THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8986, 25 February 1888, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR WEEK ENDING MARCH 3. KITCHEN GARDEN". Recent rains and cool weather have had a refreshing effect in this department, and given an opportunity for making sowings of carrots and turnips for winter supply, also winter spinach, and for putting out cabbage and cauliflower plants. Enfield Market is about the moat useful variety of cabbage, and Veitche's Autumn Giant the only cauliflower worth planting at this season. The plants should tie dibbled into hollows, so that they may receive the full benefit of water when applied. Previous to planting, well dust the plants with soot and slacked lime mixed together in equal proportions. This has a beneficial effect, in checking the fly. During the last few years it has been almost impossible to save the plants from the fly. This season, probably owing to cooler weather, this pest has not been so troublesome. Seedling turnips above ground should also be dusted with soot and lime to save them from fly., Now is a good time to sow a small bed of cabbage and cauliflower for succossional plantings. Earth-up celery when the plants are about a foot high, tie a piece of flax or cord around each plant so as to keep the leaves and stems nicely together, carefully place well-pulverised soil around each plant, removing the ties afterwards. Melons are now looking much better, the rain and cool nights having greatly checked the aphis which previously threatened destruction to the plants. Watermelons are now growing vigorously, but will be very late in maturing their fruit. MIXED BORDERS AND SHRUBBERY. Now is a good time to take note of the different subjects that are in bloom at this season when there is a scarcity of shrubs in flower. Escallonia floribunda is now a profusion of white blossoms produced in heads at the tips of the shoots. This is a most useful shrub ; it is hardy and stands the winds well. Jacaranda mimoscefolia is a gorgeous flowering small tree, not so hardy as the former. Tamarix gallica, the flowering Cyprus, is now very showy with pink flowers. The foliage of this species is most graceful and elegant; is also useful for a green for mixing amongst cut flowers. Yucca filamentosa may also be seen in flower. This plant is well suited for planting singly on lawns and grass plots. Abelia floribunda, a dwarf-growing shrub, |is now in full flower. This is a most desirable shrub, as it continues in bloom for so long a period. Tritonia uvaria, " The Queen's Lily," is a showy border plant, producing spikes of bloom. Bignonia grandiflora, Bignonia jasminoides, and Bongainvillea glabra are amongst the most showy climbers now in bloom. THE GREEN-HOUSE. Glorinias and other bulbous or tuberous plants that have done flowering should be watered sparingly, so as to gradually dry them off and ripen the bulb. Tydceas, Gesnerias, and Eucadonias are now coming into flower. These are a very useful class of plants, producing abundance of beautiful flowers and fine rich velvety foliage. Achemenes and tuberous-rooted Begonias continue to flower profusely, and are undoubtedly the best of all flowering plants at this season for making a good display, being very easy to cultivate and such profuse bloomers. In foliage plants, Alocasias, Marantas, Dracoenas, Anthurimus, Pandanus, and Palms, are at their best. These beautiful foliage plants have a boldness and distinctiveness of character that renders them indispensable for green-house decoration, when among flowering plants, when tastefully arranged, they produce a pleasing and striking effect. Ferns are now making rapid growth, and will require an abundance of moisture ; re-pot into larger pots according to requirements. " Chinese Primulas," as soon as plants are large enough to handle, pick Off into shallow pans or boxes. Pot early-sown plants into small pots and place in cool, shady parts of house, or in a frame. Make a sowing of Cinerarias and Herbaceous Colceolarias. The caterpillar that is so troublesome to plantgrowers at this season of the year is now making its appearance. This pest can be kept almost entirely from the house with careful ventilation, if air is only admitted

from the top of the house, and the door kept closed. I have a green-house that I can only ventilate from the top, and in this house the caterpillar hardly ever makes its appearance, although in another house close by, which is ventilated from the side, the caterpillars are always very troublesome. Erratum. —In last week's "Flower Garden" " Clian thus "should read " Ceanothus."

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A. L., Avondale: The best method of sowing both p&is and beans to ensure success during very dry weather is to sow in trenches and not earth up. By adopting this plan the rows may be easily watered. I have found it answer admirably. The strong flavour in parsnips, so objectionable to many, may be averted in a great measure by sowing the seed during the summer instead of early spring, as is the rule. A sowing made in December will produce delicate, well-flavoured parsnips. I would advise you to try a small patch next season in December, or end of November. "Enquirer": According to your statement, I consider your grapes are in a very satisfactory condition, and will colour well, though you have made a mistake by allowing some of your laterals to grow up to the glass, and consequently impede the free circulation of air from the bottom to the top ventilators. You must shorten them by degrees, taking care not to take too much off at one time. But on no account interfere with the main leaves. Grapes always colour best under a good covering of healthy foliage. Kepos.