WORK FOR THE WEEK. THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2056, 20 July 1893, Page 4

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

THE GARDEN.

Flower Garden.— Manuring and digging of all beds and borders should be attended to when the state of the weather permits ; better to delay the work a week oi' two than to attempt to work the soil when wet and soddened, as when dug in this condition no after effort can undo the ill effects which ensue until the soil is again dug during dry weather. The season promises to be an early pring, if we can judge from present appearances,

although we are by no means through the worst of the winter, as we frequently get rather severe frosts up to the middle of August. Roses are pushing their buds rather early, and .the planting of these should be completed during the present month, if good blooms are to be looked for during the next summer. Select an open and sunny position for a rose bed, and thoroughly trench the soil, adding a heavy dressing of half decayed manure as the work proceeds. In selecting the plants as far as possible only those roses grown upon their own roots should be planted, as these generally give the least trouble to the amateur, and produce flowers of equal, and with some varieties superior, quality to those worked upon the briar or manetti. Pruning of roses should now be completed ; also the pruning of all evergreen shrubs. Where chrysanthemums are . grown, these should be dug up, taking a small piece off each variety that is to be kept, or what is preferable, strike a cutting of each and throw the old plant away. The divisions may be replanted at once in frech soil heavily manured, as on light soils it is almost impossible to dig in too much manure, as the chrysanthemum is a gross feeder, and unless liberally treated good flowers cannot be looked for. Keep the surface of soil around all bulbs, which will now be appearing above ground, free from weeds, which will only rob the sou of its fertility and form a harbour for slugs, which are particularly destructive just now among growing crops. These should be trapped, and the best means of effecting this is by examining the plants with a lantern after dark, and dusting them with fresh slaked lime, or placing handfuls of 'bran here and there about the beds, and after dark pouring boiling water upon the slugs thus collected, will soon thin them out.

Fruit Garden. — Planting and pruning is the principal work to be' attended -to during the present month. Planting, if to be a success, should not be delayed, as if late planted trees are subjected to a dry summer, the chances of success are much against them. Pruning should be pushed on to completion. Train wall and espalier trees as soon as they are ' pruned. Moss or lichens on trees that are affected with them are easily cleared away at the present time by dusting them with quicklime. The lime Bhould be fresh slaked, and be dusted on the affected stems and branches when they are wet with recent rain or heavy dews. Apple trees- infested with American blight or woolly aphis ought to be carefully gone over, in open weather with the view of exterminating the pest. Every nest in the bark on which the insects have seized as breeding ground scrape to the quick with a blunt knife, saving and burning the scrapings ; then wash the-parts with a strong solution of soft soap and water, to every gallon of which should be added two wineglassf uls of kerpsene,- Apply the liquor with a hard painter's brush, and keep it constantly stirred to prevent the kerdfeene from rising to the top, which from Us lesser specific gravity than water it will otherwise certainly do.' Kitchen Garden.— Potatoes, where the soil is. dry and workable, should be planted more freely as the month advances, especially upon, sheltered, borders, selecting any of the .early kinds usually grown. Among the best are found early-rose, ashleaf, silverskins, sno.wflake, early Vermont, Brownell's beauty, white elephant, &c, any of which can be planted in first crop. Successional sowings of peas, broad beans, parsnips; onions, j radish, spinach, &c, should be made. - The early crops of any of the above should be kept free from weeds and the soil opened by the frequent use of the hoe, when the soil is dry and workable. Thin out all crops that require it as soon as fit to handle. Great mistakes are made by allowing them to overcrowd and weaken one another before thinning, which should be done as. soon as fit to handle, as if allowed to grow and .crowd, it is at' the expense of the crop.