THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2326, 29 September 1898, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

SHOWS. September 28.— Tuapeka Spring show at Lawrence. OPERATIONS FOB THE WEEK. FLOWER GARDEN.— No time or opportunities should now be lost in getting this department into spring-like order, as the sooner all hardy plants are established the better will they be enabled to withstand the vicissitudes of the coming summer weather. There are a largo number of attractive plants known to gardeners as "hardy annuals," which are very useful during the spring and summer months, and they should find favour with all cultivators. It is true that they have to be reprochiced every year, and some of them do not retain their beauty for long periods, yet, on tho other hand, they come to perfection in a short time, generally bloom very profusely, and their masses of brilliant flowers are no mean attraction while they are in bloom. If a good stock of these useful plants has not already been provided, for by early sowings, no time should be lost in getting the seed in, so that the plants may bo able to rnako a fairly good growth beforo the flowering season arrives. There are also many favourite border plants that are classed as tender annuals, but it is too early to sow these in the open ground. If cultivators, however, wish to obtain these plants earKei in the season, and are prepared for a little extra trouble, they can easily do so by sowing tho seed in pots placed in a frame. Plants raised in this way, if potted off as soon as they can be handled, and kept growing steadily, will bo well advanced in growth when the time arrives, when they can bo planted out with safety. It is a good plan to raise early batches of these plants, and later ones to come in at the regular time. The grass on lawns should be cut before it attains to long, coarse growth, otherwise a long time, with several cuttings, must elapse before it recovers from the effects of neglect. FRUIT GARDEN.— Where strawberries arc grown, a light mulching should be applied to the fruiting plants as soon as the flowers fade ; the crop of fruit will be improved both in quality and quantity; rather long, strawy stable manure is the best mulch to use. Raspberry beds should also have a mulch if obtainable before the season is too far advanced. Grafts which have been worked this season should be examined after rains, as where the system of claying is adopted, it often cracks or becomes loosened with the weather, and if the air is not excluded from the parts, a union is hard to effect. All growth buds which push out below the scion should be rubbed out as they are formed. Peach trees on walls or agamst fences, Sec, should have a spraying of a soap mixture as soon as tho fruit has set. It is better to apply this early, so as to kill the aphis on its first apearance, as later on it becomes much more difficult to kill. Standard trees will require spraying later on as the fruit becomes properly set. KITCHEN GARDEN.— Planting should be continued on all favourable occasions. Cabbages take to the soil like weeds if well planted, and a week after planting stand erect in well-defined rows. In order to hasten the process of hearting, frequent recourse should be had to the hoe, stirring the soil as deeply as possible each time. Liquid manure should also be given occasionally; this will help to swell them up, and give a rich and succulent vegetable. Younger plants should be earthed up as soon as they have made a few fresh leaves, to keep them fiom blowing about the wind, and the soil should be stirred* often, and as deeply as possible. Celery trenches should be completed as early as possible for early crops. After the plants have been put out, they should bo shaded a bit if the sun Happens to shine very strong. If the plants have been well prepared previous to setting out, nothing of this kind will be necessary. Give liquid manuro to half-grown plants, or to young ones if they have not an abundant supply of manuro under them. GlirJENHOUSE.— Camellias that have filled their pots or boxes with roots should be supplied with liquid manure about once a week; this will assist in tho development of the flower buds and vigour of the plant. Old hotbed or cow manure with a little addition of sheep or fowls' dung and soofc, is the best material; if this bo put into a gunny bag and suspended in a cask of water, an enriching liquid will be always at hand for applying to the above or any other plants that appreciate such feeding, and there are not many tribes of plants beyond heaths and orchids that object to a little feeding in this manner. A little discretion is necessary as to the degree of strength; it is safest to err on tlfe weak side at first.