GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR MARCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 378, 5 March 1880, Page 2

GARDEN MEMORANDA FOR MARCH.

written expressly for the akaroa mail. Kitchen Garden. Instead of neglecting the garden, as is too often the case at this season, it ought to get a thorough cleaning, and every vacant space bo dug up to the action of the weather. The looser ground is kept, the better it will resist drought, and rain

will be more readily absorbed. Take up potatoes as they ripen, for if left too long in tho ground they are apt to make a second growth, which would prove injurious. Celery will now require strict attention as to watering and landing up. Onions for early drawing may now be sown. Sow cabbages, both early and late. Fruit Garden. If ground has been well prepared by digging and sub-soiling, advantage should be taken of the present showery weather to make plantations of strawberries. Select the best rooted runners from fruitplants, and plant in rows two feet apart, and from twelve to fifteen inches apart in the row. Remove the runners from established beds, and keep all free from weeds. Gather and store apples and pears; avoid bruising. A good dusting of sulphur on the first appearance of mildew on vines will effectually destroy it. Where it has been allowed to go so far as to get hold of the berries, the present crop will be useless. Asa preventative for the future, when vines are having their winter pruning mix sulphur, soot, and lime into a paint thickness, and paint every vine rod ; see that it goes into every crevice. It will prevent mildew. Kill red spiders and other insects that infest vines and other fruit trees. Flower Garden. , .- r All dormant bulbs should now bo planted ; they thrive best in a deep sandy soil, and ground not naturally so ought to be worked very deep, applying at the same time a good dressing of well decomposed manure; and on clay soils add a good deal of sand to the dressing. See that tlie propagation of young stock is attended to. Gather flower seeds as they ripen ; remove decayed flowers, and keep the ground as neat and clean as possible.