GARDENING CALENDAR FOR JANUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 178, 6 January 1855, Page 2

GARDENING CALENDAR FOR JANUARY.

Vegetables. — Advantage should be taken of showery -weather for planting Late Cabbage?, Curled Greens, Savoys, &c, and Cabbage stalks not required for sprouts removed and the ground replanted. Keep the Dutch hoe incessantly at work, especially during bright sunshine, to destroy weeds, which should never be allowed to seed. The last sowing of Peas for the season should be put in immediately, and in poor or dry soils they will succeed better if a deep trench is thrown out, and some well decomposed manure put in, the soil again put into the trench, and the Peas sown as recommended in former calendars. Land up and stick previous sowings early, as they are liable to be injured by wind, and the very dwarf varieties will produce much better for being supported by sticks. The last sowing of Broad Beans for the season may now be put in, and pince the tops off those in full blossom, which will induce them to set more freely. Sow French or Kidney Beans as recommended for October. Scarlet Runners sown-now will produce well in Autumn, and former sowings may be kept dwarf by pincing off their tops occasionally. Early Horn Carrots will now require thinning to about three inches apart, if in rows, but those in beds will require more roomf Parsley may still be sown, and early sowings thinned to 8 or 9 inches between the plants, leaving the best curled ones, which are always preferable to the plain leaved sorts. Early sown Onions will now require thinning, and if done ■whilst the ground is moist the thinnings maybe planted in rows 6 or 7 inches apart, and their roots carefully covered with fine rotted manure. Water and shade for a few days until they have taken root. Leeks should be transplanted as soon as they are about 6 inches high. A piece of strong ground should be chosen which has been deeply dug and well manured. They may be planted in drills a foot apart and about 6 inches in the rows ; or. a large hole may be made about 4 inches deep, into which the plants may be dropped, and fixed by pouring some water carefully into the holes. The roots may be dipped in puddle before planting. The growth of Onions, Leeks, &c, will be greatly accelerated by occasional waterings in the evening of clear liquid manure, which should always be applied to growing crops through the rose of a garden watering pot. Sow a pince of Lettuce and Radish seed, and clear the ground of former sowings when past use. Stir the soil about Rhubarb, and water frequently with manure water. Fiujit Trees, &c— Trained trees will now require very frequent attention to nail or tie in the young shoots as they advance. The fruit of Peaches, Apricots, and Nectarines, should now be well thinned, as they generally set a great deal more than the trees are able to bring to anything like perfection ; one fruit should only be left on weakly shoots, and two or at most three on very strong ones. Fasten the young shoots of Grape Vines carefully, and remove laterals early ; see that their roots are in a

proper state as regards moisture. Pince the tops off the strongest growing shoots of Apple, Pear, Plum, and Cherry trees, and support those which may have been loosened by wind. The thinning of the young Raspberry canes should no longer be delayed, and the ground between the rows well and frequently hoed, to keep down suckers, &c. When the runners of Strawberries are not required for propagation, cut them off, as they withdraw considerable nourishment from the plants. Some short grass or straw should now be laid round the plants to prevent the fruit from being dirtied in the event of heavy rains. Grafts which have made 5 or 6 inches of growth may have their tops pinced off to induce a bushy habit of growth, and remove all suckers which may make their appearance from their roots. Remove all weeds or other growth likely to shade fruit trees from the full influence of the sun and air. Flowers, Shrubs, &c. — Hardy Annuals and other flower seeds may still be sown, and any rare things will succeed better in places not exposed to the mid-day sun. Encourage the growth of Geraniums and other choice things by copious waterings in dry weather. Support Dahlias and Hollyhocks with, stakes, and mulch over their roots with short manure. Cuttings of Pansies and other free flowering plants may now be put in in some shady place ia soft soil. Mark good sorts of Roses for propagation, and choice kinds may require to be supported by stakes.