GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 135, 2 November 1877, Page 2

GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER.

WRITTEN EXPBESSLY FOR THE AKABOA MAIL,

GrENEUAL U-KMAIIKS.

We are now getting into the season of the year when, in the. absence of rain for any length of time, the watering-can will become a neceshity, but up to the present time, in the face of the rather long stretch of dry weather of the past few weeks, it can scarcely have been wanted, for, although the surface of the ground has come to have a dry and parched appearance, it does not yet extend beyond this, and with tho exception of the fresh plantings of cabbages, cauliflowers, &c, in the kitchen garden, the patches of small seeds and the newly put-out bedding plants in the liower garden, artificial watering will have been better left alone ; but as the season advances, should the weather continue dry, to water will be a necessity, and a considerable amount of time and labour will have to be expended in consequence. Watering in a general way is but indifferently done, the usual custom being just to sprinkle the surface, and repeat the operation almost every day, instead of giving a thorough soaking, and doing this at longer intervals ; but, whether done the right way or the wrong, it is still a laborious task, and, in view of making this as light as possible, we recommend that mulching be resorted to. Last month we devoted a few lines to the subject of puddling as an aid to successful transplanting; we now do the same with the subject of mulching as an aid to the after growth of garden crops through the dry season, in addition to its being a labour-saving operation in the matter of watering. Mulching is simply laying a coating of half decayed manure, grass, or straw over the surface, or just below the surface, of the ground, to prevent the evaporation of moisture during hot weather. With kitchen garden crops this is generally done by drawing the soil from the lines of plants to the depth of an inch or so witli the hoe, laying in the mulching, and returning the soil on the top ; young plantations of fruit trees, Koses, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brocoli, Savoys, Dwarf and Runner Beans, &c, in fact, there is scarcely anything in the kitchen or fiowei garden but would be benefited, where it can be applied conveniently, while for strawberries it is almost a necessity as, in addition to keeping the ground damp, it preserves the fruit from getting spoiled with grit in case of a heavy rainfall ; for this purpose clean straw or the grass mowings must be used, but for everything else slightly decayed stable manure will be found the -best material, for to the other advantages named it will add to the fertility of the soil. Kitchen Garden. The thinning out of onions, carrots, parsnips, beet, &c, must now have attention. Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, and Lettuce continue to plant out, if the ground is newly dug and loose it will be better for being made firm by treading. Dull or showery weather is best for all transplanting operations, but in the absence of either it is a good plan to draw drills and give these a good soaking of water, and as soon as this is gone into the ground put in the plants ; if, in addition to this, you take care to carry out the hints given last month as to puddling, there will not be much danger of failure. Continue to sow dwarf and runner beans, and make another sowing of peas. Plant out vegetable marrows, hardy cucumbers, and tomatoes. Prepare, by trenching and manuring, the ground in which you intend to put out the brocoli and savoy plants, and also the trenches for the reception of the ceiery plants, and plant out as soon as these are strong enough, always endeavouring to lift them with a little ball of earth ; draw soil up to any crops requiring, and continue to stick peas as they become ready. Keep the hoe actively at work this month ; the sooner smaller weeds are taken in hand the easier they are mastered, take care that by no means any are allowed to go to seed. Fruit Gakdicn. The main work in this department will be the regulating the shoots, especially of young - trees, by pinching back or taking out altogether those that are likely to fill up the centre of the tree or are in any way out of place ; if this be done with judgment, very little will be left for the knife to do in the winter, and the sap of the tree will be economised.

Floweb Gakdes. Much, of the beauty of the flower garden during the summer and autumn months will depend upon what is done now. The planting out of bedding plants should be completed withoutdelay. Dahlias, Cupheas. Heliotropes, an) the more tender subjects may now be planted with safety. Carnations, pinks, &c, should have neat stakes as their flower stems advance, using several to one plant if it be large, rather than tying them in a bundle as is too often done. Take up Anemones, Tulips, Crocuses, and other bulbs as the leaves turn yellow, and place them in an airy and shady place to dry before storing away. The seeds of biennials, perennials, and herbaceous plants should now be sown for next year's floweriug. The free use of the scythe, shears, hoe, and rake will be necessary in order to give to the full the regard of the labours of the months that have passed, when all that was done was'in anticipation.