THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR. THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN.— Excepting the latest sorts, all potatoes should be lifted, \ as they will be starting into » second growth, to the injury of the tubers. There being plenty of vacant ground now from which exhausted crops have been cleared, if any cabbage plants are available they should be planted out at once. When the soil is dry, » good earthing up may be given to celery. Remove *11 lateral shoots and stop the leaders . of tomatoes. Any foliage shading the fruit may also b» removed. The principal work ] will consist of digging and trenching vacant I plots and \n keeping the ground free from weeds. FLOWER GARDEN.— The budding of roses may be gone on with, and with greater certainty of success than <*t any other period of the year. Grafting may also be done, the \ union of stock and scion taking place rapidly under the influence of the autumn growth. Zonale pelargoniums intended to be lifted and potted lor keeping through the winter should be cut back immediately, and the cut- - tings utilised for propagation. As the wood is generally sappy, all the leaves may be taken Dff except those at the point. These cuttings should be put in boxes containing light,- sandy soil, rather dry, arrd watering should be avoided until callous is formed and roots thrown out. Excess of moisture with all succulent cuttings is the cause of failure, because there are no roots to absorb it. But with such things as heliotropes, salvias, calceolarias, and ageratums, the reverse is the ■jase. -as they require a considerable amount of moisture in the soil «nd in the atmosphere to induce them to root freely. Any large plants which it ie desirable to lift and pot for winter blooming should be cut round with • sharp spade a fortnight previous to lifting. The showiest of the spring bulbs is decidedly the tulip, and though one m*y smile at it, it is not difficult to understand the enthusiasm which tulip-culture inspired in its lovers some years ago. Too many people think bulbs require no care, and that any patch of soil will do for them an* any method suit. It is hardly necessary to say that the results they achieve are disappointing. The old growers used to make up their beds with great care, and used often to go to great expense in the preparation of special composts. This, however, is not necessary, for the tulip will grow in any good garden soil which has been well worked to a depth of at least a foot. A good dressing of manure ■hould be applied to the bed and dug in at least Gin. The soil should be well exposed to the air by being frequently turned over. GREENHOUSE.— Pelargoniums of the ftonal section should be kept in 4in pots to

' enable them to flower freely in winter. They must also be kept out of doors in the full sun, and any bloom buds showing should be pinched out. Those useful plants for winter work, the bouvardias, are now grown in cold frames, without pots, to produce large plants. They do not thrive in small pots, the growth being slow. When required for blooming, the plants can be lifted and potted, keeping them close for a few days until they are established. These plants bloom better than those in pots'; a free growth being the chief point to aim at if * good bloom is desired. Prick out Chinese primulas when they are large enough to handle into pans or pots, and give a shift to those requiring it, using <a rough compost of turfy loam, leaf mould, broken charcoal, and sand.