THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18415, 22 May 1920, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR IRE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN/ Seeds to sow.—Cabbage, cauliflower 1 , onions (for salad). What to plant.—Cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce. Asparagus beds should be put in order for the winter. Cut the top--growths off quite close to the ground, remove all weeds, and if any seeds nave fallen from the asparagus remove them. A draw boo will enable you to get all that there are. If some of the loose soil is away it will not, harm the roots, but might prove useful to them, especially it the bed nas been heavily manured during' the past. These annuri dressings tend to bury the crowns deeper to an is necessary, and by removing the loose soil the roots are kept nearer to the surface. This may seem a very unimportant item in the management, hut it is one that affects the crop in two ways. The greater the depth of soil on the crowns the later they begin to send up their new shoots in the spring. This means much of those who market their produce, and to those who use it at home, because it is the'earliest “ grass ” that commands the best price in the open market, and at home the first dish is tile most valued. Then there is the question of flavour. Where the crowns are buried rather deep the heads do not possess so much flavour as those from crowns that are quite near the surface. Where new teds are to be planted prepare ..the ground as soon as possible, break it up deep and work it several times to bring the soil into a sweet and mellow condition. When selecting a site for the lied choose one in a warm sunny position, where all surplus water can get away readily. Asparagus roots are often weakened, and sometimes killed, by too much water about their roots, especially during 1 the winter when the plants are dormant. Hence the necessity of selecting a well drained position. Make sure the ground- is free from' twitch, docks, dandelions and all perennial weeds. Once the bed is planted it is almost impossible to remove these weeds without doing serious injury to the asparagus. Don't bo in a hurry to transplant the roots. The best season for planting asparagus is at the end of July and duripg August, just as the plants are starting into their new season's growth. Don’t plant old roots. This is verv important, because old roots are liable to rot instead of making a strong growth, after being transplanted. Hoots that are more than three years old should not be used. Probably the best and most satisfactory beds are those on which the seeds are sewn, and the roots never transplanted. This means that we have *9 wait some two or three seasons before there • aro heads for use, but the wait is worth while. If in a hurry, obtain a number of three-year-old plants and form a, temporary bed for cutting until the seeds are thoroughly established in the permanent bed. HARDY FRUITS. Late varieties of apples and pears will need attention. Some are quite ready for harvesting, while others would benefit if left on the trees a little longer. Sturmer pippins and French crab should be left on the trees as long as possible. St'trmerß will improve in flavour and quality, and French crabs will increase in weight and keeping qualities. This advice is only general, because in some gardens conditions may obtain that would cause these fruits to mature much earlier than under ordinary conditions. Therefore, only local experience can decide the exact date for gathering these fruits- They are valuable now and in three months’ time should be of greater value. Do not carry them in bags or soft kits, because they press against each other, and bruise the skin. Tliis may be hardly perceptible now, but once the “ pulp ” is bruised decomposition begins, and in a few weeks all bruised fruits will begin to rot. Use strong wicker or wood baskets, and do not put too many in each. Do ro; store the fruits in over big quantities in canes, barrels, or heaps. FLOWER GARDEN. Autumn Tints.—Visitors from H.M S. ltonown have expressed their admiration at the beauty of “ autumn tints ” in Canterbury. “Is tbat a guelder rose? I have never seen one as beautiful in England.” exclaimed one. Another declared that the mountain ash is much more gorgeous in its colouring here than in the Old Countiy. Is this possible, or do we take moro particular notice of things abroad than in our own gardens? Probably we should plant more of these beautiful tinted subjects' Six goods kinds are: —Amelanchie-, guelder rose, Japanese cherries, mountain ash liquidamber and red oak. These six thrive in most toils and situations, and give a great feast of colour in the autumn. The amelanchier, guelder :ose and Japanese cherry also give a wealth of blossom in the spring. Why is it that so many less decorative shrubs are planted ? Is it because those who make the selection for the gardens axe not acquainted with these more beautiful plants P Take the guelder rose. It i$ well-known and inexpensive. It gives a wealth of white blossoms in the spring, and gloricMs autumn tints. Japanese cherries have the same attributes, but need more space because they grow into larger trees. The liquidamber is a rather slow-growing tree, but one of the most beautiful for its autumn colouring. Its leaves are very much like a maple, and remain on the trees after the leaves of most other deciduous kinds have fallen. The mountain ash is too well known to require any description. It grows into a fairly big tree, and should be planted where it can develop into a natural shaped specimen, and not crowded between a number of evergreen trees.