THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9184, 13 October 1888, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 20. The preparation of hills or places for the sowing of cucumbers, rockmelons, watermelons, piemelons, marrows, and pumpkins must now be proceeded with. In light dry soils and warm situations the sowing of marrows and pumpkins has been previously recommended. For cucumbers and rockmelons holes should be prepared about six feet apart. In making the holee take out the surface spifc. The diameter of each should be from two to three feet. Fork or loosen up the subsoil, throw in two or three forksful of well-rotted manure, return the surface soil first taken out, and thoroughly mix, so as to incorporate the manure and soil well together ; cover with two inches of line soil, and finally sow the seed. About a dozen seeds to each hill is usually recommended, but it is well to sow more to allow for some not germinating or being taken by slugs when coming up. Better to put in a good number, as it is easier to thin out, leaving three or four of the strongest plants to each heap, than to have to re-sow and often lose the season. Melons should not be quite as highly manured as cucumbers. In the selection of varieties, hardy sorts should be chosen. Hills for watermelons should be prepared in the same manner, allowing a distance of from six to eight teet apart. Sow a dozen seeds to each. There are several varieties of this delicious fruit, all of which do well. But the scaly bark, a comparatively new sort, is deserving of special mention. Black Spanish is a good old sort, and Cuban Queen produces melons of an enormous size, the flesh being solid, bright, red, crisp, and juicy. Hills for piemelons must be prepared at a greater distance apart, as they are strong growers. Twelve feet is a suitable distance. If the soil is in good order they do not require much manure. There are two varieties usually grown hero: the citron, a smooth, round variety, marbled with green ; and the other a long, large, oval sort of a yellowish-green colour. Both are good, and most productive. Harrows and pumpkins may be sown in hills eight to twelve feet apart, prepared as recommended for melons, and well manured. The crown is about the best pumpkin to sow for table use, being a suitable size, and flesh, when cooked, dry and mealy. Pumpkins are suitable subjects for sowing where the ground has become foul with weeds, as the same can be forked up between the hills before the plants commence to run, and afterwards the plants form a dense mass of foliage and smother the weeds. Before finishing with the melon family I may mention that by using the term "sow in hills" it is not intended to mean that the ground should be raised to u mound and the seeds sown upon same, as I believe this method to be a mistake in this climate. Instead of raising mounds the holes, when prepared, should be on a level, or slightly below the surrounding surface. By this means the plants are not so exposed to the winds, and the ground keeps more moist. A good plan to protect melons when coming up is to obtain hand-lights made for the purpose. These may bo procured from the Timber Company. Tomatoes may now be planted into their permanent places. Put out into rows, six feet apart from row to row, and three and a-half feeb between each plant in the rows. This will allow sufficient distance for future staking and draining. Seedling onions may also be transplanted into rows from lifteen to eighteen inches apart, and six inches between the plants in rows. In planting be careful nob to put in deep, otherwise they will not bulb well, but form long necks. Peas, beans, potatoes, and other crops must be earthed up as they require it. Continue to sow different crops for succession to meet requirements. Attend well to thinning out carrots, turnips, parsnips, beet, &c. Keep the hoe constantly at work amongst growing crops in order to destroy weeds; loosen the surface, and admit air and warmth. This operation is '■ a wonderful aid to growtfe* j

THE GREENHOUSE. The spring is alway a busy time in thiß department. The plants require a general overhaul, and re-potting is in most cases necessary. This should be done as soon as possible, as growth is already active. See that the pots are well washed before potting ; plants thrive much better in clean than dirty pots. The woodwork of the house should be well washed with a strong insecticide. This will destroy many insect peste that make a harbour in the woodwork during the winter. The operation of potting is very simple, though numbers of plants are lost by amateurs through overpotting. Many seem to think the larger the pot in which the plant is potted the larger will be the specimen. This in most cases is fatal to plants, unless in the hands of an experienced man. The time to re-pot plants is shown by the roots curling around the ball; this is easily seen by the growers. It should then bo shifted into a size larger pot—that is, if growing in a five-inch, shift into six-inch, and so on ; but in no case shift from small to large pots if you want to be successful in growing plants. Let the pots be well drained. Pot moderately firm, leaving- sufficient space on top of che pots to hold enough water to thoroughly soak the soil. Ferns require to be potted firmly. These should be at once potted, unless already done. The soil best suited for ferns is two parts turfy loam, two leaf mould (or peat), and one sand. Aspleniums, lomarias - blechnums, pteris, and a few other strong - rooted varieties require a little stiffer soil. Tuberous rooted begonias will now be starting into growth. There are few summer (lowering plants that make a more beautiful display than begonias. They are easily grown when once the bulbs are obtained, and with ordinary care continue to flower profusely the whole summer. In England these are extensively used for outside bedding, and make a grand display. They will also do well here where a plentiful supply of water is at hand. In potting, the soil should be fairly rich. Careful watering is very important until the bulbs have started into growth. Gloxineas: Re-pot into larger pots as they require it. This is another lovely class of flower plants, and should be grown by everyone having a greenhouse. Cinerarias, azaleas, shrubby begonias, Gesneria Cooperii, and abutilons are now at their best. These are most useful spring flowering plants, aud if nicely arranged with palms, draccenias, and other foliage plants, give the house a very gay appearance. The dwarf abutilons are a very valuable class of plants for inside culture, being perpetually in flower. Boule de Niege produces white flowers, Eclipse orange scarlet, Monsieur Marignae pale pink, and Golden Fleece bright golden ; these are lovely free-flowering varieties, and contrast well with other flowers. Repot pelargoniums as they advance in growth. These should shortly be showing [lower ; keep near the glass, in airy situation, and water occasionally with liquid manure. Coleus will now make rapid growth ; re-pot when necessary, but bear in mind that coleus keep better colour when the roots are confined. Close the house early in the afternoon. Syringe freely and damp the floor of the house. Kepos.