THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. FLOWER GARDEN.—During the continuance of dry weather any large sliruos which were transplanted during last_ winter should have an occasional soaking 01 water, as such have not yet had time to send their roots down into the moist and cool soil, which enables them to witustand a dry season, which is often fatal to large plants only partially established. Heaths, azaleas, camellias, boronias, and similar hard-wooded plants should not be allowed to Buffer from want of water, as many of these have such fine thread-like roots; and if allowed to become dust-dry thoy perish, and •hhe .plants as a consequence die or fall into had health from which they rarely recover. Tall-growing lilies, which are now showing their flower-buds', 'should have stout stakes and each shoot should be securely tied. If masses of the lancifolium type are planted at intervals among the larger shrubs, a very fine effect is produced in early autumn, end if planted deeply they require no attention beyond an annual dressing of manure end the’ necessary staking and tying. Hollyhocks should .also be secured against damage by wind. These showy plants are doing better than formerly, as the troublesome fungoid disease which used to make their culture almost impossible hias in some gardens entirely disappeared. The present time is favourable for sowing seed of these plants for" blooming next season; sow in boxes of rich ©oil. and grow on as freely as possible, e-o to mate strong plants before winter.. Many other perennials may be ©own now, and .grown on by pricking off .as soon as large enough into boxes. Thus treated, phlox, delphinium, pentstemon, pyre thrum, auricula, carnation, foxglove, sweetwilliam,, Wallflower, end pansy, if sown 'during this month, will make strong plants for next season. Rose-buds may now be inserted, always giving the stocks a soaking or water before operating. All seed pods should be picked off the rose bushes as soon as the flowers fade. This is too often neglected, and the plants are robbed of much support hi' the formation of seed. FRUIT GARDEN. —Bud peach, apricot, nectarines, cherry, and plum trees —tie and secure the shoots from growth, cutting them down to three or four eyes, and take away all suckers. Remove weak wood and suckers from currants and gooseberries. Stop the rapid growth of strawberry runners. In the Vinery during the day the temperature may be kept at between SOdeg to SSdeg, and during the night about 70dog. Thin out the bunches of grapes, keeping up a steady, moist heat with a free circulation of .air. A liberal supply of clear water to the roots of the virtues will benefit the fruit. KITCHEN GARDEN.—AII vacant laud should by this time have been planted with a good supply of the various winter vegetables. In dry seasons many of these crops become badly affected with aphis. One of the best preventives is to have the crop planted upon rich land which has been deeply worked!. If the plants are kept growing vigorously there is -not half the risk of their becoming blighted as there is when they become stunted and stagnant, in growth. A good 1 supply of plants for later planting fihould be provided by making a further sowing of Savoys, broccoli, cauliflowers, Scotch k.ile, Brussels sprouts, and cabbages, in euch quantities as are likely to be required. Further sowing of turnips should be made, if ta moist pisc-e of soil or a good position noair a prominent water supply is available. Unless this crop can be kept steadily growing all thro; ;.gh the hot and dry weather, the plants are seldom fit for table. Where these conditions cannot be attained any further sowings should be deferred until March, .as the weather is more suitable then. Cucumbers and vegetable marrows should now be growing rapidly. They will require the ©oil to be kept regularly moist, and if liquid manure can be given once a week in sufficient quantities to soak down to the .subsoil it will help them considerably. Anv barren shoots or such as tend to overcrowd should be removed, and the leading shoots shortld be stopped occasionally. Where anv onions, carrots, parsnips, etc,, are being saved for seed production,, the tops should be secured from damage by wind and rain, as they become very top-heavy and scon snap clean off. During dry weather it is important that they should be watered, so as -to fill the seeds cut to their full size. GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES.—Many of the early flowering pelargoniums will now go out of bloom. The plants sho;&d then be placed outside in the full sunshine, and allowed to ripen off the young growths. 'They should he watered as required, although they will not need so much moisture, as when Making their growth. Still, they must not be allowed to. suffer - or flag. ' The now growths should, under their treatment, become quite hard and brown in colour, prior to being cut down in March. Begonias of all sections and fuchsias should furnish the principal display of bloom for some time. By the aid of liquid manures and careful «hado and picking over, these may be kept in the best possible condition for .a long time. 'Colons plants, if in small pots, should bo potted out into larger sizes. They should .eontixiuo to grow and furnish a useful display of colour for the until the cold

weather acts in. The various winter flowering plants will require 'attention, as they must be kept steadily growing on. Most of them require a cool and shaded position; the full rays of the sun are detrimental to such plants as primulas, cinerarias, and caloeola-ris, which require the coolest positions available.