WORK FOR THE WEEK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2904, 29 September 1900, Page 1 (Supplement)

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

TO OARRDENES. Kitchen Garden. —Early notatoes need constant watching; keep them free from weeds, and cover the shaws up as fast as they come through the surface. The small birds are very troublesome this season amongst the peas, not only devouring portions of the leaves, but also eating out the young, tender tips. Of course this will, unless checked, spoil the crop. The best method to keep the birds away is to get two boards, about 9in wide, fasten them with strips of wood about 3in wide and 12in in length, and cover the top with small-meshed wire netting. This not only keeps away the birds but the wind as well. It the birds continue their depredations after the peas arc too big to be covered with these boards, prepare a weak solution of kerosene emulsion and syringe the peas; sparrows do not like this smell. Scarletrunner beans should be planted; they like a rich soil and plenty of manure. It is best to plant them in shallow trenches, so that they may be easily* watered. This useful vegetable is also one of our most ornamental plants, and may be used as such, as well as a vegetable for use. Very pretty screens, bowers and summer-houses can be made by getting some strong manuka stakes, bending them as required, and fastening them with wire at the top, and planting ti.e beans at the bottom of each stake. Asparagus is sending up the ever-welcome heads; care should be exercised in cutting, or much of the crop may be spoilt. It is wise to go over the beds every • morning and cut all there is ready, keeping it in, a cool shed, with the ends in water until required. This system ensures a better and more even growth. Salad plants must, receive their share of attention/ In planting lettuce, remember, those put out now will have very hot weather to contend against, and should be planted in as cool a situation as possible, and where they can be readily supplied with water when necessary.

Vinery.-—Take every- advantage c.f the sunshine by shutting rip the house early—that is, before the sun begins to set. Ooen the ventilators early in the morning, before the sun gets very hot, so that the vines may dry before the hot sun shines on their foliage, or there is a risk of its getting scorched. In stopping the lateral growths remember two things—one is, .the leaf that is at the same joint as the bunch of grapes must not be injured, neither should the leaf at the joint where the spur is to be cut back to next winter be by any means broken or injured. The others are not of such great importance as these two. Early houses that have stoned, and are swelling, should be kept rather moist. The roots should be examined, and if dry, well water them. Keep a careful watch on the top of each caue, to make suj-6 that neither thrip nor red spider is there. Should either of these pests attack the vines, Syringe with Gishurst compound dissolved in not water.

Hardy Fruits.—Apricots grown against a wall or trained on fences invariably make very strong shoots on the highest branches. These are termed “foresight shoots, 1 ’ and should be nibbed or pinched out, as if they are left they take ton much of the vigour of the tree, and shade the smaller shoots, as well as the fruit. It is a simple operation to disbud all wall or espalier trees, if done now while the shoots arc small. Go over the trees once a week, and remove all shoots that are not wanted. By (his system a better distribution of force is obtained, and, consequently, a more even ripening of the wood, and a better crop of fruit. Cherries may he disbudded iu the same way, also peaches and nectarines grow ing in the open as standard or bush trees. How often are complaints made that figs are not a. success. The of failure is not far to seek, as in many cases there is too much wood, and very little attention given to stopping and pruning. Perhaps the best results would be obtained by growing them against a- wall or fence ; but, grown under tins system, there must be a careful attention to the wood, ami in pruning it should be borne in mind that young wood does not bear fruit, but (ho best is obtained from tlio points of well ripened shoots ; therefore, let as much light and air as possible into the trees. Old trees, that carry heavy crops of fruit, should bo manured, but not unless they are carrying a good crop, or the manure’will cause t lie trees to make n, superabundance of leaf. Old mortar rubbish is an excellent material to use with (he manure as a, top dressing ; so are wood ashes. As regards variety, there can he no doubt the Brown. Turkey is the best fig for all purposes. ft is hardy and very fruitful. Strawberries —If there should he any suspicion of red spider on Hie foliage, make a solution from do ■/. soft soap and a, handful nf (lowers of sulphur, mixed with four gallons nf boiling water, a-H syringe (he plants! Flower Garden.—Shrubby Calceolarias should he planted out as early as possible, to enable them to establish themselves before. the hot weather sets in. Select, as good a. situation for these showy flowers as possible, as they- will not give any satisfaction if planted in poor, dry ground. Roses should have much the same attention in the matter of disbudding as (hat re- , commended for peach trees, that is, the

bushes should he examined, and where there are two growths pushing from one eye the weakest should be rubbed out, also those that are pointing in a direction in which extension is not desired. The importance of this disbudding can only be appreciated after it has been tried. The general results are better flowers, a more even distribution of growth, and better ripened wood Gladiolus should he planted. Take care that the cornibs do not come in direct contact with manure. Greenhouse.—Palms that need larger pots should be re-potted at once. Use gooff'soil, .strong pots, and not over much drainage—what drainage is used let it be effective. The soil should not be too light, but of a porous nature, so that water can easily pass through it. Keep the plants rather close for a few weeks after potting. Pelargoniums, show and decorative, should have plenty of room and light, and if the plants are large a few stakes should be used to train them into shape. The stakes should be thin, and not too long, so that they may not be seen when the plants are in flower. Old plants will he assisted if a little bone meal or fertilizer is dusted on the surface of the soil. Keep them free from green flv by constant syringing and an occasional fumigation. Give hard-wooded plants more shade, as the sun obtains more power. Keep on propagating until a sufficient stock is obtained.