CALENDAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1778, 19 December 1885, Page 7

CALENDAR.

Th« rain whioh toll ou the 6th inst. was not vury copious, and although it refreshed plants generally, still it did not penetrato far into the ground, and the chill dryiug wind which hah since prevailed very speedily absorbed it. There is no doubt that the weather generally since the commencement of December has been the re-vei-hc of favourable, and this is more noticeable among our fruit crops than in the other depart--ments.

The progress of vegetables of all sorts has been steady and satisfactory, and we hear of no complaints of failures, and judging from the quality and quantity of the supplies linding their way into the market, thori appears to be no room for grumbling, l ' -li-ry plants should be kept well boxed up, ami aa it is a shadeloving plant a covering of branches to break Ihe sun"' 1 rays will be advantageous. It is perhaps rather early, but a reminder is not, out of the way to tho->6 who desire early onions that the ground should now be prepared for receiving the seed. The soil should bo made moderately rich with good short manure, and dug to a good depth. Onions will succeed well after potatoes, which will now be lifting for use. Continue sowing French, beans, turnip, radish, &c. and keep a watchful eye foy slugs, fly, and other vermin. A supply of liquid manure to all descriptions will be of great advautdgo during the drought. The complaint of insect pests and diseases among all descriptions of fruit trees and bushes is common from one cml of tho Colony to the other. From Auckland in particular the lament fcr tho almo»t total destruction of tho peach yield is both loud and continuous. No conclusion seems to have rocu arrived at as yet as to the precise nature of the disease, nor what has produced it, so that 110 remedy .suggested im to the present is lookvd on as satisfactory. Sp^ai' writers consider tho disease identical w,^k tho yellows in America, and say it hi\g. \hm introfluoed from thenco ; other., ny,te>iate this idea, and say there is little or v>'.< identity. Jlr Kirk, the physician j,pe<;i;\lly appointed by the Government to hivostigiifce find report on these insect plagues nnd the diseases of fruit tvous, has been tendering his opinion and advice to the orchardists in Auckland, but it \u\<\ not been very well received, and the '•*■ Professor '? lias been told in as many vords that he knows nothing about tup mattou at all. Jifow although poach -growing is not t'ullovod hi Otr.gt) to anything like the wra« extent as in tfc«. North, it would he well to keop a good look out fur any indication of tho disea.;t» which may be noticed, ' It is described shortly thus : very

slender shoots from buds on the main branches of the tree, which grow about three inches in length, and produce small narrow yellow or colourless leaves. The fruit ripens prematurely, does not attain its full size, and each year becomes smaller. The flesh is more deeply coloured, particularly round the stone, than iv the natural state. Ultimately the tree dies. We adhere to our formerly expressed opinion, that the disease can only be overcome through time by working the peach on the plum or almond stock.

The mussel scale on the apple continues tobe the subject of greatest complaint with us, and this pest, combined with the mildew, isthreatening almost complete destruction. In our case we know the diseases and their remedies, and the fault will lie with ourselves if they are not carefully and steadily applied. Strawberries are showing in the shops very plentifully and early this season as compared with the last — at any rate a fortnight ahead, and in much better condition. Cherries also are plentiful, but not so fie-shy aud plump as could be wished. Gooseberries are well up to the mark, and are also in good supply. There is a general complaint that the larger kinds of fruit are not swelling to the size they ought to be considering the favourable season wo have had, but this can hardly be wondered at when it is borne in mind that although the seasou has been a fine mild one, it has been more than an average dry one ; andas fruit trees of all descriptions requires a goodsupply of moisture at their roots, when this has not been regularly given disappointment will be the result. No time should be lost in giving trees a good soaking of water, repeating the operation so long as the dry weather continues ; more particularly should this be attended to with lately planted or shifted trees.

Among iiowcrs there are fine blooms in general, and perhaps roses in particular are excelling themselves. We anticipate a grand show, which will have taken place before thiss issue reaches our readers. The season of hardy spring flowers is now over, and though we have lost their attraction, others equally fine, but perhaps not' so highly prized, ai'e taking their place. The same distinction between the seasons is not at all so noticeable here as it is in Europe and America — in fact it does not exist ; and many summer flowers of the Old Country greet us with an early spring appearance. We can only repeat the previous advice to have everything requiring it well staked, as the windiest part of the year is coming on; keep down weeds, and have lawns and walks closelycut and scrupulously clean.

HORTICULTOR.

The North Otago Horticultural Society's Committee (writes our correspondent) have decided to hold a summer show of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, on the Ist and 2nd of January next, on the same ground and at the same time as the Caledonian Society's annual sports in Oamarn. Mauy persons have requested the committee to have their usual spring show held in January instead of November as hitherto, being nuclei* the impression that flowers, &c,, would be more forward then than in November, and accordingly that the show would be more attractive to the general public. The committee are now organising a show for the Ist and 2nd January, as a test to ascertain if it would be advisable to alter the date of their show.