THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2935, 15 June 1910, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPEEATIONS FOR THE WEEK. "KITCHEN GARDEN.—In favourable weather wheel m-anine on to the quarter to be prepared for spring crops. In some gardens the application of manure is not to be recommended ; year after year manure has been crammed into the -surface soil, no •trenching has been done, rotation of crops has had. no attention, the soil has become rich and clammy, and it will net even grow a cabbage. Moreover, these gardens are ■ generally surrounded with trees and .shrubs, through which hardly a breath of air can penetrate; both snr. and light are almost shut out, and the owner wonders why he cannot grew vegetables. This state of things can be altered by cutting down one-half of the shelter and pruning the rest; by putting a bushel of lime to every four- square yards of ground, and working it thoroughly into the soil; and if to this is added a liberal dressing of crushed hones, the cure will be complete. To grow vegetables to perfection, to have them of good flavour and quality, there must Be exposure on all sides; and therefore the model kitchen garden should not have -a tree in it larger than a goes©berry bush, and even that would be better in its proper place—the orchard. It is questionable whether the- pampered, overgrown, monster leeks now so much in vogue are either palatable or profitable. Yet as some may wish to know how they may be attained, the following method is sure to be successful: —Early in July, if weather permits, take out a trench not less than 12in wide and not more than 36in, and about Bin deep. Bank the soil on each side of the french like a celery ridge, rnd level the surface at bottom. Put into the trench from Gin to 12in dung, and point it neatly in. If the soil be of a tenacious character, get a few birrow-10-ada of light soil and sprinkle it on the top. If the trench be 12in wide, draw two Jin drills Gin anart, and sow the reed rather thinly. Protect from severe weather with a few spruce- branches, rather thinly spread, until the seeds have germinated. .As soon as fit for handling, thin out from sin to Bin between each plant. Stir the soil occasionally between them as the season advances, and "arth up tolerably firm for blanching r- J b->~ increase in growth. Early in sun:mo --- i very light application of guano ct mar.r.-® water (of .the former not more thou a. handful t< igal of water) once a week. FRUIT GARDEN.-The planting of fruit frees should be don® as soon as possible, to enable them to make a start w'hilst there is warmth in the soil. Make the hole larger than th°- spread of the roots, from which all damaged or bruised portions have been cleanly cut. Plant the tree, and tread it up firmly, giving the head an inclination towards the south-west. If there is any rootpruning to be done, to- check exuberant rwth and consequent barrenness, it should done at once. 1 FLOteER GARDEN.—The emnloyment of alpine flowers in the spring garden is advisable, as they present masses of bloom on the surface of the soil unattainable bv other plants. The aubrietiais axe perhaps the mod Useful, os thev begin to bloom this month. fncl continue till the end of the spring. All Spines are necessarily hardy, and stand the ost severe frost without injury—in fact, they seem to enjoy the coldest weather, and when we are favoured with a little snow, their blooms seem to be all the brighter for ft. Thev c.re easily raised from seed, which, sown in December, will make nice plants for putting out to bloom at once. The prevailing colours are lilac and purnle shades, and when planted alternately with Arabis alpina they hav<* a charming effect. The Drabos are •Iso useful alnines, the foliage forming neat rosettes, which in spring are covered with yellow blossoms. Last, though not least, may be mentioned Ger.liana, aculis, with its blue, deep, t rum pet-shared flowers. This gentian likes a peat soil, and as it suffers from the draught of summer and autumn it should h© placed in a cool, shady snot, at least, till it becomes mere plentiful. This gentian is probably the most beautiful of all the alpines—- , Living flowers I That skirt the eternal frost. I GREENHOUSE.—The management cf the grejr.Jioiiae is now one of mere routine—watering in the morning, giving free ventilation in the middle of the day, and closing ■up early. Forty-five degrees are quite high enough lor temperature, even where heat is at command, for wintering plants: but where there is a collection of win f er-blooming (flants a slightly higher temperature will be required.