OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 7

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK

FRUIT GARDEN.— No time should be lost in planting out strawberry runners into prepared beds ; they should be planted moderately firm, when they will at once commence to take root, as the soil will be warm and suitable for them to run in for some time to come. A selection from the following varieties can be relied upon: — Edith, Marguerite, Sir Joseph Paxton, Tzollope's Victoria, and British Queen. If planted at once a fair crop of fruit may be looked for next season. All beds that have been bearing three or four years should be broken up, as young plantations give the best results. All beds should be cleaned off and pointed over carefully with the fork, leaving the surface somewhat rough. Where it is intended to grub out any old fruit trees and replaut the space with some more desirable varieties, the grubbing should be done as soon as possible and the soil dug deeply and left to sweeten prior to planting in early season.

KITCHEN GARDEN.-Cabbage and cauliflower should be planted out without delay; tte latter being planted upon the warmest borders where they will have the benefit of tho sun's rays during the winter. Turnips may still be sown, but cannot be depended upon to produce large ones, ns they are liable to "bolt" before they complete their growth; but as many appreciate them as greens, they will prove a useful crop this season, aa all green crops are sure to be very scarce. Continue to sow onions for spring transplanting. Potato onions should now be planted upon well-prepared soil. Late celery should be earthed up as fast as the growth proceeds. This vegetable deserves to bo nioro largely grown than is the case at present, as it seems to thrive during a dry season better than most other vegetables. A few rows of broad Windsor beans should now be sown; a heavy soil suits them best, providing it is enriched with manure before sowing. Many growers defer sowing broad beans until too late in the season. The present is the best month to sow in, as they then make a good growth before the depth of winter, and commence to flower in early spring, and are thus ready for use very much sooner than when sown late. Vegetable marrows are now almost over, and should be cleared off the ground and burnt, and the land manured and prepared for other crops. Transplant cos lettuce for the winter supplies.

FLOWER GARDEN.— The present is a most favoiuable time for tho sowing down of new lawns. If the plot has been prepared aa advised, and tho seed is now sown, raked, and rolled firm, the young grass will have plenty of time to become established before winter seta in, which is important, as the frosts injure the tender growth. The planting out of nearly all kinds of bulbs should be carried on vigorously, esoecially all the early flowering kinds. Where clumps of bulbs have been growing for years undisturbed, they can be divided and replanted now with safety ; the position of each clump should be changed into fresh soil. Violets for borders of walks can now be planted. Select strong plants from this season's runners, and plant m a trench in the same manner as box is planted, and fill in the trench firmly with rich soil, when, if watered occasionally, they may be expected to produce abundance of flowers during the coming winter. The stakes and tics of chrysanthemums should be examined, as rough weather later on, when the flowers aio more advanced, would spoil the season's work in a few hours. A small sowing of Clarkia, dianthxis, pansy, and Canterbury bells, if mado now, will be found useful for producing flowers in the early spring. If sown in shallow boxes, and pricked out when strong enough, they will give less trouble and grow more satisfactorily than if sown iv the open ground.

SHRUBBERY.— PIanting out of many shrubs and ornamental trees may now safely bo commenced, 'as the state of the soil is very favourable to the work. "Where the trees, etc., to be transplanted have to be lifted out of the open ground, due care will have tc be exercised bo as to preserve as good a ball of soil around the roots as is possible. By sc doing very little check is given to the plants. The soil should be made firm about the roots; leaving it in a loose condition only tends to attract surface water, and thus many of the roots are destroyed. Plants when turned out of pots, if root-bound, should have the leading roots spread out; especially all such as produce thick, fleshy roots. The roots of hardwooded plant? such as azaleas and heaths must not be disturbed beyond removing the drainage, as their fine, thread-like roots are easily damaged, and afterwards take a long time to recover any serious disturbance. The planting out of roses should be commenced as Boon as tho plants are available. Amateurs, as a rule, delay planting out of almost all kinds of bulbs, plants, and trees far too late in the bcahon.

GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES.— The summer sua&Lui: should hz washed off the class,

as the light of the sun is not now strong enough to injure the foliage, and keeping tho glass too dark only tends to draw the plants, which become weakened, and are thus rendered much more difficult to grow, and very liable to the green fly. A sharp look out must be kept up for this pest upon such plants as cineraria, primula, calceolaria, and pelargonium. On its first appearance, the plants should be dipped or. fumigated with tobacco smoke; if left for a short time the plants are seriously injured. These plants should be kept cool and well aired ; if grown well there is very httle fear of trouble with insects. The latc-cut-down pelargoniums should now be sufficiently advanced to admit of their being potted; cuttings of these plants should be potted ofl into single pots of a small size as soon as well rooted. Fuchsias which arc past then best should be turned out of the greenhouse, and thus afford room for many other plants which will require require house room for the winter Plants of camellias and azaleas which have stood in a shady place during the summeshould be taken in. Where a number of plants_ are grown, a few of the early varieties should be taken before the others so as to provide a long succession of bloom. Any kind of plant that will flower during the dull winter months is worthy of care now, as flowers will weekly become scarcer. Solanums and ardisia are pretty terrace plants for wintei decoration, and when well grown mix in witt flowering plants and ferns with good effect. "Watering will now need greater care, ss there should be much less water thrown about the house, as it is important where flowers arc open that a dry atmosphere should be maintained, or the flowers will damp off prematurely. Chrysanthemums grown in pots should ha placed on the verandah or in a greenhouse to open their flowers, as if left too long in th« open air exposed to rain and the heavy dewi at night, the flowers will not last long in perfection.