CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 9

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden. — Now is the season to make preparations for having flowers in spring. Many seedlings such as those of Myosotis dissitiflora will need transplanting from seedbeds into rows about Gin apart, so that they may make nice clumps by April when transplanted to beds with bulbs for spriug. Daisies, red and white, may be parted and replanted. Polyanthuses and primroses, if not hitherto attended to, may now be divided, and old clumps of forget-me-nots of various kinds, if pulled to pieces and dibbled in Hues in shaded places, will make good plants. Several kinds of bieuuials, or rather annuals, sown now will flower freely next spring. Tho pretty Silene pendula compacta is one of the best for promoting a mass of rosy pink flowers. Limnanthes Douglasi makes i good companion to it, and Saponaria calabrica, bright, rosy pink, is very pretty. Many other annuals are hardy enough to stand the winter in a small state. It is best to sow on rather poor soil in a dry, well-drained place suchas a sloping bank or border. The Godetias, Gilias, Phlox Drummondi, and similar flowers, if sown now, will survive ordinary winters and make a fine display at a time when gardens are frequently destitute of much floral beauty. Few seem to have any correct idea of the value of the cornflower as an early summer plant when sown in autumn. The variety of colours to be found in its pretty flowers is quite charming, and they are amongst the best of blooms for jutting. Self-sown plants, or those sown in the autumn, make a lovely display on strong soils. Bulbs may soon be thought about, aud hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, and scillas are well-nigh indispensable. Putting in cuttings must still have attention ; they should be firmly fastened in the soil, and should have a watering to settle it round them. Afterwards they may be kept just fairly moist. All pelargoniums will root best now in the open air fully exposed. Verbenas, ageratums, heliotropes, aud such like things will succeed best in a close frame. A handlight will do if only a few are needed. Shade should be given on bright days.

Vegetable Garden.— Continue, as time and Epace permit, to plant cauliflowers for late autumn use, and broccoli, Savoys, Brussels jprouts, &c, for winter. Make a sowing of Nonpareil cabbage for early spring use. A plot of onions intended for spring should now be sown— ratheV thick. Continue successional sowiags of Victoria cabbage; lettuce to transplant into warm borders for late autumn and winter. Tho last sowing of Early Stone turnips should be made as early in the mouth as circumstances will pnrmit. Plant out York cabbages, which will come to maturity in early winter ; the drill may be lft apart, and the plants tho same distance asunder in the row.

Fkuit Garden. — Examine the state of the soil about the roots of wall fruit trees, in many instances the ground will be found exceedingly dry, particularly in places where overhanging copings are in use. Unless watering is attended to in these cases, tho trees will soon display evidence of neglect, either by casting some of their fruit or the diminutive sige and absence of flavour of the latter. Cue out the qld canes of raspberries that have produped fruit, and thin the young ones to about four to each stool. Ie may be as well to leave the young shoots their full length until spring, as in some situations during a severe winter they die back. New plantations may now be made. Plant single canes about 18in apart, and secure them to espalier rails or stakes. The autumn-bearing varieties should still furnish a good supply of fruit if the weather keeps mild. This is the season for ripening the woof I, and nothing should lie allowed to obstruct the suulighl. Old exhausted strawberry beds may be destroyed, those one or two years old being sufficient to preserve 'o supply tho main crop of next season ; they should be cultivated in such a manner as to ensure a prolific yield. No more runners being required, clear away any that remain, takiug care D °t to injure the leaves of the plants in the operation. Encourage the growth during the remainder of the season by lightly forking in E sme rich, well decomposed manure. It is a latter of primary importance to preserve the "Id foliage from injury, as upon it depends the Perfect elaboration of the sap for the production of next year's crop. EPITOME. Apples and pears should bo gathered as soon to the stalk parts readily from the tree, and handle the fruit with care to prevent bruising. Annuals to stand the winter may be sown on Poor soil, as if the staple is rich the growth wi^l oe too vigorous. The bdsfc sorts are Nemophilas, Undytuf ts, Olarkias, Convolvulus, Lupines, and Eschscholtzias. " Potatoes to be lifted, and it is not necessary Yflwaifc for the shaws to die down. Crop the

vacant ground with coleworts, endive, or lettuce.

Peas and beans to be cleared off as soon as they cease to be profitable, and crop the ground with winter greens.

Dahlias to be kept in trim by removing superfluous growth and tying in those shoots required. Remove decaying flowers so as to maintain a succession of bloom.

Lilies may be divided and replanted when the stems have turned yellow. Gradually lessen the water supply to those grown in pots, but they should never be kept dust-dry, even in the winter.

Greenhouse to be thoroughly cleansed, as the time is approaching for housing camellias, azaleas, and other hard-wooded plants. Auriculas may be repotted, and employ a rich loamy soil. Place in a cold frame, keep close for a few days, and then ventilate freely.