THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Kitchen Garden.— Asparagus beds which have not been cleaned should now have proper attention. Rake off all weeds and rubbish, and give the beds a proper finish, by putting on a goad topcoat of stable dung pretty well rotted. Eirth up celery, taking advantage of spells of dry for the purpose, a? move harm than good is done if tbe ground bo wet. Winter greens can still be put in, and aa we rarely have very ssvere winter ■weather in this colony, the plants should make some progress, and come in very useful in spring. Prick out cauliflowers in a warm and .sheltered situation ; also plaut out lettuce in warm borders. Make plantations of strawberries and .raspberries. It is veiy necessary that the ground before planting all thesa "crops should be well dug and subsoiled, and whete of a heavy or clayey nature, sand should bs mixed with it. Successions of cabbage should be planted again and again wliereever there is available ground." It is the hardiest of'winter-grbwingvegetables, and is of inestimable value iri all households'." ' " '• JTruit Garden— The preparation of ground for the- plan tic c". of fruit trees should be at ones attended to. With many 'people but little thought is given to this— they simply dig a hole in the ground, without any thought as to drainage, suitability of soil, or anything else that would give xhe tree a f -ir start ia its new location. It is most imi/ortant that attention should be given to' the drainage of all ground where fruit trees aie planted, and suitable manure should bs applied towards the surface where thegiound is poor. This induces the formation of surface root fibres

Flower Garden. — As frosty nights will shortly " he setting in, all tendev plants should by thiK •time be under cover. -.Lift and pot Rood plants of Verbenas, and also all heliotrope plant", *f y OU wish to save the latter. Put these in a frame, so that they may be available for cuttings in spring. Plant out violets, polyanthus, and primulas. If the roots of these planis are. not separated the "bloom degenerates. Dahlias should be lifted ami placed in sand, eire being taken not tj injure the tubers in I'ftiDg. Tie up chrysanthemums thoroughly where not already done. The appearance of the gaiden will depend almost entirely fen these handsome flowers during May and June, for with the exception perhaps of the lauristinus, lowers are at a complete piemiuin duriug these months. With a little attention ilevor-ed to them, the chrysanthemums, if a judicious selection of eolouis has been made, will make a great show, and justly deserve the praise thoy are sure to receive.

Greenhouse. — Zonal pelargotiiurvs should now fee in bloom, and will be appreciated for decorative and table purposes nuw that the borders have ceased to give their supply. Where chrysanthemums are grown under glass, they require plenty of ventilation with only » moderate temperature. Th-.-y want the most liberal watering with liquid manure, aud anj itltenti. >n given them "will be well repaid.