THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 12

THE GARDEN.

■ OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK | KITCHEN GARDEN.—A sowing of peas for late use now being made should be bown in sunken trenches unless in gardens where there is an ample supply of water command. More dependence should bo placed upon French and kidney beans for Tate summer use than upon peas; while a trial sowing may be made of peas very late in the summer, as with the approach of cooler weather in autumn it is often possible to obtain a fair return, which at that £"ason is valuabl.e The autumn supplies of cabbage, cauliflower, savoy, and should now be sown, so as to have strong plants ready for planting about tne end of the year. The main crop of celery should also now bo sown. A bed should be set apart for this fine seed that is very ilcan and free from weeds, and after making the soil very fine the seeds should be sown and top-dressed with fine; sifted wood ashes, which will, assist the growth, and at the same time keep off many insect pests which attack the plants in a young state. Plants which were raised in boxes -and transplanted should soon be Large enough to place in the trenches, which in the meantime should be prepared by throwing out to a good depth, and digging into .each trench 3m of well-decayed manure. If the trenches are thus prepared beforehand -planting can be undertaken on the approach of rain; the plants will thus at once start into growth, and shading will not be necessary. If the main crop of onions has not had a dressing of soot much improvement can be effected at a small cast by the use : of soot while the soil is moist. The surface should be broken tip with the hoe, and the'soot partially hood in. The value of soot as a manure is not sufficiently appreciated ; there are few plants or vegetable crops that are not benefited by an applicatidn. FRUIT GARDEN.—AII weeds between the rows of strawberries should be killed, especially among young plants put out during the past season; but little fruit will be produced on the latter this season. The , land should be well cultivated all the seaeon, so that the plants can form and mature strong fruit crowns for another season; the frequent use of the hoc between the plants will help them very- much in this respect. The season so far has been very favourable for young trees starting into goo.l growth, and where it is at all possible to give a mulching of manure around each tree it should be applied, so as to conserve the moisture that is at present in the soil. FLOWER GARDEN. —Advantage should be taken to finish planting out all the many Jcinds of annuals, and at the same time make good any losses that have occurred among such plants as verbenas, petunias, rammer chrysanthemums, etc. For making a good display nf flowers plenty of asters should be planted out, 'as they are of quick growth, and if fairly supplied with manure •will thrive in any soil, and for producing flowers in quantity and lasting qualities are nr'Prt o mop rr qffiniinlo require some attention in keeping down the aphis and disbudding. GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES. ETO. »—All kinds of plants which arc in active growth will from time to time require more room, os overcrowding should not be permitted —each plant should have ample room io develop its foliage. Any plants it is de■jred to’ grow on to larger sizes should be lifted i nto a size larger pots before they

become potbound, which gives them a great check. Coleus are among the gayest oi decorative plants for the summer and autumn months. Those who do not possess a heated house where they can be safely wintered should purchase their plants during November, as they can be bought for from 6d to 1 s each, and will make good plants for the summer season, when the flowering plants for the greenhouse are getting very scarce. There is not the difficulty that is generally supposed in wintering these plants; if kept quite dry and away from actual frosts they will mostly all start to grow in the spring.