THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10019, 4 January 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Now that the holidays are over, active work in the garden must bo resumed. Little change has taken place during the past fortnight, dry weather and almost tropical hoat has prevailed, consequentlywoeds have not had a chance bo grow, and many of the plants are stationary for want of moisture. Thero is a great falling off in the floral did play, except in gardens thab are regularly and well watered. Lawns, too, are becoming parched and dry. Surface rooting plants, and many of the annuals that need copious waterings during such weather as we have had, will suffer if left without moisture. Dahlias and chrysanthemums must be watered to keep them in a growing and healthy condition. The staking and tying up of tho plants will be ono of the first requirements. Dahlias should have a neat strong stake driven in closo to the stem of each plant. Chrysanthemums, when grown in beds and the plants arranged in rows, need a trellis erected to support thorn, and when they aro planted separately here and thero in the borders a single stake to each will bo sufficient. Black fly is now prevalent ; tho plants should be syringed with a solution of soft soap and tobacco water, as previously recommended, alter the staking and syringing has been attondod to, and tho superfluous growths removed. The ground between the rows and around the plants should be deeply hoed, and all rough lumps broken preparatory to mulching with a thick dressing of manure. Other portions of tho garden should be deeply hoed. It is surpris ing the effect this has in bringing up moisture from below, and keeping the soil in a good state of cultivation. TUB KITCHEN GARDEN. Dwarf beans, peas, turnips, and many other crops are now suffering from want of moisture. The recent thundor showers wore only local, and beyond wotting the surface and refreshing the plants, little benefit was effected. The soil has become very dry, much more so than ono would expect considering the heavy rainfall and wet state of tho land throughout the spring. The sudden change from rainy to almost tropical heat and drought has produced a wonderful effect in drawing bhe moisture from the laud. It would take 12 hours or more steady rain to be of much service at this season when the atmosphere and soil are so dry. Operations In this department are of a routine character, and chiefly confined to hoeing to keep weeds down and the surface soil in a good state of cultivation. By frequently stirring tho soil and breaking rough lumps the moisture from below is brought up by tho atmospheric action. The training of tomatoes will require attention, thinning out superfluous growths and tying the loading growths to their supports. Dig out trenches for celery and leek plants. lb is better to defor the planting until after a good rain. As soon as a favourable opportunity comes tho planting of brocoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and other winter coleworts will have to be attended to. TUB TIKEIIT. This department will now require very careful management, for although the tropical heat of the last few woeks has had the effect of hastening tho colouring of many of the latest started grapes, the greatest care will be necessary to prevent the foliage from scalding. This has already occurred with somo growers, and is the result of training the vines too near the glass, or neglect in ventilating. Vinos, too, are more liable to scald after a long spoil of dull weather such as was experienced throughout tho spring and early summer. Ventilation should be freely admitted, opening tho vontilators early in tho morning to allow the vitiated air to escape before the sun has much power ; or better still, to leave a little air on all night. I would advise, if tho vines are trained near the glass, a slight shade being applied, scrim or other light material, that could be removed in dull weather, is the best for the purpose, and if not easily obtained, a slight shade can be made by syringing a little whiting and water over the anything that will protect?; the foliage from the scorching rays of the sun. It should be borne in mind that it is almost impossible to produce good grapes without hoalbhy foliage. If the vines were trained two feet from the glass, as frequently recommended in these columns, there would be littlo danger of the foliage scorching, as there would be room for free circulation of air between the glass and foliage, and shading would bo necessary. The borders must) now bo kept well supplied with moisture, otherwiso cracking of the borries is almost sure to take place after the first heavy rain. The bunches should bo looked over occasionally, and berries that aro cracking, budding, or showing signs of decay removed. Large -bunches should have the shoulders tied up, to relieve the centres, but this must be carefully done, so that tho berries are not damaged* t Continue to remove all superfluous lateral growth,' allowing sufficient to grow, to koep a good covering of foliage. Vines that are subject to the attacks of that' terrible pest, mealy bug, will need constant watching now is tho worst time

for this post, and if nob kept under, will goon infest) the bunches and destroy the gropes. _________ ' KEros.