THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE "WEEK. FLOWER GARDEN.— Now that the- most of tb.« bedding plants are shifted into the open ground, every endeavour must be made to give them a good start. If the plants are long before they make much progress, the summer is gone before they contribute to the beauty of the flower garden. Border bulbs may be taken up' as soon ac the leaves are withered, and to~ ensure perfect ripening lay them in clumps as taken up (without damage to the roots) in a shady position, Trith a sprinkling !>f earth over them. The practice of placing hyacinths and tulips in % broiling sun is one of the causes why so many are worthless the next eeaeon. Chrysanthemums in the open ground should be topped, and the soil between them lightly dug over with a small fork, and o&nw> well-rooted dung worked in. It will be found that they always root near the surface, and a dressing of dung will greatly help them. Rhododendrons are beginning to go out of flower. All dead trusses should be removed without injury to the young shoots. If eeeds are allowed to ripen the growth is checked, and there will be less bloom next year. As to the young growth, generally speaking it is beat to let it grow in its own -ray. There is no shrub so orderly in its habit as the rhododendron, but where the growth in any one direction is irregular the knife should be u«ed now to cut to the old wood. This will apply to the oamell 1 * as well, in such a way th*t it will' break *nd fill up any gap caused by tlte pruning. Cut a-wav all baddysetting and damaged buds from the rose bed, thin out all excess of growth, and duart with tobacco powder to destroy aphis. Where it is intended tc save «eed of ->uch plants as polyanthus^ pansies, etc., the plants should be looked over frequently, and those seed pods that are sufficiently matuied to ripen oft without shrivelling should be gathered, and laid on pieces of paper in a dry place. Geranium cuttings should ba struck in the full sun. and the sooner they art. got in the better plants they will make for next seaion. Where long ripe branches of geranium can be spared they are better than soft shoots; and if pinched for time strike a lot of such ripe branches iv Sin pots, half a dozen in a pot. Chrysanthemums require constant attention now, and frequently sprinkling overhead. Tie as fsst ac the side shoots break, for if they once harden out of shape it is no easy matter to restore them to a proper form. KITCHSN GARDEN.— Sow a few more rows of the dwarf bean*, for they will come in especially useful if the weather becomes too dry for the peas to yield well. Keep celery plants lately planted out well supplied with water, and also stick a few branches of evergreens fay the aide of the trench to form a shade until the roots begin* to feel at home dm their new quarters. Potatoes should be frequently hoed between. A dressing of wood ashes and guano between the rows cf the main orop now will considerably increase* the production, especially on sandy or chalky soils. Lettuce: This useful salad plant is too much neglected after the early part of the season, through the tendency of the plants to bolt in hot weather. This may be prevented by planting in a rich, cool soil, and giving some amount of shade. PJant out broocoli and Brussels sprouts as opportunities occur. | Cucumbers in frames miust have steady I bottom heat to produce fine fruit. It is a common fallacy thai when the weather becomes warm, the bed may bo left to cool down, but it is rarely that fine fruits are cut from frames thai are never lined after the first heat is cut. - GREENHOUSE,— Moat of the hardwooded phurts which lately occupied this department are now turned out of doors. It must not be concluded, however, that they require little or no attention. On the contrary, a greater degree of watchfulness must be brought to bear on the watering than before. The plants should be lodkea over regularly, and watered if they require I it, vhether the day is cool or not. Liliums, j that hove now filled t.beir pots with roots, and exhausted the greater part of the nourishment in tEfe soil, will receive material assistance from frequent supplies of manure water. Give pelargoniums plenty of air and water and shade in the hottest part of the day. Syringe fuchsias every morning and evening ; pinch out all unnecessary growth, so as not to rob the development of the bloom. Primula sinensis, calceolaria., and cineraria- intended for next season may now b« jowa in pans of light, rich soil, with a sprinkling of very fine earth over the seed. lay over the pans pieces of glaaj or damp moE? to prevent evaporation, but keep a watch that the plants are not blanched through keeping the covering on too long. Place the pans in the shade till the plant* are large enough to pot off. This will lessen the trouble of watering, and also the risk of loes either by damp or drought. Fuchsias and pelargoniums will now require air at night and Bhade while the eun i« on the house Give plenty of water and Hq-jid whenever it seems to be required. Free-growing, soft-wooded plants may be assisted now by placing the pots in pans of water for «• few minutes, and speckling the paths and the fuchsias overhead morning and evening. Most of the ha.rd-woodcd plants require shifting, if only to remove a little of the worn-out stuff from the pots. The soil should be lumpy, and with plenty of fibre in it. Take care the drainage is good. A strong oyster shell or * fair-sized crock oveT the hole in the bottom of the pot is a cafe way to ensure the outlet for water. After shifting, sprinkle frequently. Cinerarias coming tip in seed pans should be ■hifted out as soon as they are large enough to lift and have separate thumb pots, with a light, rich compost, and be placed in a frame to grovr on. By securing a vigorous growth from the first they will be less troubled with fly, and will make fine specimens. _ Sow calceolarias, primulas, and cinerarias to succeed the first lot. A moist, cool, shady place -will bring- them on ; as they gain, substance they must have more light and air. Use for all these plants a light, rich compost m & sweet and friable condition. Climbers growing ajround plant houses must not be neglected, or the growth will beconse so confused that to restore anything like order much of it must ba cut away. Moisten all walls, borders, and »tone work the last thing in the evening. VINERY. — In. the vineTy, -where grapes rra-ve been thinned, * the fruit will now be swelling, and air should be admitted on favourable occasions, and abundance of water supplied at the roots. If after the reoeat copious rains the outside borders ax© mulched with wefl-rotted manure, it will be the nieaas of retaining the moisture, and besides savifig after labour it will prove highly beneficial to the vines. Stop a!l lateral growth, and see that ths bunches are not exposed to the tun.