OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 8

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.— As a rule not mush. Attention is bestowed xipon cultivation or early Jjotatoes, and probably this arises from their lability to be' cut down by spring Iroa'a . But Svhe're turf pits can be constructed or i - ough frames can be extemporised, -which can be covered at night, the cultivation ot ear!y potatoes tnay be carried on with the certainty o£ » ciop. ,To furnish a successional supply Wo or three rows may be planted at the base of a north jv/all or fence, and these again may bo tappleimented by those planted in open borders^ m sheltered" positions. The old-fashioned ashleaf kidney, if true, and the walnut-lea fed, are the (best for early work, and they possem the fine-jfc "flavour. These var-ieties are eaid to have been improved by selection, and are offered" under ■various names, but the so-called lniprovcniciit jn flavour, at ail events.^is doubtful. When (those in the open border come through the feround, they should be covered with long stable •■Jitter, which acts as an efficient protection from frost. In low situations and cold ao'ils, .•where frosts are xisually destrustivp, the end 'pi August will be time enough to plant, but in light soils, which are naturally dry, the Booner the tubers are planted the better. To Wrow these early kind of pot r .fcj>s Ij jjc-rfesli- n the soil should ba very light and liberally matoured. THE FRUIT GARDEN.— Now is the time for taking steps to eradicate many of our destructive insect pests, such as the nmssel-scale mi the apple, the codlin moth, and many others. &efore being treated with the variouo remedies, •tne trees to be operated on should^ be well pruned, and all the prunings at once burned on the spot if possible. The aohes from such •burnings should alws.yt be returned to tho Boil. When timbers' are being cleared away and fere 3 are being used for -the purpose, the ashes »nd charcoal should never be allowed to "waste, J>ut should be wheeled on the orchard or garden, ,where they would be valuable ingredients in )aianuring and lightening the soil. Push forward the planting of deciduous fruit trees as "much as possible. Should the soil be too wet l£or planting it is better to get the trees from the nurserymen, and lay them in for a while, ■and if they have to remain for some time they ■will form young roots, which must not be allowed to get dry or be broken at the time of [planting. The necessity for growing fruit trees on the Cordon system is not so great here rs in some other countries, but where space is valuable, and where early returns are wanted, 'the method is a good one. Pears snd apples grown this way are not only ornamental, but Ithe fruit is generally large, and considered to ho of better flavour than that grown in the ordinary manner. Cordon-grown trees require considerable attention in stopping the shoots, Jroot pruning, and also in manuring. They are Useful in filling up spaces, which otherwise jmight be vacant. Some kinds of both apples and pears are unsuitable for this style of training. The nurserymen should be able to recornIncnd those most fitted. The quince stock is tho best for special varieties of the pear, and the paradise stocks foi the apple. The cherry and many other fruits may also be grown in this ssmo dwarf style; one great advantage of ihia method is the ease with which the fruit "sen be protected by nets from birds. "FLOWER GARDEN.— Auriculas must be kept free from decaying leaves, and be topHressed with half-rotten cow manure and good yellow loam in equal quantities. Larva of injects and wireworms must be carefully picked )out of the compost, which should be used Moderately dry. Cuttings of hollyhocks may be .taken from the main stem, and inserted three or five in a pot filled with sandy soil. As they are liable to damp off- if kept too close, they should be placed in a warm house, and kept r«Iher dry, until roots are formed. Pansies which were planted early so as to get established before winter are doing well. Later planted will require pressing down into the soil tfter a thaw. Scarce varieties of dahlia should 100 potted and placed in a hotbed, so that cuttings may be obtainable in the xv Idle o£ AujU3t. When tlie shoots are 2in long they may

be taken off with a sharp knife, not quite close to the tuber, and planted singly in thumb pots. All the stock plants of verbena, lobelia, etc., which have been wintered in pots should now be started in a warm pit to furnish cuttings for propagation. GREENHOUSE.— Hyacinths, crocus, narcissus, and other bulbous plants will now form the chief attraction of the house, and theyahou"'d have prominent positions assigned to them. Aa they push forward theii bloom spikes, a little" weak manure water will b& of great benefit in improving the bloom. As they have a tendency to rush up their spikes weakly they should be kept ueax the glass. The lachenalias will also be improved by an occasional supply- of manure water. Static^ profusa may be propagated where an increase is wanted^ and ruttings should also be put in of tree carnations, bouvardias, and the berried solanums. The temperature should bo kept low so long as frost is excluded.'