CALENDAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1777, 12 December 1885, Page 3

CALENDAR.

During the end of November and the first week of December the weather has been somewhat changeable, but its prevailing feature was towards dryness, so much so that every one having a garden would be glad of the fine showers which fell on'tke afternoon of the 7th instant, and which will do immense good to almost all descriptions of plants. Both fruit and flowers and vegetables will be benefited thereby. In the vegetable department all sorts are looking healthy and well-formed, the market being well supplied as compared with some former years at the same period. The main sowing of vegetable seeds is now over for the season, but successional sowings for autumn use should be made during the month. Peas and French beans,also turnips, raclish.lettu'e.&c, sown at intervals, will keepasupplyof young tender crops till winter approaches. As a piece of ground becomes vacant by the removal of a crop it should be at once manured and turned over, and re-occupied with something else. Potatoes are now coming forward plentifully, and look well grown. Every care should be taken in keeping crops clear of weeds, which will now grow luxuriantly from the heat in the ground and the refreshing showers. Fruits are more difficult to give an opinion on at present, as in various parts of Otago and Southland visited during the past three weeks there is a great and marked difference. In some orchards all varieties are promising abundantly, whilst in others at no great distance apples are .abundant, but pears below an average; and in one particularly, where there were about two dozen pear trees in the full vigour of growth, not more than 15 years old, some varieties were &o laden as to need thinning, whilst others had only a fruit here and there. To find the latter state the case with winter nclis was not surprising, as we have never known it to do well in this country ; but in the case of buerros and bergamots the case is different, as most of each of these varieties do well. Plums present the greatest deficiency — it was rare to see even an average crop; whilst cherries were abundant, and strawberries, although behind Dunedin in readiness, were looking splendid. Gooseberries, too, were favourable. Peaches and apricots where grown were swelling nicely. The' groat evil is tho numerous insect pests which prevail everywhere, and seem determined to have the upper hand, which, with the birds, they will assuredly gain unices attacked with a will and by every remedy. '

To those desirous of keeping their trees in good shape and forming fruit buds for next yearthe pinching back system should now be regularly attended to, leaving only six or eight inches of the young shoot, by which means the wood will bo more easily ripened and the .strength directed to fruit producing. Trees planted this year .should have frequent and copious watering in dry weather. The trouble is considerable, but the advantages arc great. The flower gardens are looking splendid, perhaps never presented a finer appearance , and the hhows iioav approaching should exceed any of former times in most classes, provided the growers will take the trouble of sending their plants in either for exhibition or competition. Iti<3 expected there will be keen competition this season in Duuedin, particularly among rose and pansy growers as it is reported great efforts have boen made by some new hand to excel the efforts Ot tbe old stagers. However, the 17th will settle the matter. A new feature iv the arrangement for Dunedin judging this season is to have only one judge m each class, and another well worthy of imitation has been adopted by the South Dunedin Committee in the offer oF a substantial money prize for the neatest and best kept cottage garden. Horticultural prospects are improving. All flowers needing it should he neatly staked and kept scrupulously clear of weeds,

and to keep clear- of green fly and other insects a weak solution of sulphate of ammonia or soapsuds should be given now and then overhead. HoimcuLTon.