THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13925, 5 December 1908, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

The holiday season is again near at hand, consequently the garden and grounds should ho got into the host possible condition, in order to allow tho cultivator to-have a few ■weeks' leisure during the Christmas season, and to enjoy the result of his, past labours. Lawns and other portions 61: the grounds that are laid down in grass should be closely mown, i All weeds should be thoroughly eradicated from the walks and drives and the grass edgings clipped. Dahlias, chrysanthemums, gladioli, and any other plants that need support should be staked. Carnations, pinks, and picotecs also needs attention in neatly tying tho flower stalks up to show tho blooms off to beat advantage and prevent them being soiled \. by. coming in contact with the soil. Roses should have all tho decayed blooms removed. This operation groatly prolongs the flowering period. Gardens are everywhere bedecked with tho utmost profusion of blossoms. Sweet peas aro sweetly attractive. ..Pelargoniums and fuschias are in the full zenith of their glory; both are indispensable ornaments of the flower garden. Fuschias have for some unaccountable reason been neglected of late years, but aro again coming into popularity. They aro extremely graceful in their habit of growth and appearance, and are most floriforous and easy to grow. Pelargoniums are admired by all, especially tho varieties belonging to tho regal and decorative sections. Zonal pelargoniums, or, as tl'hey are, more generally called, common geraniums, do so well that they aro not valued as they should be. Many of the old sorts are too tall and straggling, but the moro recent additions aro mi.fch moro compact in their habit and moro floriferous, producing a profusion of flowers in largo trusses. Planted along tho inner sido of the hodgerow they are most attractive. The varieties belonging to the ivyleaved section of this family aro extremely useful, tho taller-growing climbing sorts being admirably adapted for planting to grow against the sides of the verandah and over fences and old stumps and intermixed with tho hedge plants, and. tho dwarfergrowing sorts for planting on rockeries and to cover banks. Fill all vacancies in the flower bods and borders with suitable plants, as recommended in last week's notes.' Keep the hoe going to kill all seedling and other weeds. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. In this department, also, a special effort should bo made to complete sowing and planting operations and to lid the garden of weeds, in order to have everything neat and tidy for tho holidays, and tho whole area fully stocked with the different varieties of vegetables for the season and requirements of tho table. Tomato plants have made splendid growth since the rain. They will require considerable attention' in removing side shoots and tying to tho supports, training each plant with one (item to a single stake. Thinning seedlings of turnips, carrots, beets, parsnips, onions, etc., to proper distances apart is an important operation, and should bo done as soon as the seedlings are largo enough to pull out and leave those that are loft sufficient room to properly develop. . ■ '•;' •rnF onoHAnn. The time is again at hand whon tho requirements of tho orchard will demand all the attention that can be given to it. The various insect pests that prove so destructive to fruit and foliago will noon commence their ravages, and i the orcluirdist will have no easy task to keep his fruits from falling a prey to some of these troublesome pests. Enterprising orchardists, however, no longer trust to chance, but make every effort both by bandaging and spraying to secure a large percentage of sound, marketable fruit. The objection to spraying has been to a great extent minimised by , the use of safer and more offeotual . remedies to effect this purpose. Arsenate of lead, disparene, and other solutions have been thoroughly tested and proved to be offocttual in keeping a large percentage of the ," fruit free - from the ravages of oodliu moth find other pests.

These can bo • obtained from most of the seedsmen, or from the i wholesale druggists, with full directions ; how and at what strength to apply. No time should be lost in giving ; the trees tho first; dressing, as the fruits of apples and poars are well advanced and will soon bo subject to tho attacks of the moth, as well ', as loach, brown beetle, and other injurious pests. Fruit prospects for the canning season on tho whole appear so far satisfactory. Stone fruits in particular promise well. Poaches in some localities are carrying exceptionally heavy crops, the season evidently being most favourable for this fruit, the warm, genial weather when the trees were in blossom . being all that could be-desired for the setting of the fruit. Japanese plums, however, are not so heavy a crop as fast season. This, however, should result in'much finer and better-flavoured fruit of these varieties being in evidence, while the trees of such prodigious croppers must bo benefited by a rest. European varieties appear to have set well. Pears, owing no doubt to the high winds experienced just when the trees were in blossom, are on the whole somewhat light. All trees that are carrying heavy crops should have every assistance given them, thoroughly cultivating tho soil and not allowing weeds to accumulate and rob the trees of moisture and food so necessary for the development of the crop. - Young, newly-planted trees require attention at this time. It is at this stage of their growth that a good, shapely tree can be formed, by pinching back all irregular or straggling branches, and training tho young shoots in such a way as to form a well-balanced head. Kepos.