THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13390, 19 January 1907, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

_ ♦ — PhknuMESAI, rain- for this season of the year, together with high atmospheric temperature .Mid want of .-tin. have proved <iisa«troiis in the floral display, and al-o to man.v of the annuals and other plants that , Hiinot. .-land sueli an over-abundanco of moisture, especially alter a dry spell. (.'•ontaiirias or sweet -iiltans have -tie i-umhod, while salpliiglo.-.-is, larkspurs, and perennial delphinium.' and others have sufhied more or less from heat, and wet. Strong winds and heating rains have injured plants in flower, also dahlia-, chrysanthe--11111111-. raitiißS gladioli!-, sweet peas, etc.. Riviim the garden a battered appearance. It lias boon impossible to do any hoeing or weeding, 'he soil having boon too wet to tread upon. An abundant crop of seedling weed- have made their appearance, consequently as soon as the surface i- sufficiently dry to tread upon the whole of the beds, and l.'orders will require a thorough overhaul. Annuals that are too much damaged to leave should be consigned to the rubbish heap. lirowth in many instances during the past, fortnight, ha l.x'en abnormal. -Much cutting back, thinning Out, and tying up must be done. Permanent trees and shrubs have greatly benefited by the rains ami t present a remarkably green and fresh appearance. Condition- such as existing dur.ing the 11:1-1 fortnight could not be mere favourable to deep-rooting trees and shrub«. The gras-. voo, is more verdant than at any nine tlnoughout the year. Lawns will thicken the sole of grass and maintain a. good sward for some time to come provided the surface is carefully tin and rolled. Car. nations must receive attention in the way of cutting off spent blooms and flower stalks. (.•aniens on hillsides and other -loping positions have sustained considerable damage and loss of good surface soil by water channels overflowing and inability of the ground to take in the rain as it fell. J UK KITCHEN GARDEN'. Several of the crops have suffered badly owing to excessive heat- and moisture. Potatoes that, were ready to dig have started to rot in the ground. Disease, too, has played \ sad havoc, ami is more prevalent than during the spring season. There has been no opportunity to spray, consequently the fungus has spread rapidly, under conditions most favourable to its existence. In most instances late planted potatoes will be. a complete failure. During the past ten days work on the ground has been suspended, owing to the soil being too wet to treat. Weeds are greatly in evidence, and will require to bo hoed off as soon as conditions are mote favourable. Pea,- and beans that have completed their cropping should be cleared away, and fresh sowings made, it. is late for peas, but as the soil is .-<> moist and warm they will soon gernainate, and may produce a fair crop. Sow carrots for suewssioa, but defer the sowing of turnips,

as the fly is likely to destroy them at this season. The cabbage fly has now made its appearance, and is very bad on cauliflower plants. Sow and plant lettuce, also mustard, ere-*, and radishes. Tomatoes will require to Ik- pone over to remove superfluous growths and to tic up. THE VIXKKT. The tropical heat of the last few week-. followed by days of incessant and exceptionally heavy rains, has proved a very trying time with grapegrowers. Heavy rains following a period of drought are always a source of anxiety just at a time when the grapes are colouring: but, when the holders are flooded for days, with a high, seam. ing inside temperature and not. a vestige of sun to dear the atmosphere, the skid of tin- grower is heavily taxed, and he can only wait until more favourable conditions prevail. Fortunately, such unfavourable conditions are not of frequent occurrence, or the result, would be disastrous with ninny growers. Tin- would be particularly the case- with vines that tire growing on -oil- of a -tiff day nature, and whore the only preparation of the border ha- been simply the turning over or trenching of the soil to a depth of 18 inches or two feet, and where little or no preparation has been uncle to provide free drainage for surplus water. Number- of such borders are made, and either become parched in dry went iter or a stagnant pool after heavy rains. Border-. on the other hand, that are properly prepared, or where vines are planted in soils that, have naturally a shingly or free subsoil rarely suffer through excess of moisture at the roots. The inside treatment, however, always requires careful intention, particularly in hot, dull weather, when the atmosphere i- charged with excessive moisture. The chief danger when heavy rain falls after a period of d»y weather is thai of the berries splitting, earned by excessive flow of sap just at a time when the fruit is nearly matured. This rarely happens if the lx>r tiers have been kept well provided with water during the growing reason. Tew. however, have facilities to do this, bin could in a great measure lessen the ri-k if 'her ico'k the precaution to thoroughly mulch the borders early in the sea-on. Every precaution should be taken to prevent, the mildew attacking the vines. The execsire heat and moisture i- just the weather to generate this disease. Use sulphur freely, and thoroughly dust the foliage upon the least sign of the disease. Keep all young lateral growths removed. These will now grow very rapidly, and will need constant watching. Ventilation should be freely admitted: this is most important after many days of dull weather, as there is a danger of ih" foliage scorching. A little ventilation left on during the nights to allow the vitiated air to escape will greatly lesson the risk of scorching. " KEros.