THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. [July corresponds to January at Home.— Average mean temperature, 377.] SEEDS TO BE SOWN. Beans Peas Spinach IN MODERATE HEAT : Carrot Cauliflower Cress Cucumber ' French beans Lettuce Melon Mustard TO BE PLANTED : All kinds of fruit and forest trees, shrubs &c. CALENDAR .FOR THE WEEK. Flower Garden and Shrubberies.— Pits, frames, soils, and pots should be got into immediate readiness for propagating purposes. In taking cuttings from bedding plants, a little extra time in correctly naming and distinguishing the different varieties j will be profitably spent. As the weatHer permits, any alterations in the ground which have been decided on should be carried out with all possible despatch. Bear always in mind that the degree of success ultimately achieved depends upon the manner in which every operation is performed. Those remarks more particularly apply to the formation of the ground, the preparation of the soil, and the taking up and replanting of choice shrubs. If not previously attended to, cuttings of such hardy shrubs as jasmine, flowering currants, honeysuckle, &c., should be put in immediately. Few plants possess so muGh interest as forget-me-nots ; they flower early and profusely, and look well in small bouquets. The old Myosotis Sylvatica is the one most commonly grown. It is hardy, easy of propagation, and grows into neat oompaot masses.

The Fruit Garden.— lf there is any planting to do, let it be 'done in open weather, and when the ground is dry ; never plant with frost or snow on the ground. Vegetable Garden. — Where there is a frame in a dung bed new potatoes may be had very early, and no great amount of skill or labour is needed to produce them. When the frame is "placedjon the manure, loamy soil should be spread in it, and made rather firm; the potatoes should be planted Bin apart, in rows about twice that distance asunder across the bed, and just covered. A little radish seed may be either scattered broadcast very thinly over the bed, sprinkling a Ijttle soil over it, or the seed may be .sown in 4rills between the potato rows. The radishes will be ready and used by the time. the potatoes require earthing, and the potatoes will be deared off \n time for an after crop of cucumbers or tomatoes. Soon after the potatoes are planted the heat of the soil should be tested by plunging the hand in it. If it is at all hot, or much warmer than new

milk, some stout stakes, driven into the bed from the outside arid withdrawn, will reduce the temperature : while, on the other hand, if the soil is still cold, fermenting manure banked round and up the sides of the frame will impart the requisite heat ; but so long as the soil is perceptibly warm that will be sufficient, and overheating must be avoided. All that is needed afterwards is to cover the glass at night to ensure safety from frost, and ventilate judiciously in the daytime to keep the growth of the potatoes sturdy. Where no frame exists, an early dish or two may be had from a row planted close to the base of a south wall. It is surprising how much earlier potatoes are in such a situation than in the open ground. '