THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. FRUJT GARDEN. — Where peach and apricot " trees have been budded the ties should be examined, andjoosened as soon as the growths commence to^swell, and in the course of two or three weeks should be removed altogether. Strawberry plants that are being saved for 'planting during the coming season should be kept growing on by keeping the plants well supplied with water. Where the soil has been, thoroughly wet with recent rains strawberry runners, which should now be well rootsd if attention lias been paid to them as advised from time to time, should be planted out. We find the present and the next month the best .time to plant out these plants, but it must not be hurried on until the soil is quite soaked. When the plants are planted under such conHitions they •will start to grow quickly, and form good crowns for fruiting next season. FLOWER GARDEN.— Those who intend laying out new gardens during the coming season should start- the preparatory work of levelling and trenching the land. This is best done as early as possible, as the soil is much improved by working and exposing to the c n ry " weather. Sour soils are much sweetened, and .weeds that have seeded in the soil are more , -easily killed at this season. Ths whole spsce •to be laid out should be deeply .dug c-r trenched, and. the -.paths laid out afterwards, - as if solid portions are left untrenched tLe drainage is impaired, and ultimate results are not satisfactory. Wet or low-^ying soils should be drained so as to have all in readiness for laying out and planting early in May. When, i-plan'ting is done early' the trees and shrnos ' make a start to establish themselves before • the soil becomes too wet and cold. Lawns which have become mossy, barej- or weedy, and require resowing, should now be broken up" and the soil kept well disturbed so as to kill all Weeds, with the intention of resowing ifter heavy rains in April, if possible, as this Is the best time for forming a good turf. The •oil being warm, a rapid growth at once beyins, md a good sward can be had before winter >ets fairly in. Chrysanthemums are now fast setting their flower buds, and all disbudding should ba completed within the next week or 10 - days. If the beet results are desired, regular waterings of v liquid manure should be given twice a week. Care must be taken not to give it too strong; the easiest and safest to use is that made from cow manure and Boot, but kept separate. Strong chemical manures should be cautiously used, as much injury is often caused through the variation in strength of the manures. All annuals tbat are being kept for seed-saving purposes mu3t be frequently examined, and seed pods gathered as soon sis ripe, or much of the best seed will be lost. Beds of the earlier flowering annuals should be "cleared off as soon as past their best, and if the position is favourable, the space should be manured and dug, and planted with early" spring-flowering bulbs, Euch as hyacinths, ranunculi, anemones, and Barcissi, which, where largely grown, shoild be planted in batches so as to secure a sue- ' cession of bloom. During the continuance of Oxy weather ample water should be given to " the occupants of the flower border. Many shrubs suffer very much from drought at this fteaaon if not assisted, and as a consequence Icse much of their foliage, and become infested with thrip and other insects, which are difficult to dislodge. KITCHEN GARDEN.— Keep the early crops of savoys, cauliflower, broccoli, etc., in good condition by frequent waterings and dressings. During hot, dry weather, if not attended to in this respect, they seem to lose their vigour, and the blight gets the upper hand of them. Tomatoes should have all growing laterals Temoved, and all fruit exposed to the sun. Any young fruits now setting will not have time to ripen before frost sets in: should be removed so that the swelling fruits may be perfected early. Celery -jnust be kept regularly watered, and the earlier trenches must be finally earthed up as soon as fit, aa these should be ready for use during the present month. Young plants of lettuce, cabbage., and cauliflower in seed beds must be kept moist, and as far as possible clean, co as to have healthy plants for use as soon as the rain comes. — Seasonable Hints.—* Hoses may still be budded. Supply dahlias frequently with weak liquid jnanure. Plant daffodil biilbs in turf and in borders. Sow seeds of red cabbage for producing hearts for use in spring. Plant out winter greens in vacant land .■whilst the latter is moist. . Cut down the stems of globe artichokes from ."which the heads have been gathered. "*■ Cacti of all sorts, whether in greenhouse or window, should have" a good supply of .water. Collect and prepare manure in, readiness for forming a mushroom bed outdoors next month. I Continue to insert cuttings of bedding ] plants — zonal pelargoniums, petiinias, heliotrope, etc. Sow seeds of forget-me-not and S^ene penihila conipacta for furnishing plants for spring jQweriug. Give siadioli frequent supplies p£ liquid

J manure, or fork in a sprinkling of artificial I manure occasionally.