WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11980, 31 January 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

To Gardeners. Kitchen Garden.—Potatoes—We again direct attention to the necessity of lifting all early and second early varieties; especially where the land is on the damp side the quality of the tubers will be better if they are lifted directly they are ripe. The seed should be selected now, and left on the ground for a few days to get green, while the table sample should be stored directly it is dry. Herbs—Cut all that are required and tie them up in small bundles for use in winter and spring. Keep the hoe busy during fine weather. Vinery.—The houses in which ripe grapes are hanging require to be carefully ventilated, or many of the best berries mav be spoilt. Some varieties, such as Madresfield Court, have very thin skins, and these are so susceptible to the influences of sudden changes from heat to cold, and cold to heat, or from moisture to dryness, that the gardener should aim to maintain the temperature in as equable a condition as possible. Changes are sure to bring trouble, and the much dreaded rust is often brought on by letting the cold night air blow directly on the bunches that have been almost baked during the day. To prevent this cover the ventilator with scrim. In houses where the ripe grapes,are to be kept for some time the glass should be shaded with a little lime wash. A very little is necessary, and this should be put only over the ripe bunches. Vines in early houses that have Keen relieved of their crop should have all the air possible, amd be syringed twice a day. It is well to open all the ventilators as wide as possible, and leave them thus, until the leaves have ripened and the vines have been pruned. Flower Garden.—There is plentv of work in this department. After the heavy rains every plant is miking rajpid growth, and the gardener will have his hands full for some time to come. Old blossoms should be removed directly their beauty has passed —by leaving them on the plants they not only look untidy, but they are injurious to the next- lot of buds that are to open. Roses have done fairly well this season, although the excessive wet has interfered with the colour of several varieties to a remarkable extent. * The note-book should now receive attention for reference in the future when fresh planting is to be done. Several varieties of recent introduction are evidently not wet-weather roses. Bessie Brown, for example, has scarcely given a perfect bloom, but dozens haive been quite spoilt. Christine de Noue has flowered well, but its flowers have been colourless, just a washy pink, and those who suggested this variety would surpass Madame Lombard are quite mistaken, as the latter good old variety has behaved well during the trying season. The severe frost experienced in November destroyed many small branches on the tea-scented roses, and while these did not die at once they have gone og by degrees and should be cut away immediately. Some varieties of the Hybrid Perpetuals are sending up a very strong shoot. This should be cut back, for if left to grow the winds will destroy it, and perhaps other branches as well. The, Penzance Briars should now be pruned, as their blossoms are over for this season. Cactus dahlias are making a very rapid growth, and will need constant attention in the matter of thinning the slioots. It is a mistake to leave too many on a plant, as cactus dahlias, like chrysanthemums, only flower satisfactorily when their growth is thoroughly ripened, and this condition can best be secured by constant attention all through this and next month. "While we use the term thinning we do not mean cutting away a lot of shoots, but rather preventing too many from growing by pinching out all that are not wanted when they are very young. It is a waste of time and vigour to leave a large number of shoots to grow for a time, then cut them away. By timely attention the strength that made this growth, that is thrown away, could have been directed to the growths that are to be left, with the result that the gardener has less to take to the rubbish heap and much finer, and a greater number of flowers, for. himself-or his employer. Greenhouse.—Salvia splendens—This useful winter flowering plant should now be potted into the final pots. The leading shoots may be stopped once more, but it is not necessary, as well-grown plants will send out strong lateral growths thait will flower after the leading shoots are past. Mignonette—Make a sowing of mignonette for winter flowering. The seed may by .sown in three-inch pots, several seeds in each. If all germinate leave only two, if the plants are to be flowered in six-incli pots, but if seven or eight inch pots are to be used, three plants may be left. Caireful preparation of the pots is necessary to ensure good results ; they should be well drained and filled with a mixture of loam, leaf mould, a little thoroughly decayed manure, some sand, and mortar rubbish. This mortar, or lime rubbish, is of much importance, for the mignonette is a lime loving subject, amd when there is no lime in the compost the foliage is pale, and will not have nearly such a robust, healthy ap-

pearance. As to variety there are several good for pot culture. Matchet and Miles Spiral are about the best, perhaps. Spiral remains in flower rather longer than Matchet. Put the seed pots in a cool frame in a warm corner of the frame ground, and keep the seed shaded until the young plants are up, then gradually inure them to the light, thin the seedlings out as soon as they can 'be handled, and keep a shairp look out for slugs. A few well-grown pots of mignonette will give a good return; they are useful for window plants, for conservatory decoration, and for cutting to mix with other flowers that have but little perfume in the winter months.