OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 10

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

FRUIT GARDEN.—Young fruit trees jhould have their ties" examined, as after the late gales many are likely to be broken, and , should be firmly" secured witn. soil at the_bas», »s during windy and wet weather they become very loose.. Tixe present season is proving a Xnost favourable one to young trees of all descriptions, and growth in most cases is very Vigorous. Newly-grafted stocks should have fcha 'growing -scions made^ quite 'secure to strong stakes, or' the work 'of the season will W lost. „ During the wet season a good muich)ng on a fruiting strawberry bed is of great Value, as in its absence much of the fruit |b entirely lost through, grit and sand. All huxnera should be cut clean sway from the slants, except such as are needed for replanting. ' * • ' VTNERY.—Tbe stopping of. all lateral, prowths upon grape vines will need, frequent Ontion, as these "increase very 'rapidly, and tot promptly attended to the., branches of t' are robbed of much of their support. should', be well thinned 1 out asj-oon < " jus the grapes wre' tne,size of r sweet peas I—at.Vl —at.Y least two-thirds of.tin. entire,bunch being cut j out. Then.,- with, occasional waterings 'of liquid msrrure, or light dressings of Milburn phosphate- or fin© fccnedust raked in ' andl then watered,, the grapes- will swell frealy.'i While {hiring windy weather "moderate ventilatiom'will be 6Tifficien<t, during close," muggy "or-damp ' (weather there should be a free current'-of air ■' through to prevent mildew. KITCHEN GARDEN!—AII the early autumn crops of cauliflower, broccoli, etc., should I ba planted without delay, and preparations j should be made for main winter crops. All \ spaces vacated by- early peas and potatoes ! mhould bo cleared off, manured, and dug ready i iox 'planting witb. savoys, etc. Beetroot, if i Bearoe, may still be sowb, and will come in ; »s a. useful supplj late in the season. Blood ted or Cqvent Grarden are excellent, well- , coloured kinds.. These should be sown on ;. land that has been manured for the previous trop,'as it is not desirable to produce large t And coarse rcots. .Continue to plant out Iselery into the trenches. Kidney beans should - be hoed and staked as soon as fit, and the sowing of sucoessional crops should be* regulated According to demand. These should be allowed a growth of from 6in to 9in before the Succeeding crop is sown. Lightly fork between the; drills or rows of vegetables. Tomatoes fchat' are needed for early use should have the fruit exposed as much as possible to the sun by thinning out the lateral growths' tliat in ejeh soil form too freely to allow the early ripening of the fruit. Cucumbers must be kept free from aphis, which, if allowed to appeax; j spread very rapidly end destroy tlie young growth. FLOWER GARDEN.-^-Carnations of all^ kinds will be much' improved by Haying-neat stakes placed in position and" the 'flowering ■hoots securely" tied. Any strong-growing shrubs' which show a tendency to "grow out of Bhape have the growths headed back into shape. Fuchsias,-if planted out" of. pots into ♦open- spaces in'the-'border in a somewhat k »celtered position, grow and flower very freely und add a distinct oharnv quite their' own to the borders, and if duly watered will continue to flower till cut back by frosts. ' All'kitids~ »f late annuals', where th-ey still remain nntaihned or not transplanted, should' be attended to without delay, or the full benefit of their flowering will uot bo "bad. - All' seed Vessels and" faded flowers should! be kept picked Dff plants in flower, as nothing adds more to their perfect beauty and continuous flowering. JEJegular attention to this point repays the trouble, as if the seeds are allowed to ripen it Set-facts very much from a successful autumn flowering. If the hybrid and tea-scented roses receive a slight cutting back now, they will break out into a nice autumn bloom in February and March. <3-"REENHOUSE AND FRAMES, —The plants of fuchsias which are being grown, on for later use should still have all the flowers pinched off and the leaves well syringed ovei night and morning-. If the pots are fairly filled with roots, weak liquid manure should _ pocasionally be given. Tuberous-rooted begohias require .the same treatment, with the exteption of the syringing overhead, which should hot T>e - given to these plants. Foliage beronias shoujd now ho in good oondition, and they will assist in keeping the house gay from this time up to winter.- These are mo3t useful plants, Seeing- very easy to grow, and Itey adapt themselves to almost any position, u& do well as a-window plant. ' r