The Garden.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11763, 29 July 1916, Page 16

The Garden.

Work for the Week.

KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to Sow. —Broad beans, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, lettuce, oni6ns (for salad), peas, turnips and spinach. What to Plant.—Cabbage, cauliflower and rhubarb. While the ground is so wet it is not advisable to- work on it, as more harm than good results from treading on loose, wet soil. If there are any plots that should be trenched, this work could be done, and the sooner it is finished the bettor. Although trenching has been recommended for all garden qrops, it is rare that one finds the practice carried out regularly. Ground that is trenched deep is warmer and retains moisture longer than land that is not trenched, and besides it gives heavier crops, of a much better quality. Few of us ever trouble about how deep the roots of vegetables go, but this question should have more attention than it receives, because, no matter what the crop is, the soil should be broken up deeper than the roots grow. Tako tho " onion," the roots of which havo been found two feet long. Some readers may doubt this, but it is an absolute fact—the roots being from a bulb of that well-known variety, " Ailsa Craig." Tho crop was grown to produce bulbs for exhibition, and the averago 'weight was just over 21b each. Soil that is cultivated deep obtains more plant food than that from shallow digging, because every drop of rain brings some plant food with it. As a ree ult, a greater quantity passes through the surface of deep worked soil, beforo any runs off the surface, and as the soil filters the water, the greater the quantity that passes through it the larger the amount of plant food it receives. Anyone can prove this by noting the difference in the growth of any crop. Where a deep drain has been put through a field', meadow or lawn, the position hnd direction are plainly shown by the luxuriant- growth on it, and the richer colour, of the leaves of the plants. This simple demonstration should prove the value of deep cultivation. Where new beds of rhubarb are to be planted, get them moved as soon as possible. If rhoy cannot be planted, lift them and leave them on the surface to prevent the new leaves pushing out from tlie crown. FLOWER GARDEN.

Forming new lawns and sowing grass seed will claim attention during August. Gf course, the weather must govern these operations, as it is a mistake to prepare the ground or sow the seed when the soil is wet and sticky. Do not be in a hurry, but give the surface a thorough preparation. Break it down to a very fine tilth and make it both fine and smooth. All lumps must be broken, and large stones removed. The grass seeds are very small, and if they arc. sown in rough ground many of them will fail. The Planet Junior is a splendid instrument to uso when preparing the surface for tho seed, as it cuts tho ground to an even depth, breaks big lumps and makes a good raking surface. Do not attempt to level or even the surface with the rake, as if you do the hard lumps will be drawn into the hollows and the fine soil left in the plncss from which the lumps have been raked. Take a spado or shovel and skim off just the depth required, and throw it in the low places. Then put the'cultivator through the surface and rake and roll until it is both fine and even.

The varieties of grass seeds should be determined by the character of the soil and the position of the lawn. Unfortunately, this question receives too little attention among jobbing gardeners. Ask them what they intend to sow, and the most probable answer is " Devonshire lliVergreen.' 1 Now, what is Devonshire Evergreeji? It is a variety of ryegrass, and it is well known that ryegrass is not a long-lived grass. It grows strong for ono or two seasons, tnen begins to die out, and the lawn has to be dug up and re-sown. Ryegrass, used sparingly, say about 10 per cent in . a mixture of finer grasses, makes an . excellent nursing plant; it shelters the finer varieties in the early stages of growth and when the ryegrass dies out the fine varieties take its place. The seed merchant will advise the varieties to sow in damp or dry situations, and such being the case, ao not think that one "variety is suitwi/ or so^s anc * s^uafions. When forming a lawn in a damp situation, drainago is the first and moot important point. Unless efficient drainage is provided, the lawn will not be a success, because the bottom soon becomes stagnant and' sour, for want, of "air," and the better grasses die, weeds taking their places. _ Old lawns should, be. top-dressed during August, just before the grass begins to start into new growth. There is nothing better than a quantity of soil from a grass paddock—about an inch and a half spread over the surface.

j Bono and other artificial manures are good when used with the soil, but soil is the best if only one material is used ; because it affords a fresh rooting i medium for the gracs plants. J3ei sides, it levels *uiy little unevennes s of j the surface. . I If we kept a record of the quantity | of cut grass we take from a lawn durj ing the year it would surprise most of i us, but it would' be clear evidence of I the necessity of returning something to feed the plants, in the form of> tcpdressing.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Amateur " writes;—l have a large pear tree which was badly affected with the codlin moth last summer. This was the first time it had been so affected- Will you kindly inform me through your valuable columns whether the trouble is likely to recur nest season if the tree is not sprayed, as it will be a big contract .to thoroughly spray it? I suppose it would be only time wasted if the spraying were not done thoroughly? Is it yet too early to split up and replant chrysanthemums ?—Yes. The codlin will be more in evidence next season ainless checked by spraying. Spray at once with a winter wash, and again in the spring, with arsenate of lead, when the blossoms aro open. The chrysanthemums may be taken up. divided and i-eplant-ed now, but early in September is a more suitable time."