OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Otago Witness, Issue 2373, 24 August 1899, Page 8

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK

FLOWER GARDEN.—Many of the more iardy annuals may be sown in the open ground icwaids the end of this month. Should, how«ver, tho weather set in wet or frosty it is •better to exercise a little patience, or failure ;will result. Nothing is gained by sowing too early, as the growth of young seedlings is always more satisfactory when the soil is warm and dry. Dutch bulbs are now beginning to ihxow up their flowpr spikes, and careful attention must be paid to traps for slugs, as they are particularly fond of hyacinths and soon a number in the young state. Divide and replant borders of violets, choosing young, wellrootsd runners for the purpose. All box borders should be finished at once, and where any are ,to be planted now it -will be necessary to water frequently during the summer, as they will not Tbe established before.the dry weather sets in. JLate-planted loses should be pruned, cutting back to within a few eyes of the last season's growth. Amateurs often fail in not pruning Hard enough, but if fine blooms are needed you must cut low. • Those fine decorative plants —camellias —should lie more freely planted out than is the case. Slost of the varieties do far .better planted out in the borders than they generally do if kept in pots. They are perfectly hardy, and apart from their lovely blooms, the plants themselves as shrubs are very ornamental, as they grow so much more vigorously than under pot cultuie. They can also be cut back freely and kept to any size, and if strongestablished plants are procured now, and planted out during the present or succeeding month, they will soon become established. .KITCHEN GARDEN.—A hot bed should bs made up with some fresh stable manure, and after allowing it to stand for a few days so that part of the strong heat can pass off, a few prepared boxes should be filled with a light soil (in which a sowing of celery or tomato should be made) and placed upon the top of .the bed. A little finely-sifted soil should cover the seed and a glazed sash to cover over the whole. If the latter- is not available a covering of palings placed close together will be found to answer tho purpose equally as well, providing that these are removed as soon as the seeds appear above ground, when they should be uncovered all day, but must bo protected at night for some time to come. Early sown tomatoes must be pricked out into boxes or pots, allowing each plant plenty of room to develop, aa all tho advantage of sowing those seeds early is" lost if the plants are crowded together. After pricking "out they will require to be kept warm for a few days, after which they should be fully exposed to the sun and air during warm days, covering^ up again at night. Herbs of alHunds-niay be planted out dining the present .month... Where old plan '3 are growing thej should Jje taken up and divided, as young aivd vigorous plants give tho best results. Parsley, sage, and marjoram aro best raised from seed at this time of the year. -Pctato-planting should now be general in the gaiden, for if now planted the potatoes should arun scarcely any risk from being damaged by spring frosts unless they continue very late. .Lettuces, onions, radish, etc., should be sown an succession for salading. The first-named should be planted out in prepared beds at regular intervals in order to keep up the supply, planting a few at each planting rather than planting out a large i umber at longer intervals, in vrßich case a great number are often spoiled by running to seed before they can be used. Cabbßge and cauliflower, a 9 soon- as large enough, should be heeled up. They should be kept adrancing by keeping the surface soil free from weeds and loose, so as to admit the air and warmth of the sun to the roots. FRUIT GARDEN.—Planting for the' season of all kinds of fruit should be completed as quickly as possible now, for with the month of September the growth of all kinds of trees, except, perhaps, apples, is quite actire, and when planted thus late in th« season, in the event of a dry season the trees cannot be expected to make a satisfactory growth, unless mulching and watering are resorted to. Trees ■which have been planted a few weeks should now have a slight cutting back. Any small fruits not yet pruned should receive immediate attention, and the bo-ders or beds in which they are grov ng should be cleaned off, manure given, and properly dug -without injury to the loots. Strawberry beds should be kept perfectly free from weeds, and the hoe frequently ■used between th> rows to keep the soil in an open, healthy condition. Grafting of stone fruits should receive the first attention, a» these start into growth early. GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES—As growth extends more room must be given to all softwcoded plants to admit of a free circulation of air about them. Pelargoniums must be •topped, as the (hoots extend, to k*«p the plants dwarf and bushy. Plant* of cin»rari» and calceolaria, when the pots of the early flowering batch are becoming full of roots, should be supplied with liquid inanuro every other watering. Petunias, hcliotrooe. etc., should »nw

f be gradually hardened off to fit them for planting out during September. Ventilation will" need careful attention, as no hard and fast rule can be laid down during the next few months, but on all favourable days admit air freely.