THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2784, 24 July 1907, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

j» ■ OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GABDBN.— As a rule,'not much litexrfton, to-bestowed upon cultivation of early potatoes, and probably this arises from their lability to-be cut down by spring frosts. But •here turf pita can be constructed or rough f»mes " be extemporised which can be ••vexed at night, the cultivation of early potateM may be carried on with tn» certainty, of

» crop. To furnish » successful supply two or three rows may; be planted at the base of » north, wall or fence, and these, again, may be supplemented by those planted *¥& open, borders in sheltered positions. The oldfashioned* ashleaf kidney,-, if true, and the walnut-leaved - are the best for early work, and they possess the finest flavour. These varieties are said to have been improved by selection, and are offered under various names, but the so-called improvement, in flavour, at all events, is doubtful. ' When those in the open border come- through the ■ gTouad they should ' be covered with long , stable litter, which acts- as an efficient protection from frosts. In low situations and cold soils, where froste are unusually destructive, the end of August will be time enough to,* plant, but in light soils, which are naturally ary^ the sooner the tubers are planted the better. To grow these early kinds of potatoes to perfection the soil should be very light and liberally manured.'

FRUIT GARDEN.— Now ie the time for taking steps to eradicate many of our destructive insect pests, such as the mussel-scale on the apple, the cadlin moth, and many other*. Before being treated with the various remedies tie trees to be operated on should be well pruned, and all the prunings at once burned on the spot, if possible. The ashes from such burnings should always be returned to the soiL When timbers are being cleared away, and fires are being used for the purpose, the ashes -and oharcoal should never be allowed to waste, but should be wheeled to the orchard or garden, where they will be valuable ingredients in manuring and' lightening the soil. Push forward the planting of deciduous fruit trees as much, as possible. Should the soil be too wet for planting it is better to get the trees from the nurseryman, and lay them in for a while; and if they have to remain for jome time they will form young roots, which "must not be allowed to get dry or be broken at the time of planting. . The necessity for growing fruit trees cm the Cordon system: is not so great as, in some other countries, but wihexe space is valuable and where early returns are wanted the method is a good one/ Pears and apples grown, this way are not only ornamental, but the fruit- is generally large, and considered to be of better flavour than that grown, in the ordinary manner. Cordon-grown trees require considerable attention in stopping the shoots, . root pruning, and also in manuring. They are ~ useful in filling up spaces which otherwise migh^ be vacant. Some kinds of both apples and pears are unsuitable for this kind of training. The nurseryman should be able to recommend those most fitted. The quince stock is the best for special varieties of the pear, and £he paradise stocks for the apple. The cherry and many other fruits may also be grown in this same dwarf style ; one great advantage of this method is the ease with ■which the fruit can be protected by nets from birds.

FLOWER GARDEN.— Auriculas must be kept free from decaying leaves and be topdressed with half-rotten cow manure and goodi yellow* loam in equal quantities. Larvae of insects and wireworms must be carefully picked out of the compost, which should be used moderately dry. Cuttings of hollyhocks may be taken from the main stem; and inserted three to five in a pot filled with sandy soO. As they are liable to damp off if kept too close, they should be placed in a warm, house, and kept rather dry, unless roots are formed. Pansies which were planted early so as to get established before winter are doing well. Later planted will require pressing down into the soil after a thaw. Scarce varieties of dahlia should be potted and placed ixi £l hotbed, so -fclia.£ cuttings xaaty fee- otk£a.ixtabl« in the middle cf August. When the shoots are 2in long they may be taken "off with a sharp knife, not quite close to the tuber, and planted singly, in thumb pots. All the stock plants of verbena, lobelia, etc., which have been wintered in pots should now be started in a warm pit to furnish cuttings for propagation.

GREENHOUSE.— Hyacinths, crocuses, narcissi, and other bulbous plants will shortly form the ohief attraction of the house, and they should have prominent positions assigned to them. As they push forward their bloom spikes a little weak manure water will be of great benefit in improving the bloom. As they have & tendency to rush up their spikes weakly they should be kept near the glass. The lachenalias will also be improved by an, occasional supply of manure weter. Statioe profits* may be propagated where an increase is wanted, and cuttings should also be put in of tree carnations, bouvardiaa, and the berried solanums. The temperature should be kept low so long as frost is excluded.