THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8664, 5 September 1891, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

THIS FLOWER GARDEN*. Annuals and biennials : It is now time to sow many of the hardy varieties of these. There are now so many improvements in annuals, both in habit of growth and profuseness and long duration of blooming, that, by a judicious selection and arrangement, a continuous display may be kept up throughout the summer and autumn. • Animals are a pleasing change to the sameness that is produced when bedding plants alone are employed for the ornamentation of the various beds. The trouble entailed in sowing the seeds and the successful raising of the seedlings often deters many from cultivating annuals. There is considerable care required to be successful in raising them when sown in the open beds and borders. Slugs are the greatest trouble whilst the plants are in the seedling state. The best preventive against these pests is to sprinkle a little lime mixed with wood ashes and soot around the patches. There are a few sorts that slugs will nob attack. Where there are the necessary conveniences, such as frames or pjlass houses, the best plan is to raise many of the varieties by sowing the seed in pans or boxes. This, of course, entails much more labour than when sown outside, but is a surer method of raising the kinds that are .suitable.'There are several that are not adapted for transplanting ; these must bo sown where they are intended to remain. There are now ample opportunities to purchase seedling annuals that have been grown in boxes, and are offered for sale by the seedsmen. This is a great convenience to those who may not have the necessary appliances for raising, or who do nob care about the trouble of sowing themselves. There is sometimes an objection to these plants that are offered for sale, as the raisers are often too eager to have the plants ready before the proper season for planting, which causes disappointment to the purchaser. Asters and stocks should be planted early to obtain the best results. Antirrhinums, acroclinums, rhodanthe, wallflowers, saponaria, silena, dianthus, and elichrysum are also better planted early. Nemophillis and poppies should bo sown early and in the ground, as they do not transplant successfully. There is plenty of time to sow tender annuals, the early part of next month being the best. Portulaeca and petunias should now be sown in pans or boxes under the protection of a frame, KITCHEN GARDEN. The splendid weather experienced during the week has given ample opportunity for cropping and keeping the ground stirred and clean amongst the seedling crops. The weather, too, gives a good chance to keep down slugs. By sprinkling a little lime broadcast over the ground about nine o'clock at night, when they are out, destroys an immense number, and if persisted in occasionally little damage will be done by these troublesome pests, and the garden will be kept fairly free from them for a considerable time. The earthing up the various crops that require it and attending to 'keep the ground clean and occasionally stirred, and the sowing of peas and planting of cabbage, lettuce, etc., for succession occupies the attention of the gardener at the present time. Attend to seedling tomatoes, and prick out into boxes as soon as the plants are sufficiently advanced. [THE VINERY. The work of disbudding, tying, stopping, and with many of the early started vines thinning of the bunches will require almost daily attention. The weather during the past month has been unusually warm and favourable for vines in all stages of growth. Even the latest started vines are fast breaking leaf. The greatest care must be exercised in ventilating, particularly with vines that are well advanced. Do not allow the' temperature to rise too high during the day; the nights are still very cold, and it is almost impossible to keep up the temperature during the night without the aid of artificial heat. Give a little air early on all bright warm days, and gradually admit more as the heat increases. Close the house fairly early in the afternoon, and while the sun has sufficient power to raise a nice moist .atmosphere. Late vines will now require disbuddingthat is, removing ' all weak shoots that start around the base

of each fruiting lateral. : If more than one strong lateral starts from-ono spur, it is sable to leave the two to grow; until the bunches can bo seen, then the one » Li,« the weakest, <* smallest bunch, Kid be removed. If more ' h «° one bunch is produced on one lateral, one Kid be removed as soon pro,loee bo„ehes ?£& K » impossible t° 17 J™ any rule as to the quantity of giapes a vine should carry. The condition of the vines and the treatment they recoive wi rculftto what Amount of fruit the vine. are able to perfect, lb is not always the •rreatcst number of bunches, that produce the greatest weight of fruit. I consider the greatest judgment is required as to the quantity of bunches each vine should carry, as no vines are able to carry and perfect more than a certain quantity, I have seen houses with vines laden with grapes, but scarcely a jW .proper v matured. My advice is, by all means «iv old overcropping. Give the borders a good thick mulching with long stable manure. This helps to retain an even and genial moisture at the roots, and will save a lot of labour in watering. CAMIiLLIA and spring shows. The forthcoming exhibition, to be held next Saturday, in the Newmarket Hall, promises to be a very great success. Ihe weather during the winter has been all that could be desired for the majority ot spring flowers and bulbs. The committee appointed to arrange and carry out the show have been most indefatigable m their endeavours to give the public a floral treat, lb only remains with growers to am them in giving their assistance in entering and staging as manv exhibits as possible. There is a liberal schedule so arranged as to meet all classes of growers. The cot* tager, with bis limited number of plants or flowers, has an equal chance with the larger ancl professional growers. Entries wiff be received at Messrs. Hesketh and Co. 's, Queen-street; or at Mr. Hogg's, Newmarket; or may be posted to the hon. secretary, box 327, not later than Thursday, 10th September. Kepos.