THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9581, 4 August 1894, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

General operations in the flower garden are still at a standstill, owing to the wet condition of the soil. Seize the first opportunity to hasten on and complete all arrangements that necessitate the removal of any tree 3 and shrubs that require to be replanted into other positions. From present indications the spring promises to set in very early. The buds of deciduous trees are rapidly swelling, and some are already busting into growth. The pruning of all roses should be completed during the early part of this month. Camellias, too, that have done flowering and require to be pruned, should be attended to at once. The bushes are greatly benefited by being thinned when the growth has become dense and thick. Judicious thinning out of the branches that crowd the centre of the plants admits light and air, as well as induces new growths, and helps to keep the plants freer from thrips and other insect pests that attack the foliage of camellias. In planting young camellias be careful nob to allow manure to come in contact with the roots ; many plants are destroyed in this way. No manure at all should be applied at the time of planting, and not until the roots have taken good hold of the ground and the plants have grown a good size, should manorial stimulants be applied. Leaf mould or rotten turf mixed with the soil is what they delight in. Some of the early flowering varieties of rhododendrous are now in full bloom, and present a gorgeous sight, and well repay for any extra trouble that may be required in the preparation of the : soil. To provide a suitable compost for the roots to thrive in, turfy loam, leaf mould, I and peat are necessary ingredients to keep the plants in the most flourishing condition. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. Asparagus: During the beginning of the present month is about the best time to make new plantations of this favourite vegetable. The beds for the reception of the roots should have been properly laid out and prepared, as recommended during the autumn, when the land was dry and in fit condition for such work. Ground best suited for asparagus should neither be too light nor too heavy. In close proximity to the sea, where the land is chiefly composed ot sand and naturally porous and moist, this vegetable grows to perfection. Full instructions having previously been given as to the preparation of the beds to ensure satisfactory results, provided the ground has been properly treated, it should after the first few fine days be forked over to eradicate weeds, and pulverise and be in readiness for planting. The mosb suitable sized beds are those in which three rows can be planted, allowing 18 inches apart between the plauts in the rows and 12 to 15 inches apart between each row, arranging the plants alternately. In planting draw wide drills about' four inches deep, spread the roots well out, cutting back any that are at. all injured or damaged, and fill in with fine soil, carefully working it in around , the roots. The reason that I advocate the planting of asparagus now is that growth will soon be active, and fresh roots will be quickly made, whereas when planted in the autumn or depth of the winter many of the roots are liable to rot and materially injure the crowns. Besides, the soil is sure to be beaten down hard by the heavy winter rains. Established beds should now receive a good dressing of well-rooted manure, lightly forked into the surface. And in about a couple of weeks' moderate dressing of salt lightly scattered over the surface should be applied. This not only acts as a manure, but also helps to keep down weeds, as well as adding moisture to the soil. Work in the kitchen garden musb now be actively pushed ahead. The early crop of potatoes should be planted as soon as the land is in fit condition for working. THE GREENHOUSE. " .. Work in this department should now be well advanced. The recent heavy rains have rendered outdoor gardening almost impossible, so that every opportunity has been given for potting, cleaning, and giving the house a good overhaul. Every plant that has been kept in pots through the winter should be re-potted before the plants start into active growth, using clean pots with plenty of drainage. Shake the old soil free from the roots, and place the plants in as small pots as is consistent with the size of the roots. Ferns are already developing their young fronds, and should be the first to receive attention. The soil best) suited for ferns varies somewhat according to the varieties. Adiantums, nephrolepis, chielanthes, and all very fine-rooting varieties thrive best in rich, light, sandy soil, while aspleniums, lomariaa, pteris, fclechnums, and other strong-rooting kinds grow best in soils of a stiffer ; nature. In potting on growing plants shift only from one size to the next, viz., from four-inch pots to five, and so on. Great numbers, of plants are killed by being over-potted, persons being under the impression that the larger pots the plants are placed in the quicker they will grow, whilst the reverse is the case— the smaller shift the plants receive the. more quickly they grow, so long as they receive proper care and attention, and are potted on when they require it. Bulbs that have been stored away for the winter should be looked over and brought) out

- ready for starting. Gloxinias are already on the move. These should receive a little water and be placed in a warm, close part of the . house. Cinerarias, calceolarias, primulas, cyclamens, and other early spring flowering plants will require potting, on from time to time as the plants advance in growth. Some of the more forward ilants should receive an occasional waterng with manure water, increasing the quantity as the plants; come into flower. In addition to the general work of potting there is much that needs to be done at this season. Cuttings of the various plants required for out-door decorating must be put in. Seeds, too, of annuals that are indispensable for making a display during the . early . spring and ; summer months require to be sown; whilst stocks, asters, and other early-sown plants require pricking off into , boxes ready for transplanting out in the borders as soon as the weather is favourable. . ' In a little American work by F. W. Temper, designated "Injurious Insects and the Use of Insecticides," consisting of 216 pave-, much valuable information is contained, the chapter on insecticides being very interesting. - The Americans make great use of arsenical solutions, which many persons are diffident of employing, on account of their poisonous qualities. The author of the work shows that owing to the extremely minute amount which attaches ! to the fruits or vegetable there is no danger if the proper precautions are used. It would seem at first glance that the use of an arsenical poison upon a plant like a cabbage would be very unsafe to recommend. Yet Paris green and London, purple are used upon the crops to kill the several species of leaf-eating worms which are so destructive to it, and an absolute absence of all danger where the application has been properly made ; has been recently shown. Where the green is dusted from a bag in the proportion to loz of poison to 2oz of flour and just enough applied to each kind to make a show of dust on the leaves, say for 28 heads of cabbage loz of the/mixture, the worms will all be killed in the course of two or three days, while the average amount of poison in each kind will be about one-seventh of a grain, and an individual would have to eat 20 heads of cabbage to consume a poisonous dose of arsenic, Kepos.