THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3205, 18 August 1915, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN.—We are sure to get some sharp fro-sts yet; hence caution should be taken in dealing with any tender crops, which should not be exposed until there is no further danger of frosts.' A good sowing of onions should be made for lato use. No better or late keeping kind can bo had than James Keeper, a goodsized onion of attractive form, and which •will keep much longer than most varieties. Where onions which wore sown in April are strong and large enough for transplanting, a plot of land should bo well manured and' dug, and the plants put out. It should bo remembered that to grow onions to the host advantage plenty of manure and good culture are absolutely ■necessary. Asparagus, if any is still implanted. should receive attention at once, as if allowed to make further growth transplanting bad bettor bo deferred for another •cason. Established beds will need careful

weeding, as much damage will result from the careless use of tcols at this season just as the grass is pushing through. \\here soak-lie is grown a portion should bo covered over with large pots or boxes to exclude all light from the plants, or the growth will not be perfectly blanched. Turnips which were sown in autumn must be used up as soon as possible, as towards the end of tho present month all will ‘"bolt” to seed and be. rendered' unfit for table. Potato-planting should bo attended to, as in all early districts the main crop should' be planted during the present month. Where very early planting has been followed, an examination of the drills should be made, and if any are show mg through more soil should be drawn up to cover them from time to time as a protection from possible frosts. FLOWER GARDEN.—AII pruning should be finished off without further delay, except in the case of early spring-flowering shrubs and such r.s may now 7 be in bloom, as all such should be cut back as scon as they go out of flower. Narcissi and snowflakes are opening into flower, - and will soon bo followed by the early hyacinths. All those must be' kept free from weeds and slugs, which are very partial to the hyacinths. Herbaceous plants of all kinds should be planted out as the plants are a\ailable. Pyrcthrums, both single and double, arc deserving of more attention than usually receive, particularly the double kinds,' which have been much improved during the last few 7 years, and are now amongst the best flowers for cutting for table decorations, bouquets, and sprays, beinn- of a serviceable size, of all colours, and ° last a long time in full beauty. Delphiniums also should be planted out. These are best raised from seed-sown in the summer to flower in tho following season. If a good stra-m of seed is procured' a great variety of colour will be produced. Where old stools have stood in the borders for vears. these may be, much improved by digging up and dividing the stools, and planting out m a fresh position that has been well manured. The same remarks apply to perennial phlox and pentstemons. \ ery small-rooted pieces snould be planted in preference to allowing tho old stools to remain year after year, as old plants, although they continue to flower, do not produce such fine spikes of bloom as younger and more vigorous plants. Abutilons (better known by the name of Chinese lantern) should be pruned well back into the hard, well-ripened shoots made last season. These plants make good border plants, especially tho dwarf-growing kinds, such as Golden Fleece (a rich golden colour, and very free flowering), Emperor (dark crimson), Louis Delaux (white). Alboi;t Delaux (rosy mauve), and Cerise Unique (purple, striped with cerise). The above are all worthy of a place even in tho most select gardens. GREENHOUSE, FRAMES. Etc.— Aoleus plants -which have boon left dry for the last few months, in order the better to winter them, should now gradually receive more water and be placed in a warm part of the greenhouse, and as soon as the cuttings are long enough they should be taken off and inserted in sandy soil, as tho plants should bo struck from cuttings every year and the old plants destroyed. A free use of the syringe should be made upon all plants just starting into growth. This will have tho effect of keeping the plants clean and free from insects, as w 7 ell as favouringa healthy growth. Early cinerarias should now bo 'at then - best, and will continue a long time in full beauty if kept cool and well watered and given occasional doses of weak liquid manure. This should on no account be given to plants that are not well established and tho pots well filled with roots. Amateurs who intend to grow chrysanthemums in pots should commence to take cuttings—short, sturdy shoots which are to be found at the base of tho old plants.—and insert in small pots and place in cold frames to strike.