THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

The laying out and formation of drives, walks, low flower-bods, and borders, underground draining, a.nd other matters, in connection with the garden and grounds surrounding the newly-erected' dwelling _ should as far as possible be undertaken during the summer months and completed in readiness for sowing and planting during' the autumn and early winter. Now is the best time to set about work of this kind. The saving of sufficient of the good surface earth is one of the most important items in connection with ; the work. Before laying the foundation for the building the surface earth, if good, over the area to be occupied should be removed, and wheeled or carted away to a convenient place, where it will be available for use in the preparation of the soil for the flower-beds and pleasure grounds. The top soil from the walks and drives should also be taken out and reserved for the same purpose. When this is done little difficulty will be experienced in providing ample depth of good friable earth for all requirements. As a rule this most important detail is quite ignored, and quantities of the best soil are covered up and lost for immediate use. The well-made and properly kept lawn is perhaps the most important feature in connection with the villa residence. The size of the lawn will greatly depend upon the extent of the grounds and style of house. The more it covers the better, of course, will bo the effect produced, provided the work is done well. On the other hand, the more prominently will any defects bo noticed. Many grounds will only permit of a lawn the smallest size admissible, The work of making a new lawn being of a permanent character no labour or expense should bo spared in having the work well done at first, as after results will well repay any extra cost that may be incurred. Where the selected site is almost level the work will be comparatively easy, as very little of the subsoil will require to bo removed. If not already drained the ground must bo made so by opening cut drains and laying pipes, placing about a foot deep of rough scoria immediately on top of the drain tiles to ensure thorough drainage. After comploting this work the surface should be marked out and the various levels taken. The whole area should then be deeply dug or 'trenched, roughly levelling it as the work proceeds. If the soil be of good quality and fairlv light y thero will be no difficulty in doing this, or in the formation of the lawn afterwards. After having been dug over the surface should be left for a few weeks in the rojigli state for exposure to the ameliorating effects of the atmosphere. Next apply a liberal dressing of lime and lightly fork it in. After this nothing further need bo done until the proper time for the final completion of the work by properly levelling, manuring, and sowing the seeds, concerning which full instructions will be given at the proper time. Mudh more labour will of cowrso be necessary ill. making a lawn where the original surface is uneven, and where considerable cuttings and fillings have to bo made to produce a level surfaco. As the land in and around our city is mostly _of an uneven character moro or less excavating in one portion or another will be found ncccssary.—[To be continued.]

THE ORCHARD. During this and succeoding months attention should be given to stopping, thinning, and what is generally termed summer pruning of the various orchard trees. Many varieties of fruit: trees, more especially young, vigorous-growing kinds, require a certain amount of attention when making their growth, and when carefully looked after and judiciously pruned during the summer much more shapely trees and better results are obtained. When young, -growing trees aro allowed to grow away unchecked the

young shoots soon become unduly crowded and the strength of the tree severely taxed, while the wood at the best is but imperfectly ripened, as the dense head almost excludes both light and sun. - When in this condition the trees seldom produce satisfactory, results.; The thinning out of all surpcrflous' shoots naturally throws greater force into the branches that are left, .while : the 'branches being exposed to light and sun will ; thoroughly ripen and develop healthy buds, besides encouraging fruiting. spurs to form evenly throughout the trees. In pruning,. pinch or cut away all superfluous shoots, cutting back to within three or four eyes at the base oi each shoot, leaving only those that are required to form a shapely, well-balanced head. These leaders should in no ease be stopped during the summer pruning. If this system of summer stopping were adopted each reason, while the trees were young, fruiting spurs j would form from the bottom to the top ot the branches. The same system applies to stronggrowing fruiting trees. Much larger and better matured fruit is obtained when the trees receive proper attention during the growing season. Older trees that produce regular and heavy crops of fruit rarely make sufficient growth to require much summer pruning, still the same thing applies to all wood not required for fruiting or to shape the trees, as such wood must naturally weaken the growth that is needed for the following season. It is when a tree is young and vigorous that care and skill is required, and the_ foundation laid, and when careful attention is given during the earlier stages of growth pruning will be a simple matter when the tree attains size and in a fruiting condition. I know no more difficult and objectionable task than pruning a fruit tree that has had years of neglect. Although all fruit trees are benefited by regular and judicious pruningprobably none require so much attention as the peach and kindred trees. With those, the summer pruning should consist only of pinching out all weak, sterile shoots, or any that are crossing or crowding each • other. The centre of the trees should bo kept well open to allow of free circulation of air. As the peach bears its fruit in the wood made the previous year as much strong wood as possible should be left, without in any way crowding the branches. As with other trees, the most important thing to ensure a crop is to have the centre well open, allowing the wood to thoroughly ripen and the buds to fully develop. | ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "J.M." (Ponsonby): Dahlia shoots to hand. The blighted appearance ot the tops and foliage is caused by the hot, dry weather. Some varieties suffer worse than others. As the season advances they will throw off the unhealthy appearance by making fresh,healthy growth. You need not be at all concerned about them. The plants are not diseased. Dahlias are at their best during tho month of March. The nights being longer then they derive full benefit from the dews and cooler atmosphere. Those in flower now soon lose their beauty, and the plants become exhausted before their time. Ketos.