The Garden, the Orohard, and Farm, for June, 1879.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 708, 2 June 1879, Page 2

The Garden, the Orohard, and Farm, for June, 1879.

Compiled specially for the P. B. Herald.)

Flower Garden.— Guard all plants and seedlings against slugs, which can be done by taking water m which potatoes have been boiled, stirring m about half-a-teaspoonful of kerosine to the gallon, and thoroughly sprinkling it over the plants attacked ; and m places where they harbour use lime-water m a similar way, or well dust over the whole place with fresh lime, wood-ashes, or soot ; late m the evening and early morning are best times for these operations. Take up dahlia roots ; roll lawns to destroy worm-casts, and examine newlyplanted pinks and carnations, refastening any that have been loosened by worms. Continue digging borders, and complete alterations. Kitchen Garden. — If the weather is open, continue to dig and ridge up all vacant ground which has not been done previously — clear away all spent crops. It is important that all work that can be performed this month should be completed, as the two following will bring their own cares and require all the labor and attention that can be bestowed upon them. Prepare dung for hotbeds, and cucumber frames, to be ready for next mouth. Asparagus and sea kale beds may now be made ; trench deep, using manure freely. Dress asparagus beds with salt or sea- ,

weed. Beans: sow early long pod towards the end of the month m sheltered situation. Cabbage : make a sowing of Enfield market, Battersea, or early London market. Cauliflower : sow early London, Walcheren, or Asiatic. Celery : earth up m dry # weather, taking care to keep the soil from the heart of the plant. Carrots, make a small sowing of early horn. . Onions may now be sown. Rhubarb : plant out m deep, rich soil ; plant about one yard apart each way. Patatoes, plant early varities, such as ash-leaf, kidneys, lapstones, white, Hobart Towns, Bree's prolific, king of the earlies, m a warm situation. Examine potatoes kumeras, &c. , stow away carefully, removing all decaying roots. Vines, and all kinds of fruittrees may be transplanted this month m intervals of dry weather. Vines should now be pruned, and the young shoots cut down to one or two eyes, all newly-planted trees — no trees can prosper while subject to wind-waving. Farm.— This may be considered as one of our rough winter months, although we have one or two more to follow. Particular attention should he paid to your sheep during these months, particularly as to their feet, having them pared, and m some cases dressed. It is very desirable to orovide shelter for both sheep and cattle, if possible, although sheep prefer getting on high land during the cold w eather. At, all events they require careful watching. Keep your milking cows well supplied with green food and roots ; also a bit of hay m the bail is useful. It is essential for your milking cows to have shelter — be it artificial, such as sheds, good high line fences or bush. In giving them food, salt is very desirable sprinkled over it. This applies also to sheep, cattle, pigs, and horses, which are none the worse for a little salt. Keep your pigs warm m styes or sheds with plenty of litter, particularly if they are fattening or to be soon ready for the knife. Warmth is very essential for their fattening, and you see how they huddle together for warmth. If you are infested with furze hedges keep them well dut. They certainly do grow quickly and give good shelter, but stlil they are a great nuisance, and better to get somethig else, if you can. Kangaroo acacia forms a good fence, and good shelter. Varieties of spring wheat may be sown next month, or even later ; scarcely any rule can be laid down as to the proper quantity to sow, as so much depends on the quality and condition of the land, time of sowing, and kind of wheat to be sown. Farmers also differ as to whether it is better to sow wheat broadcast, or to plough it m with a thin furrow ; drills are not used, but many be with advantage. Early sown rape or grass may be stocked, but not two heavily at first.