THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPEftATTOXS FOR THE WEEK.

FRUIT GAHDEX.— There coui.l not have been a fiver p'antuig season than, the one just erding — a small quantity of lam spread o>-er a long period, scaicely ever enough to picvent work lroin being cairied on. Where late piuiimg is carried on, extra. cue must be taken to prevent tho roots from getting dry. If high winds prevail, it is better to delay planting for a little, keeping the trees in a shed with their loots wv.ll covered up. The planting of gooseXi ie = , cuiranU, ia.-,pb"ined, and stiawbonies may still be done. Ihe grafting oi all kinds of unit trees bliou.d i.ow be taken m hand, tho stone fiuit3 leceiving attention lirst.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.— Most soils are in good condition for working, and unless heavy rains occur, there should lie no delay in getting in all Seasonable crops or in the digging aud prepanng of land foi futme use. This is the best time for sowing the main crop of lursnipb. '\ here is no more valuable root in the garden than t-us, for ■whenever there is an excess ior kitchen use, the surplus may be given to rows, horses, or pigs. A deep, rich loam is the best toil for pai snips, but good irops may ba grown in stiff .soils, and aUo in thoae of quito a sandy nature, provided the ground is deeply worked and well manured. '1 ■> aim at growing very lar^e roots for the t. ble is a mistake , such are generally fibrous, cr.d !a.ck that delicate- flavour which mediunisi7od ones possess. The giouud should be well drained and uoikcd to a depth of about 18in. If stable luanure is used, it should be well lotted, and lumed 10m or 12m below the hoil, so causing tho roots to go straight dovn in s'-arch of nourishment, and" tluiß pi event, the ffi.i'lonna.'ion of loots and lateral fibre. I'he chief crop c! cairots should be sown during this KioTith. The seed may ba «own in drills a,< little- closer than parsnip?, but m regard to the trenching and nianiuiug, tho treatment is the same. Two or thiee \.ineln.s should be sown. The early shoithorn i« go<xl in colour, of excei'ejit flavour, and conies m %cry quickly, lia-lf-lon^ scarlet Xxntes and C'hantenay are new table varieties with full iun roota a'ltl supeilor co'our and flavour. Janice's intermediate is oue of the beet fot the mam crop, and is more suitable for shal'ow soi's than those kind* which root deeper. Ih<i lo^g red is a good kind foi derp =c..s The carrot may be sov.n thicker tiia-u rrany other seeds, for the funning may be revolted to v.hen. liie plant is quite in a \oun^ fc,if,c. In growing zed beet, the object should hs to proJuco rot large, coiusc roots, but tho->e of a me' mm mzp, fine giainod, good co'our ail t l )ion>»li, tweet and smooth and of a c Mnmcl' -ral shape. In recent \car% a l.'irge \a.nij i f '. ts !i.n been introduced, inc'udi'ig t \eiai \.ii I cl."s of turnip beet, which are not only early, but v.-ell described as "just the right size for tab!?, and a splendid colour; the tendc-rest and bestflavoured we have ever had," ard not so tough ad some of the !a:jc varieties It is difficult to say which kiiido are the best , but Satton's globe D'ld Xiittmg's daik crm; 50, is o,i are very good. iSfi'iach b et is valiiib'e in dry scr'o rl i, sJLvidina a uuj oi le.ues wkeii mutf aliiex

vegetables are burnt up. Beet seeds should be sown in drills 18m apart, and about lin deep. A fairly rich and light loamy soil suits the beet plant best. When a hotbed is available, seeds may be sown of cucumbers, vegetable marrows, capsicums., egg fruits, and tomatoes. These commodities cannot be had too early, but it i 3 ri«ky in attempting very eaily crops, especially where glass is not to be had.

FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRI7BBEPvY.—Any plants suffering from scale or other insect pests should be taken in hand before active giowth commences. It is much easier to destroy all bucli TiuisancesNiaow than in the summer. Much stronger and more effective remedies can be applied now while plants are at rest. Common fresh lime will destroy some scales if applied in the evening or the morning, when the foliage is moist with d<?w; but it looks unsightly, as it remains on uutil washed off by heavy "rains. Lime must not be applied to ericas and some other allied plants, or it may kill them. Instead, use freak wood ashes, -taking care to well sprinkle the stems as well as leaves. Kerosene emulsion is most valuable for all scale pests, but must bo carefully used in spraying tender plants. Tho planting of deciduous shrubs and trees should be completed forthwith, but evergreens may be transplanted for some time to come. Some of tho ivies niako excellent edgings for blirubbery borders. In some other countries they are extensively used, and theTe is no reason why they should not be largely planted with us. There is only one drawback to them; that is, they readily fall a prey to scale if not watered and kept growing during the summer. Besides the green varieties, there are many beautifully variegated— gold and silver-edged and striped. The colours to be used should depend on the background and surroundings. The pruning of deciduous climbers, such as mandevilleas and clematis, etc., should be done now, but the evergreen climbers may stand over for a little. Keep sll tho beds free from weeds by just turning the surface only over. PLAKT HOUSE.— Pot on young pelargoniums, -using a rich, sandy fibry icam. Some email, rubbly charcoal mixed with the soil is good, affoiding drainage, and helping to giye colour to the flowers. In fact, charcoal dust should be more freely used, aa it improves the flavour of fruit and the colours of the flowers. To keep the plants bulky, they must have plenty of air, and be kept close to the glass; the points of the shoots must be pinched out to induce laterals. Petunias are ea-aily grown, and readily make handsome specimens for the greenhouse. In a cold frame they grow rapidly, Rnd With a little attention in stopping and tying down, soon develop into laigo masses of bloom. After camellias have flowered, and just as they are starting into growth, is the time to prune them if necessary. Rc-potling should be done at the same time. Peat, good turfy loam, some sand, and a little well-decomposed cowdung make a good compost for these plants. Good drainage is a'so necessary. Kumeious greenhouse plants may at this season be propagated. Most cuttings strike beat in sand, or in a very tandy soil, and placed under a hell glass in the hothouse, or warm fiame. Tender budding plants, like th© ireseno or achj-ranthus, should be propaga-ted now, so that plpnts may be' ready for planting out in October. At this period numerous orchids require attention in repotting and fixing tip. They should be carefully examined for any insect pests, and thoroughly cleansed if noces-eai-y- Tho cypridmtns or slipper flowers are emong- the most easily cultivated orchids. After Lioomi'jg, these should be rc-pottod in a compost of peat, turfy loam, and well-rotted cowchirg, vith plenty of sand md charcoal running through. These plants must have plenty of drainage, °o the pets and pons should be hall filled with pieces of charcoal.