GARDENING CALENDAR FOR JANUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 138, 7 January 1854, Page 2

GARDENING CALENDAR FOR JANUARY.

General Remarks. — The fine weather we have had for some time past has proved extremely favourable for gardens, and abundant crops of Black Currants, Mayduke Cherries, and Strawberries are now ripening. In a former Calendar I stated that we had several varieties of the Strawberry planted in different aspects with a view of testing their capabilities of resisting hot winds, and I have now much pleasure in stating that wherever they were planted on well-prepared ground they have not sustained the slightest injury from hot winds. The Keen's Seedling, the British Queen, and other varieties, are loaded with fruit, which, for size and flavour, are equal to any we have seen in the home country. Fruit-trees are now making rapid growth, especially - those having a good mulching of manure placed

over their roots. Frequent attention will be necessary to fasten those trained, and to stop all vigorous growing shoots on standards. Search for caterpillars on the tender shoots of Apple trees, Grape Vines, &c. Raspberry plantations will again require looking over, and all suckers cut away except those left for next year's bearing. A little short grass spread under Gooseberry and Currant bushes will keep the fruit clean in the event of heavy rains. Stone fruit trees may now be budded in cloudy weather.

Vegetables. — To insure a good supply of the Cabbage tribe during the winter and spring months, ground should now be got ready by having a good dressing of manure well and deeply dug into it, to be in readiness for planting with Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Savoys, &c, immediately after rain. Broccoli, on good land, will require to be planted at least two feet apart each way. Some Peas of an early variety may be sown in the warmest part of the garden for a late supply. Leeks always do best transplanted, and should have plenty of the strongest manure procurable. Secure Onions and Leeks intended for seed from being broken by wind. SowTurnips for succession, but not the general sowing for winter use till next month, and thin former sowings to four or five inches, according to their strength. Draw the soil carefully fiom Shallots, to allow them room to swell, and let gaidens be thoroughly cleared of weeds whilst the weather continues dry.

Flowering; Shrubs, &c— Stir the giound slightly with a fork round the roots of Hobes when the bloom is o\er, and apply a good soaking or two of clear liquid nianuic to encourage growth. Fuchsias and other fast-growing plants will be benefited by the same treatment. The present is a good time for increasing Fuchsias, China Roses, and many other interesting plants by cuttings. Seeds of exotic as well as rare native Trees and Shrubs may now be sown, and they generally succeed best in rather moist places, which are in some measure shaded from the sun.

Flowers — Secure Carnations and Piccotees to neat stakes, and increase them as well as pinks by layers and cuttings put into light soil in some shaded corner. Old plams of Pansies get unsightly and should 'be renewed by cuttings, which succeed best when planted in wet weather. Where annuals have come too thick they may be transplanted. lieserve good varieties of Sweetwilliam for seed, and sow both it and Wallflower for blooming next season. Let Hollyhocks and Dahlias have a good mulching of manure placed over their roots and apply plenty of manure water occasionally. Thyme edgings can now be dressed with safety.