THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPEEATIONS FOE THE WEEK. KITCHEN GAEDEN.— A good large sowing of turnip seed should be made to form the main supply for the winter season. It is useless, however, to sow the seed until the soil has received a thorough soaking, as if there is a deficiency of moisture to carry the plants on in active growth, sure failure -is inevitably the result. It is therefore •■advisable to have the ground properly prepared and await rain prior to sowing, any time during the present month being suitable. A Bowing of spina"ch, if made at once, and kept . regularly moist, will com& into use very quickly in seasons like the present. This becomes a valuable crop, as it comes in much, quicker than other green vegetables. A fairly rich soil and moisture at the root are required. The late crops of onions should be stored as soon as fit, as exposure to the sun after they are fully matured does not im-

prove their keeping qualities. A sowing of onion seed should be made during the present month to supply early spring onions for use after dry onions become scarce. Cucumbers, which may now be getting blighted, should be pulled up before they become too foul, and the space should be manured and prepared .for winter crops. The gathering

and cleaning of seed of such growths as car-

•tots, -parsnips, and onions will need attention. * frequently, or much of the best seed -wilTbe lost. Young salads will require daily -attention- in watering, or the supplies will not •tie- satisfactory. ' FLOWBE GARDEN.— Much of the beauty X>l the. general borders will, in the course of » few weeks, be past, especially the asters, which, as soon as faded should be removed and the soil dug lightly over and watered. Where these and other annuals Gave been planted between roses and flowering shrubs, they rob the latter of much of their support, and overgrow them; hence the need of admitting a full current of air about them as early as possible, so that the young growths may have »n opportunity to properly develop and mature before frosts occur. Violets whicu are to yield their flowers during the winter must not be • overlooked, as if not kept well ■watered the foliage becomes infested with red spider and dies out, impairing the health of the plants. A dressing of well-decayed manure, lightly pointed in close to the roots before they start to grow, will give increased strength. Many of the hardy annuals should be sown towards the end of the month, so as to allow of their making strong plants before frosts occur. If the seeds are sown in shallow boxes the plants are under better control as regards watering and cleaning until they are large enough to transplant. Carnations should have all faded flower sterns cut away, and although not in flower the plants should not be allowed to become dust-dry, as they then suffer severely. All shoots of tallx growing chrysanthemums should be secured, as after the buds are set the shoots will not grow much taller. An idea can now be forme 1 as to what tying will be necessary in order to' secure the flowers from injury. The use -of too many stakes, however, should be avoided, as the fewer used the neater is the appearance of the plants. Tea roses, if kept well- watered, will produce a useful lot of

well-coloured buds right up to the time they ar3 cut off by frosts, and as these are always acceptable for decorative purposes, some attention should now be given to the plants GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES.— AII

winter-flowering plants, such as primulas, cinerarias, cyclamens, bouvardias, etc., will re-

quire attention, and should be brought on into quicker growth, giving the plants further root room as required. Green fly must be destroyed should it make its appearance upon the cinerarias by either fumigating with tobacco paper or dipping in tobacco water or other weak insecticide. These plants must be grown on in a cool^ moist, and shady place. Efforts should be directed towards having the plants in different stages, so as not to have all in bloom in one time; by a little forethought they may be had in flower from midwinter up till the end of October. Pelargoniums which may have been potted up should have air admitted as soon as they start to grow. The plants which were cut down late should be potted up as soon as they have %yell broken, and treated as preyiously advised for the earlier plants. Fi-brous-rooted begonias are valuable as winterblooming plants, and, given ordinary greenhouse treatment, make a good display when other leaves are scarce ; the present is a good time to procure the plants for growing pn. Ample moisture must be. given overhead to all kinds of ferns. Any which may fee pot-bound should have weak liquid manure given them, which will tend to keep them Vigorous, and give a healthier colour to the fronds. Many of the fuchsias will now have Jost much of their beauty, and th,ese should be kept cool and well watered, giving occar jiional doses of rparmre water, when they wjil furnish a useful display of bloom late in autumn.

The Imperial Bbass Spbat Ptrarpf With Stream and Fine Spray Nozzle. — Made h"S jLmerioan noied manufacturers. Are obtainable from Kimmo and Blair, Dunedin. Friuijstowexs and Orchardists should uea them.