WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 4

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Kitchen Garden.— The clearing away of all old crops, &c M so as to hare all the available ground prepared to receive the winter Crops, is necessary, as a considerable planting out of broccoli, cauliflowers, savoys, and cabbages should take place. To secure the best results from such crops the soil should be well manured, notwithstanding the fact that the previous crop was well manured, as all such vegetables require to be grown as quickly as possible, and to attain this end the soil should be deeply worked and well manured. All similar crops planted earlier should not be allowed to suffer from want of water. Celery will need constant attention to keep it earthed up as the growth proceeds ; it should never be allowed to suffer from drought, or it will become stringy. As required, continue to sow successional supplies of all kinds of salading, also a small sowing of cabbage savoy and late broccoli. Flower Garden.— Roses that were budded should have the ties loosened so as to prevent them cutting into the bark, and this must be repeated once or twice before they can be finally removed. Roses are at this time of tho year liable to be affected with mildew, and some varieties are very subject to this fungus. The plants should be lightly sprinkled with water, and then well dusted with sulphur, which, if repeated once or twice, will cure the worst cases. It is important that this should be attended to, as although they are not now in flower, unless the foliage is kept healthy the wood for next year's blooming will not be properly matured. All annuals that are past their best should be cleared away, or they give the garden an untidy appearance. Such as are being saved for seed purposes should be gone over occasionally, as many kinds ripen their seeds very rapidly after passing a certain stage and the seeds are soon lost. Carnations and picotees that were layered a few weeks ago must be kept free from weeds and regularly watered or they will fail to root. Fansies should now be cut back close, and as the young shoots attain the length of about 2in, a few cuttings of each variety that is considered worth keeping should be taken. Insert the cuttings in pots of sandy soil, and keep in a close frame for a few weeks, when they should be struck. Dahlias must be kept tied up to their stakes, or much' injury will be done to them during the present windy weather. If extra good flowers are wanted, thin the shoots and apply liquid manure to them twice a week.

Greenhouse and Frames, &c— Azaleas, if not already turned outside, should be ready by this time for the change. As it is necessary to expose them to more light and air as soon as their flower buds are set, they should be placed in a somewhat open position, being shaded from the midday sun. They require careful attention in watering, as if once allowed to become dust dry they will lose their foliage and fall into bad health. Cinerarias and primulas that were placed two or three in a pot to start should be potted off singly as soon as the roots are running freely round the pots. The best place for them during the hot weather is in a shady bush house, kept well up near the light. They should have a slight syringing morning and night, and if any green fly appears upon them they should be at once dusted or dipped in some insecticide, as if once damaged by these insects the plants seldom thrive. A further sowing of these should be made for late blooming plants. A small Bowing of calceolaria Bhould be made during this month It is advisable to make two sowings of a packet of seed, as often, from various causes, the first sowing does not grow satisfactorily, and by making two sowings two chances are secured. In sowing this seed the pans should be carefully prepared, and upon the top very finely sifted soil should be used. The pans when filled must be watered with a fine rose watering can, and the seed sown must only have a little fine sand sprinkled over it, and the pans should be covered with a sheet of brov/n paper to exclude the light and air until the seedlings appear above ground, when light and air must be gradually admitted. The present is a good time for taking cuttings of fuchsias, selecting the young shoots that nave not flowered. All varieties of ferns should now be at their best, and will continue to remain so if carefully supplied with moisture right up to winter.