OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 10

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

FRUIT GARDEN.—Those who contemplate Ihe planting of fruit trees this season should lose no' time now in having the work done. The ground should have been properly pre'■oared by being thoroughly broken up, well iiamired", and drained. In a great measure (the success of an orchard depends on the attention paid to the retirements of the trees from the starting point.. Trees will thrive well only where the soil is good, well worked, «nd efficiently drained. "If these desiderata ■Lave been attended to at the start the tree 3 •should -not require much attention for a. few ■ arears except for pruning, but this should be Attended U at tha time of planting, as a flittle attention in the beginning m forming • tthe trees may save years of growth. Many orchards are neglected in this respect^ the .trees being allowed to waste their strength m wood that has to be . cut away, "Whereas with a- little timely pruning —checking an over-luxuriant growth where it is not wanted—this might be prevented. Many fruit growers would appear to think that if they, give the trees a iittle manure when planted there is no necesuity to repeat the operation. This, however, will depend entirely on the nature of the soil chosen for the orchard. If the soil be naturally poor the trees should have a good 'dressing of manure every second year. It 13 H, very common thing to ses young trees after a year or two begin to fail, a state of affairs Which is generally attributed to disease; btrf 'this-is really the result of the impoverishment of the soil, and consequently an inefficient supply of food. When trees are ferowiner vigorously they will resist the attacks ft inJcta more readily than if they are m a half-starved or stunted condition; for when (trees are not growing freely they are easily pvercome by insect pests. It is generally an Unhealthy tree that is first attacked. The principal consideration in starting an orchard f s to select good healthy trees, and to keep them growing freely without any check. Fruit jfcrees thrive best in a good, strong, but friable 9oam, and in an open, sunny aspect wliicn aiever becomes quite dry at any time of the year, yet holds no stagnant water in winter. .They also require protection from the effects 'of violent gales, so that shelter is essential. A Bituation for an orchard should always be fchosen with natural protection and an open, feunny aspect, if possible; but it that cannot be done, artificial projection must be provided. This may foe accomplished by planting a- good belt hi trees, and should precede the planting of the fruit trees. In such situations small fcrees Will thrive better than large ones. It is a great and common mistake to plant fruit trees too deeply. Tiere exist many instances where Ifcheir perpetual unfruitfulness may be directly traced to this cause. They are put down with tlie view of making them firni and giving them ft good hold of the soil; "but an excess of this is highly injurious, and the most healthy and fertile treea are those which, axa nlsuited close

to the surface. By adding manure and soil aver the loots year after year the surface soil gradually thickens, until the roots are down in the cold. Many trees would be immediately improved if all this were cleared away until the roots were reached and left near the surface.

FLOWER GARDEN.— Now is the time for putting in order all flower borders, shrubberies, etc., by pruning the shrubs and roses, trimming the edges, dividing and regulating herbaceous plants, digging the borders, and thereby creating a neat appearance during the winter months, and obviating the necessity for digging amongst lihe roots of the plants in the early spring. It likewise breaks into the favourite haunts of the slugs, whereby they ,are more easily found and destroyed. Where new borders aire to be formed and planted, it must now be done. Roses should be pruned with, the advent of July, and after clearing off the bed should be heavily manured and dug, as the rose delights in a rich soil. Manure must bs applied freely. If good blooms aare required close pruning must be resorted to, evitting back to within two eyes of where they started from last spring, and cut away all light twigs, which cannot carry a good bloom sjnd only serve to rob the plant. KITCHEN GARDEN.— PIant out cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. Sow peas, broad beans, and carrots for early use; also spinach and onions. Make plantations of rhubarb and asparagus.