WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6496, 27 May 1899, Page 2

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

TO GARDENERS. Kitchen Garden. — May is nearly over, : and more bad weather may, be expected at any time. Frost is sure to follow the excessive rainfall we have experienced, and gardeners should do all that is necessary to save the crops of vegetables- from injury, . either from frost or from wet. Of course, i gardens differ so much that it is difficult to give instructions that will meet the requirements of all, but each gardener must put in operation what is necessary in his parj ticular district. Some gardens are high I and dry, and are not affected by heavy : rains like those that are in low situations, ! and gardeners must a«t according to the | conditions under which they have to Avork | Root crops should be lifted -where there is but little ground. By lifting carrots, ! beet, etc., the ground can be dug or ! trenched and prepared for another crop. Store the roots in ashes or sand, or fine soil ; this will keep them plump and fresh; Do not let the roots get too dry or there '' will be a great los sof flavour. Vinery. — During Avet weather the gardener can find much to do among vines. The glass and paint shoiild be scrubbed, tha walls whitewashed, the surface soil removed and fresh wheeled in. • Vines should.be pruned, and if" it is necessary to: dress the roots to destroy jany insect pest, this should be . done at once ; there is nothing to be gained, but. much to lose, by putting off this work. In some houses the vines have been planted very deep, and their roots are far clown in the subsoil ; these should be lifted up and brought near . the surface.- . There is no risk in doing this, and the results .will more. than repay the trouble. It is a wellknown fact that the nearer the surface the roots are the better is the quality of the grapes produced, and the roots are able to get hold of the food the gardener gives them much quicker than if they are. down a yard below the surface. We advise gardeners to lift any roots that are buried deep down in the soil, and to .do it at once, and so enable the roots to get a fresh start before the spring arrives. Flower Garden. — The recent heavy rains have so saturated the ground . that all j planting must be suspended for a time until I the soil is somewhat drier. It is a very great mistake to plant trees or shrubs in the ground while in such a saturated condition as it is at present. To do so is to invite failure, as many of the roots will decay instead of storting into growth. Often in wet weather the flower garden work is neglected because the ground is too wet to plant fresh trees, or shrubs, and even to dig, but there are many little things* that can be done in the dry. Stakes can be prepared, new ones painted and tied into j sizes, old ones can have the decayed ends cut away and be freshly painted, labels can ' be made and painted, and even the names of the plants written on them ready for use when they are wanted. Boxes for raising seedlings, and for pricking young plants in, can be repaired or made. There is plenty • of -work for the industrious gardener with which to fill in the wet. pjbriqd, without getting on the ground. The s&ed list should 1 be prepared and sent to the seedsman at once, to make sure of getting the varieties 1 wanted; ■ ■ • ' ■'■ ,; • -'• . Greenhouse.— Chrysanthemums are supplying plenty of cut flowers yet, but many are fast going out of bloom, and it should be a rule in every garden that before a plant is quite past its best the name should be verified, and if it is wrong, a fresh label provided. When plants are grown under wrong names, it causes .a lot of trouble, especially if the owner exchanges a few cuttings or plants with his friends. Some of the labels will be nearly decayed ; these should be replaced at -once with' new ones. Cinerarias are pushing up their flower-buds and should be given plenty of air, manurewater twice a week, and be kept free from insect pests. It thrip should attack them, dip the plants in a solution of soft soap and blight specific. Cyclamen should be stood on a cool bottom, such as sand or cinder ashes. To stand these plants on open wooden benches is to invite failure, because thrip are sure to attack the plants once they are allowed to get dry. Cyclamen should not be kept too wet, neither should they be allowed to get dry;, give a, good soaking, when, they are watered; use manure-water once a week. Primulas are pushing up their welcome trusses of flower, and will soon be very attractive. Give these the warmest ehcLof the house and plenty of light. If 'they have tdo • much shade the flower stalks will be 1 weakened, the blooms thin, and they will not remain in bloom very long. If rainwater can be obtained, it is much better than ordinary water ; it is soft and more ' nutritious. Zonale pelargoniums must be i kept on the dry side during the short days . s of winter ; they will remain in flower for a ' s much longer period if kept moderately dry • than they will if kept too moist. Give » these plants plenty of air, and remove all , dead leaves and decaying blossoms as fast $ as these appear, for if they are allowed to • fall on any part of the plant, or any oth^r, j they will soon cause whatever they are rest--1 ing* on to decay. Show and decorative per largoniums need much attention during 5 . winter. : They should be constantly moved • to prevent them growing too much on one - side'; : ; .ther: 'points '•-.._ should 'be ..-regularly pinched- puti.' to secure bushy-N plants ', and' V green fly : ' ; niust_ be kept'^away. / go&dr }■■, plan to ke.ep this' troublesome, pest do^vnifi ? ; to Syringe the, plants, on bright -mornings;, s " with warih water — about llOdeg Fahrenr heit— this will destroy all young insects c and will not harm the plants. Several of a the more forward plants will need a shift i into larger pots ; do this directly the plants have filled the pots they are now in with c roots. The way to obtain well-flowered pe-

largamums is to keep the plants growing, and not let them -suffer any check -until they are in the pots they are to flower in.' These plants are often quite spoilt' by giving them too much fire-heat; a little is necessary, in' damp, cold weather, also 'when there are frosts;' but the fact is, the lower the temperature these plants are grown in, the less they are liable to insect attacks and the better they bloom. Bulbs will be coming on fast now, and as they are -brought into the house, they should be given the lightest part of the building — a shelf is a good place if not too dry ; but that is the great danger of shelves, the plants are often allowed to become dustrdry on them. Freesias are growing fast, and a> few pots should be put into the warmest position to hurry them on. These bulbous plants require a strong light and plenty of water to do well. . If yellow flowers are wanted, put some of the common Narcissus into a warm house; .they,wfll sopn.send up their blooms. ' - '"'"../'