WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6090, 29 January 1898, Page 1

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

TO GARDENERS. Kitchen Garden. — In most districts rain has fallen, and it will be well to finish planting out celery. If the plants have been pricked out (as advised some time since) and kept well watered, they will be in good condition for planting out, and not be so liable to run to seed during the autumn'or early spring. In preparing the trenches, see that these - are not dug too deep. Often gardeners dig deep trenches, pet the plants in the hungry, crude subsoil, and wonder why they do not grow well. Dig plenty of manure in the trenches — not green manure, but old well-rotted material. Put in the youDg plants firmly, and mulch them with about two inches of well-rotted manure ; water well and the plants will soon grow vigorously. One very important reason why the trenches should not be dug very deep is that if we have a wet winter water will drain into the deep trenches and many of the plants will suffer thereby, some will rot right through, others will decay round the outside of the sticks, but many will be quite spoilt and unfit for use. Sowings of the hardy kinds of lettuce, curled and Batavian endive, and radishes — both turnip and French— should be sown now, and kept watered. Now that we have had some rain, turnips should be sown, and all cabbage, broccoli, and other winter greens be planted out. Those that were planted some time ago are growing freely and will be benefited by having the hoe run through the soil between the rows. Asparagus is in full growth, and the beds should receive a good dressing of salt — any salt will do for this, Give constant attention to tomatoes. Persist in removing the young growths that are not wanted by rubbing them out with the thumb and finger; tMs is a better way to remove them than by cutting. After Feb. 1, it will be well to take the point out of every shoot just above the top cluster of buds. This will direct the energy of the plants to swelling the fruit that is eet it.'; "Sfepp^ll the longest shoots upon vegetable marrows and ridge cucumbers. Cut the fruits before they are too oJd. This will enable the plants to give a greater number of them. Remove all decaying leaves as fast as they appear. Earth up all late sown peas and beans to encourage growth. Where herb-cutting has been unduly delayed, it should be seen to at once. Thin out all crops that need thinning — carrots to eight inches, parsnips and beet ten inches. Clear away ail crops that are past, and prepare the grouud for another crop. Flower Garden. — After the rain, thia department is beginning to make a good display, and it provides plenty of work to keep it tidy, and the plants secure from wind. Keep the hoe busy to repress weeds, trim the grass verges, and cut the lawn once every week, or twice if there is time. Keep the walks free from weeds — weedy walks spoil the appearance o£ a flower garden. Dahlias need tying to prevent them being broken by the wind. These are often bunched up to one stake and look anything but pretty or natural; if each plant had two, or even three stakes, it would be better than only one. Tie a few growths loosely to these stakes and cut the thin weak shoots away. This treatment will secure better blooms. If the object is to obtain large blooms for exhibition, the plants must be severely thinned and only a few strong growths retained. These plants will need constant supplies of manure water to bring their • blooms to perfection. Delphiniums aro making a grand display, proving themselves well worthy of extended culture. They are easy to grow, and every season make a grand show. Pentstemons Ehoalcl be propagated now. Tbeso are generally left until autumn, bat this is f the best time to put the cuttings in ; struck ' now they make good strong plants that flower well early next season, while those produced from cuttings struck iv April or May will be weak, and will not bloom well until their second season. Take short cuttings and put them in sandy soil in pots or boxes ; stand them m a cold frame and shade from the strong sun during the day, but the lights can be taken off during the night (tMs only on cool still nights). In some gardens mildew lias made its appearance on rose bushes ; this should be destroyed at once. There aro several mixtures that will destroy this trouble, sulphur and soot, or sulphur mid lime, boiled together, will soon destroy mildew. Cnrnntions and picole^s should be layered at once to obtain good strong plants by the winter. Greenhouse. — Another sowing of primula sinensis cau ba made now. The plants from thi3 sowing will bloom late in the winter and continue through tlie spring. Pot on those that were raised from the first sowing, using good loam, some leaf mould, a little well-rotted manure and some sharp sand. Do not pot the plants too firmly, their roots run better in goil that is on the loose side. A few pieces of charcoal mixed with the soil will help to keep it sweet. Dp not over water the young plants 5 thousands of these are killed every year through being over- watered. Syringe the plants twice a day, but only wator them when they are dry. Cinerarias must be potted on as fast as their pots become tilled with roots ; if these get pot-bound they form their flower spikes and do not attain such large dimensions as they would if kept potted on as fast as they need a shift. Cinerarias like a good, firm, rich soil and plenty of water 5 once let these get dry and greenfly will soon attack them in thousands. Give plenty of manure water while the plants are growing fast. Shake out old cyclamen bulbs, and re-pot in good open soil ; stand the plants in a cool position and do not over water them. This is a good time to strike a number of coleus to stand the winter; these young plants will stand the cold weather better than those that were struck in the spring.

The cradle presented by the Queen to the Duke of York's baby was made for the Princess Royal in 1840, and all the Queen's babies slept in it. The sheets are of fine Irish linen, edged with Valenciennes laoe and the blankets are of the warmest and lightest Spanish wool.