THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK,

KITCHEN GARDEN— As all tender vegetables are severely cut by frosts, they should, fts scon as possible, be removed and the land they occupy manured and prepared for other plants. Kven if not required for immediate cropping, it is much better to have the soil turned over and left somewhat rough and exposed, to the weather. The last planting out of celery should be completed at once if not already attended to, and the earthing up of advancing crops should be frequently attended to, it being better to earth up gradually than to allow too much growth to take place before commencing. Turnips aud carrots which were sown it> March and early April will now be growing freely, and the drills must be thinned out at soon as the plants ire large enough to handle, as if neglected for only a short time at this • season they rapidly spoil. As soon as well above the soil the Dutch hce should be used between the rows, in order that any weeds may be destroyed^ while they are young. This is especially necessary upon beds where mions have b&en sown, as owing to the onion seed taking some time to germinate, if not taken in hand promptly it frcqiiently happens that the crop Is not worth the labour that is necessary to slean the bed. In fact, it is a good plan .Eo mis a few radish seeds among the onion seed, as these sprout quickly and show the > rowß. The sowing of varions kinds of herbs may still be carried on, also the divisions of old roots of such as sage, thyme, marjoram, etc. If planted out upon fairly rich jsoil the plants are rapidlj established. Seed of early peas and broad beans should, now be sown as soon as possible; the soil for •the former shouk? not be made too rich, or the growth is rendered too tender, aud is thus easily injured by frosts. The cleaning and manuring of rhubarb should be attended to now as soon as possible. The supplies of salads must be kept up by transplanting and sowing according to the demand.

FRUIT GARDEN.-Active preparations should now be made for planting out the various kinds of fruit trees which it is intended to plant during the coming season. If our advice given some few weeks ago has been followed up re the necessary preparations, the work of levelling, draining, and trenching where necessary will now be in » forward, condition, as planting should be commenced as early in the next month as possible, as such earjy-planted trees become established quickly and give more satisfaction than late-planted trees. Strawberry plants should now be planted out without delay If strong runners are planted at once a small return by way of fruit xnay be looked for next season, and full crops the following seasons. Raspberry canes should now be planted out in deeply worked, soil. Four or six strong canes should be planted together at a distance M 3ft 6in apart each way ; the tops should lie shortened to about 3ft after being planted out permanently as soon as is possible. Even it- the lea-veß are no* all fallen, they will transplant now with safety. • GREENHOtTSEV FRAMES. ETC.-With ilie near approach -of winter, all tender plants in pots that have not yet been housed should at once be attended to fhe pots should be cleaned said, the- drainage examined, as it frequently happens that this becomes impaired by, worms, soil, and many otlujr causes which

I should be remedied before the plants are taken inside. Some of the early varieties of the azaleas should be placed in the -warmest end of the greenhouse, as by judicious treatment they can be had in flower much earlier thin usual. Careful watering will be necessary now for all hard-wooded, plants, as all such are easily spoilt by over-watering, or, on the contrary, being kept too dry. Cinerarias and primulas, as soon as the pots they are to flower in are full of roots, should receive occasional waterings of liquid manure; it should be applied rathe* weak at first. Pelargoniums that have been potted up and hept in a close frame or house should now be gradually exposed to air and sunlight, so tr at the young growth may be short-jointed, and firm. Young plants from cuttings will used the same treatment — plenty of light and *>*r must be given so as to keep them in good condition. In the case of ferns which are growing freely, the supply of moisture must be kept up; where they have finished growing 1 the plants will not require so much moisture overhead or at the root as has been necessary all the summer. Hyacinths which are being grown in glasses should be examined, and as Eoon as the roots are running freely anal the crown bursting, the glasses should be placed in a light and airy part of the house.