THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2390, 21 December 1899, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE. KEEK. FLOWER GARDEN.— Climbers are makif/g a rapid" growth, and will need frequent attention to t:>cuTe them against wind and to prevent them forming tangled masses, .which cannot be regulated and trained without injuring the shoots. The clematis, if not attended > to ir. tht early stages bf its growth, soon becomes unmanageable. All climbers growing Tinder verandahs, where rain cannot reach Them, must be well watered, and occasionally syringed, to clear the foliage of dust and insects. Convolvuli, canary creepers, nasturtiums, mauraadyas, and lophespermums should foe allowed to run up pea sticks ; groups of these climbers are useful for hiding rubbish comers or other unsightly objects. A final cowing of tlffse creepers should be made at diice. Stake standard rose 3, and if there are any indications of mildew, dust the foliage .with sulphiiT and give liberal waterings. If buds ure to be had and the bark on stocks will run, tmdding may be commenced. In "the bedding department mesembryanthemums sometimes refuse to start into growth freely so as to cover the bed. This is owing to the production of ' Beed, and the remedy is to go over the plants and cut off'all the seed vessels. KITCHEN GARDEN.— As the early crops oi peas become exhausted clear the ground and dig it, aWhe same time working in a good ilrosSing of, manure. This ground can be sown iwith turnips, and a few rows of Canadian wonder French beans. Leeks may also be transplanted in drills 16in apart, making holes 3in ■wide at intervals of 9in. Plant in these, just

covering the roots with soil, and giving a y "thorough watering, which must* be repeated until the roots have got hold of the soil. The earth is gradually filled into the holes by Dutch OicPing between the rows afterwards, and by waterings. By this treatment the stems are •large and well blanched. The leek can also* • Tj3i well ,grown like celery in trenches, the soil ibeing drawn to them "as they advance in growth. The leek is a most nutritious vegetable, and " -worthy of more care in its culture than it generally receives. Make sowings of 'Walcheren cauliflowers and scarlet runners, in a sheltered .position ; alsc of - Cos and cabbage lettuce, tradish, mustard, ' and cress. A good sowing of late sorts of peas should also be made to come iv in March. If the ground is very dry It is advisable to soak the seed, or it may remain for a week without germinating. GREENHOUSE.— The gardenia is seldom Been in plant houses here, yet it is highly prized

at Home foi-the beauty and fragrance of its

lowers. It is not a difficult plant to grow iwhen its peculiar requirements are understood, ibut it has the reputation of being subject to 'insect pests, which probably renders it more ■unmanageable here than in England. During its growing period it likes to be plunged in a zmild hotbed and kept close, and if mealy bug appears the plants should be placed on their sides and thoroughly syringed with a mixture of kerosene and water, in the proportion of a ■wineglassful of the former to 4gal of the latter. The kerosene should be churned in a ■"bottle or other vessel with- soft or other soap,

bo as to ensure its mixing with the water, and

•the soil in the pots should not bo wetted. As the gardenia blooms at midwinter, when flowers are doubly valuable, its culture should be attempted ; and if the propei conditions are given there is no reason why it should not bo successfully grown in this climate. Give balsams plenty of air, and keep them near the glas3 to prevent them being drawn up weakly. In giving shifts to -the balsam, let the compost be made porous, with a coarse, sharp sand, and Bee that the drainage 'is perfect. Perhaps the less manure in the compost the better, as it frequently destroys the porosity, and the plants •an always be fed with liquid manure.