THE CARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9088, 23 June 1888, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE CARD

OPERATIONS FOR WEEK ENDING

JUNE 30. KITCHEN* GARDEN.

Rhubarb roots should now bo trenched out of the ground, and have all soil that may bo attached to them shaken off. They should be placed close together on the surface of the ground, keeping the crowns uppermost. Allow them to remain thus exposed to the weather during the winter ; replant again in the spring, putting in a small quantity for early use before planting for the main crop. This method of annually taking up rhubarb roots and allowing them to remain exposed is beneficial in many ways. It affords an opportunity for changing the beds and of eradicating weeds that could nob be touched while the crowns are in tho ground, and also of examining the roots to ascertain whether they aro all sound, as well as giving them a good season of rest. After this treatment, when replanted again in good rich soil, they start into quick, vigorous growth, and produce a plentiful supply throughout the growing season. Allowing the crowns to remain in the ground year after year, without taking them up, causes tho soil to become sour and foul with weeds, and is, without doubt, the principal reason for the unsuccessful cultivation of this crop in the gardens of the many. A sowing of broad beans may now be made. The best method of sowing is to draw two drills, about three inches deep and from six to nine inches apart. Sow seed from six to eight inches apart in the rows, arranging them alternately for broad and long-podded beans, the double-row system is preferable. With the exception of attending to growing crops and thinning out where necessary, and earthing up such as cabbage, cauliflower, and other coleworts, and keeping walks clean, little else will be required at this season. FLOWER GARDEN.

The many varieties of bulbs that , are through the ground require attention at the present time. All weeds should be carefully removed to give them a better chance, and to lessen tl\e harbour for slugs. A dusting of coal ashes is an excellent material for placing around hyacinths, tulips, etc. The flower stems of hyacinths aro very liable to be destroyed by slugs. The ashes will assist them in warding them off. The many varieties of narcissus are not much subject to the attack of insects, and are generally able to take care of themselves. Cyclamens aro now coming into bloom. These are the most useful of all our bulbous-rooted plants. They are hardy and of easy culture. They produce a profusion of blooms at a time when other flowers are scarce, 'and, in addition, have another point in their favourthat is, they are not subject to the attack of slugs, so destructive to most small bedding plants during the winter and early spring. Some seed of nemophilla may now be sewn. This is a pretty annual, but must be.sown early, in order to bloom it in early spring. Saponaria culabrica is another annual that may now be sown.

THE VINERY.

The vinery should now receive a thorough overhaul. Most of the early varieties of grapes will now be in a dormant, state, having lost their leaves. As soon as the leaves have fallen from the vine thoy should be pruned. Many differ as to tho proper time to prune vines ; but I have found the safest time to prune as soon as the leaves have fallen naturally from the vine. The sap has then returned, and there is no danger of the vines bleeding. But, if left for a few weeks after they have become dormant, a week or two of fine weather often starts the sap into activity, the season of rest being so short. After pruning the house should be kept ppen as much as possible to give them the benefit of a thorough rest before thoy are again started. The house should be thoroughly cleaned throughout with strong insecticide to destroy insects. The mealy bug is the greatest enemy of the vine-growers, and when once it becomes installed in the vinery it is very difficult to eradicate. But every means should be used in winter, when strong insecticides may bo employed without injury to the vines, to destroy this horrid pest. When the house is being cleaned the vines should be covered or taken outside. This will allow the insecticide to be used at any strength without injury to the vines.

DECIDUOUS TREES. ' It is remarkable what a scarcity of deciduous trees there are to be seen in any of the gardens around Auckland. The monotonous green of the Pinus insignus and other evergreen trees seem unbroken by any of the more beautiful deciduous trees. And yet in spring, summer, and autumn no trees can furnish us with such a splendid variety of shades and tints as some of the deciduous trees. If planters would but note the lovely spring and autumnal changes in the foliage of many deciduous trees and plant accordingly, they would create a much more beautiful effect in their gardens. With care, too, the summer tints might be made to harmonise. Trees with totally different habits might be chosen according to the position in which they are to be planted. Nothing can be more beautiful than the delicate tints of deciduous trees in spring when bursting into leaf, the many shades of green during summer, and the gorgeous colours of the foliage of many of the varieties in autumn. Some of the American oaks are among the best for autumn effecb. Quercus rubra, Qucrcus tintoria, and Quercus coccinea are very striking, their decaying foliage being of a dark crimson colour. Rhus succedania (or Chinese wax-tree) is a most beautiful tree in autumn, the leaves turning to a bright red colour, giving the tree a most brilliant appearance. The Liquidamber (or sweet gum) is another handsome tree, the leaves in autumn turning orange, scarlet, and dull purplish colours. The star-like leaves, when well-coloured, are very handsome. Then there is the golden ash, the tulip tree (Leriodendron tulipiferum), deciduous cypress (Taxodium distichum), and many varieties of acers producing various shades of colours, and many others that are worthy of a place, and would give good eflect and greatly enhance the beauty of our gardens. Kepos.