CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1929, 9 November 1888, Page 10

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK.

The cold snap usually looked for in October came late this year, but it was none the less severe on that account. Some of the days and nights of last week were almost as severe as midwinter, and on Wednesday night the snow and sleet falling on the high lands, even in the vicinity of the coast, froze as it fell to theground. This spell will no doubt have effectually cleared the way for summer weather, and we may now look forward to steady progress in all departments of the garden. The Hardy Flower Border. — There is probably more work to be done amongst hardy border flowers in the months of November and December than at any other time during the year. In the case of old-e&tiblished borders, many herbaceous plants will bo growing vigorously, and if the soil is suitable for the plants, many o! them will produce a larger number of flower stems than ought to remain. This is particularly the case with such vigorous growing things as the plox, double and single delphiniums, perennial lupins, Michaelmas daisies, and others of similar character. It is desirable that all this class of plants should be gone over at once, and where itisseenthattheflowerstems are too numerous, to cut out the 'weakly ones close down to the soil. Those that are left will make a stronger growth, and produce larger heads of flowers. But this thinning out requires to be carefully done, and, as far as possible, every plant should be allowed to assume its natural character. Nothing disfigures herbaceous plants bo much as to cut away all the outside stems and leave a few tied up in bundles in the middle. The diversity of form in which the various subjects grow is a point that should receive attention. The delphiniums, for instance, do not grow far away from the crown, but send up a great number of flower spikes; and there are many others whish grow in the same way. The proper plan of dealing with them is to cut out those in tbe middle and leave the outside stems, selecting, of course, the strongest to remain. The tall-growing phloxes are in many cases allowed to carry more stems than thcsir roots can support, and in consequence the heads of flowers are small. The effect would be much finer if a strong plant were only allowed to carry four or five spikes of bloom, because they would be much larger. Next to a judicious thinning out of the crowded shoots is that of tying up those which require supports. In a strong soil the growth will be so vigorous that it is impossible to do without sticks aud ties altogther, if the border is to be kept in good condition. But a too free use of stakes will make the aspect of the place formal. The plan of gathering up a large armful of growth aud tying it up in a bundle with a stake in the middle must be condemned. Where the flower stems grow any distance from the centre of tbe plant, two or more stakes should bs used ; but in every case the growth should, as much as possible, be allowed to retain its natural character. It is too much the practice to overcrowd these borders. Variety is all very well ; but it is the fairly large masses that create an effect. A number of tsmall bits may be interesting to the specialist ; but a mixed border of hardy plants should contain masses of flowers. The foliage of the bulbs that occupy the border should be preserved, and this is a very important point. The old flowers stems on such bulbs as tulips and daffodils may be cut off with advantage, but not a green leaf should be injured, or the bulbs will be weakened. _ In not a few cases plants and bu!bs of many kinds that have recently gone out of flower are recklessly bereft of every green leaf for the sake of neatness. Such a thoughtless act is thwarting Nature in a way that she is sure to resent — for whether it is a plant or a bulb such treatment is sure to cud in a few weak flowers the next year ; and if continued for two or three seasons the existence of the plant is threatened. In the case of bulbs not a leaf should be injured or removed until it is quite yellow, for until they are in that condition the process of maturation is not complete. With regard to watering, the plants in these borders do not get the attention they deserve. The tall-growing phlox and the double and single pyrethrums delight in having plenty of root moisture, and they, in common with many plants of similar growth, cannot be grown well without it. Kitchen Garden.— Earth up French beans, peas, and scarlet runners ; a succession may be planted ; prepare trenches and plant celery ; transplant all kinds of broccoli, cauliflowers, savoys, and cabbage for winter use ; tomatoes and capsicums, if not put out, should now be done ; vegetable marrows may yet be sown ; sow turnips this month, and earth up late potatoes.