GARDENING NOTES

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 286, 3 December 1915, Page 3

GARDENING NOTES

[Specially Written for The Express.]

There is not much new work to bo r'.one this month, althcnigh Jill gardeners should bo kept busy in destroying woods nud planting fcr sneoession. Tlic. !:>st of tho tail varirtios of peas slionSil be planted p.s .soon as possible; but the dwarf varieties may be sown for another month •.)!■ '-ix weeks yet. Another s-owiiiig or bro.id beans should be made, mik! it is not too late for a few rows oi' the dwarf varieties of French and butter be;uis.

Although wo have had a few showers, the high winds which liavc prevailed

have had the effect of keeping the soil near the suriace in a dry condition, and this is adverse to the germination of seeds, especially small ones. However, horticulturists are advised to put in a few raws of Early Horn carrots, round or globe-rcoted beet, turnips, spinach, lettuce, and radish. A small solving of onions may also bo made for autumn aalading, and leeks should l>e got in for late winter use. Tomatoes that have not been frosted should be making vigorous growth, jmd if the single standard method of cultivation =is adopted, all laterals should bo pinched off closo to the stalk", and the leaves thinned so as to give the sun a chance to shine on the fruit, which in many cases is now setting. The leaves should not be wholly removed, for it is not good to have the fruit (absolutely exposed. Keep the ground moist around the roots, and tie up the stalks as occasion requires. The season for cutting asparagus is now over, and the stalks should be allowed to run to .seed ; but there is no need to lot the seod ripen unless it is desired for sowing, a.s when the berries drop o:i the surface of the bed a lot. of small n-hints result, and these do not ::dd to the productiveness of the older pbuits. It is very iiezenSixry that a l] weeds should be removed so 'tlrat there- will biv a clean bed next npring. If the wfv.ther is :v. t> all suitable mbbage- c'.im! broweoli should bo transplanted. Thos who planted oub the succession c:'>.b!>;:ge. when advised to do so in iheve columns are finding that the pi ants are making good lieadway, and the cabbages should be ready for ■■mi ing within the- next eight or ton weeks. Readers tiro advised not. to delay ike n'r.nting of their Savoy cabbage, as this variety is sonuvhat slow in coming to maturity, and ihilws planted enrly will come in in the spring instead of ■'ho win tor. A few rod cabbages for pii-kling arc dosii-iiblo. The. i>!anting of oclery should not h<> delayed. If one c;m obtain, sturdy plants thoro is •.!;•- 'liflVrulfy in getting thorn et-MMi.-i!. Tho t-reivh should be- wc-ll mauurv.Hl and thoroughly soaked with wctcr boi'oi'c the plants nrc put in. Jl' the sun is fierce, lay a beard a Ion;-1: the trench to keep off tlu v rays <.luri;i!!; ihe hotiest part of the day. and there will lie little -•'urth'T troul)!o , watering at frequent interv.-.ls, however, is esseiitial for speedy growth.