Farm and Garden.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 448, 17 November 1904, Page 2

Farm and Garden.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES, PRUNING PEACH TREES IN WINTER, YOUNG trees.should be cut back about as trees usually are at time of setting, and those that are injured should be pruned back so as to leave arms of the main branches two feet long, in young trees four to five feet long, and in old trees depending upon the condition of tho tros. The reason for severe pruning is that the wood of the trees is much weakened, and that the root systems are not able to ..sup-, jporfc the growth of the entire tree after a

severe winter. However, the root systems are sufficiently strong to promote vigorous growth of a small portion of the top if loft. In all this work good judgment is nocessary to dotormine just how far bade a peach tree should bo pruned, in order to fjrm a head to best advantage, it will be woll to bear in mind the following suggestions: Cutting back may be so sevoro that the remaining stumps will not sprout and tho trco will die. The old trunks may have no active buds to push into growth. In general, it may bo said that tho older the tree the more difficulty there is in its sending out branchos, and the more slowly it will start in spring. Stated differently, the nower tho wood the mote readily will tfho buds start. That has been illustrated by unpruncd trees starting growth ahead of pruned ones, and also by the fact that where trees wero not pruned very severely most of the now growth was near tho end of the branches. Trcos that were cut back tho least severely, howevor, mado the weakest growth, while the strongest growth was mado by those which were cut back quite severely, provided they were not cut so low as to leave few activo buds. If tho wood is not injured severely buds will start from the old wood. Trees which havo a smooth, bright looking bark will moro readily send out branchos from their trunks and upper limbs than will those whose bark is thin, rough, and dull in colour. The amount of cutting, then, becomes a choice between leaving too much wood to secure vigorous growth and cutting bick so far that tho buds will not start. As a general rule pruning should be done before the leaves start, to any extent, in tho spring. It cau be done any time during tho winter, when the weather is not too coldi MULCTING VEGETABLES PROFITABLE. A great saving of labour, as well as a help ia keeping the roots of vegetables moist during the hottest weather, is found in mulching the ground heavily instead of cultivating in the usual way. Any material can bo used, as hay, straw, dead leaves, litter from the garden, spent tau bark, or short shavings. Tho object is to provide some material which is a good absorbent of moisture and packs well enough so that it will remain in place. 'egetables which mature early do not require tho mulch, but only those which grow throughout the season. Potatoos if mulched with straw when about six inches high will need no further attention until digging time; but with them, as with other things, the mulch should never be applied on low, wet land, as the roots would bo liable to rot under those conditions. The mulch is thought by soma growers to retard the ripening of tomatoes; but if applied after the first of the fruit is ripe it "seems to have no bad effect, and then through the driest period of summer tho mulch is invaluable in keeping the roots moist and in good growing condition. In cases where the vine is allowed to spread over the ground, and the fruit comes in contact with the soil, the mulch prevents rotting. For squash, melon, and cucumber vinos the mulch is a great labour-saver. It should bo applied as soon as the vines begin to run; cucumbers show the good effects, being asclean as if just washed, instead of covered with soil after heavy rain. Summer lettuce is almost impossible in a hot, dry climate ; but when mulch is applied soon after the plants are thinned, rapid growth and fine heads are secured with little trouble. When necessary to apply water, it will soak through the mulch to the roots, with no chance of any remaining on the leaves, causing them to decay, as they do when touching wet ground. Cabbage and cauliflower are also much benefited by the mulch, but the latter can be urged as extra growth by a different kind of one. When heads begin io form, take cow manure fresh if possible, but if not it should be soaked soft—spread it around the root?, so that it forms a thick covering at least nine inches each way from each plant. The above remarks refer particularly to a dry season, and not a wet one. SUPERS ON BEE HIYES. The bee-keeper should not only know the general condition of the apiary but of each individual colony at the time, and, if necessary to obtain this knowledge, should make daily examinations. He should know just when a colony wants a super—to put it on too soon means loss of heat to the brood, and sometimes discouragement to the bees ; to leave it off too long means loss of time and money, but it is better to err on the too soon side. The safest rule i?, as soon as the combs in the brood chamber begin to whiten, if increase by swarming is wanted, it will help swarmiDg somewhat to delay for a day or two.