GARDENING CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 142, 4 February 1854, Page 2

GARDENING CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY.

-General Remarks. — Excellent crops of Raspberries and Gooseberries have been general in the settlement. The former thrive amazingly, and we

have already several superior sorts. The Gooseberry thrives as well here as in the home country, and produces enormous crops, which are of superior i flavour. Our varieties of this esteemed fruit are fast increasing, as one new comer after another bring their parcels of well-selected seed. Fruit Trees, &c— Whilst the weather continues favourable, every thing which in any way shades fruit trees or bushes from the full influence of the sun should be removed, that the ripening of the young shoots and fruit buds may be encouraged. Carefully fasten young shoots of trained trees and Grape Vines as they advance ; and when Raspberries are all gathered, cut away the old canes and j tie the young ones to stakes, &c, and clear the ground of all superfluous suckers. Clear Strawberry beds of weeds and runners, except those intended for new plantations. Vegetables. — The dry state of the weather during the past month lias been unfavourable for transplanting Vegetables ; and ground should be got in readiness for planting after the first heavy fall of rain. Cauliflowers have suffered severely from the drought, and a little seed may be sown in rich soil for late planting. All vacancies after Early Potatoes may be planted with Curled Greens and Swedish Turnips as soon as the ground is sufficiently moist. Sow the principal crop of Turnips for winter use during the month on well-manured drills, 16 or 18 inches apart. Garden varieties are preferable, on account of their being more tender, and they bulb much sooner than the common field varieties. The Ayrshire Yellow, thcAltiingham, and Yellow Malta, are good ; and the White Stone, the Six Weeks> j Early, and the White Dutch, are suitable for pre. sent sowing. The present is a good time for sowing Onions on good ground, well exposed to the midday sun. Apply a good dressing of strong manure, which should be well mixed with the soil in digging, and, if comatable, pour plenty of manure water into the trenches when digging, after the subsoil has been raised at least 12 inches deep with the spade or pick'; break the surface fine, and sow the seed pretty thick, which, if old, should be previously steeped for twelve hours, and co\er with well decomposed manure. Flowers, Shrubs, &c. — Bud Roses in dull cloudy weather, and encourage the China varieties to make plenty of wood for late blooming by frequent applications of clear liquid manure. Secure Hollyhocks and Dahlias, from being broken by wind, and mark good varieties of the former for seed. Dahlias, Geraniums, Verbenas, Petaneas, Pansies, Calceolarias, Carnations, and other showy and tender plants, may now be increased by slips and cuttings. Sow hardy and free-flowering Annuals for flowering during the winter and spring months. Take up and dry Crocuses and other ripe bulbs.