THE GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12082, 10 August 1917, Page 3

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOP, THE WEEK. , KITCHEN GARDEN. Sends to Sow. —Cabbage, cauliflower, cross, celery, broad beans, Brussels sprouts, boot. leek, lettuce, onions pons, spinach and turnip. What to Plant. -Asparagus, chives, garlic, herbs, horse-radish, potatoes, rhubarb and sea-kale.

There are clear evidences of growth in emery part of th 0 . garden. Buds on fruit irons are swelling, and in warm corners there are a lew beach and apricot blossoms open. Vegetables are moving, and the autumn-sown peas and beans are growing fast. This general movement should lemind us that any roots, such as artichokes, carrots, beet, or parsnips, that are in the ground should be taken up as soon as possible. If they are left in the. ground any longer they will make a lot of small roots, which will destroy much of tho val.io of the crop. Gai'cfullv take thorn up and store them in a cool place, in sand or ashes. Keep a careful watch on spring cabbage, and jiiiy that show signs of sending up a spike of blossom instead of forming a heart) should be. pulled up and fresh plants put.in. Globe artichokes are, not much grown in this country. It is only in largo gardens we ltnd fhoin ; but they make a good change vegetable in late, summer, and certainly deserve more .attention than they get. Good cultivation is needed to produce large tender heads. The plants should have a. good supply of rich manure worked into the soil around them some timo during August or early in September, and in dry hot weather a good soaking of water.

HARDY FRUITS. All .fruit trees that are to he transplanted should he moved as soon ais possible. AYe may experience a spoil of hot, Iry weather early in the spring, and unless 'the roots have had time to re-establish themselves the heads will get dry and sear, and very little growth ean be expected from this condition. Spraying shoMld be finished, especially in'oarly districts. Get material ready for protecting apricots, peaches and nectarines growing against walls and fences. Although it should l?o got ready, do ,-nofc be in too great a lvujfry to put it on the trees; wait until there are quite l a. number of flowers open before the protecting material is put on. "When fixing it, keep it quite clear of the blossoms, so that plenty of air ean circulate, through every branch. This will tend to keep the blossr-ms dry. Reverting to spraying, this is the time to remember the ravages of "leaf curl." Last season thousands of trees lost nearly every leaf from this terrible pest. To combat this trouble, spray all peaeh aud nectarine trees as soon as with Bordeaux ■mixture. Use a line nozzle, and makesure that every crevice is thoroughly covered with the solution. Do not use the mixture any stronger than the printed directions state, or the buds may getl scorched.

FLOAYER GARDEN. Bulbs are pushing up their growths very fast, to welcome the spring sunshine. .Judging from the strength of the growth, there should no a line dispiav of flowers next month. This is the time for sowing new lawns, but the work should be done with great care and consideration. The best method is to " make haste slowly," and by thorough preparation give, tlio grass seed the best possible conditions to germinate well. The surface .should be made as fine and firm as possible. If the surfaco soil is rough it cannot, be made firm. All hard lumps should be broken down line by several hoeings, rakings and rolling. A Planet Junior is a splendid imploment for cutting the hard lumps and making the surface soil line.

Do not sow the seed when the surface soil is too wet to roll; wait until the roller can be. put over the soil without any of it sticking to the roller. When the surface is dry it can be made firmer, the seeds are distributed more cvenlv, and thev germinate much better.

Flowering peaches and almonds are both subject to '' leaf-curl." These shrubs should he sprayed this month with Hordeaux mixture, just the same as advised for the fruiting peaches in the orchard. Take care...not to make the solution too strong, or many of the flower buds will be more or less burned.

Many of the half hardy annuals give the l>est. results when raised •without artificial heat. As a matter of fact many are injured from being subjected to a high temperature when young. Prepare a seed bed in a warm corner of the garden, mixing some, light sandy compost with the ordinary garden soil. Vut a fairly strong stake at each corner, about a foot high, and a few light bars across to carry a piece of calico or hessian to protect the seed from drying winds and 'hot sunshine by day and late frosts at night. _ Stocks, asters, dianthus, viola and similar plants can ho raised in these seed beds with very little trouble or expense. GREEN HOUSE. The work of forcing hard-wooded plants should be started early in the spring by repotting the plants'and putting them into a warm, moist hoiKe to 'Mifoiuage an early growth. Azaleas, rhododendrons, ericas and other plants are most Usef',i| early in the winter if tluy are brought into flower just as the ehrysanthomnms a re goii'rg over; but it is useless to put tlio plants in heat next, .A lay unless the growth lias been started early in the spring to give it a long season to mature.

I'Yrns should be repotted during this month. These plants pay for liberal treatment, especially tiiose of strong habit.

Adiantunis tJiat have frown overbig should !*> split up into several pieces and repotted into small pots. Mediium-s'izod plants are much more usef'.il than rcvy big specimens. Plants in five and six-inch poijs can be used in ordinary vases, and can be handled with ease.

Although most people think this family of ferns is wry difficult t« manage, that i.s n great.mistake. Its members arc among tlio must easv to cultivatn if t.hev ore given conditions similar to. tho.-e, tjiev ha,vn( in tlnfr native habitat, 'i he four indispensable items of management are light, air, moisture and drainage. Unless the plants are grown in plpnty of light, the frow:(i are soft and soon turn brown. Moderate sunshine does not harm ibo plants; it will make the fronds a trifle brow.n. but they are bard and rem,<ilin. firm and I'rosh a long time after /tho.v? are cut. Air is necessary to k.eep i,he y>ljtints in good health. A free circulation day is jtLs't what ihesa plants should have. Perfect, drainage will carry, away the surplus of water and keen, everything: sweet and fresh.

Adiantiirns liko frood soil. P,otted tUrf two parts, leaf-mould one part, with n little sharp sand and small nodules'of charcoal, will make a. good compost. If Jeaf-mould cannot be obtained, sphagnum moss chopped fine is a good substitute.