THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2735, 15 August 1906, Page 9

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOX THE WEEK. FRUIT GARDEN.— Prenar* for grafting; Vhe proper time is ac 9oon -as the stocks are -well- started. Raspberry and strawberry borders may still be prepared, and new ones formed. Look carefully over the apple trees, and dress the parts affected by aphis or Ameri/cari blight. Manure ireely vines- and fruit trees ihat aro weakly. KITCHEN GARDEN.— Th» fine, dry weather we have experienced has been of great Advantage in this department, and should bave emah^ed the amateur to overtake any arrears of -cropping. Rather larger sowings ■hould now be made of the main crop of nem.s, of sucH sorts as stratagem, Yorkshire hero t nißirj'v f*fc, and Veiteh's perfection. The earlier sowing shoiud be kept hoed end free from weeds, "and earthed up as soon as far enough advanced. The t«.ll growing kinds should Have stakes placed in position as soon »s they begin to grow freely. A sowing of beet should sow be made. If sown on soil that has been heavily manured for '.he previous crop, they will produce a better and cleaner root than if grown on freshly- manured aoil. Dell's dwarf crimson and Covent Garden jito highly coloured, and useful sorts to /sow liow. Carrote, if not yet sown, should be ■own early in the next month for summer ii«. Slugs, ftje very destructive among this crop while? in a young state, and if not attended to «be plants often have to be rescwH several times, as the sluga will clear oft the whole fow just as they appear above the surface. To destroy th«ie, * light dusting oi fresh lime ■hould be applied all over the bed, late at )ught, or elss hand-picking should be reeoxtei to. The transplanting of onions, should b» commenced as soon as the plants are largo enough, unless these have been sown -where it is intended they arj tc grow, ~in which case the plants shotria b« thuyfed out as soon a» posribi* More attention will have to be given to the growth of talftiis than haa been Secetsary during the winter, and more frequent sowings of radishes, onions, and lettuce should be made. The strongest lettuce plants should now be planted out, and remember .that all saUds should be grown on the richest fond, «s these require to be grown quickly U> satisfactory; Tomatoes growing in the Seated frame should be thinned out, and kept close to ihe glass, and air given on all f avour«bl« d»jw, to.v to induce a firm and sturdy growth. " Celery plants which are growing m troxes should be plueked\out as soon «s they kavs four or five l«aves, seed also may now J>e sown 'on> ar warm border in the open air. Parsley and other herbs may" also be sown now.' FLOWEB GAEDEX— FIower beds should be manured ana 3ug, edgings formed, trimmed smd repaired, herbaceous plants divided. \>iennials planted. Roses may be pruned, an<3 anoet £ort» increased by cuttpgs. Seeds of hardy annuals may be sown in the borders; tnidei oa?3 on »' in<?der&te heat ior trans-

planting. Choice dahlias should be placed in •- g>ntle iieai, for th« purpose of propagating Tqr cuttings. Vprbenas, shrubby . calceolarias, penstemona; etc , may- be increased by the same means. . GREENHOUSE.— Admit aic^freely in fine weather; iepo't geraniums, cinerarias, calceolarias, etc., as the roots advance to th«f sides of the pot. Fuohsins that have been dormant should have their roots reduced and -be repotted in fresh soil. Cacti and other plants may be watered more flfeely thjuFin the depth oj winter. Sow seeds of balsams, cockscombs, egg plants, etc., on a gentle heat; keep all I plants slew of aphis, scale, etc.