THE GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10440, 20 April 1912, Page 12

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR TEE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to .Sow.--Cabbage, lettuce, (spinach and turnips. What to Plant.—Cablia.se, cauliflower, endive, letluco and winter greens. .. Leaves are fast falling from the frees, and when these are all down a general clenr-up should be made all through the pardon. Growing crops of turnips, lettuce, spinach, onions, etc., do not thrive nearly as well if they are, half-buried with leaves. All these should be removed from the young crops and dug into the ground. Young cauliflower and cabbage should be carefully moulded up and any decaying leaves removed All vacant quarters that are not to bo planted until the spring should be turned over, leaving the surface as rough as possible. In gardens that are # well drained and freo from severe frosts peas may be sown for an early crop. These will come in just after the winter vegetables are over. HARDY FRUITS. All small fruits, such as gooseberries, raspberries and currants, can now be transplanted; the sooner the better, because these fruits go on making roots all through tho winter, therefore_ the earlier they are put in their fruiting quarters the better tho results next season. Established bushes need some manure, and will well repay for a liberal dressing; currants and gooseberries will be larger and of better flavour. It is strange what little feeding these small fruits receive. Autumn is the best season to apply manure, and just after the bushes have been pruned is the best time to do the work. • Large trees of apples and pears can be pruned. TTiclso big trees get so crowded with wood that a severe thinning is needed, and if-the work is done just before the leaves are all off one can see better how much wood should be cut out. Young trees are still growing fast and should not be pruned until the growth is finished for the season.

FLOWER GARDEN. Roses can now be lifted and transplanted. If the bushes are got in their fresh positions before the cold weather sets in, they come away stronger and better next season. This fact should encourage all intending planters to push this work on as fast as possible. It is satisfactory to rtoto a better jystem of growing roses. To get the best results, these should have a bed or border to themselves. When planted in the herbaceous border they never have a fair chance to do well. The strong growing border plants rob the " rose" of both light and moisture, making it impossible for the rose to either grow or blossom satisfactorily. When planted in a bed alone the roses can make a good growth. This is at all times followed with a good display of blossoms.

Deciduous trees can bo transplanted early next month. The positions should be prepared as soon a3 possible. This done, the trees can be planted without any delay. Spring flowering plants should be got in as soon as possible to give them every chance to get thoroughly established in their fresh quarters before the end of May. ■• v Early planting is the secret of success; therefore push this work on as fast- as possible.

GREENHOUSE. Zonale pelargonium plants, that have been grown on during the summer for winter use'are fast coming into bloom. Give each plant ample space, and as much light and ventilation as possible and water with great care. These plants suffer greater harm dur-. ing the winter from too much water than from too little. Very. often during the end of April and the early part of May we have quite strong sunshine. On such days, damp the stage between the plants, to make the atmosphere cool, and keep tho bench damp. This will keep the leaves from suffering any harm from the hot sunshine. Weak manure water once a week will increase the size of the blossoms, but remember the soil should be on the dry side before any water is given. , Cyclamen plants that have filled their pots with roots will need feeding. Make two tubs, one of sodt-water and the other manure—sheep or cow is the" best for these plants. Give alternate waterings. The soot-water not only feeds the roots, but it will sweeten the soil and rid it of any small worms and grubs. Fumigate the plants ta-keep them free from green aphis and thrips. Give plenty of ventilation, and not too much heat. If these plants are grown in a close atmosphere, the leaf stalks • get very tender and weak, so much so that many leaves break off when the plants are lifted up ; This is a serious loss, because the foliage is nearly as decorative as the blossoms. The late plants should be put into their final pots aa soon as possible. t These will come in at the end of the winter. After the first batch is iover, should the soil become covered with " green," stir it with a pointed stick to keep it open. This admits fresh air, which is as necessary as moisture to both the corymb and roots. Arum lilies that have been potted up to give flowers during the winter should, now be fed with manure water regularity. The plants are just about forming their flower buds, and need extra feeding to make these large and of good substance. Again, plants that are liber[ally fed retain that deep glossy green |in their leaves that givefs such decoratlive effect, even when there are no | flowers. Keep the plants quite near the glass to prevent the leaves getting overdrawn. In this condition the plants are J not nearly as valuable for decorating jthe rooms or conservatory during the •winter. Arums need frequent spraying with insecticide to keep green aphis at [bay. The troublesome pests are very !fond of arum lilies, and, once established on the plants, are difficult to destroy. ) Begonias, tuberous varieties, are fast going past, and will have to be gradually ripened off before being stored jftway for the winter. Too often these (plants are carelessly put under the stages, with their leaves and sterna quite green. Here they get no water, and so hay© to"sb.rivel up." One cannot call it "ripening off." A much jbetter treatment is to stand the -plants I upright in a vinery, or, failing that, a ;cold frame where the frost is just excluded. Give a little water, the quantity to be according to the number of freen leaves on the plant. As these , egin to turn brown reduce the quantity gradually until all the growth has .ripened and fallen off. Attention is 'called to this part of tho cultivation of the begonia because it seriously affects the early growth next spring. Bulbs that were gradually and carefullv ripened off will break into stronger growth next spring and give much better blossoms; therefore, give these tubers a little more attention at this season.

TO COR R ESPONDENTS. Oernnium. —The only way is to cover the roots with some fresh'soil. The reason why the roots are on the surface is bccauue there is more plant food and moisture in the surface soil than in the sand below. Bone manure is one of the best you can use for feeding and enriching the soil; guano or nitrats of soda as a stimulant.