THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. . KITCHEN GARDEN.— The general crops of potatoes, carrots, peas, French baans, and scarlet runners being removed, large plots of ground are ready for digging and trenching The mode iv which these operations are carried out will be governed by the character of the soil. If it is deep and of good quality throughout, the trenching can be carried on to a depth of 3ft in the usual manner; but if there is but a foot of good soil resting on ft hard sub-soil, serni-treuching or doubledigging must be resorted to. By this method the subEoii is merely broken up and left at the bottom, the top spit being simply turned over. If there is any material at hand which will improve the qualify of tbe subsoil, it may be incorporated with it as the work goes an, so that in course of time a portion may be- brought up to the surface and mixed with. the fertile soil. When scarlet runners and French beans are required for seed they flhould be gathered at once, as they are liable to be injured by frost. . _ FLOWER! GA'RDEX.— As the general planting seasoii'is again near at hand, some preparations "are now necessary where it i 3 in-.-iended-to plant out new enclosures or make additions to- existing gardens. In the former J!ase-it should be thJLaim to have all necessary - |round work, such is trenching, levelling, and - forming,- completed as early in the season as possible, as, the soil is in » much better condition for such operations than when, it has ;:become saturated with water. An early start in, the matter of forcing new lawns is of the greatest importance, as if not sown down before the end of May the young grass suffers very much from frosts in exposed situations and assumes a yellow and unhealthy colour which lasts far into the spring. In such positions, unless the seed can be sown early, sowIng should be deferred till August, and if the surface of the intended lawn is kept moved incessantly by deeply hoeing or forking over, much good will be done, as it will serve to kill many noxious weeds which exist, and sweeten the soil to a large extent. Where grass seed Las already been sown, as soon as well up a roller should be used over the surface two or three times at short intervals, -which has a, very beneficial effect. Any bare spaces should have a little extra- seed sown over -them. Beds and borders should during the " next two or three weeks be cleared of annuals and other summer flowering plants, and tender plants to be saved for another year should be lifted and safely housed. Plant hyacinths, tulips, narcissi, anemones, ranunculi, scillas, *nd other hardy bulbs, choosing a day when the soil is not wet and sticky. Divide and replant herbaceous plants, such as phloxes, peonies, irises, perennial sunflowers, campan ulas, and all other subjects of * similar char- " acter which it is desired to replant or increase. Prepare bed's of sandy peat for rhododendrons, *zfcleas, and other plants of a haid-wooded aaturer' FRUIT GARDEN".— The gathering of apples - , «nd pears must be proceeded with, as most oi v the late varieties are now fit for storing, and " where they are wanted for late use the fruit - requires careful handling, which, in. man? cases, it does not receive. When peaches apricots, etc., have been budded the ties should be loosened, and if the union is complete the 'tying may be removed altogether. GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES.— Everj *reek will now make a difference in the amouni #f water that will be required in the green iousej as tfee plaats must have a much dnej

atmosphere during the du!l winter months than was necessary for them in hot, dry weather. No water should now be thrown About on the stages and floors, and during cold weather much less air should be given, and when frosty nights are expected all the ventilators should be closed early in the afternoon, so as to give the plants the benefit of the sun heat. Many of the summer flowering plants are now going off, and all such as gloxinias and begonias (both tuberous-rooted and foliage) should be kept in a dry state during winter; and coleus to be successfully ■wintered will need to be placed where frosts cannot reach them, and they require but very . little water during the winter months. Pelargoniums must be kept free from all kinds of insects, or their growth will be seriously afiect-ed. Rooted cuttings should be potted up into small pots and grown on. j