THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11854, 4 January 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

The holidays over, the various, requirements of the garden must again be attended to. The weather during the past fortnight has been moist, cool, and for the most part dull. Consequently the growth of both plants and weeds has been considerable, the bods and borders now presenting an overgrown and untidy appearance. Grass on the lawn grew so quickly that it had to be cut each week. Hoeing and weeding are now necessary, and should first be done. Next, cut off all dead flowers, \ and thin: out superfluous growths,' shortening back straggling shoots. Staking and tying up those plants that require support must also receive attention—notably dahlias and chrysanthemums. Favoured by moist, cool weather dahlias are making remarkably healthy and gsod growth: ' chrysanthemums, too,' are looking well. The latter should bo sprayed to keep their leaves free from fungoid and other leaf troubles. For, this purpose " "Vermorito" is much the best fungicide, and easiest to apply. % It is made up as a dry powder, and dissolves immediately after being put in water. ■ Apply , with a suitable spray-pump, using three ounces " of Vermorite to every two gallons of water. To produce the best and largest; blooms it is i necessary to keep the foliage" as free as possible from the attacks of rust and other fungoid diseases which can only be done, by timely dressings. Anemones, tulips, hyacinths, rammeulas, and other spring-flower-ing bulbs that require to bo lifted annually should be taken up at once beforo they begin to draw fresh roots. Allow them to properly dry : ore storing them away for the next planting season. They keep best mixed with some dry sand, and placed in a cool, airy situation. The garden is now so fully stocked that no fresh plantings -' will bo needed for a few weeks. \ ; KITCnEN GABDEN. . The soil is now moist and in excellent "' condition for making sowings • of peas, dwarf ( beans, lettuces, carrots, radishes, mustard, ' cress, and summer spinach, to keep up- a ■ constant and regular succession. Now, too, .' is the best time to plant celery for main ) crop. Previous instructions have been given ' as to preparation of trenches and modo of ;J planting. Broccoli plants should bo putin this month, also Savoy cabbages. Discon- " tinue the sowing of turnips for a couple of J months, as they will do no good , during the ] hot summer weather usually experienced 1 during January and February. , Tomatoes ' have made great growth, and ..look? very ; ( healthy. They must bo kept tied up to the j stakes or trellis', and .have all side shoots j removed, and also a little of the foliage. i The system of training to one stake, is the ( simplest and best. Late - planted potatoes , have also ; greatly benefited by the recent ] rains, and give .promise of a good yield. ] Keep the hoc going amongst the crops to < kill weeds, and stir the soil. When weeds j are allowed to grow large beforo - cutting :■] them off they take from the soil, besides < absorbing a considerable amount of moisture 1 that would otherwise benefit the crop. , .'-'.'-;;,' the-vinery. 1 ;:,:;" '''■■■-" ■;.-'"}■' 1 In this department, too, work has naturally J fallen somewhat in arrears on account of • , the holiday season, and must again : receive '■; prompt attention. Lateral . growth . has naturally been allowed 'to: extend during ] this time, and will need careful handling. At this time, when grapes ' are* rapidly developing their fruit, anything in the x shape 1 of a check must be carefully avoided, so that c when lateral growth has been at all neglect- t cd stopping of the ; laterals . must bo done I with care. To ; be on the safe: side, i only. < remove a few from any one vino at the same -; time, , taking a few each day, or, every other c day, until tho 2 whole is v: complete. 5: The ; } weather still continues cold and unfavourable , ( for the latest started varieties. : Tho keen ; i southerly squalls, < with ;only' occasional'■: sun- s shine, makes it very difficult to keep iip \\ anything like an even, healthy temperature. I I

, ~ :; , ; .V- ~, ,■ , :■'.....- , "'T .:. , : 111 The greatest care, however, munft, e exer . * cised to avoid sudden changes, or grapes 5 are - sure to suffer. ../"/ Mildew e is Already c l troubling some, growers, , and ; w."% a use : a serious trouble ■ unless checked at orf t j n< 6 seasons such as the present it is" '^ a '°; '" safest to i use sulphur '■; freely before ?n^ , a makes : - its ■ appearance. Prevention lis « a ® times better than cure, once?ra%: e is allowed to get the upper hand it is nU difficult to eradicate, and can sseldom .\ " done effectually the same season. So A , the borders have been well supplied wife 'o moisture, so that there : should be little; rjsi d '■■ of the berries splitting from- excess of sap, .t Even now with late crops it would be wise 'f to mulch the borders while there is plenty 18 of moisture in the soil, if the precaution has !" not already been taken. Mealy-bug will now n be Very A active, and i will"? require .; stringent c: measures to keep it from tho bunches. As 'f soon as the berries show signs of colouring the house'should bo thoroughly _ fumigated if : with the cyanide'and sulphuric acid process. i° This is by" far the most effectual remedy/for f : the ? destruction /; of ./ the / pest, ,/ and:; by-: its ■\ judicious ■ use ; grapes can be : kept ..quite 'free e of the dread scourge. L.EFOS.