AMATEUR GUIDE FOR DECEMBER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1672, 8 December 1883, Page 7

AMATEUR GUIDE FOR DECEMBER.

This month is equal to June in the Old Country, and we can safely plant out all bedding plants now, as protection from severe cold should be no longer necessary. This will give us a considerable amount of space in our pits or frames, which will be available for the reception of sowings of tender annuals for autumn flowering, and for cuttings of plants which it is desirable to propagate. But if protection from cold be no longer necessary, the effects of excessively hot and dry weather will have to be guarded against. Watering becomes an important operation, but recourse should not be had to it in the open ground, or outside, so long as the health of the plant is not endangered. When it is absolutely necessary it should be done effectively, and continued till rain relieves us of the ' necessity of continuing it any longer. Let the surface of the soil occupied by crops be frequently stirred and kept loose, and never allow it to get hard and baked. Destroy weeds on their first ap-' pearance, for by so doing much labour afterwards will be saved. * Keep walks clear of weeds, as it adds greatly to the appearance of the garden. Lawns will require frequent mowings at this season to keep them tidy. Auripulas after flowering should be slightly shaded ; pot off all seedlings. All chrysanthemums in pots should be moved into larger sizes before the plants _K6t pot- bound; wator abundantly, and occasionally with manure water.. Cinerarias : Sow in fine soil as the seed ripens; also propogate by cuttings. Holly-

hocks' may now be propagated by side shoots, taking the Bhoots off as soon aB they can be inserted in the soil of the frame, which should be placed in a cool, shaded situation. Pelargoniums : Fropagata by cuttings, stop these when they have made three or four eyes. Kitchen Gabden.— Beans may still be sowir. Towards 1 the beginning of the month a crop of the early long-pbd might be sown; and about the end of the month the latest main crop may be put in ; earth up and top advancing crops. Peas may be sown about the middle of the month for late autumn use. Knight's tall marrow is very good if the ground be well trenched and rich, but any of the good varieties will do ; also some of the auvergne, or some such varieties, may be sown towards the end of the month. Soil that has been manured for a a previous crop will suffice for the winter-aown crop of peas, as rich soil tende to produce an undue proportion of haulm ; but for summer crops an additional dressing should bo given, and the ground trenched or dug very deep. Or a shallow trench may be made, as for celery, for each row of peas, and well manured. The depth- at which to deposit the seed must also be regulated by the season. In winter half an inch of soil above the seed would suffice ; indeed, in damp or retentive soils the seeds may be dropped on the surface and lightly covered ; but during summer the drills should be two or three inches in depth. The flowing of peaa may continue on until the autumn, but the late sowing should consist of the earliest varieties. Turnips : Sow a succession early in the month, and the main crop for winter may be sown towards the end of the month. Hoe and thin previous sowings as they advance, keeping the ground free round them, and checking the growth of _ weeds. Beet will also require thinning, hoeing the ground about them ; thin to, say., nine inches apart. Celery : Continue planting out as the plants attain sufficient size j give plenty of water. Sow a little in the beginning of the month for late spring use. Celery requires a very rich deep soil, and a moist situation is best to be selected, but not where the soil is saturated with water. A very good practice, and one that is often adopted by growers, is to select for celery a piece of ground in some cool situation which has become exhausted with cropping, and is in want of trenching — to cast it up in .wide trenches^ and manure heavily. When the celery is finally earthed up manure is thrown into the trenches between the rows, over which (the crops being removed) the soil is again levelled back, and thus the ground is put in good condition, and, especially after a deep digging, is well prepared for any top-rooting vegetable. Chervil : Sow successions during the month. Cress : Also keep up successions by frequent sowings during the month. Endive: Sow towards the middle of the month j this is a good salad for winter use, and is becoming now of more repute than has hitherto been the case. To grow it well, the culture recommended for lettuce is exactly suitable. The white and the green curled are the only sorts cultivated. The heads require to be blanched, which may be effected either by tying the leaves close together or covering each plant with a flowerpot, saucer, or a piece of slate a few at a time. The green curled" variety is considered the best. Kidney beans : Also sow successions of these this month. Cabbage : All early sowings should be planted out before the plants get too large or crowded in the beds ; sow also successions for later use. Cauliflower may also be sown a little this mouth. In -fact we might have cauliflower the greater part of the year ; the soil for them should be equally as rich as for cabbages. The distance between the plants must be regulated by the size of the heads required, from 18 to 30 inches apart ; but for private use small or middle-sized heads are the most suitable. Waite's alma and early London are the most suitable for the earliest crops. For spring crops Edsall's favourite, Erfurt giant, and Carter's dwarf mammoth are excellent ; and for summer crops walchern, vetches, and autumn giant. For cauliflowers at this season sow a few in rows in rich ground, so that they may be thinned out and come to maturity without transplanting. Plant out successions ; do not allow the plants to suffer from drought ; protect the heads with leaves. Carrots : Some may be sown for drawing young ; hoe and thin the more advanced crops. Parsnips will also require thinning and hoeing. Radishes : Make successional sowings in a shaded spot. Potatoes will require earthing up. Spinach : Make successional sowings. The New Zealand spinach should be planted out in the beginning of the month if not previously done. This is a native plant, but appears to be more thought of in England than it is with us in its native habitat.

The hardy fruit trees will also require attention this month. Particular attention must be directed to the summer pruning, especially of wall trees ; otherwise confusion will take place, and the sap will flow most where it is least wanted; so that a tree which, by proper management, should be everywhere sufficiently and almost equally vigorous, will exhibit the evil of over luxuriance in one part, and excessive debility in the other. Water at the roots of trees planted last spring, and others that may require it, before they suffer from want of moisture. Yet cold spring water must not be used, especially for wall trees in borders, for much cold water applied to the roots of trees growing in them will stop the swelling of the truit, and cause it to crack. Attend to trees grafted last spring, and if they are growing freely, the clay will require to-be removed and the tyings loosened. In tx>me cases the grafts must be again retied, and the shoots supported by a small stake or rod. Remove any snoots from the stocks that may appear below the grafts.

The vineries will also require attention, for those that are wished to come in early, the temperature may now be regulated to 70 degrees at night, and 75 to 80 degrees through the day. A constant circulation of air is also essential, and in order to afford it, without lowering the temperature too much, a little fire-heat may be necessary, except in very hot weather. But whilst plenty of air is recommended, sweeping draughts must be guarded against. Vines in pots should be supplied with manure water. Attend to stopping the shoots and exposing the foliage to as much light as possible. The vineries for the lata crops will require little or no fire-heat, except perhaps, when in flower, if the nights are colder than usual at this period of the year. _ Stop and regulate the shoots, as previously directed for early crops. Continue to thin the berries, and tie out the shoulders of branches requiring that operation.

Cooling and Rbfrbshinq are the effects of Row lands' K/vtydor on the face, bands, aud arms of ladies and all exposed to tbe scorching rays of the sun and heated particles of dust ; it eradicates all freckles, tan, sunburn, stinga of insects, &c, and produces a beautiful and delicate complexion. Rowlands' Macaasir Oil prevents the hair falling off, or becoming dry during hot weather, and renders it beautifully softpli&Dle, pnA gioasy. Rowlands' Oconto is the purest, mo« flagrant, and uon-gritty tooth powder ever mads, it> "whitens the teeth, prevents decay, and gives a fsagrance to the breath. Ask any dealer in poriumory for Rowlands' articles,' of 20 Hatton Garden, Loudon, and avoid spurious, worthless imita-tions.—-Acenta Kemothorne, Proßser, and Co., Dmiedin, AueKland. ana Ohriatcnurci,