GARDEN CALENDAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 571, 28 March 1873, Page 2

GARDEN CALENDAR.

April.

Kitchen Garden.—Onions sown this month will generally succeed better than if sown at any other season; the bulbs attain a larger size, and usuallydeoep better than when sown in Spring. Fair crops of onions oven on indifferent land, may be obtained by following the cultural directions below. Onions require deep rich soil, and obtain greatest perfection on clay sub-soil. Dig two feet deep, but do not bring up the subsoil which ought to be well loosened and thoroughly broken; then apply ahsavy dressing of the strongest manure but avoid that of fowls—and mix the same through every part of the ground with a strong dung fork, and leave it in a rough, open state, or in ridges like potato drills, until sowing time. To make the exposure more thorough change the position of the ridges about every second week; and as a rule, the longer laud is left in the rough state recommended,the more mellow and productive will it become. At sowing time, level and fresh dig, and if loose, tread or ram until it be as hard as a road, previous to but not after sowing. Sow long scarlet radish; also mustard and cress; and make the last sowing of lettuce for the season. A few shalots planted now will be useful to cut green. Plant an early variety of cabbage for Spring use. Fruit Garden.—Trained trees now require fastening, to encourage the ripening of the wood and soure them from the effect of wind. Gather in ripe fruit, aud avoid bruising. Plant strawberries. (See directions for last month). Flower Garden.—Rooted cuttings of verbenas, geraniums, &c., may now be potted, using light, well prepared soil, and small sized pots. See that dahlias and hollyhocks are well secured to stakes, and water liberally with liquid manure once or twice a week. Budded roses require attention. Many of the late flowering gladioli will now be in llower, and may require to be supported by stakes. Gather flowers seeds, and clear away decayed annuals and other flower stalks, If the ground be sufficiently moist, flower roots may be divided and replanted in freshly dug ground. Those who eomtemplato planting choice trees and shrubs will do well to have a good heap of compost now prepared to be in readiness, and a little light and moderately fresh mould put around the roots if the ground has been previously well prepared, will generally insure success. The gum tree will succeed well if planted now.

By the last mail orders were received at Sydney for 11,000 tons of coal for the use of the Navy in China and India during the current year. The Adelaide Government are fitting out an Expedition to erect 5,000 iron poles on the overland line, at the Northern Territory end. An extraordinary accident happened on New Year’s eve at Charlestown, Cornwall The vicar had entertained a large number of his parishioners at a tea party in the Volunteer Brill Hall. The company were singing the National Anthem, when suddenly the half of the floor gave way, and some sixty persons wore thrown down into the cellar beneath. Fortunately the cellars were stored with soft China clay, so that little injury was sustained by any one, although many were very much frightened, as the lights were suddenly]exting«ishcd,