THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK

TTLOWEII GARDEN ANT) SHRUBBERIES.—The flower garden being now clear of all its summer occupants, the beds neatly . forked up, and i-ht turf, etc., put in. order, the walks must have their due share of attention.- Raise any low places, so as to give a. unfforn shape and throw Tain into the side drains. In dry weather aiako frequent use of ■the roller, as by making the surface of a well-l formed walk firm the wet will pass off more freely, and there will thus be less danger of injury from frost. In a word, the enjoyment of a garden during winter depends so much on the smoothness r.nd dryness of the walks that too much care cannot be bestowed on them. As most of he deciduous trees ihave now lost their 'eaves, takr advantage of suitable weather to clear* them away. The planting ol bulbs should bp hurried on, more particularly such as the hyacinth, tulip, crccii3, anemone, ixia, narcissus, and sparaxis as the great value of these is their early flowering, and if not planted early this advantage is lost. The .urface among those planted early must lie kept free from weeds by running the Dutch hoe over tljem frequently. Autumn-sown jpansics, ihou^d they be strong enough to should be placed in the front row ef the flower beds or in clumps scattered about, where they have a pretty effect in early spring. The present is a good tima for transplanting any flowering shoots or plants that have become to large for theii position, as after the late rains- the soil should be well soaked. A good ball of earth should be taken p with each plant ec as not to disturb the toot, too much. Herbaceous plants may also (be divided and replant-ed, as after a few years /they become too large if left alone, and fail to [produce good flowers. FRUIT GARDEN.— Planting the various fltincta f fruit-bearing^ trees and bushes will jtfrom now occupy the greatest part of the time and care of this department. Do not hurry ,the work under any circumstances. Should the |trees arrive before, the ground is quite ready for /them, or if the soil is toe wet to work well, fwaii for more favourable conditions. The jtreas can bo laid in by the heels in the meaujtimej and, if properly done, will take no harm Bor eom6 time. See that the drainage s free tend ample. This is a most important point, end must not be neglected Defective drainjage is the cause of much mor.' than half the anossy, lichened, and cankered tree? one meets Moisture is an excellent thing, to a •Reasonable extent, but if it is allowed to be-

come stagnant about the roots it is most injurious. Great depth of soil is quite unnecessary for the majority of fruit trees. It is the surface roots that do the work— the fruitproducing part of it, at anyrate— not those that strike down and remain at a depth. The nearer the surface the bulk of the feeding fibres lie tho better, and this is one of the chief advantages of top or surface dressings, that they tempt the roots up in search of the nourishment offered them, and thereby ensure a fruitful tree, as well as give it strength to brin-g the crop to perfection. A couple of feet or even 18in of well-drained soil of niitable quality, will grow more and better fruit than double tae depth of damp, undrained material; but it must be made firm and well-mulched, and supplied with liquid manure in dry weather. The quince stock for pears is essentially a surface-rooting subject, and pyramids of this stock will succeed a-s well, or better, in lft in depth of soil as 3ft or more. This is undoubtedly the best stock foi dwarf pears and the paradJ ; for apples of the same form. Gooseberries and currants should be planted now, and the sooner the better. There is nothing like replacing old worn-out bushes by thriving young ones as fast as the former get past their best; and both are so ea-sily propagated by means of cuttings put in in the autumn that there is no excuse for not keeping a healthy young stock always coming on for the purpose. Both kinds prefer a sound, deep, and somewhat rich loam to any other description ot soil, but the gooseberry in especial is by no means particular, and will succeed v in almost anything that falls short of sand on the one hand and clay on the other. Established plants may also be pruned now, but wher6 birds are troublesome it is best to leave this till the spring. KITCHEN -GARDEN.— GIobe artichokes should now be divested of their decaying ieave3, and after the ground has been lightly forked over Icy a mulching of half-decomposed manure about the plants, and if covered with a little soil it will improve the appearance. Dig the decaying foliage, v.-ith a sufficiency of manure, into the alleys. Aftet asparagus beds have been lightly forked over and salt scattered on at the rate of lib to the square yard, let them bo at once covered with half-rotted leaves or manure. Rhubarb nhould also have its share of attention. All decayed leaves should be removed, the ground lightly forked over, and a forkful or two of stable dung placed over pach stool or clump of crowns. The forcing of rhubarb and seakale should also be attended to. Trench and ridge up all ground as rapidly as it become? vacant, leaving it in a rough, lumpy state, to be acted on by the winter frost 3. Lightly fork between young cabbage plants, and draw a little earth to their stems, which will assist their growth, and prevent their being knocked about by the wind. Let neatness bs observed in this as well as in every other department of thu garden, which will compensate in some measure for the dreary appearance of things at this dull season.