WORK FOR THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8309, 6 May 1905, Page 2

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

To CrarA-asrs.

Kitchen Garden.— l'he wet season has given gardeners much extra work owing to the luxuriant growth of weeds. In some gardens these have been allowed to grow uncheoked, and now thoy have a heavy crop of seed, muoh of which will be distributed by the winds over all the gardens near. This is a serious matter to those Who take apride in keeping their gardens free from weeds, --here is rio excuse for leaving weeds to ripen their seed. If labour was scarce when the weeds were small, the big weeds could have been cut down just before they flowered, and so prevented their seed ripening. In clearing these seed-bearing weeds from the land it is a mistake to carry them far. It is better to cut them down, or pull them up and burn them at onoe ou tbe quarter where they grew, thus de* stroyirig both the Weed plants and their seed. Clear away the remains of crops that are past; tie pea and bean sticks into smaU "-bundles, and store them away in some dry shed ready for another season. Wire pea frames, particularly, should be put under cover. .If any have commenced to rust, give a coat of green paint in the winter. Clear away the leaves from seakale. This should be done with care, so that the crowns are not injured-. After clearing away leaves and weeds, cover the crowns with some ashes in order to prevent them turning purple. Late^sown. turnips should be thinned early. A Einch of onion and carrot seed should c sown, either in a warm corner or a cold frame, to produce young, tender roots for soup. Small salad should receive oonstant attention in order th maintain a regular supply. Vinery. — Early houses should have been pruned and cleared up for the win-, ter. Second houses, are now ready for pruning. There is nothing to be gained by leaving this work until later in the winter. Clear away all the loose surface soil, give a liberal dressing 'with bone manure, and put five or six inches of gppd soil over the surface. Late houses, where ripe fruit is hanging, need much attention in the matter of heating and ventilating. It is almost impossible to keep ripe grapes in good condition much later than this without artificial heat. The leaves are falling, and the atmosphere is heavily charged with moisture, thus the berries cannot escape mildew and decay. The ventilators should be covered with fine scrim to keep back as much moisture as possible, and the pipes should be kept nioe and warm at night. If the Border is outside, oover it with a few sheets of corrugated iron to keep. the roots as dry as possible. Iron is better than manure, as the latter keeps the soil about the roots much too cold for their wellbeing. Greenbou-e.— The management of glasshouses during the next three months needs close attention, and a few remarks on the subject may be useful. Temperature— rThis should be kept at the minimum until after midf winter. It is a great mistake to kjeep-, up a high temperature in the ordinary' glasshouse. During the winter months the plants should be allowed to rest as much as possible, so that they may start into new growth next spring with as much' vigour as possible. Of course, this does not apply to the forcing house. The heat here must be kept up to a fairly high degree, but after the plants are forced into flower they should he removed ' into a cooler house, a-f their flowers will last much longer in a cool, than in a high, temperature. Ventilation. — Thie is sadly during the winter, especially in unheat-; ed houses. The cooler the house ;fche greater should be the attention given to ventilation. . Give, air as often as possible, the more the plarits get the better they will be able to sustain themselvesduring- a cold snapi* If you examine the plants in an usiheated houee that receives but little ventilation, you will find plenty of evidence, from the decaying tips of the leaves, vhe black and brown -mildewy spots on both stem and leaf, with here and there a death after several ha.d frosts. Should there be any flowers these will present much the same signs. Watering. — Use as little as possible, j ust enough to keep the ' plants from flagging. Supply this in the. early part of Jthe day, and take care that none is wasted. A little extra,. time spent in wateriugwthe plants will, prevent much loss. I