THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2915, 26 January 1910, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. FLOWER GARDEN I .—Asters and all other iutumn-flowering plants will require some attention by way of watering and thinning out of the shoots if fine flowers are desired These plants are well worth some special attention, as their flowers are among the most enduring grown; they continue m full bloom and keep their colours for a much longer time than most flowers. The taller varieties of asters require a light flower stake to t>3 placed to each plant to prevent damage from high wind. Dahlias that are flowering freelv should have a good watering of liquid manure at least once a week, and all faded flowers should be picked off leeularly. as nothing mars the fine effect of a bed of these bold and showy flowers jmore than allowing the faded petals _to remain on the plants. There is stall time readmit of the planting-out of a later batch of asteTS and zinnias, provided care is taken to shade the plants from bright sunshine during the first, few days. A late sowing of sweet-peas may also be made; if sown where tfiev will receive oopious waterings they will grow raDidlv, and flower right up till' they are cut off by frosts in late autumn,. Chrysanthemums will new require ovation. as at about this time they set a flower bud on each growing shoot. As it is far too early fe) allow these to mature, the bud's should be removed, and a further growth encouraged The surface soil after frequent watering is liable to become caked and ha.rd, and this should be loosened up with a lork, ■taking care not to injure the roots, which are near th© surface. A mulching of halfdecayed manure will prevent the soil from becoming too hard, and at the same time the plants will be much benefited. KITCHEN GARDEN.—The work in this department will consist principally of waterin? hoeing, and harvesting onions, etc., as they ripen. Where carrot and parsnip- seed 5s being saved these shoukl be gone over frequently so as to cut the heads as they ripen, as early heads are generally the finest seed, and most of these will, be lost if not cut as coon as fit. Where peas have been preserved "or seed purnoses these -also should be ■ leaned off and stored .away for future use. The spsces vacated by all crops should be prepared for the planting out of the main -ainter supplies of cabbage, etc., during the rrnxt. month. If as much of the preparatory work as uosible is in a forward state, the fullest advantage of the r>«xt rains may be .taken, and the olants will raDidlv establish the Twelves. The earlier n'anted crops of cauliflower and "broccoli will require an ocorv sion.il watering. Late-sown carrots and kidney beans, etc.. should have the. hoe run between the drills as soon as the seed is well lie. This will tend to conserve the jiatura! moisture in the soil, as well as to rfceck the growth of weeds. The work of transplanting lettttes is. during the r,-e?en.t hot weather, attended with son l * difficulty, as voung plants ? v e so tender that tbev are I-ab-e to suffer. They shoukl be planter! out dwinar the evening, and t-hor-o-wstoly we". wi+ered overhead morning and night, which will pe"*r«.llv secure their growth. ■GAEFiNHOUSE AND FRAMES. Tire—fha shading on the glass should be replenished if necessary., as after la;ps-<> of time and aft°r rain*, much of it is- washed off. A bright sunshine is now injurious to almo=t all plants under glas3. especially such tender •foliao-e as ier-n*. which «oon assume a yellowish tinge if not well shaded. A very moist atmosphere must be maintained wher« ferns are growine. and where these are used tfi-equent'y for table decoratiivns the olants should b° stood ; n the or>yn a.ir in a shaded •"osition for an hour or two. everv morning if possible, and a gent'e sprinkling or syrirginc **f clean water given all over the wfo-'eh will t-eep them clear erf dust a.nd in good health for a mueh longer period JX -nn if kept c.onfinu-i"»ly in a. dry room. js*lf> w<* r int" o'j>.n.ts should heve all seed nods v -icked -off and ft weak o f sorce fertiliser give*! K-nd wr.tered in. with an occp-(.irv-.pl T-nt'-r-'n?' of wp-ak soot wafer, which will to prolong the flowering season..