THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2738, 5 September 1906, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

FLOWER GARDEN.— Where planting has been delayed on account of the damp etate of the. ground it should be resumed as soon «ts the soil is dry enough. As far as 1 is possible all planting should be completed during the month of August, although many things may be safely planted much later ; tut it entails a considerable amount of extra labour in watering, etc., during a dry season, especially among specimen trees, or clumps planted for shelter in open paddocks, as in most cases only moderate-sized boles are dug, and these, unlike trenched land, soon dry up. Unless the j.iecaution is taken to mulch before dry weather seta in, tho failures axe much greater than when they are planted earlier. Those growers who favour the very early pruning of roses, particularly the tea-scented sections, always run more -or Hess ;of * risk of losing many of tha early buds by late frosts, which sometimes damage many of the more tender kinds. Where the half hardy annuals- are being grown in boxes they should be kept growing on under a slight protection for •ome time longer, or until the weather becomes milder, before risking them in the open border. The manuring and digging of •11 bads and borders should be pushed on with. 6ed3 devoted to carnations (and these should be found in every garden) should have a- dressing of well-deut-yed manure lightly dug in between the plants, as in order to produce large quantities of well-formed blooms the plants should be well fed and receive good culture.

KITCHEN- GARDEN.— Tho various winter planted crops mould mow be in good order, although they are by no means forward. The various quarters which have been sown or planted should bo well hoed frequently, id v to keep down the growth of weeds •nd maintain the soil in a healthy condition, •uch as will favour tie production of roots. Cabbage and cauliflower plaits will require watching, or they will grow smaller instead of larger; fresh slacked lime should be thinly dusted over them late *t night, also a handful of toot about each plant will help them ait this season. Carrot and turnip soed should be sown now more freely than has been advised during the winter months. Unless the soil is in good order, and comparaiivoJy free from slugs, only * small •owing should be made until the weather is warmer, or ~th* seed will have to be ze-sown •gain and again. Tiie planting of potatoes •tumid be pushed on with ok all fairly dry soils, but oare must be observed in planting ; and only suoh land «s haa a good natural drainage should be selected for the «arly crops. If the ground lies low, or inclined to be damp, it will be better to plant the potatoes iv ** lazybeds " — i.e.., mark off the plcts 6ft wide with a- 2ft alley between. Plan* the sets across, the beds, and cover from the alley. In this tray the seta can be set fairly, deep, and the

beds kepi clean with a- hoe, and' only earthed up* with wha4 comes from the alleys. The seed of tomatoes should be sow-, in a warm frame *nd kept at a regular temperature, as the£« are very tender while in the earlier stages, and if allowed to go down to a low temperature they will decay just below the soil. Where only a small number cf thes« plants is required it will do fraud cheaper to purchase them at the proper season for planting out, as but little labour is then entailed beyond the covering up at night for x time. Where it is intended to sow onioma for a main crop they should at once b* sown, or upon dry soils the crop will be light. Those sown in autumn for furnishing plants for transplanting should be again gone over and handweeded. Another small sowing of seed should be made in ease of «. possible short supply.

FRUIT GARDEN.— Grafting should now be proceeded with. In the eaxly part ofthis - month cherries, plums, and some of the early varieties of pears should be begun with first — these will be easily recognised by their earlier vegetation. It is presumed that the scions were all taken off and laid in a month ago; but if not, they should be gathered from those shoots which are least developed, -and on which the buds are least swollen. Tbis season is very «&rly, and even the grafting of apples should no longer be delayed.

GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES.—Cinerarias and calceolarias, unless well proteoted from the weather, will have their tender foliage cut. The frames containing these should, upon all frosty nights, have a good covering as a, safeguard. If by neglect the paints become frozen, the frames should oe opened very «arly, before the sun is up, and well watered overhead with cold water, and closed up again to «llow them to thaw gradually. Plants apparently ruined may thus be saved if attended to in good time. Camellias and azaleas should now be allowed to com* on into flower, as if placed in a sunny position the buds will soon respond, and, (flowers being scarce, they should be pushed forward. A few plants of D«utzia graoilis placed in a. good warm place, will furnieh light and useful flowers very early. Many kinds of annuals may now be sown under glaro and grown on. The Dotting of young plants -will alto need attention.