OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK,

Otago Witness, Issue 2323, 8 September 1898, Page 8

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK,

KITCiiEN GARDEN.— Where early potatoes aro pushing through the ground the soil should be kept drawn up over the shoots for some time 3 r et, as it will not be safe to leave them exposed at night. One sharp frost seriously injures them, and although tney break out again apparently strong, the returns from stools once or twice cut by frosts- are never^so satisfactory as with others planted later. The main crop of potatoes should be planted as early during the m-esent month as is convenient in order to givethe tubers an opportunity to complete their growth before the dry weather sets in. Broad beans and peas are now growing freely, and nnist be kept free from weeds; frequent hoeing will also be of great benefit in. helping to keep down slugs, which are unusually numerous this season. All tall-grow-ing varieties of peas should be staked as soon as they begin to "-grow freely. Avoid delay in -this matter, as if allowed to grow and become entangled, much dam?-ge is done to the haulm. Autumn and winter sown onions will require thinning out, as they should now be strong enough to handle. Onions can now be transplanted, selecting the plants from such beds as were sown late in the autumn or early ij. winter, as those sown earlier will be most huely to "bolt" or run to seed. Cariots for mam crops may be sown during the present and succeeding month. The drills of these sowings must be frequently dusted with fresh slaked time, as slugs a,re 'particularly destructive •among young carrots, often destroying whole crops in a few nights. Parsnips, and earlysown carrots will require thinning as soon as strong enough to handle, and the soil between the rows kept loosened with frequent hoeing. Tomatoes which have been grown, in frames should be transplanted into a cold irame, and gradually hardened off piior to planting otit in the open quarters next month. Many growers, especially amateurs, are often in a hurry to plant tomatoe'fe and other tender plants outside ; no greater mistake can be made, as itntil October sets in, the toil is cold- and the nights colder, entailing a considerable amount of care in covering; up pt aight, so that they are very much better left in the frames and bo::es until the weather is more settled and favourable to liieir growth. Continue to sow salads so required for succession ; also ttii-xitp, celery, and red cabbage, of which a small bed should now be sown. FLOV/EB GAHDEN.— Hoses are rapidly breaking growth, tmu. if the borders ond beds they occupy have not yet been manured and dug, this should at once be completed, or much damage will be clone to them if longer deferred. Hyacinths are now blooming freely, but spikes are rather smaller than usual in the majority of cases. The later flowering bulbs, such as ranunculi, tulips, ixias, sparaxis, &c, must I>B kept clean and free from slugs. The adaptability of the camellia as a border plant for spring blooming in this colony is becoming more apparent every year, as in gardens where they have been planted a few years their value is easily seen, and their cutivation extended. The whole success or failure hinges upon the strength of the plants employed. Plants require to be kept in pots and carefully grown on before planting out. Plants of verbenas, petunias, &c, for summer bedding should be gradually hardened off prior to planting out next month. Seeds ol the various hardy annuals, such os sweet peas, candytuft, nemophila, dianthus, annual chrysanthemums, phlox Drvmimondi, godetias, &c, may be sown in pots m the open air, but such a's are more tendoishould be sown in open boxes, or the sowing deferred until next month. Among the latter aro asters, balsams, zinnias, marigolds, &c. Seedlings of annuals that were sown in autumn will require transplanting- at once if not already planted. Violets of the choice double and single varieties may now be increased by subdivision of the roots, planting in a somewhat shady position, where they will remain all the summer. GREENHOUSE, &c— Perns, as soon as they show signs of starting into growth, must be unpotted, cutting away all old, discoloured fronds; in the case of most of the varieties of adiantiums (maidenhair), the whole of the fronds of last year's growth may be cut away with advantage. Pelargoniums which were

struck from tiutumn cintiiigs should all by this time be ready for potting off into 4in pots, u&ing light, rich soil as before recommended for similar plants. Any who contemplate growing chrysanthemums in pots for large plants should now select strong plants of the variety they intend to grow, and pincn oae leading shoot at tho point to induce tho plants to break into a dwarf growth ; from onis time the plants must not be allowed to ever suffer from want of water.