OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 10

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEX GARDEN.- Another sowing of n::d-sea < -ou <.<rictics <if jieas should lie now made to keep up a hiiccessional supply. The stiong-grov. n:^ sorts should be sclec'ed, as tlicv btand the heat of summer better than the mote delicate early \ arieties Vcilch's perfection is piob,*bl\ the be=t pea for tins (innate, :m it is a. i-turdv grower and erop= well. Laxton's supreme. Suttoii's dwarf defiance, telephone, ami anticipation aie aKo g'*od sorts foi tlie niriii' crop. The liilter is a \ erv hcaiv croppci and .i . u \\ eet-na\ oured n^x, and while ttae:e :i'e a mimli"i of ex'ua large v .inches nowadays uiually gionn for --how purpose-!, iheic l- a wonderful sa\ :i,tr ol liboui foi jronoral use to h*\ c pods coiiiHimng from cit;)it to ele 1 en peas nearly double the size of ordinary market peas, but the '•cuit of getting larg<», well-filled poclo ;s to p'tiut the .seed wide, giving each pea 2m to 4m fioui it* neighbour, in deep, wc-U-munured ground. Success lonal rowings oi broad bom-., such ,i : broad Windsor, may also be made in jow<j 2ft apart in "oil of a lett-ntne character. Lettuce, radish, and other s.null saladnig? in frames or in war_n bordois will uced protection from slugs, which are, very destructive to thefe plants when in a yourg st^te. If tlio f-urfuce drainage is du'ectr. c it may be lemedicd by noting the places wlieie water 10-Jge^ m wet weather. In gaulei.b where c-lnv predominates, it should bo nnpioved b\- tin addition, ot "and, ashes, Jmie, ru'jb: ]<, choaccj!, etc.

FLOWEK GARDK.N - Beg-in to pi.me rose-. A portion only should Ijc- uono al this pruning, ulicther pomou v month henco, and the remainder m six weeks Tins will extend the blooming reason cousiderublv. In piunirg, cut out all hard brown wood, leaving' last season's giowth, if possible. Keep the main sterns equi-dibtant from each oilier, and the centre open. Cut back strong shoots one-third to an outside hud. Tea ro-is, noisettes, and mos'cs rsquiro very little pruning. If the lju_ i h is — owdod it may be thinned juk. No time should bo lo^t in planting ranunculus if .not already donf\ The ranunculus, being closely allied to bo» plants, likes a cool subsoil, and to grow ciiem well «. damp situation should ba selected for 'Jie bed. The best con' post 's r mixture of pe.it and fibrous loam, a good layer of to\» dung manure being placed below it. The older plants of carna f !on3 should have 0.'.. the old flower growth ■> cut e'ean away, and the new growl'is, which should now be pushing up, should be tied securely to neat stakes, which will be all tlie attention they require beyond keeping clean. Old stools of delplnriurus will he much improved by dividing and replanting a slupll and healthy portion , old aiools aie liable to throw up a large number of small spikes of flowers, instead of a few bold spikes, which ma-ko a grand lisplay in the garden for a considerable time. This cla:s of plant has been much improved during recent years, and can now be had in many tints of tints of blue , a yel'ow form lias been introrlucerl, under the name of z.Ui!, but it is rather d ffir ult to grow Attention should be paid to seedling pl suits oL iMiiaiftri kwaim Uit>iii iiea ixom waada.

transplanting them as soon as they are strong enough into the borders where they aie to flower. Many other hardy annuals and biennials should ba planted out during this month; where they have been grown on from autumn-sown seed they make an oarly display cf bloom months before the general flowering season of the spring-sown annuals. Rose beds should have a gocd dressing of manure, halfdecayed stable manure is the beat to apply, which is cooler and more suitable than many of the artificial manures which are oftsn recommended. Care should be used m digging not to damage the roots which are near the surface. Ro3es on briar stocks should be care fully -examined so as to remove any suckers which have pushed up, which, if allowed to grow, soon destroy the lose. All kinds of shrubs and ornamental trees may still be planted with safety.

FRUIT GARDEN. — The present month should see the completion of the planting of all sorts of fruit trees. All kinds of stone fruits should be finished first, as these arc the fii^t to show signs of starting into growth. Where it ;s; s intended to graft young trees, or head down old trees for the same purpose, the neceseary scions should be secured now, and heeled in the earth or damp sand until they are required. Unless the scions are token off while the trees are in a dormant condition the work will not be as successful as could be de-sued. Many old trees of pears and apples which may be in a healthy and vigorous condition, but fail to fruit, or are inferior varieties, should be headed back and re-grafted with scions of some approved variety. If the work is carefully done the scions make a rapid giowth on account of the established condition of the stocks, and come into bearing much quicker than newly-planted trees, thus saving valuable time. If, however, the trees to bo cut. down are not healthy and vigorous, they should be giubbed out rather than perpetuate a weak and unhealthy growth. Pruning of all kinds of fruit should be completed as soon as possible, and the fruit quarters cleaned up, burning off all rubbish which may have accumulated during the winter.

GREENHOUSE.— The preparation of compcst for potting and sowing seeds is a work which should be done now, so that the various soils may be kept under cover in readiness for aie. Charcoal, peat, loam, sand, and wellrotted manure are the necessary ingredients, and a supply should be at hand when wanted. Camellia' 3 are now at the stage v. hen occasional watering with clear soot water will assist them to open their blooms. Frequent watering 19 to be avoided — one thorough soaking once a week is much better than driblets every day 01 two. In making new borders in the greenhouse let the fibrous loam and peat be used in a rough state, when by the addition of sharp sand ar.d a few bushels of broken charcoal and bones the border will not require lenewing for years, climbers merely receiving an annual top-dressmg. Give more air to the house, and endeavour to keep the plants from gi owing too fast.