OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 8

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.— The middle of February is a good time to sow cauliflower seed. An open space should be chosen, and the bed should be comxaosed of moderately rich light soil. To ensure the germination of the seed, sow in dv-'lls Gin apart, and let the drills be thoioughly wateied before sowing the seed. The most suitable sorts are fiogniore forcing, Waicheron, and early London. About the same time a sowing of winter cabbage lettuce "Should be made for next season's early crop. As the seedlings become fit, good breadths may be pricked out for winter use. If not done, cow early Hartwel manow cabbage, taking the precautions already advised to ensure germination in light sandy soils. Sow radish and mustard and cress m sunny spots, and cover the beds with pea haulm or other light material to break the force of the sun and arrest evaporation. The routine work of thinning out tomato vines and keeping the fiuit freely exposed to the sun must not be neglected. Late peas must be kept moist at the root or they will stoxa growing and become yellow and sickly, or else contract an attack of mildew. "Where they were sown m trenches and there is an abundant water supply, this is an easy matter, but generally not otherwise. A mulch along €ach side of the rows is also highly beneficial. Neither peas nor .beans are benefited by nitrogenous manures to nearly the same extent as most other vegetables, but still these have a certain amount of effect, and may sometimes be used with advantage. Keeping the pods closely picked aids as much as anything in prolonging the season of productiveness.

FLOWER GARDEN.— Beyond the general routine of management in keeping the bedding plants within bounds by stopping and promoting the duration of the bloom, and by removing the seed tiusses from geraniums, there is not much to be attended to. A few hardy annuals may be sown, likewise the seed of hardy herbaceous plants as • soon as it is ripe. A latesown batch of Linnea elegans should be carefully transplanted to a bed of rich soil, as this annual will make a fine display of bloom lax' into winter. Phlox Drummondii and French marigolds are also iiseful subjects ior late blooming, and should be encouraged by ample supplies of water when the ground is dry. To give a successional bloom on chrysanthemums, a few of the strongest plants may be lieaded back to 18in from the ground. A sowing of sweet peas should now be made, which will furnish blooms in early spring, when much in demand.

GREENHOUSE.— The first batch of hyacinths should be potted not later than the middle of the month. The early Roman is the variety commonly potted lip to furnish flowers in June, the ordinary varieties coming in from July onwards. In the pot culture of hyacinths — indeed, of all bulbous plants — the object is to get the pot full of roots before the top is excited into growth. 'I'his ig accomplished by plunging the pots in charcoal ashes or lpaf mould for six weeks, and as the crowns of the bulbs are covered with the plunging material to a depth of 4in, there is little or no movement 111 them whilst the pots are being filled with roots. After this the pots are placed in cold frames, close to the glass, giving plenty of air. so as to bring up the foliage and flower spikes gradually. A few of the e?rly narcissus and tulips may be potted and similarly treated. The general management of the greenhouse at this season depends upon the plants grown; and as no two houses aie worked alike, it is useless to give any beyond the most general hints within the limits of these notes. "Where vines are grown on the rafters the house must" be kept -close to hasten the ripening of tile fruit; where flowering plants are mainly grown a drier atmosphere, free ventilation, and attention to cleanliness are the chief requisites. ~~

Sow borecole, corn salad, lettuce raddish, turnip, cabbage, cress, mustard, savoy, cauliflower,, endive, onion, spinach (winter) ; plant — borecole, celery, leek, lettuce, savoy.