THE GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9913, 30 July 1910, Page 12

THE GARDEN.

"WOIIK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN

With morn settled weather seed-sow-ing will claim attention, but there is danger from sowing seed- in wet, pasty soil. There is nothing to gain by this, but much to lose. While the ground is wet it is very cold and unsuitable for the germination of small seeds, many of which would rot and thus a. considerable loss may result. There are a number of gardens situated in high positions in which the soil is of a light character, and in these seedsowing may be proceeded with. In gardens, on the other hand, where the eitnation is rather low and the soil heavy, it would be the best policy to wait until the ground is drier and warmer. Cabbage and cauliflower plants in the open should be examined, and all plants that have been, lifted by ihe frosts should be pressed firmly into, the soil, and as soon as the ground is dry enough to hoe without sticking to the feet, stir the surface with the cultivator or a Dutch hoe. This operation should be repeated as often as time may jgermit, as it will sweeten the soil ana Emulate tho growth of the plants. Examine the peas and potatoes that were planted early in sheltered positions. as some may have rotted an,d will nave to be replaced. Asparagus ihould be planted as soon .3 conditions ire favourable. August is tho most »uitab!e time for this work, as the roots »re then about to commence fresh growth, find there is no risk of losing them. The most suitable soil for asparagus is a sandy loam. Drainage is 8. very Important matter, and unless there ia u good fall, sufficient to take away all surplus water, provision should be made to effect this. Asparagus rofots do. not suffer from too much water during the growing season, but in winter, when the roots are dormant, an excess ot water is fatal to tficm. If their roots are saturated with subsoil water during the winter many will perish and others/ become so weak that theii growth during the next season will be very poor. If it is desired to have a bed of asparagus in a damp part of the garden, it should be formed on the surface witnout any digging. Three or four inohes of fresh soil should be put over the surface and the asparagus roots placed in their positions and covered with about three to four inches of good soil. Planted just above the level of the garden, the roots will be above the water during the winter months, and consequently suffer no injury. Make every preparation for seed, bo that once the conditions are favourable the work can be done without unr necessary delay. Seed potatoes should be got ready at once, and if possible a change of seed should bo obtained. Of course, the best results are obtained' when this valuable crop is grown on fresh soil, but as in small gardens there is npt'enough space for this system, the next best plan is to use fresh seed. When purchasing seed potatoes try to secure them from a ctean stock. This may be rather difficult owing to somany having suffered from disease last season; but clean seed is procurable, &nd although it may be necessary to pay a little more for them, they are cheaper in the end. HARDY FRUITS.

1 Strawberries planted in the autumn have had a bad timo during the recent frosts, and examination will show that most of them have been lifted nearly out of the ground by the frost. Carefully press the plants, back as firm as possible, and when the soil is fairly dry ■put th© hoe through the surface to stir the soil and dry it. Currants, gooseberries . and raspberries that are troubled with "scale" should be sprayed early in August before the bud 3 begin to burst into new growth. Use the insecticide freely, especially at the baso of each bush, where so many of these pests are usually found. When '« spraying make euro that the weed is dry, because if the wood is damp tlie spray fluid will run of! instead of adhering to the tree. Although this may seem a small matter it marks the difference between success and failure. Apple and pear trees should be sprayed a little latei, but trees that are badly infested with woolly, aphis (American blight) should have the parts most affected painted with a strong solution of Montauk or some other effective insecticide. l ' Use a strong brush and * -well rub the solution into all the crevides and on the lower side of, the branches. Simple spraying will check, but will not destroy, this pest. Nothing short of painting; the parts most affected will destroy it. Fruit trees that .have been freshly planted this season should bo examined. Apples and pears may need a Mttle attention to put them upright. Peaches and nectarines have had some of their softest shoots frosted, and these damaged ends should be cut back to a good live bud. FLOWER GARDEN. Thfi same advice applies, as to the kitchen garden. Keep off the ground until it is dry enough to work. Any alterations that have been in progress should be finished as soon as possible, •8 the busy seed-sowing season is near at hand, and, this will need all the attention that can be given to it in order to secure the best results. Bulbs are now pushing up, and the soil about them should be stirred when fairly dry. Hyacinths should have a little soil put over them as long as thero are indication of frost. Ranunculus should be planted, giving them good soil and n' little rotten manure. Roses should be examined. Some of the tender varieties, such as Comtesse de Nadaillac, in exposed positions, have been frosted. Those that have been cut very hard should be replaced before it is, too late. When tho surface soil is fairly dry all newly-planted bushe? nhould be made firm _by carefully treading the soil over their roots; but on no account should this be done while tilt \ foil is wet. ; August is the best month for topdressing lawns. This' work is neglected far too much. Considering the large quantities of grass removed from the lawn during tho summer it is clear that . something should be returned. The application of a little fertiliser and noma good clean soil is the best means of feeding the grass plants. Do not stint the soil; quite half an inch should be spread over tho surface, and worked in between the blades of grass with the back of ah iron rake. Any little irregularities of surface can be put right before putting the fresh soil on the lawn. All broad leaved weeds, such as dock, i dandelions, plantains, thistle, eto., should now lift easily, as the ground is wet and soft. Do not roll the lawn for some timo after ton-dress-ing, so as to give the. grass shoots a chance to take hold of the fresh soil. When the first rolling is given uso only a light roller. A heavier one may be used later on when the grasses nave made fresh roots in the new soil. By putting a heavy roller on the lawn before the grasses have taken hold of the new soil the surface is crushed flown hard, soon drying into a caked IQrface, much too hard for small roots.