THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2171, 3 October 1895, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Kitchkn Gatiden.— The prevalence of dry winds is a great drawback to vegeUtioD, and they are very trying to recently-planted broccoli, cabbage, RDd cauliflower. The latter aro very susceptible to these drawbacks, and the early batch should bo pricked out in rich soil iti a sheltered place to make sturdy plsnts, which will lift with a ball of earth and transplant safely. Sow late celory outside, also curled greens, Brussels sprcu's, and savoys. Beds for vegetable marrows and hftrdy cucumbers may be formed by taking out a trench 3ft wide and Ift deep. Any exhausted fermenting material may be used by mixing it with an equal j-iv-portion of fresh stable manure. After ifc has Bettlod down, the bed may be earthed up from the side?, tbe see da being sown on the top in a spadeful of light compost, covering with a band-glass. Early potatoes, when 3iu h'gh, Should have tbe coil drawn up to them, as in the event of frost the earth will protect the tops to some extent. Pieces of evergreen stack on the south tido of the plnnis, co as to hang over the tops, are a good protection, and a crop may often be saved by this simple means. FlottYbb Gauden.-— The work of planting shrubs and evergreens is, or ehould be, over for the seasoD, and time can be given to sowing animals iv tbe open borders. Virginian stocks, godetia*, clarkia?, nemophilas, sweet sultan, scabious, Bartenia aare*, larkspurs, rhod*nthep, silenea, candytufts, stocks, -wallflowers, mignonette, and sweet poaß can all be sown with Bafety. Whilst a sweet pea can be covered with soil to the depth of £in, a eeed like mignonette should be sown in shallow drills, and hoWinc the rake perpendicularly, the (small lumpsof soil should bo broken over it. If the Eoil is now pressed firm with the foot the seed will germinate in a week. It is not safe to sow portulsca yet, except in sheltered places, but it can bt sown in a bu and transplanted when large enough. Tropcoolums are also tender, aud should be deferred for a work or 10 days. Biennial? which were sown last autumn should be planted where they aro to bloom, making the roots firm in tbe ground, and taking care that there are no hollows in the soil baueafch them, which will cause a failure. More plants are annually lost from this cause tbau most peoplo would imagine. Omphalodes vorna is an annual worth growing, as it furnishes lovely sprays of flowers like white forget-me-nots for indoor decoration. A few of the best of tho ornamental grasses may be sown, bub the majority are not worth growing ; the brozaa are good, also the cloud grasses. Ghekniiousr.— As tbeplaut9 go out of flower thoy should be removed to make room for others coming forward to blcom. Chinese primulas will continue to throw up trusses, but if tho plants are wanted for propagation by means of tho suckers the trueses must be pinched out. Tho deficiency in the floral display in the houeo will soon be made good by auriculas and calceolarias*, come of tho early pelargoniums and fuchsias will also bo available. Lilies of the valley m pots which have had thn benefit of a cold frame will also be showing bloom, and may be brought into the hcuee. Lachenalias and cyclamens will do duty for some time if assisted with clear liquid manure.