THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE "WEEK.

KITCHEN ■GARDEN-—The general crops of potatoes, carrots, peas, French beans, and Bcmrlet runners being removed, large plots cf ground are ready for digging and trenching. The mode xo which these operations are carried out will be governed by the character of-the soil. If it is deep and of gcicd quality throughout the trenching can be carried on to a depth cif 3ft in the •usual manner; but if there is but a foot of good sc.il resting on a hard sub-soil, semitrenching or double-digging must be resorted ■to. By this method ike subsoil is merely broken up and left at the bottom, thejop spit being simply turned over. If there is any material at hand which will improve the quality of the subsoil it may be incorporated with it as the work goes on, so that in course of time a portion may be •brought up to the surface and mixed with the fertile soil. "When scarlet runners and French beans are required for seed they .should be gathered at once, as they axe liable to be injured by frost. FLCWER GARDEN.—As the general planting season is again near at hand some pieparations are now necessary where it is ir.tended. to plant out new enclosures or make additions to existing gardens. In the former case it should be the aim to have all neces- " sary ground work, such as trenching, levelling, and forming, completed as early in the season as passible, as th© soil is in a much better condition for such operations than when it has become saturated with water. An early start in the matter of forcing new lawns is of the greatest importance, as if not sown down before the end of Mav the young grass suffers very much from frosts in exposed situations, and assumes a yellow •and unhealthy colour, which lasts far into the spring. In such positions, unless the eeed can be sawn early, sowing should be deferred till August, and if the surface of the intended lawn is kept moved incessantly by deeplv hoeing or forking over, much good j w'ill be done, as it will serve to kill many -Boxicus weeds which exist, and sweeten the 'aoil to a large extent. "Where grass seed has alreadv been sewn, as scion as well up « roller should be used over the surface {wo or three times at short intervals, which has a very beneficial effect. ' Any bare spaces should have a little extra seed sown over them. Beds and borders should during th© next two or three weeks be cleared of .annuals and other "summer-flowering plants, and tender plants to be saved for another year shoidd be lifted and safely Ihoused. Plant hyacinths, tulips, narcissi, I anemones, ranunculi, scillas, and' other I hardy bulbs, choosing a day when the soil lis not wet and sticky. Divide and replant .herbaceous plants, such as phloxes, peonies irises perennial sunflowers, campanilas, and all other subiects of a similar character which it is desired to replant or increase. Prepare beds of sandy peat for rhododendrons, azaleas, and other plants of a hardwooded nature. ■ FRUIT GARDEN—The gathering _ of fcpples and pears must be proceeded with, sis most of the late varieties are now fit :for storing, and where they are wanted for late use the fruit requires careful handling. '. which, in many cases, it does not receive. : "When peaches, apridots, etc., have been budded the ties should be loosened, and if the union is complete the tying may be removed altogether. GREENHOUSE AND' FRAMES.—Every week will now make a diil'erence in the amount of water that will be required in the greenhouse, ss the plants must have a much drier atmosphere during the dull winter months than was necessary for them in hot, dry weather. No water should now be thrown about on the stages and floors, and during cold weather much less air shouM be eiven and when frosty nights are expected all the ventilators should be closed early in the afternoon, so as to give the SSnts the benefit of the sun heat. Many of tClumaner-flcwering plan, are now going

off, and all such as gloxinias and l begonias (both tuberous-rooted and foliage) should be kept in a dry state during winter; and <xleus to be successfully wintered will need to be placed where frosts cannot reach them, and they require but very little water during the winter months. Pelargoniums must be kept free from all kinds oif in-s-sets, or their growth will b 3 seriously affected. Rooted cuttings should be potted up into small pots and grown on.