GARDENING FOR AUGUST.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 August 1916, Page 3

GARDENING FOR AUGUST.

KITCHEN GAftDEN.

In the first part of the month plant the main crop of early potatoes on a dry, light soil. New ground produces the best crops, both as regards quantity and quality. Cress, mustard and radishes sow fortnightly. Asparagus sow in drills 18ins apart; plants raised from seed sown now will be ready for transplanting into permanent beds the second winter after sowing. Lettuce, sow in beds, and transplant when fit into rows; in lifting the young plants care must be taken, so as not to break the tap root; sow in drills from 12 to 15ins apart. Turnip-rooted beet, carrot, turnip (early varieties), parnip—by sowing in drills the crop is more regular, and the thinning out and hoeing can be performed much more quickly and satisfactorily than when sown in beds. Onions, for good keeping qualities Brown Spanish and Brown Globe are the best, and Giant Rocco for early spring use ; they delight in a rich deep, free soil, therefore all quarters intended for onion beds should be trenched deeply. Sow the seed in drills about 9in apart; prick out into rich soil the young onions sown during February or March. Broad beans sow in rows two feet apart and four inches between each bean in the row. Make it a rule to sow peas every two or three weeks, to keep up a constant succession, selecting the most approved early kinds for present sowings. Celery, sow in shallow seed-pans, or boxes, in a frame. Plant put cauliflower and cabbage plants in well manured soil. These crops should never follow each other, or be grown two years in succession on the same ground. Asparagus, two-year-old plants are the best for planting. To grow this favourite vegetable to perfection the beds must be manured abundantly, with a little salt or kainit added. Horse-radish plants set (12ins between each set) in row, and two feet apart from row to row.

FLOWER GAKDEN; Box edgings may be laid as soon as the soil is sufficiently dry to handle. Gladioli, a few may be put in, for if planted at various periods a succession of bloom may be obtained, Liliums choose an open spot to plant in, sheltered from the wind. Lilies like warmth and sunshine, provided they have a cool bottom, Keep the soil well stirred around anemones, hyacinths, ixias, irises, tulips, and other early flowering bulbs. Proceed with planting out antirhinums, carnations, summer chrysathemum, fuchsias, pansies, hollyhocks, picotees, penstemons; pinks, perennial phloxes, pelar.goninms, etc. For edging plants there are always plenty to choose from, amongst which golden feather (pyrethrum), ciueraria maritima, cerastium, golden thyme, lobelias, and echevera secunda glauca, are among the most effective. Azaleas —these beautiful early spring flowering plants produce their gorgeous flowers in the greatest profusion, and are most effective when planted in masses, the colours being arranged harmoniously. Seed of hardier varieties of annuals may be sown. Roses, finish planting. Prune those intended for early flowering in the beginning of the month. Where this is not required pruning should be deferred until later, for then better and more constant blooms may be expected. Apply a liberal quantity of compost or manure. Rose pruning—'the fact is, almost each rose requires a different mode and time of pruning to do it the fullest measure of justice ; the only general rule that oan be laid down as to how and to what extent they should be pruned is— the weakest most, the strongest least. The time of pruning must largely depend upon the time when the plants are wanted to flower. By early pruning early blooms are obtained, by late pruning late blooms. By too early pruning the blooms stand a risk of being destroyed by frost and cold wind, and by very late pruning the plants are greatly weakened, as much of the sap is cut away in the already broken buds.

THE ORCHARD. Planting of fruit trees should be pushed on now as rapidly as possible, consistent with the work being well done. Grafting can be proceeded with, and stocks should be headed down. Keep your fruit trees clear of blight, scale, moss, and anything likely to injure their vitality. Complete all pruning work as soon as possible, i FARM. Continue ploughing turnip land as fed off. Drill wheat and oats as soon as land is ready ; sow 2^ bushels of wheat to the acre, and %14 bushels of oats to, the acre. A top-dressing of superphosphate and guano on grass paddocks will w-ell repay th,e outlay.