WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12021, 21 March 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

To Gardeners. Kitchen. Garden.—Where early potatoes nave not been lifted they should be got up at once, also second eariies ; if these are left in the ground any later there is a great risk of the new tubers starting into growth. Kidney beans for winter supply can be grown with good success where there is plenty of glass and a little artificial heat, but without these conveniences it is better not to attempt growing them too early. In winter, as every change dish of vegetables U of great value, with the conveniences at hand every eifort should be made to get the greatest return possible for the kitchen suppiy. >«'e plus ultra is one of the best varieties for winter forcing. Put the seeds in eight-inch pots, use good loamy soil, not too light, with a very little well-decayed manure mixed with it, a small sprinkling of bone-meal, and a little old mortar rubbish, if obtainable. Give the plants all the light possible, and keep them growing vigorously. Ventilate freely on bright days, give each pot plenty of room and keep a sharp look-out for chrips and red spider. The earliest sown crop of beetroot may be lifted and stored in sand or ashes', taking care the roots are not allowed to get too dry. The last sowing of peas should be well supported with stakes, even if a dwarf variety they should have some stakes, in case heavy rain and strong wind bend them down on the ground. If this happens, slugs and other insects will soon spoil the crop. Autumn-sown onions are well through the ground, and the hoe should be put through them on every favourable occasion, to keep the soil open and prevent weeds establishing themselves. Tomatoes growing outside have not been very profitable this season, therefore, every assistance should be given towards securing as many ripe fruit as possible by removing all lateral growth, and a few large leaves may be cut away so that the sun will shine direct on the fruit. Have some old bags or any other dry material ready to cover the plants when severe frosts are expected. Where a few plants are grown in pots to give some ripe tomatoes in the winter, they should now be potted in the final pots, or if they are to be planted out where cucumbers have been growing during the summer, get them moved at once. As regards soil, this should ba good, but not over-rich. Do not keep it too wet, or there will be trouble in getting the fruit i to set; neither must it be too dry, or the growth will be unsatisfactory, and insects will soon make their unwelcome appearance. Hardy Fruits.—The most important work in this department just now. is gathering and storing the fruit. Those who have an intimate knowledge of the different varieties will know how to handle them; but those who have not should be careful to leave the later kinds until the fruit is thoroughly matured, to prevent shriveling and decay. Such varieties as Lord Suffield, Warners King and Peasgood's Nonsuch should not be left on the trees to ripen and fall. It is better to go over the trees several times, gathering the ripest and leaving the others a little longer to mature. If the fruit leaves the tree without force it is fit to gather. Should inexperienced men be employed picking apples, someone should superintend the work, especially the large fruited varieties with tender "skins. If these are bruised there will be a very great loss. Dessert plums may be kept for some weeks, if picked with care. Pick them without bruising, place each on a square of tissue paper, take the four corners and gently twist, them up, lay the fruit in shallow boxes, and store in a cool place. i Coe's Golden Drop has been kept several i weeks treated this way. The planting season will soon be here, and no time should be lost in choosing the trees that are to be planted. The selection should, if possible, be made in the locality where thev are to be planted, because fruit trees, like other plants, vary in different places. What I thrives and gives a good return in Auckland or Napier, may be a complete failure lin Canterbury. Where only a few are grown, only those that are known to thrive in the district should be planted. Greenhouse.—Palms should be thoroughly cleaned before the houses are filled with the winter plants. Most palms are troubled with the scale in one or another variety, and unless this is removed now there will not be another favourable opportunity until next summer. Each leaf should be sponged and a brush used at the end of each stalk. Use the water warm ; it has a greater effect on the scale. If a sufficient stock of such subjects as Pankum variegatum. coitus and other soft stove plants have not been rooted, no time should be lost in getting them in. As we have pointed out before, young plants stand the winter best, and with a good batch cf cuttings struck the old plants can be thrown away, and so make room for others. Though achimenes and gloxinias will soon be past their best, they must not he neglected, but should be gradually ripened off. This is most essential where the tubers are wanted for another season. Too often a gloxinia that has flowered well I during the summer is thrown out in some corner directly it has passed its best, is there left to suffer drought and other exposure, and, when potted up the next spring, it does not grow away so strong and vigorous as it did the previous year. Can this be wondered at? Ferns will require very careful watching in the matter j of watering, or there will be a big loss from damping. Water in the morning, and \ give plenty of ventilation to thoroughly dry | up all the. moisture before the house is dosed fi.r the night. !