THE GARDEN

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 8

THE GARDEN

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. FRUIT GARDEN.— In the later districts of the colony all the keeping fruit should now be ready for gathering, which should bo done carefully to prevent bruising. The fruit should be spread out somewhat thin upon the shelves in the fruitroom, zesting the fruit upon tt layer of .clean straw. The planting out of strawberry plants should be continued during the present favourable weather, as when tho beds nave been well prepared growth will soon take place, as the soil is still warm. Raspberry beds should be cleaned off by removing all the dead canes which produced fruit last season, and thin out the young canes to the desired numbei. If the canes are strong and well grown, "lo or 12 should be left at each stand; if in new beds where, the .growth was weak and the canes are short, a few extra may be left. The ends of the canes should not be cut back or tied at this time of the year, as this is liable to cause the top buds to start prematurely. The cutting and tho tying should not be done until midwinter.

KITCHEN GARDEN.— Continue to plant out cabbage and cauliflower plants in wellmanured land. If the beds are situated in a low and wet position, a surface drain or furrow should bo left in the centre of large beds, is in the case of such becoming waterlogged in the early winter, growth will be stopped and the weeds become very troublesome. Onions, where not yet sown, should be sown at once if intending to transplant in spring, sowing upon tho driest border vacant. Transplant varieties of lettuce. One or two drills of paisnip and carrots should be sown for early spring use, but it is far too early for anything like r general sowing, as any sown now will bolt in spring.

FLOWER GARDEN.— Flowers are very gay ior the time of the year. Dahlias are continujng to bloom fieely, and have so far escaped jarly frosts. Theee, together with the earlier jhrysanthemums, present a very cheerful appearance to some gardens. Bouvardias are also flowering well this autumn. These plants are worthy of more extended planting than has been the case in ou* gardens, as although the plant is somewhat tender, and in many gardens would need some sort of protection during the winter, yet they are well worth any attention that may be bestowed upon them, as they are among the choicest flowers we have. Some of the varieties have a very powerful, but very agreeable perf-ime. The best way to treat them is to procuro strong plants and plant out" into the open borders in spring, when all danger from frosts are over. Supply the plants with plenty of water during tho summer, and After they have done flowering they can be dug up and potted, wintering them in a cold frame or the greenhouse, if situated in a very cold position. -Continue the planting out of all kinds of bulbs as devised in our previous is>ues, planting at intervals to obtain a succeslion of blooms. A few pots of hyacinths and Julipa should be potted up, selecting heavy, well-formed bulbs that can be expected to produce strong spikes and flowers. If a few potf> »f each are selected they should be plunged in ashes, quito over the pots, for a few weeks, >nd when the growth shows about an inch thoy thould be cleaned and removed into the greenhouse, where they will come into bloom several weeks before those growing outside. Chrysanthemums in pots grown for show purposes Viil require attention in finally tying the ehoots, and any plants that aro showing too early for the date fixed can be retarded by removing the plants into a shady place and cooler position, and, on the other hand, any lhat are backward should be placed in ;he greenhouse or most favourable position available.

GREENHOUSE, FRAMES, ETC.—Pelargoniums which were potted early should now be growing freely, and overcrowding must be prevented. If the leaves appear to be at till drawn they must be kept nearer the glass, and more air given them during favourable weather. If thoy still occupy a. frame the light should be drawn off them all day, if mild and dry weather continues. The latest lot of plants cut down should be ready for potting, shaking out the same as advised for the early plants. Cyclamens, cinerarias, primulas, and calceolarias will need w_atchful care now to prevent mildew or damping off, and it will be neceseary to wator the plants very carefully. Many amateurs who only prow a few plants make a great error in koepmg these and ruany other plants standing in a saucer. These should not be used at all for ordinary .plants unless when the plant is removed into the house when in bloom, and at such times no water should be placed in the gaucors, and should any drain through the pot after watering, it -should be emptied out. The practice of watering saucers is answerable for the death of many choice plants without any apparent cause to the owner. Give the plants mentioned a 6light fuming with tobaoco ezuofce upor. the first appearance

of green fly, as they are soon spoiled jf not kept perfectly clean. If large plants of cin&rarias are wanted, _ the plants must have another shift into larger pots as soon as the j roots are running freely round the pots, which I can easily be ascertained by knocking a plant out of the pot. The same light, rich soil should be used as before advised. Caro should ' be taken not to give too laige a shift at a time, i Pots large enough to admit of lin of fresh soil round the base will ba ample. A Sew Use ©• Lignite Ashes. D. M., Wetheratones, writes: — "Lignite ashes are, I am told, very good for the destruction of the codlm moth when used at tho right timo. My informant tells me that , he finds coal ashe3 one of the best things to put round apple trees to destroy the eodlin moth. Either Kaitaugata or any other kind of ashes may be used, a bucketful to a tree, j but it must be put around the treo in the winter time. I have been in the habit of putting my ashes under the fowls' roosts and in the W.C, and then around the trees m tho writer. My informant said there could be no question that was why there was no i codlin moth in my apples. It is certain there j are few if any moths in my garden, while j some of the gardens round about are full of it. I was not aware till now that ashes were the cause of my garder being so free from j the pest. We must liy» xnd learn. I have ! taken notice of something strange among my j apples this seaeon. Wrile the seed beds are clean and healthy-looking there are no seeds in some of the apples, though the apple is j sound. It is the hawthorndale variety that I speak of. I forgot to mention that coal ashes are one of the best disinfectants possible. It makes no difference how strong the odour may bo, if ashes are thrown over anything bad they destroy it at once."