THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPEEATIONS FOR THE WEEK. IvITCHEX GARDEN.— Preparations for forcing should be made where supplies of rhubarb, seakale, and asparjgus are wanted early. "Where frames are available they can he filled with stable manure, leaves, and other light vegetable refme which has been thrown into a heap for Term'" ♦anon. When this ha 3 .become sweet it ca L~ placed in the fiame3 - »nd left for a few • .3 to allow the heat to rise. By placing rco'.s of asparagus, seakale, and rhubarb upon this with a little soil among .them, root fibres will soon be thrown out and Jthe crowns will begin to stsrt in a few daj-!. In the absence of frames the fermenung material can be formed into a bed and the roots iplaced upon it, some rough boards being used •to defe.net them from the weather and light. FLOWER GARDEN.— The planting of trees and shrubs may be safely proceeded with ; .roses can be transplanted, and they will establish themselves better than by being deferred ttill spring The surface protection of half(hardy plants must not be delayed, the best ■material foi the purpose being cocoanut fibre pcefuse or old tan. Such things as Salvia ipatens, cannas, and the border fuchsias will .•winter safely if treated in thid way, though they would otherwiss be lost. Many o£ the ]lencser tea roses will also be benefited by similar (treatment and survive many degrees of frost. foahhas should be stored away in sand out of '•the reach of frost and damp. As the beds aia jeleared of their summer occupants, they can &c dug and hardy shrub 3 planted. Nothing is anore effectual in relieving the bare appearance «f the beds in winter than small plants of the aieat retinospoias, cupreous, jumpers, golden yevys, variegated hollies, enonymu=, berbens, cotaneasters, yuccas, etc. GREENHOUSE.— The period when reins go 4o rest is not far off, Mid to pet them into the "condition to lemain doinunt dunr.g the winter and to start again vigoiously ai spring the aabundant supplies 01 water in which t"ey liave delighted during summer must be gradually reduced until they aie withheld altogether. 'No syringing- ovorhea j must be atlo-.ved. <w m 'the event of a low temperature the i'ioikU. wul l>e mjured. Pelargoiuum* of the "oiu!? foclion must be kept moderat- !y dry. ji.d th<- dead -leaves must be picked off. Let thri.- Laveplenty of air on fine day-: to dry up Ilia damp, ■which is always destructive to ,)!a..li n: a Bcmi-dormant state. Fuchaias should :iot L-» dried off, as is generally doi.e; il tin-/ i-rc turned out of the pots and ,j'iunged ..! tlie gieenhouse border they will keep giov i'g a.l vrmter and retain tlieir leave*.