WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6126, 12 March 1898, Page 2

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

TO GARDENERS. Kitchen Garden. — The prevailing signs of waning summer and approaching winter should enjoin the would-be successful winter and spring croppers to make definite plans and preparations for the ensuing season. We havo advised the successional planting out of seedling endive, lettuce, &c, and the necessity to make late sowings up to date, to secure constant supplies j during the winter and spring. Seeds of lettuce, radish, spinach, and turnip can be sown yet, if enough have not -been sown, but caro must be taken not to sow the seed too thickly, as it is more difficult to thin the young crops out during the winter than it is during the summer ; the ground is wetter, and if it is on the heavy side it is not wise to tread on it more than is absolutely necessary, so whatever seed is sown, sow thin, and then there will be less thinning to do. Many people plant celery very late; some are not able to plant before early potatoes have been dug. If there aro any more plants to put out remember they should be planted in shallow trenches; it will be found that planted thus they will grow much faster and develop better heads than they would if planted in deep trenches. If a sufficient quantity of parsley for winter use has not been sown no time should be lost in getting it in, or securing enough by transplanting the young plants in short rows about one foot apart and tho plants about nine inches apart. The time will soon arrive when gardeners will commence forcing, and rhubarb is one of the first that is wanted. It is well known that rhubarb forces much better if it has been taken up from tho bed and kept in a 6hed a few weeks. The roots have a check and the plant a rest, from which it starts off into active growth much better than when it is taken straight from the bed and put in the forcing house or frame. Dig up a few strong roots and place them in a dry shed until they are to be started into active growth. We have seen many onions lying on the ground just where they have been growing, the bulbs having been pulled up and left en the surface. This is a very bad practice, and one that should be avoided, especially should wet weather be expected. If the bulbs have to lie on the damp ground during wet weather they will rapidly decay. The bulbs should be taken to a dry, open, airy shed, and thoroughly ripened there. Fruit Garden. —No timo should be lost in finishing planting strawberries. Those that are planted much later than this will not do much good, especially if early frosts come. Great care should be taken when plauting not to break or bruise the tender roots. Plant firmly and hoe the ground beween the rows. Pruning. — Any time after March 15 all kinds of hardy fruits can be pruned. It i 3 much better to prune fruit trees before thoy have lost their leaves than when the trees are bare. A much better opportunity is given to see how much space a branch requires, and how much wood to cut out to admit the sun all through the trees. Why wait until late in the winter ? The trees have finished their growth, and why not do what pruning is necessary? "Early autumn pruning has much to recommend it ; not only is it more pleasant to perform the work while the weather is mild, but the cuts have a much longer time to thoroughly heal than if they are made late in the winter. Vinery. — The dull, damp weather experienced lately has had its influence upon the grapes, especially in cold vineries. Growers who wish to keep their crops as long as possible must pay great attention to airing. There are two forms of damp that are injurious ; the most destructive is that which settles on the grapes as atmospheric moisture in a condensed form when the house is ' shut up, or for the want of enough air to carry off the damp. To keep grapes good for any length of time they must have a little fire heat during Wet or damp weather — not too much, or the fruit will turn brown and shrivel. The vinery should be kept in as even a temperature as possible— about 50deg. Fahrenheit is a good mean for grapes. Cut out every berry as soon as it shows any sign of decay, or the other berries that are touching it will soon become spoilt. As fast as the grapes are cut shorten back each lateral to within about three buds of its base ; this will let more light into the house, and give those buds that are to produce next season's crop a • better chance to get thoroughly ripe. Flower Garden. — Gladioli that flowered early should receive some attention now. As fast as the foliae. turns brown and the stem is ripe the corymbs should be lifted and thoroughly ripened by laying them on the surface in a cold frame or a vinery, where they can be turned often. After treating the corymbs thus for about three weeks, store them in boxes with enough dry sand to cover them, and place them in a frost-proof shed. Many plants in the flower garden are going off, and will provide plenty of work clearing away dead leaves and blooms. This must be done constantly, or the garden will soon become very untidy. See that a good stock of cuttings is put in at once of all those plants that are propagated at this season of the year. Keep the lawns well 1 rolled and the grass cut. as often as possible. If the border chrysanthemums ; have not been staked, see that they have some support at once; or the blooms will be spoilt by being broken by the wind

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