THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOB, THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN".— The occurrence of sharp frosts has given- a seasonable check to ~ vegetation at 1 the turn of the year, and renders it necessary to place protective coverings upon any plants in a young and growing state. The lifting influence qf frost- will be observable in autumn-sown Onions, unless the soil is Very light, and where the bulbs have been loosened they should be firmly pressed into the ground. ' If rhubarb and aeakale are forced in the open ground, pots or casks should be placed over the crowns a week before they are covered up with a mixture of leaves and stable manure. An effort should now be made to bring up all arrears of ground work, such as trenching and, digging, before the rainy period eets in, rendering such operations impracticable. On. warm borders sow beans, early cabbage, early horn carrots, dwarf peas, radishes, and white, silver-skinned onions. Early cauliflower and celery may also be sown in a frame where there is a little heat. FLOWER GARDEN.— No delay should take place in procuring and planting shrubs', herbaceous plants, and. roses. Trees or shrubs •which are likely to be broken by the wind should be supported * by—three stakes placed like a tripod to the stem of the tree, where tlio -endgllPfcn T>e secured,- a, good packing of Jiay "being^ put next the bark to prevent chafing. During fro3ty weather the shrubberies may be gone, over, and. any of the commoner shrubs •which, 'are encroaching-*<m others may be cut awsfe^ so as *9" leave the permanent shrubs clear." In the formation of new shrubberies - the haphazard system' of planting is too often iollowed; whereas it 'should be arranged and planted with the permanent shrubs first, being up with, any common material such*- as laurels or laurestina afterwards. These can be^removed'' when -the principal , shrubs have attained suitable dimensions, and there is no necessity for "any re-arrangement or disturbance of them.* In pruning deciduous trees and shrubs the branches may be thinned ■where they are crowded or intersect each other, and the cut -should- be made close to a bud or shoot to prevent any dying, back. The open par-te of shrubberies near the walks may b» filled up with daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, primroses-, aubrietias,- or wallflowers. GREENHOUSE.— When the thermometer tegisters 4deg . or sdeg, of frost it is almost impossible" to keep the cold 'out of a cool bouse without resorting to some artificial mode of - raising the temperature. Perhaps the simplest and most economical plan is to place a. couple of large kerosene lamps on the floor during the night. These will not allow the temperature to fall below 32deg, unless the frost is unusually severe. Look over camellias, and if they are infested with scaJe, let them be brushed over with Gishurst compound at onco, This is the best period of the year to eradicate these pests, »3 no injury fcan be done whilst -the wood and leaves are hard, and what is of more importance, every Insect destroyed -now; prevents the appearance of thousands :w: w summer. Larger -camellias iwhich hay« grown thin and straggling may "either be headed back or the branches may be 'tied- down.- The latter is the -safer plan, ' «s it induces the plant to.- -break back, and there is no check upon~ioot action, which, If it happened-to" be weak when~the plant is lieadsd back, would take some years to recoyer. , _

FRUIT, GARDEN.— Now is the time -to take steps to destroy American blight as well us other pests of hardy "fruit trees. Apple trees that are or have been affected should be dressed with the following preparation: — Dissolve Jib of soft soap in half a gallon of boiling water, add one pint of petroleum, and pix by working it vat well with » syringe.

Paint all the affected branches thoroughly with tha above, but avoid the buds as much as possible. For scale, a mixture of soft soap, sulphur, soot, and clay, in nearly equal quantities, with sufficient water to bring it into a workable condition, is an admirable application. Apply it, like the last, with a brush.