WORK FOR THE WEEK

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 12 August 1882, Page 7

WORK FOR THE WEEK

Kitchen Garden.— For general usefulness as a winter vegetable Brussels sprouts occupy the first place, and with cottagers' kale will furnish a supply till the spring cabbage come m. The seed should be sown at once on a sheltered border, and to prevent the young plants being lifted out of the ground by frost, a row of bricks may be placed round the space where the seed is sown to support sashes or other covering at night. When the plants are fit to handle they can be pricked out six inches apart, on a similar sheltered border until they are ready for transplanting to the place they are to occupy. This should be in an open situation, ana the ground should be heavily manured. Sow also, at the same time and under like conditions cottagers' kale, cabbage, cauliflower, leek, and lettuce seed. The necessary preparations should be made for sowing onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, &c. ; as soon as the soil is workable. Sow parsley, also peas and beans to succeed former sowings. Protect pea 3 just coming through the ground by staking them pr by dusting heavily with soot, which, adhering to the young shoots, prevents the attacks of birds.

Fruit Garden. — ■ Strawberry plantations should now have their annual dressing of stable manure, which will encourage the roots to come to the surface and protect them from drought. Previous to tho application of the mulching the ground between the rows should be cleared of runners, weeds, and dead leaves. The hoe may be used to loosen the surface, but all digging or forking is objectionable, as the roots may be injured. Tie up raspberry canes firmly to stakes, cutting off the tips of the shaocs. to the required length when growth commences. Flower Garden,— When thegroundbecomes moderately dry, the vacant beds may be forked over previous to planting out autumn sown annuals, A general sowing of the hardy kinds should be made in this month ; larkspurs, godetias, nemophilas and clarkias, are all perfectly hardy, and will germinate quickly in sandy soil. Biennials may be planted in the borders, where they are to bloom. Petunias put m last month will have formed roots, and! they may be potted in small pots. The petunia is a rapid grower and, once started, should be kept growing on without check. The points of the shoots may be pinched out when three inches high. Verbenas suffering from mildew must be dusted with sulphur, give them a light sandy soil and plenty of air. Remove the ashes or other covering material from hyacinths in pots to prevent the stem from boing drawn. The nibs may be covered with small pots at night until they have become sufficiently hardened. Push forward alterations and finish planting as rapidly as the weather permits. Greenhouse.— lxias, sparaxis and babianas, grown in pots are very ornamental plants, for the stages, .to mix with the heavier foliaged plants. They are also useful as cut flowers. The new freesias are also charm;n.» pjan,ts for the conservatory, from the, brightness and fragrance of their flawe,^, Pot vallotas if they roquire it, tQ enable #iem to mature their growth early, With camellias, primulas, the early bloAinin,g ericas, and forced bulbs, the haus,e ahould now present a gay appearance. Keep all decaying flowers and forage removed, and change the arrangement of the plants weekly.