OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 8

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Fruit Garden — All ties on trees which were grafted last season should now be dispensed with. The growing grafts, however, should be secured by tying to stakes, as there will be considerable risk of damage from high winds for some timo to come. Any of the young apple trees which bKow signs of the American blight should be gone over with some efficient insecticide, as if left until the end of the season much injury is done to the young growth. If precautions are taken in time there need be but little damage from this cause. AU growths starting from below the Bcionsshould be at once rubbed off. Strawberry beds must uot be allowed to become dry, or the supply of fruit will soon be cut off. Where young plants are to be grown, some little attention should be paid to the runners, pegging down to the soil and giving water when required. By doing bo stroDg crowns can be formed, and by planting out early in March or April a fair return of fruit can be expected 'from them the first leason. To secure fine stone fruit the crop should be thinned out as soon as possible. In dry localities raspberry beds 'should have a thorough watering, to assist them to swell out their fruit properly. Flower Garden.— Most of the planting now being completed, efforts should be made towards prolonging the blooming season of the various plants and annuals as far as possible. This can he done to a considerable extent by regularly cutting away all fadiDg blossom^, preventing the. formation of seeds, securely staking and tying all tall-growing varieties, mulching, and keeping the roots well supplied with water. Tbis does not entail much labour, but results in a much longer display of bloom. Tree carnations, border picotees, and carnations should have neat stakes, and tbe flowers tied up, or many of the blooms are spoiled. Where seed of asters, phlox, and zinnias, etc., have been sown in the open borders, the plants should be thinned out befsre they become crowded.' Each plant should be allowed ample room to develop, and the space should be allotted early to secure the best results. If manure is available, a mulch should be applied to such plants as are to furaish flowers during tbe summer and autumn ; a great saving of labour is thus effected, and a much better growth secured. Flowering shrubs which have been cut back should be encouraged to complete their growth for another season by keeping them well supplied with, water. Some of those are liable to become infected with thrip, a small black insect,- which hides itself underneath the leaves, doing considerable damage, more particularly upon azaleas. If sot destroyed early, the leaves will be killed or much disfigured. Frequent syringing of the leaves will keep them clean. Chrysanthemums will require going over at least once a week, cuttiDg out all lateral growths and tying up the leading shoots. If not already applied, a heavy mulching should at once be given to tlieae plants, as if they are allowed to lose their bottom leaves the appearance of the plants is spoiled, and unless the foliage is retained throughout the season good flowers will not be produced. Greenhouse and FhAmes.— Cuttings of zonale pelargoniums which have been struck this spring ebould be potted on as required, and should be stopped frequently and not allowed to flower until late autumn. Thus treated they make valuable winter-flowering plants, and will continue to flower all through the winter when flowers are scarce. They should be grown on out* tide, plunged in a border or in ashes where the roots can be kept cool and moist. Camellias should be removed from the greenhouse as soon as they have completed their growth, placing them in a shaded position where they can be regularly watered and tbe foliage kept clean. Cockscombs should now be far enough advanced to allow of their being taken out of the frames hnd placed in the greenhouse. A sowing of Primula ainensis seed skould be mado early for providing the earlier supply of blo*m. Old plants pf this flower may be held over for a second year, If kept in a cool, shady place, keeping them ! rather dry for .» few weeks, when they should be ! started again into growth by repotting into light fich soil. A few bouvardia plants should be i grown ob, for supplying late flowers for the ' greenhouse, ;