OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 8

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN—The fine growing weather wo have experienced this month has sent vegetables of all kinds ahead with a rush, and immediate attention to thinning out is required. Lettuce plants should be transplanted' in sufficient quantities so as to maintain an unbroken supply of crisp beads throughout tho summer. Mere size should not be so much the aim of the grower as a tender and moderately-firm heart, to obtain which manure and water are absolutely necessary as the dry and hot weather approaches. A large sowing of kidney beans may now bo sown in an open position. Successional sowings of turnips may be made throughout the month. Such sorts as White Stone, American Strapleaf, and Early Milan are suitable. Carrots, either Intermediate or Shorthorn, may be sown. In very many oases the early sowings of carrots are a failure, _ unless in gardens where a good outlook is kept for slugs. As the drier weather is near at hand, these do not now give so much trouble to seedlings, and full crops majy now bo secured with less labour than witn very early sowing. Tho new cauliflower, Snowball, which is likely to become a favourite for home-growing, is rather too small for market purposes; but for fable the medium-sized, firm, and pure white heads are all that could, be desired. The work of thinning out drills of carrots, parsnips, turnips, etc., should be attended to as soon as tho plants are largo enough to handle, and any further delay only results in loss, as an amount of useless growth is made. Sow long ridge cucumber in the open ground, and transplant plants, raised under shelter of frames to their open quarters as soon as the plants have been hardened off. THE YINERY. —Attend to the training of vines, also the stopping of the shoots as soon as the bunches of fruit are visible at lin or 2hy above the bunch, FRUIT GARDEN. —At present the prospects of a fruitful season aro very favourable. Stone fruits have sot well—in fact, far too many plums, peaches, and apricots appear to he swelling, so much so that thinning out will have to be resorted to in order to obtain well-developed fruits. Tho process of thinning, however, should not be done until the fruits have passed the atoning age, and are about to commence to swell again. Trees which have been grafted should be occasionally looked over, and any buds which start to grow below the scion should bo rubbed out and all the strength allowed to go to tho scion. Care will bo necessary in working among the growing scions until they aro firmly established, as they aro so easily broken off. Any scions which have failed to grow should bo removed, and tho stock allowed to make one strong shoot, which should bo budded during the summer with a bud of the desired variety, and thus a saving of time be effected FLOWER. GARDEN.—Amateurs have difficulty often in striking cuttings from hard wooded plants, such as swcct-scontcd verbena; but nine out of 10 cuttings will strike if the parent plant be first kept in a small glass frame, almost dark and! very warm —say, inside a vinery or greenhouse. It will then grow soft, spindly shoots, which, when broken off and inserted in damp soil in the same box, will strike in tbroo or four days. SOME HINTS. Growing mignonette by scattering a pinch of seed bore and there, both in the flower and vegetable garden, is recommended. They will grow and flower and harmonise with everything and delight with their fragranco by night and day. Cutting asparagus should now ho tho most delightful of all work in the vegetable

garden. Each asparagus root or crown produces a number of shoots. These vary in numbers according to the strength of the roots. Their thickness, also, depends on that, and they do not all grow up together. A stem or two pioeps and comes forth to start with; then there is a succession, and from first to last a bed will furnish cuttings for three or four weeks. This is intensely gratifying, and what all should strive for; but the succession may easily be spoiled by careless cutting. Take a sharp knife and slip it under the shoot that is to* bo cut. about 2in below the surface, or, if the heads are largo, cut them level with the surface; but on no account let the knife touch one of those not yet showing. Do not got on any of them with the feet, and handle all as if dealing in breakables. The shoots grow about the rate of lin per day. All should be cut when from Sin to lOin long. Do not leave them till they branch out in the top, as they are ' ; hen getting tough, and; the of toner the early heads are cut the quicker the others oome on.