THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1956, 20 August 1891, Page 5

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Kitchen (Jakdkn.— Tha advent of more favour- ; able weather will give an impulse to all gardening operations, and the greatest activity should prevail I in getting ground in readiness for the sowing of main oropi. The importance of early sowing and i transplanting has persistently bean advocated here, , ana the advantages of the system will be fully recognised if we should have a dry spring. Bow Early Horn carrot in light coil having a warm exposure. In heavy soil it Is not advisable to sow until the ground is in better vr< rking condition. To grow leeks well, the soil should be n rather strong loam with a depth of at least 2tt. It must aUo be Eenvilv dressed with rich, well-rotted manure. Sow the seeds at once, in a bed of light soil, in a wellshelter situation. Altbongh ib is' too early to sow tbe main crop of oniono. jot the ground oan be preparud, and well-enriched with maiuire and tbe ashes from a fire The soil ctnnot be made too rioh for this crop bo long as there is plenty of depth. Sow parsnips in Huea from lPin to 20in apart, covering the seeds Trith $(n of fine soil A deep rich soil is necessary for the crop, and a piece should be chosen which has been manured for a previous orop, as the application of f-esh manure tends to produce forked and badly formed roots. Bow lettuoe, radish, and other small saladings for succession. Fiowkr Gahdkw —AH turfing on lawns should not be delayed, as the effect of rolling now fcbafc the turf, liioffc and pliable is muqn Increased and tendi to

produoa a firm sward during summer. Lawn grate seed should be sown at onoe, especially on light sandy soils, to enable the roots to get a firm grip of the soil before the dry weather sets In. A month later will be time enough to sow on heavy soils to ensure a quicker germination from the warmth of the ground. Wistarias, ampelepiis, olematis, ;and other out-door climbtrs may be pruned and secured against wind. As these kinds always break early it is necessary to get them attended to at once to avoid iDjuriDg the buds. Paosies, violas, calceolarias, and petunias will thrive under cold frame treatment, but if they are too orowded in the store boxes they mast be thinned. Pansies and violas may be increased by division when tramplantiDg. Grebhhous*.— The increasing power of the sun will soon render shading neoessary, and whatever •yttem fs adopted it should be got in readiness. The movabla blind* of light material are the best, as they can be used or not as required. Arrangements for storing up water In tanks or barrels inside the bouse if possible should be made ; it is of some importance now that plants are on the move that the water should be of the same temperature as that of fche house in which they are grown. Oacti and other suooulent plants are becoming moieand more sought after. They are exceedingly ouriom both In form and structure, and many of them produce brllliautooloored flowers ; and though we oannot say they have the grace and elegance of fern* and many other plants, they possess a greater amount ef interest, on account of their unusual forms and their spiny, leafless, weird Hkeappearanoe. They have an additional advantage— they require very little heat and very little pot-room, go that a large and Interesting collection may be grown in very limited spacs ; whilst for variety, and to break any supposed sameness, there is really no reason why some fernaand ot kK oroamental-leavdd-plants ehouia.not be Sown/ wjthihein. At 4thtß4 thtß season of the year all t kte3s of. i oacti should be kept dfy— that le to cay, th6?requlre water only at long intervals ; but do not be led away by those adviser* whom we have heard declare that they require no water /or six months'lri the year. This is starving them, and leads to *notbibg 3 but disappointment, and the plants present a miserable appearance. Look over them from time to time, and If any appear to be distressed, give a little water, bnt err rather towards the dry than the wet system.