THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. FRUIT GARDEN.—Those who contemplate the planting of fruit trees this season should lose no time in having the work clone. The ground should have been properly prepared by being broken up, well manured, and drained. Jin a great measure the success of an orchard depends on the attention paid to the requirements of the trees from the starting-point. Trees will thrive well only where the 6oil # is good, well worked, and efficiently drained. It these desiderata have been attended to at the start the trees should not require much attention for a few years, except for pruning; but this should be, attended to at the time of planting, and a little attention in the beginning in forming the trees may save years of growth. Many orchards are neglected in thio respect, tho "trees being allowed to waste their strength in wood that has to be cut away, whereas wjth a little timely pruning—checking an over' luxuriant growth where it is not wanted—this might be prevented. Many fruitgrowers would appear to think that if they give the trees a little manure when planted there is no necessity to repeat the operation. This, however, will depend entirely VC the nature of tho soil chosen for tho

orchard. If the soil bo naturally poor the trees should have a good dressing of manure every second year. It is a very common thing to see young trees after a year or two begin to fail, a state of affairs which is really the result of the impoverishment of the soil, and consequently an insufficient supply of food. "When trees are growing vigorously they will resist the attacks of insects more readily than if they are in a half-starved or stunted condition, for when trees are not growing freely they are easily overcome by insect pests. It is generally an unhealthy tree that is first attacked. The principal consideration in starting an orchard is to select good healthy trees, and to keep them growing freely without any check. Fruit trees thrive best in a good, strong, but friable loam, and in an open, sunny aspect ■which never becomes quite dry at any time of the year, yet holds no stagnant water in winter. They also require protection from the effects of violent gales, so that shelter is essential. A situation for an orchard should always be chosen with natural protection, and an open, sunny aspect if possible; but if that cannot bo done artificial protection must be provided. This may be accomplished by planting a good belt of trees, and should precede the planting of the fruit trees. In such situations small trees will thrive better than large ones. It is a great and common mistake to plant fruiu trees too deeply. There exist many instances where their perpetual unfruitfulness may be directly traced to this cause. They are put down with tho view to making them "firm and giving them a good hold of tho soil; but an excess of this is highly injurious, and tho most healthy and fertile trees are those which are planted close to the surface. By adding manure and soil over the roots year after year the surface soil gradually thickens until the roots are down in the cold. Many trees would bo immediately improved' if all this were cleared away until the- roots were reached and left near the surface.

FLOWER GARDEN.—Now j s the time "or putting in order all flower borders, shrubberies, etc., by pruning the shrubs and roses, trimming the edges, dividing and regulating herbaceous plants, digging the borders, and thereby creating a neat appearance during the winter months, and obviating the necessity for digging amongst the roots of the plants in the early spring. It likewise breaks into the favourite haunts of the slugs, whereby they are more easily found and destroyed. Where new borders are to be formed and planted it must now be done. Roses should be pruned with the advent of July, and after clearing off, the bed should be heavily manured and dug, as the rose delights in a rich soil. Manure must be applied freely. If good blooms are required close pruning must be resorted to, cutting back to within two eyes of where they started from last spring, and cut away all light twigs which cannot carry a good bloom and only serve to' rob the plant. KITCHEN GARDEN.—PIant out cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. Sow peas, broad beans, and carrots for early use; also spinach and onions. Make plantations of rhubarb and asparagus.