THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

General operations in the flower garden have been delayed on account- of the extremely wet condition of the soil, more rain having fallen during the present month than for a long time past. Avoid as much as possible treading upon recently dug or cultivated grounds for any purpose. Better wait until the surface dries. However urgent the work may be, defer it rather than tread the soil. But, as the season is fast advancing, take advantage of every favourable opportunity for .pruning, planting, tidying up walks, regulating the growth of climbers by thinning out and tying the shoots to their supports. Attend to tho sowing of hardy annuals in boxes or pans to have the requisite supply for early planting. Do anything that will help to lessen the work that invariably comes with a rush as soon as finer and more settled weather is upon us. The winter has been so mild and warm that plant life lias had little or no check. Everything is bursting into bud. seems to have come all at once, roses are pushing into active growth, deciduous trees and shrubs are already bursting into leaf and sonic into bloom. Willows are in leaf. A number of bulbs and dwarf-grow-ing herbaceous perennials are a profusion of bloom. The double white is the first amongst the primroses to flower; Cyclamens are conspicuous, presenting quite a brilliant display of bloom, and are probably the most useful of all dwarf bedding plants at this season. They are extremely hardy and most floriferous, and exempt from the attack of slugs and other garden pests. Owing to the mild winter, violets have made splendid growth, and are flowering most freely, producing flowers of the largest size. The New California violet is a valuable addition to the single-flowered section; the individual blooms are very large, most delightfully perfumed, and produced on long stalks. KITCHEN GARDES. | For some time past outdoor garden operations have been in abeyence, frequent and heavy rains have made the soil so wet and sodden that it has been quite unfit to dig, sow, or plant in. Tito busy spring seaso°n is again upon us; there is much to be done in a short time. Manuring and preparing ground for almost immediate cropping will first demand attention. Some crops, potatoes for instance, should be planted as the digging proceeds, thus expediting the work and saving the after treading that is always harmful to the soil. Respecting the distance apart, both in rows and between the sets, should in a measure be regulated by tho variety and the nature of the soil. For the dwarfted, compact growers, about 18in between the rows and 9in between the sets will be sufficient; tall, strong prowers in " land will require a distance of from m to 3ft apart; plant at a uniform depth of from 4m to 6in. For garden culture as above recommended, plant as the dipping proceeds, placing the line along the face at the required distance, cutting a trench of uniform depth ; scatter a little manure alone and insert the tubers from 9in to lOin apart the next spading covers the tubers, and the' soil is left loose and open on top of them which is much preferable, and all tramping on the newly-dug ground is avoided A good friable loam, rather dry than otherwise, is best suited for potatoes. Peas mav be sown in a. similar manner as the dieeing proceeds, dusting a little soot and lime alone the row before sowing the seeds For th« sowing of all small seeds the ground must first be well dug and manured if necessary In digging do it well, putting the spade straight down its full depth, and turn Z top to the bottom, leave the' surface rough for exposure to the atmosphere. After lying or a week or more in the rough state, refork light y or hoe, so as to break down lumps and bring the surface into the best possible state of pulverisation for drawing the drill, to receive the seeds. h s .. • ' THE GREENHOUSE. Although outdoor operations have been almost at a standstill on account of th« heavy rains and. sodden state of the soil there is always abundance of work required to be done where there is a greenhouse and a supply of plants to be kept up, f or &g dition to the general routine work of' clean • ing and .potting the' ordinary greenhouse" plants the sowing, 'raising, ' m J p Vg out of annuals must be attended to ft £ ting, too, of plants required for indoor deeoration as well as those needed for beautify-' m [the beds Md orders must be put in Although the operation takes up a good deal of time the ting will need daily Ttte„?ion unt 1 they ore struck and ready for pottin. so that there need be no- loss of time even though outdoor gardening is i or : a ■ time stopped. : Annuals should be pricked out into boxes ; as soon -« ! the seedlings are large enough to handle, or as soon as their second, eaves are formed." Infantine into boxes allow sufficient space between each to

of earth attached to the pUnt. w» already maiang y~ & varieties ",; fl 3only be shifted from one size plants »™f Siig-i {rom .four inches to Hh old oil free' from 'the roots and "L in lea, i»ts, and use plenty, of drain--1 „ TMsTs one of the most important lfn ßS are ting; and there are more plants lninace than from any other can e. One drainage than from any. other cause, One rf tie most difficult lessons to learn in l„t cu ore is how and when to water. The nil o with many is to water at regular ilter 1, ■ whether the plant, require, it or „ 0 but plants are like most animals and on i require drink when they are thirsty 1 nibs that have been stored away or.the St should be occasionally looted over, and a little water given but after on starting to water them do not allow he oil to again become quite dry. Many of the Gloxinias bulbs are- already started into growth, and should be repotted In potting, Lice all the old soil from the roots, and nut in a mixture of fibrous loam, leaf mould md silver sand in equal parts. Ferns ha are throwing up their young fronds will now need constant watching, as the small dugs are very troublesome at this season, and quickly destroy the appearance of the plants. A* little bran is an excellent trap for these small slugs. To make the house as interesting as possible, the plants should be occasionally rearranged, so as to give the house a fresh altered appearance. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Daffodil" questions the remark in last week's notes about fabulous prices being given for new varieties. An article in the English Garden last spring (May) should ease his mind on this point. Treating about new and choice daffodils, it refers to the varieties Weardale, Perfection, and Monarch as splendid acquisitions, and further states that many years will elapse before they become cheap or oven approachable by many present day growers. It is remarkable that in respect to these the price is being raised each year, and that the famous Monarch (without doubt the noblest of the self-yellow trumpets ever raised) was first offered at five guineas per bulb, but has now reached the astounding price of fifteen (15) guineas each. •' Kepos.