WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7541, 25 October 1902, Page 2

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

To Gardsners. Kitchen Garden. — In large gardens brassicas must be sown ia quantity, to secure a constant supply during winter and spring. Frequently, many varieties are sown too early, and before, the ground has been cleared of the spring crops the young plants are ready to be transferred to their final quarters. Savoys are generally sown, too early, and come in during February and March, when there are plenty of peas, beans and 1 cauliflowers in the garden. Lettuce should be transplanted while the plants are small, as they do not suffer so much during tho early stages of growth. Early potatoes should be mouddetj up a little ait a time and often, and should there be 6igns of a frosb cover the shaws of all that are above the ground with a little soil. Finish planting the late varieties. Sow more turnips ; Snowball is a good summer variety, and put a little fertilizer along the rows, to stimulate the plants to a very active growth. Flower Garden.— Annuals that have been raised in frames should now ba transfenred to their summer quarters, selecting, if possible, a dull, moist day. Too many gardeners and amateurs make a greafc mistake in planting annuals, and although the results are, or should be, sxifncient to ensure a change in method, this does not happen. The mistake we refer to. is that of allowing the plants to get too big before they are put into their summer quarters. All' annuals should b& finally planted before they have many leaves. Stocks, asters, zinnias and phlox drummondi should be dwarf, sturdy plants with about six leaves, that is, four plus tihe seed pair. If the annuals were gob out when they ha<l made the second pair of rough leaves they would give a greater number of flowers, and of better quality, than is generally seen in our gardens. Petunias should be planted in fairly rich soil. Give each plant plenty of space, and pe,g the growths down until all the patch is covered. This will prevent the wind from breaking them. Iceland poppies will flower well in any position, but if the plants can be supplied with water during dry weather they will give larger flowers and a much greater number. It would bo a good plan to make another fowing now. The young plants from this would come into blossom in the late summer, when, flowers are beginning to be scarce. Tire same system should be adopted -n-ith. swee.frpeas — a few sown every three weeks would give a constant supply of flowers till the winter frosts set in. Rhododendrons are beginning to make the gardens bright with their beautiful flowers. To keep these in. good condition as long as possible give plenty of water at the roots. The grass on. lawns is growing very faist now, and should bo cut very close twice, a week. This may appear rather expensive as regards labour, but it will be a good investment, as a bet- [ tcr and more lasting carpet will be secured. ( All big weeds should be removed now. This , shouldTbe done carefully, with a long kndfe, cutting as low as possible below the surface. If the weeds are taken up now, while the grass is making such rapid growth, the holes will soon be covered up with grass. Greenhouse.—^More shade will be necessary on hot days, and more crater should be used on the stages, floors, etc. ; in fact, • keep up as much moisture as possible, in giving .shade, remember too much is worse than too little ; therefore, strike the happy medium, if possible. Cool orchid^ will need some attention, especially that popular variety Cypripedium insirjne. Small plants i should 'be potted into larger pots. Large plants should be broken up and potted into fair-sized pots, because these have long roots and, if put into small pots, they are soon filled, and the roots have nothing to live on except water. Make a compost of fibrous loam, leaf mould, peat and sphagnum moss, with a little charcoal and sharp sand. Use clean pots, and distribute the soil 'between the roots. Get as many plants outside as possible, to make room for those making a rapid growth. Fuchsias, etc, need all tne s P ace tne y can get; the more each plant 'has the better it blooms. The same applies to nearly all greenhouse plants, but .more especially those that make their growth and flower during the summer. Bouvardias — Secure a good supply of cuttings, and strike them on a brisk bottom heat.' When sufficient -have been routed, turn the old plants outside, and either plant them out or give them larger pots. Doubtless the best results are secured by the planting-out system. By this the plants make a more vigorous growth, need less attention, and, if carefully taken up and potted during March, and put. in a shady place for a fe^ days, they will soon begin to open their flowers. Euphorbia cuttings should 'be got in and rooted on a hot-bed. Take short cuttings ; those with a heel give the 'better plants. Caladiums must have plenty of -water and space. A light position in the stove is better than a dark one for these beautiful foliage plants.