GARDEN CALENDAR FOR JUNE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12254, 3 June 1914, Page 1

GARDEN CALENDAR FOR JUNE.

Jane, gives unmistakable signs o winter —snow on the back ranges, tin leaves fast falling from the trees, am though ii few (lowers still linger in tin garden, yet these will soon pass away When the garden looks so clesolatf many amateurs are tempted to descn their gardens until more genial weathei with' brighter prospects tempt then" forth to their usual labor; but it i only those who dig, plough and sow ii: winter that have any right to reap iu summer or autumn. Now is the time .to plan and lay the foundation for the future beauty. All variant space; should now be rough .dug in the flower garden beds and 'borders where there [ are no plants, and all other borders should be neatly and carefully pointed over, taking care.not to injure any of the plants in the process. The digging over-of'the borders at this time gives

an appearance of order and neatness during winter when there is little else to attract the; eve ; it also saves time and trouble in the-, spring, when the gardener has so many things to attend to.. Tile planting'of roses, shrubs and ornamental trees can be pushed on when "the. soil is in a favorable condition' The pruning of roses may be commenced. but it is better to wait a. little •longer. Early pruning means early budding of the shoots, and these are liable to injury from spring frosts. The planting'of edgings ol : . box and other plants should be gone on with now, and any gaps in old edgings should, be filled up, .as nothing looks more unsightly than breaks in border lines. The same applies to hedges. All shrubbery borders ajid' plantations should, now be lightly dug and manured if necessary. Ha-rdy herbaceous and perennial plants

can. now bo planted. These do better . planted now than two months later. Kitchen Garden.—Vegetation is now iat a standstill, and whatever seeds or plants are put in the ground now, will not move or grow for two or three months to come; but if vegetation does not move that is no reason why man should, not. The experienced gardener knows the importance of winter operations, and knows how work judiciously done now will save much time in spring and summer. The operations of trenching and' digging should be continued if the weather is dry, and any general alterations should be. ■carried, out, as this is the best time for the work to be done. Respecting crops individually, little can. be done, and. as little .said. A few early peas and broad beans may be sown' on light ground, but those sown in August Will be as early within a few days. Onions and' other roots stored should* occasionally be examined, and 1 all that show symptoms' of decay removed before they contaminate the remainder. Fruit Garden.—June is the month of rest here as in other departments of the garden, but there is much to be done that is often left undone. This is the best time for the root-pruning of any fruit trees which have made too luxurious growth. Trees growing in a vegetable garden often make too much wood and few or no fruit spurs. Severe

priming of the brandies only intensifies the mischief ; the remedy lies in rootpruning, or in lifting the trees bodily and replanting. The planting of l'ruit trees may he considered planting for one's lifetime, and it should bo don© in the best possible manner. A mistake made in the improper preparation of the soil in draining, in the selection of unsuitable kinds, cannot well be rectified afterwards. Trees as they arrive from the nurseryman should be planted at. once if possible; if the ground be not ready then they should l bo laid in the soil for a time and taken up as required, the object being not to let the roots get-drier than is absolutely necessary. Good fibrous rooted trees will need_ but little attention as regards pruning of the roots,- but sometimes trees, especially pears, have but little fibre, simply a few large roots, and these are often found to bo injured in lifting. Wherever there is a fracture or bruise of a main root a keen knife should be used to cut away any decayed or broken portion. The roots should be spread out as much as possible, and to prevent any hollow of the soil use a little fine soil- among the roots, and when all is filled in tread the soil firm. The tree should hot be planted any deeper than it has been growing, about four inches of soil over the roots is quite sufficient. The annual winter- pruning may commence when all the- foliage lias fallen, so that the workman can see the position of j eacJi branch and spur.

Greenhouse.—By: using water sparingly at this season rind maintaining a comparatively dry atmosphere. . the health of the great majority of greenhouse plants is .assured'. To stimulate plants into growth just now is a mistake. Overcrowding should "be avoided, as it is a common cause of plants becoming shabby, foliage damping, and' insect pests cannot so well be looked . •after "where .this-is;the-case. Some of thg finer maidenhair ferns are apt to decay a little at this period if kept close and moist, remove all decayed portions, and remove the plants to a drier, and more airy position. - Palms •aspidistras and other plants,:, Used for room deroration must be frequently springed or sponged, over to keep their foliage clean and free from insects. Pelargoniums should be kept as near the glass, as possible, so that they may get, an. abundance of light .and, air, otherwise, they will become drawn and sickly. Cinerarias, Chinese primroses, and cyclamen, which are just coming into bloom, will produce larger flowers and healthier foliage if watered occasionally. with a little liquid manure than plants which only get clear water. Eacli day .whatever the., weather is like some little ventilation should be given toplanthouses. In fine sunny weather ample, supplies of fresh air should he given. Garden frames filled: with bedding plants should also have a free circulation of air among them.