The Garden.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 22, 4 September 1897, Page 7

The Garden.

(By “ Murihiku.”) j NOTES FOB SEPTEMBER/ / riCven the most anxious of gj/rdenersf cannot but be satisfied with/the extremely open /winter jwe have| |ust come through, the only fear ber! ling that weinay ; yet/ experience j j stormy weather, and af a time, too, i when vegetation will feel its effects j much more/severely/ This, in fact/ is very off/n our lot in Southland I although /we ha in previous notes, vacant ground has been broken up and left exposed during the winter, it will now be in excellent condition for cropping, which may be proceeded with as opportunity offers, as this and the following month will be found to demand continual attention in keeping the occupants of the garden free from weeds and otherwise in a healthly state, so that no time should be lost. A small sowing of nearly all the principal vegetables may be put in at any time, and towards the end of the the month the general crop of peas, broad beans, onions, carrots, parsnips, lettuce, radish, parsley, etc. The planting of shallots, garlic, rhubarb roots and seakale should be finished immediately. Transplant cabbage and cauliflower plants and roots of thyme, sage and other herbs, always, choosing dry weather for the operation, as the ground is not benefited by being worked while in a wet state. Rhubarb and seakale required for' forcing should receive attention by being covered with a barrel, around which is laid a quantity of fresh stable manure. A corner of the greenhouse may be utilised for the rhubarb, packing the roots in thickly, and covering lightly with earth. If a succession of crops is desired, it will be necessary to cover up fresh roots as the old ones are used up. Flower Garden —lf the ground has been left in a rough state daring winter it will now be in a fine state to receive flower roots and seeds. Hardy annuals, such as Candytuft, Godetia, Mignonette, Sweet Peas, Nemophila, and others may be sown at any in small quantities, so that even if a failure does occur, time will be given to resow. • If sown in beds or clumps, attention should be given to height and colour, so as to secure a good effect at flowering time. should be hardened off in cold frames preparatory to planting out in borders, and also take cuttings off Chrysanthemums for planting out in November, Keep all flower beds clean and stir surface soil —especially of beds of bulbs coming through the ground. The pruning of roses and other bushes should be completed forthwith ; also carefully train creepers to poles or trellises. Fruit Garden —Any transplanting yet unfinished should be brought to a completion as soon as possible. This is also the proper month for grafting. This, however, requires more teaching than can be given in this column^ ithrrc bring hnnjdnn hints,, fltc,n whanh can only be learned by actual experience. A good mulching of manure placed over the roots of newly-planted trees will prove very beneficial ; also stir the ground with the fork between the rows of trees and plants, as the looser the surface is kept for either trees or vegetables, the better they will thrive