CALENDAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1824, 5 November 1886, Page 8

CALENDAR.

Vegetable Garden.— The various early-sown crops have made good growih during the past month, and the cultivator is cheered by the prospect of an early reward for his labour. Otago is really a most favourable district as a whole for the cultivation of kitchen garden products, it being a rare thing for localities within measurable distance of the seacoast to go longer than a week without rain during spring and early summer, when the crops are making their most important growth. In such localities as the DunstaD, where rain is scarcely seen for months at a stretch, cultivators have the advantage of good water supplies as a rule, and where this is the case, of course growth is exceedingly rapid and returns proportionately satisfactory. It is in a locality of this nature that the value of mulching is particularly noticeable. The frequent use of the hoe is a necessity, not only rendering watering less necessary in dry weather, but also destroying weeds and tending to keep insect pests in check. The thinning out of all crops should be attended to at an early stage. Spring-sown cabbage should be transplanted for autumn supply. Potatoes may still be planted, and tomatoes should be hardened off and planted out in rows along a trellis in a sunny situation. Plant out pumpkins, vegetable marrows, &c. Make another sowing of celery, and prick out young plants from earlier ones as soon as they are fit to handle. The more advanced plants from early sowings when sin or 6in high should be planted out in the trenches, using plenty of manure.

Flower Gabden. — Continue sowing annuals and thin out all those previously planted during showery weather, transplanting the thinnings. Early-blooming shrubs, such as photinias, laurels, viburnums, rhaphiolepis, &c. should receive any necessary pruning as soon as they have done blooming. Heliotropes, petunias, and other border plants that are apt to make straggling growth should be cut back occasionally to keep them compact and shapely. Vacancies in miscellaneous beds and borders should be filled up without delay from the reserve stock. In order to provide for losses that are almost sure to occur during the summer, it is advisable to always have in reserve a stock of plants. If it requires replenishing, the present is a very good time for putting in cuttings of herbaceous plants. Climbing plants will now require a good deal of attention in training, so as to get them to evenly cover their trellises or other supports. The propagating of pinks, pentstemons, antirrhinums, and generally of such perennials as can be increased by means of cutting, Bhould be engaged in forthwith, taking those that are earliest in the proper condition of growth for the operation first. Cold frames or hand glasses are the fittest appliances for the purpose, and they are best* placed on the south side of a wall or hedge. Where these not available, however, a shady position in the open border will be found to act satisfactorily. Fruit Garden. — The season promises generally to be a prolific one, although late frosts in the Teviofc diatrict are reported to have done considerable damage. Trees on walls will now require frequent attention in regard to stopping and regulating the growth and in thinning the

fruit. Never allow the growth to become crowded before dealing with and thinning it sufficiently. No more should be retained than cau be fully supplied with light — that is, neighbouring branches should not overshadow each other. Fruit, if abundant, should be thinned in order to have the size and the quality superior. These remarks apply with equal force to espalier, bush, and pyramid trees as to wall tree 3, and the principle is equally desirable in theory in the treatment of standard orchard trees, but is not so practicable for obvious reasons.