It is well to remember that the largo leaves on the bunch bearing shoot, between the bunch and tho stem, aro of moro importanoo than twice their number on the sub-lateral shoots beyond tho bunch. Therefore, when working on tho vino, bo careful that those leaves are not injured or crowded. Pinching off the point two leaves above the bunch concentrates the* energy of tho shoot upon developing] the berries. Lateral growths will pusn out from the bunch-bearing shoots at the base of oacli leaf. Those between

tho bunch and tlic root should be removed, but those above the bunch should bo stopped at one leaf, and n\\ other shoots that come pinched off at one leaf. This stopping should be done a,s soon as possible. To leave these surplus shoots to grow big, absorbing energy that should go into the bunch, and then cut them aw.ay, is not only a waste of energy, but it throws the work of the vine out of gear, seriously interfering with the season's work. By going over tho vine twice a week, each surplus growth can be pinched off hefore it is very big. A common mistake is that of failing to start thinning early. We have often advised our readers to begin this before the buds have flowered. Tin's gives the grower a longer time for tho work. If thinning is left until tho berries are ns largo as peas, tho work is more difficult, and there is a groat risk of disfiguring tho berries. Thin severely all varieties that have large berries. It is safer to thin too severely than too sparingly, but a bunch that is " flabby" or has a. loose appearance is not nearly as saleable as one that is compact and full. Experience and a knowledge of the differenco in varieties can alone give one the assurance necessary to complete thinning in one act. Therefore these who are ill doubt should go over their bunches twice. Late varieties should bo thinned mere severely than first and second early kinds. Alicante, for example. If the berries in a bunch are closely paeked, they will not keep very long. Moisture will accumulate between the berries, and the skins will decay. Once this begins the bunch soon becomes i mass of " mould " and unsaleable Therefore those who wish tn keep their grapes well into winter should see that the berries aro not too crowded. Space will not permit a full description of the differing bunches and how to deal with them, but theso notes should afford enough information fpr thinning.

GREENHOUSE. Tuberous begonias should be put in their final pots as soon as possioiw When potted, stand them in a cold frame to make their early growth. A frame is more suitable than a greenhouse. Tile plants are safer from insect pests, and the temperature can be kept more even. Don't over-water tho plants immediately after potting. If tho soil is moist, the plants will not require much water for some time, except syringing overhead twice a clay. Givo plenty of ventilation, to keep the growth dwarf and sturdy. Remember theso are hardy plants and do not require coddling. Gloxinea plants just coining into flower should have manure water twice a week. This feeding will prolong the period of (lowering, increase the size of blossom, and improve the colour. Seedlings that were pricked off last month should bo potted off singly by selecting pots aceordiiio; to the conditions of the plants. Those that look vigorous, with strong leaves, may have five-inch, sinnllei plants four-inch. Give the plants a good compost. Poor soil will not produce large, well-colour-ed flowers, with big. handsome leaves. Damp the plants overhead twice on bright days, but be sparing with water at then roots. Too much immediately after planting tends to make the soil sour and unfit for the roots. Keep a sharp lookout for thrips, and funuaj the plants if this pest is suspected.