OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2650, 28 December 1904, Page 10

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

JELETCHEN" GARDEJV.— Onions that are. well advanced in growth should have the tops fcr-nt well round so as to prevent too strong a growth in that direction. The rains have done ILis crop a great deal of good, and as a consequence the bulbs" will continue to grow much. Jiater than usual. Weeds_ between the icws must be pulled up, and if a dressing of soot : is applied and hoed in it will he^p the onions I very much. Soot is also a valuable manure ] for -celery. If one or' two light dressings are j applied at short intervals wnile the plants are j unearthed a marked improvement will be ob- ! eervafo-le, and the soot will assist, in keepiDg down the celery fly, -which is very destructive. ! Carrot seed may still be sown if further supplies are needed. -While the soil is moist an effort should be made to plant out »a much of the winter greens as possible, as the plants of the firsfc crop should .-now be strong enough 'to transplant. We generally find that fccin the end .of December to the middle of February is th« best possible' time in which to plant oxit ■that best of all cauliflowers,"' Yeitch's autumn giant, which, if planted now and given a fair ■•afeason, should be ready to cut during \nril. To produce tlie",finest heads this cauliflower ebould bs allowed plenty of room in tie rows, _ and ' be planted in deeply-worked soil into ■which plenty ,of manure -has been dug. Plant out the firat batch of savoys, broasoli, ■Brussels -sprouts, and cabbage, as there- \vlil fee a considerable space of, land tEit-hW basn under- early peas and potatoes ready to receive the-, plants. Tomatoes are now growing freely, Hid if early fruits are wanted the laterals iijUfat be cut away and the fruit exposed to the warm sun. FLOWER GARDEN".— Chrysanthemums are making good growth, whioh should be «noouraged as much as possible, ac during the next two months the plants ■which 'are to produce the largest blooms should make tn'ir principal growth and wood, which requires ] time to mature and ripen. During a moist season these plants make satisfactory projress ■without the assistance of mulching; but as the dry weather, which affects these plants ■ most, generally set* in after the New Yoar and continues throxigh February, and this at a time when any check to their growth is most detrimental to them, it is advisable to apply half-decayed manure in such quantities as to cover the soil to a depth of 2in or 3in. Tying and stopping wiL need attention every week, a-nfl should there lie any sign of aphis the plants should b6 well' syringed with insecticide. Groups of pot-grown chrysanthemums _ interspersed with foliage plants, and arranged for effect, seem to be very popular at Home, and give great pleasure to the visitors, as - being such a change to the long' lines of st.ff and formal show stands. Dahiias would 'appear, as if they are likely to 'be early this sea- j son, as young - plants planted v out late - are 1 making rapid growth -and coining -into flower. ! If the soil in which they are, growing is at all poor, a I dressing of decayed manure should- be lightLy . dug in aaround the plants, whioh. should be kept well tied up. Cuttings 'oi pints, picotees. mid car nations may 1 « inBerte'd in pots of sandy soil and 1 placed in #haded frames,, as they, usually, strike freely at this time of the yesi. "GREENHOUSE Ai\D FRAMES.—Tube-rous-rooted begonias 'are now coming forward into flower ; a few neat sticks should be placed in position and the shoots tied up, to^- prevent the weight of the flowers bending the snoots out of position. These plants, if carefully watered, will continue to flower for a very long time; no water should bs syringed over the plants while in flower. As all azaleas and camellias should by this time have finished 'their growth, they should ba turned outside bo as to make room for-- the flowering plants; n, position where they will enjoy partial shade from midday siui is beat suited to them, end they should on no account be neglected in watering, and azaleas particularly should be syringed overhead with some force so is to keep down thrip, which, if neglected, will denude the p'.antsjof all their foliage. Young plants of all kinds-winch are being grown on for late fltrwering should have generous treatment by way of repotting, liquid manure, etc., so as to have strong plants, such as will give the best blooms. Pot-grown chrysanthemums will require frequent pinching back, and must have plenty of root room given and be we'i fed, aa these plants are gross feeders; any neglect now is sure to show itself la-ter on.