CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1932, 30 November 1888, Page 10

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK.

Fruit Garden.— The late rains will induce a healthy growth among all classes of fruit trees if other conditions are favourable; this gives good opportunities for budding. It will also force a luxuriant midsummer growth in the grafts and young trees, thereby giving chances of forming two ordinary seasons' growth in one by timely stopping the leading shoots. Kitchen Garden. — There will be good growth here also. A low temperature succeeding heavy rain is not conducive to the progress of tender plants, as cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, &c, and in the event of cold southerly winds, a few leafy boughs placed around would afford some protection. A mulching of the ground among beans, late peas, cauliflower, and other crops will have the effect of preventing the rapid evaporation of the late acquisition of moisture, thus preserving it for the use of the occupants. Flower Garden.— Annuals may now be sown for late blooming ; several batches of such useful things as mignonette and sweet peas are always desirable to maintain a constant supply throughout the season. Sub-tropical plants may now be set out, the weather being favourable. All this class of plants require a deep, rich, and porous soil, with plenty of moisture at the root, to enable them to show their true worth. A sheltered situation is also desirable, as their large foliage is liable to injury from high winds. Now is a good time to prepare for the propagation by cuttings of choice varieties of pansies by cutting back close to the root and placing round it a little fine rich mould. This will induce a new growth from the root or stool, which when about two inches long forms the best of cuttings, and which generally take root readily under ordinary care. This is also the best method for verbenas, petunias, and plants of similar habit a little later in the season ; cutings of the flowering shoots seldom succeed.' Grbehhousb. — As soon as pelargoniums have made young growth two or three inches long, they should be taken off as cuttings to form next season's plants, and if done early and well good plants will result the first season. This is far preferable to deferring it till late in the summer, thereby necessitating a second season to form a good plant ; if the cuttings be very vigorous or soft they will be improved by allowing them to wither a little before inserting them in the soil. This checks the tendency of such to rot or damp off if placed immediately in wet soil. Of course care must be taken that they do not become too dry. Vineries. — Continue removing the secondary laterals as they appear. If the foliage is weak or thin, two or three leaves may be left on each, or on part of the growths. Like other plants, vines cannot thrive unless they have plenty of breathing-surface. As the grapes in early houses swell up after stoning discontinue the use of the syringe to some/extent, but damp down the floors, &c, several times a day in bright weather.