THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13235, 21 July 1906, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

The weather throughout '.the past three weeks has been exceptionally wet and unfavourable for gardening, the soil being so saturated with moisture as to greatly retard general gardening ' operations. To tread upon cultivated ground for the purpose of either planting, pruning, or cleaning when in such a condition is; to do more harm than good. But, as the season is. fast advancing, take advantage of every favourable chance to proceed with the transplant: in? of trees, shrubs, and other permanent plants. The planting and pruning of roses should receive immediate attention. Full instructions about pruning were given in last week's notes. After the pruuing and planting has been completed the ground should be dug over and manured. The pruning of trees and shrubs must also be carried on with despatch.. After the pruning syringe any that are badly affected with growths of moss, lichen, and other parasites. In this naturally mild and moist climate ; all trees need an occasional dressing with lime, vermorite, o: other solution for cleansing the bark and giving the tree a fresh appearance. The clipping of evergreen hedges, especially _ those composed of oupressus and other conifers, should be attended, to before the sap becomes actively in motion. As soon as the soil is in fit condition for working the digging and tidying up of those portions that nave become most weedy must first be done. Do not make the surface too fine, but leave it rough to allow the sun and atmosphere a better chance to dry and sweeten the soil. After lying for a short period in this condition it can easily be lightly forked to level the surface and give a more finished appearance. A dressing of lime as soon as the"soil is sufficiently dry after digging is most beneficial to the land, as well as destroying slugs and other insects..;;: ? u THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

It has been quite out of the question to prepare ground for sowing or planting on account of its wet condition. The season is now advancing, and from this out demands ; will be pressing. In the meantime vacant land must be manured and dug in readiness for cropping. The rhubarb bed should be manured and dug ;• or forked over, taking care not to injure the crowns with the spade. : Many ■advocate trenching out rhubarb roots early every winter. This practice is not advisable, except in very wet land,- where the roots are : likely to rot if left in the soil. In this climate rhubarb "toots have: a tendency to run: out, consequently the .best plan is to make new plantations every two or three years with fresh young crowns or plants. ; Mistakes are often - made by planting the; crowns : too,, deep,: thinking by doing so I to produce longer stalks;, whereas the, crown of the plant

stsouid he '■«v"*n'.wl*h-' of: only- slightly-. -lj«Jow. the surface cf the' soil. bowing of carh«t dwarf peas may- now W made, sl.« plantlag of potatoes in driest and warrnas? ifiuiatk>n.*.:" ■""■''■'"•"■■'' '■" ■■••"'■--•■'■• ■••" ■.----■•■■■•.■"■-.! -

THE OKCHAKO.

-tot some ''weeks ' past-■ the --went her /ha*; been so bad that work in tins, department has been practically at 'a- ' .standstill.'/- a*, ri-either planting, pruning, nor dressing oftrw trees ; ,"could ; be • carried On with 'advantage. 5 As', scon - as "the weather and condition of; the , soil will- adroit ; : work : i i ' should be pushed on a? rapidly as possible. For sain" weeks planting . has : been - ilmost • impossible task. as holes dug. in such weather have been quickly filled with water. |h« cold winds and hosts have, however, thoroughly ripened the wood ■ Of; all deciduous trees/hoy are now practically dormant: and. in the best'possible condition'!lor. ternsplanting. Th«? soil, however, should be allowed : to dry. so that it will not become puddled and caked around the roots when dry weather sets. in.' -This ■-: particularly applies to soil of a stiff, '-■ retentive nature. Pruning, however, can be carried on when weather : ' conditions will admit. All orchard trees require more ■or less pruning :■ every season, for, if neglected one ; season. the work is not only increased but it may take several seasons" to remedy the results of. such neglect. VAs stated in /last week's notes no hard and fast rule can be, '.aid down for pruning, as ; age. , condition of growth, and the treatment, the trees have received wawi y'eung must ■■■ regulate the. operator in the work, of pruning. Unfortunately many who undertake this task have scarcely any knowledge of the trees or their fruiting capabilities or requirements;. They understand priming to mean the shortening back of all the young shoots and trimming the trees similarly to the treatment given to a. shelter hedge. Pruning, however, is a simple task, v'iE the. trees have been carefully treated each season from the time of planting, It is only when the tree* arc young that tho right foundation can bo laid, and a nice symmetrical tree formed. The great advantage, however, is that by proper j pruning the tree is furnished throughout J with abundance of fruiting wood, so that a comparatively small tree will, if well cared [ for, produce as much fruit as a large tree that lias little or no attention given to it. [ Trees, are often planted ' as received front I the nursery and left unpruned. with the i erroneous idea of obtaining early crops; of j fruit. A little thought, however, must convince the planter that the trees must naturally receive a check by lifting. No mat- ; ter how careful and .skilled the person may i be in lifting a certain number of tho roots i are mutilated. This, is tho time when acertain amount of cutting back is necessary. | Then, if planted carefully and,well, plenty j of young growth will be made and a wellfurnished head produced. In pruning young | trees the main thing to be studied is to have the branches evenly distributed; noti crowded, but at sufficient distances to form I permanent, branches, yet. allowing ample | space, light, and air to freely circulate i through the trees. KJEI'OS.