CALENDAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1754, 4 July 1885, Page 7

CALENDAR.

The mont h of -June, corresponding with December in Britain, the deadest mqivthmtheyear, has now paswd away, leaving behind a record of a particularly favon/iiblo character, it ha-, been favourable t.o a decree seldom experience 1, and is consequently entitled to a more than ordinary notice. During ith whole conr.se the inhabitants at any rate in ami around Duneiltn have nothing to say against it ; on this contrary, on; and all fU'e hound to say the weather ha-; boe'i exceptionally fine. Very litths vain In*. JV.llen, the sky has usually been clear, and the frosts experienced have been very opportune, and of great advantage in all gardening operations, In a calendar one of the most important points is a reliable record of the state of and variations in the weather. These conditions are invaluable for reference and guidance and depending on them, directions and instructions for 1 general work are mainly based. No invariable rule can be laid down. It must be varied in regard to the state of the weather, which regulates the condition of the soil, .so that indications for a favourable season are very inapplicable to one of an opposite character. Hence it arises that what may be suited for one season may be entirely wrong for a corresponding period in another. July ushers in the time when sowing and planting out of vegetables may with safety ba begun. The ground is undoubtedly in fine condition for the work, provided digging and manuring have been attended to and prosecuted during the past month. If not, no timu should be lost to prepare the soil, taking the precaution not to dig or plant or sow when there is any frost on the ground. Gather all vegetation that has been killed by frost or is in a decaying state, and s^ir between growing crops. The principle of rotation should be strictly attended to. Thus i where cabbage or cauliilower have been grown a succession crop of potatoes, pease, or beans should follow. ('arrot, turn,ip, or lettuce are j not suitable, and a very strong reason for this is i the fact that a number of the injurious insects which affect the cabbage family, and which are I found very plentifully in the soil around them, also play havoc with these crops. Make small spwings of the earlier sorts ofpease, brans, lettuce, radish, turnips^ carrots, onions, and a few of the be.->t kinds of potatoes may be planted in a, dry sheltered spot, but they should bo put at least six inches in the soil; strong plant's of cabbage from the seed-bed may also be planted out, and a pinch of seed might be put in to supply any vacancies which may I afterwards be found. Soaking seed before sowing is found very beneficial, but h not recommended for seed at this early season — there is suiucient moisture in the soil, and not sufficient he.it (o dry up. Vrvit. — Apples, pears, plums, cherries, mo I}«r.'S, quinces, chestnuts, walnuts, mulrWi ijo.s, filberts, gooseberries, currants, raspUTriu-^ apricots, pe:iehe.\, and nectarines shouM be, got' in without ify'lay, th,e groiu^ having: been vio,usly prepared an directed. Both in p,la>tt Inc. ; ancl jii, using the, knife, delay tho operation if [ fr-qsty weather should u<--eui\" Grafts of fruit | tr-oe?, specially cherries and plums, should be out off now, as if not taken off early tb.oy do not succeed so well. Put the ends in soil in a sheltered situation, where neither the sun's rays nor drying winds will affect them until the I grafting season arrives, Make cuttings of goose-

berries and currants ; they should bo about a foot, in length, and all eyes rubbed out to w ithin four niches from the top. The ground between rows of strawberries should be lightly turned with a fork, and then mulch with long dung, the nourishing qualities of which will be carried down to the roots by the rain for the benefit of the crop, while the washed litter will serve to keep the fruit clean, Tn the flower garden very little can be done among the plants, except what has been already indicated— namely, planting or shifting, pruning or trimming, and protecting or housing halfhardy kinds. Climbers should be nailed or fastened in. A capital substitute for nailing is to stretch a piece of wive netting — a wide mesh will suit— against the wall and tie to it. The saving in time and labour will soon cover the cost, and plants thrive batter than when close to the wall. Most of the tuberous and bulbous roots will now be above ground, and they must be carefully watched against slugs and other vermin. Tulips are injured by heavy rains and deserve protection, but they must be uncovered in favourable weather. Pansies are first fin on riles at sonic of our shows. They require a good rich loamy soil and protection from strong mvi hoal ,so a rather shaded spot is best suited for growing to perfection. They can be struck ironi cuttings at any season. Those raised from oced in pans or boxes should now be pricked out into bedh or borders. HOUTICUI.TOB.