Farm, Garden aNd Orchard Notes.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 29 January 1915, Page 1

Farm, Garden aNd Orchard Notes.

JANUARY. KITCHEN GARDEN. Take advantage of any showery weather to plant out crops intended for autumn and winter use, and make a sowing for future requirements of Veitch’s Autumn Giant Cauliflower and , Enfield Market cabbage which I can hardly be beaten. Keep up 1 successional sowings of dwarf at j and runner beans. Peas will not i do much good unless considerable time can be given to watering them. Plant out celery this m month in the moistest spot available. Pumpkins, squashes, mm melons, cucumbers, etc., keep D-well pinched back, and as far as possible keep all weeds down. It should be borne in mirW that several members of this ‘family, V cucumbers and squashes for in- “ stance, throw out roots from J. every joint which comes in contact with the earth, an added ■ chance of life for the plants | which they are unable to take (advantage of if the ground is choked with weeds, or they are allowed to run among grass as is !too much the custom in this country. Tomatoes, — give liquid manure, cow-dung or soot steeped (once or twice a week. Pinch back severely every shoot Lut the main one and put a heavy |. mulching of stable manure or 11 even cut grass'round the root of each plant, this will ensure finer fruit and save an infinity of watering. Sow carrots, turnips, radish, mustard, cress and lettuce for succession. Above all do not be frightened of using the hoe. FARM. Harvest ought now to be on. * If weather is favourable, go ahead at once, bearing in mind the golden maxim, that it is better to cut wdieat and oats a day or two too soon than a day or two too late. This does not apply so much to barley. In any case don’t rest until all thatching is done. Sow a few turnips for winter feed when weather is showery, also oats. Earth up potatoes. ORCHARD Budding" should be done this month, commencing with plums pears, cherries, etc. Summer pruning may be carried on, take away all heavy wood from vines, keep down all weeds which should either be burnt or buried. Place clean straw (if obtainable) at the foot of all valuable trees to keep the roots cool. Cut out gooseberry suckers, and raspberry suckers all but three or four, clean off strawberry runners. Fruit as it ripens should be carefully noted and classified as a guide for future work such as grafting or buying fresh stock in winter. Continue spraying apples and pears for codlin moth. FLOWER GARDEN. The flower garden should be at its best now, keep down all weeds, and attend to borders and creepers, cut back such plants as have flowered, shade all delicate plants from mid-day sun, tie up all large flowers such as dahlias, etc. Keep both hoe and watering pot going if you possibly can,- especially in a large garden. »Try and arrange a system of irrigation, as your flower garden will require all the water possible this month. Layering of camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, pinks, carnations and verbenas must be done, also budding of roses. Water flowers in pots, and p>t fresh plants for winter, and remove potted flowers to larger pots.