THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN 6ARDEN.— The ria ge section *f hardy -cucumibers has been much improved of late years, some recent sorts being of good length and of a quality approaching that ofthe jraane varieties. The formation of ridges^ above the general level enables in some soils end situations the hardy cucumber to be successfully grown; but in light soils the best' plan is to take out' a trench, 6ft wide and form' the ridge of manure and turfy soil in the centre, so. that the top shall be level ■with the eurface of the soil. There is less evaporation and less trouble in watering, and the plants are not so liable to be attacked by spider and mildew. When the vines have commenced to run they should be frequently stopped, until they have covered the Xurface of -the ridge, and the lateral banches. should be kept pinched . at , the second leaf lifter every bleak, removing those which are. too thickly placed. A considerable amount »f attention will now be required by tom&tos in training and regulating the growth. The plan of growing them with single stems f&S its advantages where there ia space, as

ih« fruit ripens, better; but if less space h at command, the plants should be s-toppec early, and three shoots taken up and securelj tied to short stakes. Divergent shoots mus be removed from the main stems as sooi as they appear, the rest of th© foliag< being preserved until it is necessary to re nwve some of it to allow the sun to riper the fruit. In nailing or tying allow ample room for the stems to «nlaage. In lifting early potatoes, choose dry weather, as th< skina speedily harden and keep better, Sqt/\ annual herbs, such as sweet basil, knottec marjoram, etc. FLOWER GARDEN.— A rich .piece oi ground in a. partially-shaded situation shpulc be prepared for planting the eaxly batch, oi pansies which have been, struck from cuttings. It is also a good time to put in cuttinga for early spring blooming. In doing so, select the small side shoots from the base of the plants in preference \o the stronger blooming points. Tho soil must be light, a compost of loam, leaf mould, and sand being suitable. As leaf mould] is not always available, substitute peat, and in the absence of this use equal parts of sand and loam. Carnations and picotees are generally forced into bloom by hot weather too rapidly, »nd the blooms axe inferior in quality, and have a tendency to burst. This jnay t>e p3reT7-«rLtG<J tyy tying; ««. pi«o«» oi mn-t-ting round the bud and' by slitting down the pod so that the calyx may open evenly all round. Danlias are growing freely, and sis they require large quantities of water, they may be mulched with rotten manure in dry districts to assist in retaining moisture at the root. GREENHOUSE.— The work under glass is of a routine character — supplying 1 the plants with sufficient water, removing faded flowers, and endeavouring to keep up a moist atmosphere by damping the floors and 1 stages. The majority of greenhouse planfg are now, or should be, out of doors to mature their growth to .enable them to stand the winter. Cuttings of zonal pelargoniums may be inserted in sandy soil in the open ground. Select the small, half-ripened shoots; green, rapidly-grown wood never succeeds. Give liquid manure to balsams, fuchsias, and chrysanthemums for late blooming in pote. THE VINERY. — Grapes approaching the ripening stag© must be freely ventilated, giving air night and day. Nothing contributes more to the perfect colouring and finishing of the fruit than liberal ventilation. In conjunction with this the atmospherio moisture should be gradually reduced, and the soil kept somewhat drier but extremes must b& avoided.