THE GARDEN. OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Finn? Gabden.— The wet and snowy weath?r experienced during the last week has mterxuptod planting operations, which should bo resumed as soon as Ihe soil is dry enough to admit of safe working, aa the whole of the planting of fruit trees should be completed ut latest by the first week of September. Gooseberries are among the first to show signs of growl h, therefore any of these btill to be planted should receive attention at once; my of the established bushes not yet pruned should be finished oS without delay. Young bushes, only two or three years planted, stiould be allowed to make a, fair extension of young frowth each season, and the centre of the ushea must not be allowed to become entangled or over-crowded with growths, as, when this occurs it is a very difficult matter to gather the fruit with any degree of comfort. Pruning of all kinds of fruit trees should be finished as soon as possible, and f.ny trees l>eing: trained against a wall or fence should have the necessary training and lying in before the buds become too far advanced, as then some considerable damage is sure to bo done. Raspberries, red or black currants, may still be planted in safety. Planted in beds the plants should be allowed a 'pace of f>ft each way between the bushes.

Kitchen Garden. — In localities where tomatoes can be grown outside, seed should now bo sown freely for the main crop. After sowing, the seed should be placed in a warm frame, the temperature of which should not be •Slowed to fall be!o.v 50deg Fahr. at night. By day the frame may bo allowed to rise to 65deg, •when a little air should be given and care should be taken not to allow the boxes or pans to become too wet, or the young seedlings will damp off altogether. Towards the end of the month a few seeds of punrpkin, vegetable marrow, and melons may be sown also in heat. These should not be forced too rapidly, or they v/ilj become too large and soft before they carj be hardened off. The planting of early potatoes should be continued whenever the v/eathei and state of the soil are favourable. Where these have been planted very early precautions must be taken to protect from* frost just as they are pushing ihrough the soil by drawing the roil m fiom each side. ■Turnip seed for early use may now be sown without risl> of running to seed, while stone, early Milan, and snovb'ill are all serviceable varieties for this sowing ; carrot seed of early horn ahd intermediate varieties should be sown as required for early use. Extra care is required I'iriojig these when just above the ground, as of. account of slugs being so destiuctivc among the plants when in this stage, the •wholr crop will disappear in a short time, and whoie these are tioublesome fresh slacked lime shuuld be dufated over the suiface late at night. Artichokes should be planted in the same manner <ia 13 followed with potatoes. As far as possible, these should be kept to one quarter oi the garden, as they are difficult to eradicate, therefore a portion should be devoted entirely to their culture. Onion seed for late ii&e should be sown — James's keeper or brown globe are reliable for this sowing. Transplanting of tiic autumn-sown onions should be commenced as soon as they aie large enough. The soil into which they arc planted should be made fairly firm before planting. A good breadth of cabbage plants should be put out now on to well-manured land , strong plants should be used or they will fail at this season. A sowing of cabbage lettuce should be made, and a further planting of the coa varieties.

Vlowkr Garden.— Tree-planting of all kinds should be pushed on with, the present mouth being ii good time in which to transplant pinus in sign is. A good ball of e.irth should be taken •with the larger sizes of this tree, as theie is then much less risk of failure )f the transplanting is doiie without undiio exposure of the yootb, hut very few losses should occur when these, are planted in July or August. A stout stake should bo driven m close to each tree, oUiei-v. a-c they are damaged by the rain and wind. We luive many native shiubs ulnc!: might be planted to advantage, and it is suipri'ing how seldom a really good collection of theM 1 is Bfcn. A number of these arc very easily obtainable m any district. Pittospoiuin, olcana, cabbjge treo, grass tree, phormium tenax, manuka, veronica, broadlcaf, and many othei beautiful native shiubs are within the reach of all, leaving the more .inpiring to so furthei afield for a rarer collection. Aitiojjsj imported trees the mountain u=h is effective to plant where there ia only room lor trees of

a medium size, as the foliage is graceful, and the bright-coloured leaves decidedly ornamental. The double-flowering hawthorns in the three decided tints of white, pink, and scarlet should also find a position where a number of trees are grown, lthua succeedanoa and cotinus should bo planted on account of the beautiful tints produced upon their foliage in the autumn, also the viburnum opulus, or snowball tree, which, in the early summer, is one of the showie&t border shrubs, and, in the autumn, few can compare with it for beauty of foliage. These and all the choicer conifers should be planted during the present month, and the general manuring and digging of the borders should bo completed at an early date. A sowing of many of the hardy annuals should be ra,nlc in boxes to supply plants for transplanting in spring.