THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2007, 11 August 1892, Page 5

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. Kitchen Garden. — For general usefulness as a winter vegetable Brussels sprouts occupy the first place, and with cottagers' kale will furnish a supply till the spring cabbage come in. The seed should b.c sown at once in a sheltered border, and to prevent the young plants being lifted out of the ground by frost, a row of bricks may bo placed round the space where the seed is sown to support sashes or other covering at night. "When the plants are fit to handle they can be pricked out 6in apart, on a similar sheltered border until they are ready for transplanting to the place they are to occupy. This should be in an open situation, and the ground should be heavily manured. Sow also, at the same time and under like conditions, cottagers' kale, cabbage, cauliflower, leek, and lettuce seed. The necessary preparations should be made for sowing onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, &c, as soon as the soil is workable. Sow parsley, also peas and beans to succeed former sowings. Protect peas just coming through the ground by staking them or by dusting heavily with soot, which, adheiingto the young shoots, prevents the attacks of birds. Fruit Garden.— Strawberry plantations should now have their annual dressings of stable manure, which will encourage the roots to come to the surface and protect them from drought. Previous to the application of the mulching the ground between the rows should be cleared or runners, weeds, and dead leaves. The hoe may be used to loosen the surface, but all digging or forking is objectionable, as the roots may be injured. Tie up raspberry canes firmly to stakes, cutting off the tips of the shoots to the required length when growth commences. Flowt.r Garden.— "When the ground becomes moderately dry, the vacant beds may bo forked over previous to planting out autumn sown annuals. A general sowing of the hardy kinds should be made in this month ; larkspurs, godetias, nemophilas and clarkias, areall perfectly hardy, and will germinate quickly in sandy soil. Biennials may be planted in the borders, where they are to bloom. Petunias put in last month will have formed roots, and they may be potted in small pots. The petunia is a rapid grower and, once started, should be kept growing on without check The points of the shoots may be pinched out when 3in high. Verbenas suffering from mildew must be dusted with sulphur, give them a light sandy soil and plenty of air. Remove the

ashes or other covering material from hyacinths in pots to prevent the stem from being drawn. The nibs may bo covered with small pots at night until they have become sufficiently hardened. Push forward alterations and finish planting as rapidly as the weather permits. Greenhouse. — Ixias, sparaxis and babianas, grow n in pots are very ornamental plants, for the stages, to mix with the heavier foliaged plants. They are also useful as cut flowers. The new freeslas are also charming plants for the conservatory, from the brightness and fragrance of their flowers. Pot vallotas if they require it, to enable them to mature their growth early. 'With camellias, primulas, the early blooming ericas, and forced bulbs, the house should now present a cay appearance. Keep all decaying flowera and foliage removed, and change the arrangement of the plants weekly.