WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7014, 1 February 1901, Page 2

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

TO GAEDEITERS. Kitchen (harden. — Second early potatoes ■ should be lofted arid stored away in as cool . a place as can be found. A shed with a, . south aspect is a good place. It is not wise to leave them in the ground long after this, as with such moist weather as we are having there is a great risk of their growing out.: A plot of ground must be prepared for spring cabbage, amd a little extra attention given in its preparation will more fcham repay for the trouble taken. In many gardens, this crop as planted on the same .ground that has grown the second early .potatoes. Certainly the digging, of the tubers is a good preparation of tihe soil. It should be left as rough as possible for some time, and should the quarter be liable to ; be infested with slugs give a good dressing . with lime and soot, forking it in about four ' inches deep. Wihere broccoli and other winter greens have besn planted between late potatoes they will require a little attention ; gently, turning the potato haulm back and laying it along the ridge of the potatoes . will admit light and air to the base of .the plants, and enable ,them to grow strong. Garden refuse is rather plentiful just now. All old stumps of cauliflower, cabbage, and any remains of green crops should be cleared ttway at opce, and either burned or buried. Autumn sown onions (generally called winter onions) should be ready for harvesting. Pull' them up and lay them on a hard path, or corner of a yard, exposed to the full sun. «It may be that some of the tops are yet green, but that does not matter. ■ Take them up at once, and turn them twicea week so that the sun may get at all pants of the bulbs. Tomatoes need constant attention at this stage. Promptly remove all surplus growth and concentrate the vigour of the plants to the development of the fruit that is set. Flower Garden.— Many plants, such aa asters, zinnias, and intermediate stocks, should be supported by short stakes, asters especially, as when they begin to open .their flowers they get tcp-heavy, and with the first heavy rain fall down and lose half their beauty. Respecting the Christmas lily, Lilium candidum, complaints are : often made that this grand 'border plarib does not do as well as it should. Certainly it does not get the most suitable treatment in the matter of planting. This is generally'done some time early in winter, but the best time to transplant the bulbs is immediately aften they have flowered. This variety does act take any rest ;' directly the current season's blooms are over, the flower-stem .turns brown, -and before it finaiHy dies down another has started from the bulb. With this, new roots are formed ; therefore, if fhe bulbs are disturbed afterward the plant suffers a. big check.. The bulbs are too often left in one place much longer than is good for them. Three years is quite long enough for them to remain in one place, and any that have been .left undisturbed for this period should be .lifted at once, divided and replanted immediately. To obtain .the best results, give the bulbs a good, open position, good soil, and, if possible, a liberal amount of leaf mould. Ensure drainage of surplus water, as an excess of moisture during winter as injurious to the plants. Many plants in the flower borders, such as- delphiniums, ! .digitalis, etc., are past flowering for this season, and should have the old . flowerspikes removed. Do not cut these too far back, as the plants may send out. a few more blooma from the lower parts of the , flower-spikes. Violets must be kept growing ; if they are in a diy place give _water, an<L mulch them with some well-iotted ma^ nure\ • _ -. . . . - . Greenhouses — Attention must be given to : , raising a stock of young plants to stand. over the -winter. 'Coleus struck m ow will; stand the winter better than larger plants. • Put the cuttings in light sandy soil, where they wili soon take root, keep them close, but give as little heat asposible. The object should be to get them as hardy as possible. '. -Any other so£t~woo.died plants should also be "struck now. Bulbs for forcing should claim attention. Obtain those that are to •be forced, and pot them alt once; the longer they are in the pots before they are introduced to heat the better, as larger and finer blooms will result. Begonias and fuchsias are making a grand display just now. Give manure-water twice each week, and remove all seed pods as fast as the old flowers fall. By doing. this a constant supply of flowers will be obtained for a long season. . * -