THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR WEEK ENDING AUGUST 18. KITCHEN GARDEN* NOTES. The present is a busy time in this department. Unusually fine and mild weather gives promise of a very early spring, consequently the sowing and planting of the various crops must be carried on with despatch. Proceed with the planting of potatoes, the kidney varieties being the best. The fluke kidney has the preference, being a splendid sort for the table, and a hardy and most productive yielder. Select medium size sets, and plant without cutting. For very early use, the ash-leaved kidney is most recommended. Put out a few rows of cabbages and cauliflowers. In order to produce good tender heads, these should be planted in tolerably rich ground : avoid planting on ground recently occupied by the same family ; give the plants plenty of room, as nothing is gained by overcrowding. Make successional sowings of peas as required. It is rather early for sowing kidney beans unless in very favourable situations. When these are sown too earl}', they remain stationary, and have not sufficient vigour to resist attacks of slugs. Carrots : Sow a few drills, in order to keep a good supply fresh and tender for table use ; do not sow too many at one time. Before sowing the seed, the surface of the ground should be raked level. Draw shallow drills from 12 to 15 inches apart, carefully and evenly distribute seed, cover drills and rake the whole surface smooth and level. Onions : Now is the best time to sow for main crop ; by sowing early, an opportunity is afforded for making a fresh sowing should first crop prove a failure, which is often the case either , through untoward weather or destruction of the young seedlings by slugs. The planting out of autumn-sown onions may be deferred for a few weeks. The seed of onions may be sown rather thickly, as it is easier to thin out than to resow. Turnips : Successional sowings of best table varieties should be made every three weeks. Do not sow seed too thick to save trouble in thinning, as so much else has to be done that the thinning is often neglected, and the crop is often a failure, the turnips not having sufficient room to develop. Salading: The different sorts, such as mustard, cress, and radishes, sow fortnightly ; plant out a few lettuces, and sow a little more seed. Earth up advancing crop of broad beans, also cabbages and cauliflowers. Horseradish deserves to be much more largely grown than hitherto; it being an excellent relish, it should be much in demand for culinary purposes. Any portions of the roots will form crowns and grow. A good way to plant is to trench a piece of ground deeply and make holes with a round stick and drop a crown into each ; make holes about one foot apart in the rows and two feet between each row. Rhubarb : Replant roots taken up as previously recommended, transfer to fresh ground that has been deeply worked and trenched. A mistake is often made by putting the crowns too deep in the ground. Cover the crown to a depth of about three inches. Tomatoes : Seedlings, if sufficiently advanced, may be pricked out into boxes, to have same in readiness for planting out. THE ORCHARD. The planting of trees in this department should now be completed. The extremely mild weather of the last few weeks is starting the sap into activity, and many trees are bursting into leaf, giving promise of a very early spring. All newly-planted trees should be staked to prevent injury being done to them by the action of the wind. This should be done by driving two stakes firmly into the ground on each side of the trees, and where the stakes meet the trees, hay-bands or pieces of sacking should be bound around the stem to prevent chafing the bark. The trees should be well mulched with long manure four or five inches-deep. This protects the earth above the roots against drying and baking with wind and sun, retains the requisite moisture, and obviates the necessity of watering. All pruning should now be completed as soon as possible. In pruning, carefully select grafts from the very best and well-tried varieties for grafting any old or unremunerative trees that may have been

headed down. After the pruning is completed, a wide circle around each tree should be dug up, and receive a good supply of stimulating food, to be washed in with the spring rains. A good supply of fresh manure is the best. This acts as a mulch during the dry weather. But where this is not obtainable, bonedust or wood ashes are very beneficial. The trees should receive a good dressing of fresh-slaked lime. This should be cast well up into the branches on a damp day, or in the mornings while the dew is on the trees. Lime is invaluable for the destruction of moss, lichen, and most all parasite growth, and destroys many insects that are a plague to the fruit-growers. Another good method (and one I prefer) is to lime wash the stem and branches as far up into the tree as possible with strong lime wash. This penetrates well into the loose bark, and destroys the larvae of many insects that are destructive to fruit. Camellia Show.—The camellia show to be held to-day in the Newmarket Hall, under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society of Auckland, will no doubt prove a floral treat to the lovers of this favourite flower. Judging from the number of entries, and from the interest taken by intending exhibitors, and by the public of Newmarket, this promises to be a most succcessful exhibition. The society are taking a new departure in holding intermediate shows at places outside the city. The residents of Newmarket show their usual liberality by offering a number of special prizes, which no doubt will bring out keen competition. The society intends holding other similar shows in the city and Ponsonby. As is the usual custom, the exhibits will be sold, together with a number of pot-plants kindly presented by several members of the society. It is to be hoped the public will show their appreciation, and support the committee, who have I worked most diligently in the endeavour to make a good show. Kepos.