THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

BJTCHEK GARDEN.— A considerable amount of forethought wil! now be necese*ry as to the proper disposition of the crops, as in the majority -of gac<?e»s there *re certain portions of the beds more suitAble than others for tlie growth of particul«r kinds of vegetables, and the failures and successes of the past should help to determine future efforts. Plant out succession*! crops of cabbage and cauliflower as the plants in the seed bed become large enough. Keep the hoe going among the growing crops, as the oftener the soil is moved about .the better progress will be made. E-ar'uk up rows: of peas as coon a 6 hig-h enough, and those requiring stakes should be staked before tLey grow too long end become entangled. Sow seed for suocessional crops as of spinach, radishes, mustard, cx«*e, turnips, carrots, cabbages, lettuce, peas, and broad beans. Plant out young plants of lettuce at frequent intervals. Onions may now be transplanted on to deeply-dug ground, but twice care to moke tiie «oil firm About the roots. The planting of -the jen&ral crop of potatoes should now be attended to. It is time that the main batch of celery was in, as only the early raised plants reach to th«ir full sit: On» of the idoat important poui-ts ' all the way thorough in the njarJagemeitt of telery is to keep it vail as-pplied vnth Tracer, a« it should n«vef at any l^ie bs a-Howed to become dry *t the roots, the nature of the plant being •Imor.t aquatic. By this method the 'plants •w& lift from tie bard bolton? with bah. of roots that vary be out and carried ■with ease to the trenches. The trenches should not be snore than about 6in deep

*nd * foot ox so wide, intlest fox the big sorts of celery, which, except for soups, are .not to be compared with such as the White Plume. This is «. dwarf, solid, fine-flavoured celery that gives but little trouble to earth up " and blanch* vsA it gives satisfaction. The moat suitable manure for the gsowthi of the plants is that which is mildi and thoroughly decomposed, and a good diessine of such as this should be dug into each trench, and th© plants then put out at about Bin apart. If ta mulching can bw given after the work is complete it will be oi great help., as it prevents washing the soil when watering, and stops evaporation, thus keeping the Toots in a more uniform condition of moisture. A* soon ias the plants get well on the move frequent soakings of liquid manure should be given, but no earth-ing-up should take place till growth is complete in the autumn. T^he plants should! then have a piece of raffia run round each, to keep the leaves well together and prevent the coil getting inrto the orowns. One of the best places for growing oeLery is between the zows of peas, as there it gets a partial saede (which it likes) in the heat of summer. Ground is <also economised, and the peas greatly benefit b> having more room. PLOWEB GARDEN.— Tie digging of all beds and borders should be finished off «/b once, also the' planting out of shrubs, etc., as further delay will prove dangerous; in the event of a hot and dry season following, l«<te planted shrubs "axe the first to fail. Herbaceous plants .that axe overgrown should be taken up and divided. Where a border is devoted to these kinds, of plants, it is better to take them all up and mianiuire *nd trench the soil, and alter dividing the plants replant the 'whole. These plants do not, <a» a rule, receive -the attention they" merit, as often when planted they are then allowed to overgrow and crowd each" other;. but they should receive regular attention as to thinning out, manuring, slaking, etc. Plant out pkttte of pansies, carnations, picotees, pensiconons, phlox, etc., in. their permanent quarters. Lawns will require an occasional rolling and mowing, and in the case of newly-formed lawns they should be mowed as soon as there is anything to cut, and should be frequently rolled to encourage a firm, and solid sward. Any patches thai axe showing yellow or bare in established lawns will be much benefited! by a light dressing of finely-ground bonedust. It is still too early to venture to sow seeds of most of the tender annuals; better defer until we are' well into the warmer weather, «s the soil is too wet and! cold for the reception of fine seeds, _Jhe sowing of which must result in loss.

GREENHOUSE, Etc— The contents of th« greenhouse will need an overhaul,, aa mo»t of the plants will requii* re-patting or cutting book and storting, as th« case may be. Pelargoniums must be kep-t {growing near the glass, admitting ■air upon all favourable occasions- Ferns will now be ready to start into growth, and should be re-potted, using soil composed of a sound turfy loam, with! leaf mould in equal parts,, third pant to consist of sand tand decayed manure in equal parts, and mix the whole thoroughly. Tine pots should be wipll drained with, crocks, with a little rough material on the top to prevent the drainage getting- blocked, as although ferns delig-ht in moisture, . there must bo no stagnation at the root. Water must be plentifully given, but it must pass i»w*y freely. The ferns must not be ovarpotted, and should be kept close for a few days after _ potting and syringed overhead once or twice during -warm, sunny weather. Fuchsias should be started into growth; shoots of last year's growth out back into shape, and the plants re-potted rs men &J3 they appear to have broken into gxowtih again. Petunia seeds should be 6ov-n under * glass and kept moist until weil up. and ihen gradually exposed to light tad air. Camellias that are not blooming 6faou!d be examined as to their condition as Jhe 'was to see if the drainage is in/taot; if full of roots they - should -receive a shift just as they are pushing into growth.