THE GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10037, 25 January 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN

MANAGEMENT OF GARDEN SOILS.

Amateurs and all others who desire to obtain both pleasure and profit from their garden must attend to this first and most important of all operations if anything like successful results are to bo obtained, as it is quite impossible to grow good flowers, fruits, or vegetables unless the soil is in a fit state of cultivation. In casos of failure weather conditions are often blamed, but in most instances the cause may be put down to mismanagement of the land. Draining is often not even thought of, yob in all heavy clay soils it becomes a necessity in order to carry off superfluous water, which would tako too long to soak away naturally, and would soon sour the land and render the subsoil unfit for vegetables and flowers, and positively injurious to the roots of fruit trees. Our winters aro so web that efficient drainage is of paramounb importance in connection with the cultivation of garden crops. Bear in mind draining to be effective in its results must be systematically planned and carried out. A means of outlet lower than any part of the land to be drained musb first be determined, and the main drain should proceed from this point with an equal gradient throughout. Branch drains may then be arranged on eibher side of the main (taking care that they run in suitable directions to allow a fairly good fall) at distances of from 15 to 20 feet apart, according to the nature of the soil to be drained. Pipes from two inches to three inches in diamctor will bo largo enough for the sido drains. The requisite depth for drains varies according to different soils, from two and a-half to three feet from tlio surface being that generally adopted. When the ground is nearly flat precautions must be adopted to . secure a sufficient fall for the water. To obtain this the drain must be deeper at the outlet and gradually becomo shallow at its completion. After taking out the soil with the necessary tools, and laying the pipes, the work of filling-in must next be proceeded with. Although last, this is by no means the loasb important. Many go to the expense of digging out the drains and burying the pipes, and yet fail to cover them with proper material. They return the retentive clay immediately upon the pipes, the weight of the earth above soon causes the clay to set hard, and renders the work noxt to usoless. A covoring of tea-tree or other suitable brushwood should be evenly placed upon the pipes, followed by a good thick layer of stones and scoria ash ; if the scoria is filled in to within a foot from the surface, so much the better, as it will enable the surface water to quickly percolate and pass away. Draining, properly .planned and carried out, will be both permanent and effective, and a source of pleasure in the working of the land. Soils that are light upon the surface, with a gravelly sub-soil, such as the light volcanic lands, are naturally porous, and need no artificial means to carry the water away, excepting those required for the walks. Next to efficient drainage, deep digging, manuring, and cultivation of the surface soil is necessary. Some soils are so good and deep that they produce good results, with the most indifferent process of working. But, on the other hand, the majority of our land is too poor to produce satisfactory crops, unless ib is systematically and well workod; and, as February and' March are the two months wlion conditions of soil and weather are most favourable for carrying out permanent improvements, I shall treat further in next week's article upon this most important subject.

THE ORCHARD. English papers recently to hand all speak of the abundant) fruit crop of the past season ; the plum yield has been abnormal; the markets have been glutted, and the prices realised in many cases not sufficient to corer expenses of picking and markoting. Valuable hints and suggestions are given to enable growers to overcome some of the difficulties they are fighting againsb. The orchurdists themselves are too often responsible for such unsatisfactory results. In the first place, the fruit is small, owing to the enormous crop the trees are allowod to carry, and inadequate manuring and cultivation to help them to mature and perfect their fruit; then again, many inferior and unsaleable varieties are grown that do not pay for the labour bestowed upon them. The grading and packing, too, is another important factor in obtaining the highest ruling prices, and it ia shown that jo the

thick of the glut that well-grown and care-fully-packed fruits realised good payable prices. The above remarks apply'equally to our own orchardisfc. Tho plum crop is the largjst ever grown in this province, and the prices to far for good fruits' have been most satisfactory. Japanese plums are likely to becomo so plentiful in a year or two, when they are more generally known, as to revolutionise the markets. Unlike the ordinary European varieties, they never fail to produce an annual and abundantyield, and as they come into bearing when two or three years old tlioy are an acquisition in overy garden. Although for dessert purposes the belter varieties of the European plum will always be in demand, as they are much superior in flavour to any of the Japanese yet introduced, but all second-rate varieties of this class will have to gire place to the Japanese on account of their productiveness. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. "T. 5.," Tauranga: 1 reply to your letter about pears for show purposes. In all large exhibitions separate classes are arranged for many of the best dessert and cooking varieties; the former should be as near ripe as possible, and ready for use at the time of staging, as the judging must be ruled by the condition and quality of the fruits at that time. In selecting the fruits, quality, size, and good slmpo, with a nice smooth skin without blemish, are the points to consider. In culinary pears, size, in addition to variety, is the chief point. I notice at a show held at the Crystal Palace, London, in October last, pears of a sensational size wero exhibited—especially was this the case in the class for Pitttnaston Duchess. This sensational dish, consisting of five fruits, weighed 81b 12Joz, one fruit turning the scale within a fraction of 21b. KEI'OS.