THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

FLOWER GARDEN.— The condition of the soil is now very favourable for the transplanting of any evergreen shrubs which may have become too crowded and are over-growing each other — a mistake generally made- in planting «, new garden, immediate effect being desired, which is right in itself providing the plante lire duly thinned out before they spoil one another; " which in the case of many of the choicest shrubs and conifers often happens. fcf taken tip with a moderate ball of eartif and replanted at once they become, established before the winter* sets in. Any tall subjects should be securely staked to keep them, in 'position. Where new gardens are being formed, and the^ preparatory work is in a. forward state, the planting out of rose's, evergreen sh-übs, bos edgings, etc., may be at once commenced. Planters should always bear- in mind the importance of early planting. Chrysanthemums at this season need a little attention. The use of liquid manure water may bs dispensed with a3 soon as the flowers are expanding freely. Where the flowers are being grown for exhibition purposes, should frosty winter set in, means should be devised to afford the flowers some slight protection. A very little covering suffices to turn the frost, which in one night will render the labour of the whole season futile. All mam shoots Bhould be securely tied, or the petals are soon damaged. The present is a, favourable time for -planting out borders of violets, polyanthus, primroses, etc., or when these have been planted some years they may be taken up and replanted with advantage, thinning out the clumps and plants as when planting a new border. Some fresh soil or well-decayed manure should be added to the

old soil before replanting, and the roots should "be made quite firm, and well watered in. The planting out of all kinds of bulbs should be continued. KITCHEN GARDEN.— Turnip seed should be sown as soon as possible if the turnips are required for winter use. All summer crops which are past their best should be removed, and the land prepared for other crops. An early' Sowing of broad Windsor beans may now _be made. Beans do well upon a rather heavy » soil, and are more acceptable as a vegetable if "-obtainable -early in the season, and they should consequently be sown this month. Parsnip and carrot seed may still be sown in small quantities for early use in spring. The winter supplies of salads will require attention. The plants of cos lettuce should be thinned out early so a-s to ensure firm and hardy plants.

GREENHOUSE > AKD FRAMES, Etc.— Cinerarias and primulas should now be growing freely. The former should not be allowed to become at all pot-bound, which causes them to flower prematurely, and they do not produce a satisfactory head of flowers. Strong plants should be secured before they are permitted to throw up flower spikes, and if not convenient to give the plants large size pots, Tegular waterings of liquid manure should be giv-en as soon as the pots are filled with roots. PrirmUa? require much more careful treatment as regards watering, and if kept too wet axe liable to go off at the collar. These should be kept rather on the dry aide, and can be successfully grown in much smaller pots than most plants. They should also be kept near the glass in order to keep them, as dwarf as possible. The whole of the pelargoniums should now be potted up and brought into the greenhouse, and placed in a light and airy position: also all cuttings of these plants Bhould be potted off as soon as well rooted, using small-sized pots. ~ All kinds of hardwooded plants in pots, such as azaleas, camellias, ericas, etc., should be placed under cover this month, as if longer exposed to heavy rains j they arc subject to injury by becoming waterlogged. A few of the most forward azaleas and camellias should be placed in the warmest end of the greenhouse in' order to hasten on the flowering season. Gloxinias, caladiums, md tuberous-rooted begonias which aye ripen* ] ing off should gradually have the water with- | held, and ar soon as ripe should be stored j jlway in. a dry position for the winter. Bou- j frardias grown in pots for winter flowering ] £hould now be allowed to come on into flower 1 , ; And should be placed out of reach of fronts, j which sdon destroy their foliage. Zonale | eljffgogiiun? for winter figweraig shguld ngw

be placed under glass and allowed to throw up their trusses. There are few plants more suited for winter blooming than these plants, when properly grown on during summer and all flowers kept closely picked off up to the end of March, from which time they can be had in bloom throughout the winter, and are always admired. Solanums, ardesias, and other berry-bearing plants should now be brought into the greenhouse, and supply the places of many flowering plants which are fading. The ardesia makes a fine table plant, lasting a long time in a room, but the solalinm should not be taken inside where gas is used, as these plants fail under its influence quicker than any other plant we know.