THE GARDEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16749, 2 January 1915, Page 14

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Seeds to Sow— Cabbage, carrot, endive, beans, oirions (for salad), paisley, peas, spinach and turnips. What to Plant— Broccoli, cabbage, celerv, leeks and winter greens. January, with increasing heat and long days, may be termed the midsummer month, which should remind gardeners that although summer vegetables are abundant, winter supplies must have attention. Unfortunately there is so much “green fly” about that constant attention with tho spray pump is necessary to chock its ravages. Few can estimate tho harm these small insects do, but it is very great, especially with the potato crop, which will bo very poor in many gardens. The early varieties ai'o turning out much below the average owing to tho very _ dry spring, and now the late crop is stinted by groen aphis. Spraying is the only remedy, and this should bo done at once. A pinch of cabbage seed should l>e sown some time this month' for winter supplies. Carrots for soup should be young ana tender,, and to keep up a supply make frequent small sowings. Endive is useful when lettuce runs short, and sown now it will make good hearts by autumn. To keep up a constant supply of fresh, well-curled leaved parsley two sowings arc necessary, one in August and the other in January. Sow according to demand, hut it is better to have too much than too little.

Beans, both dwarf and runner, may be sown for autumn use. Those sown now will como in after the first crop is over.

Peas, for succession, should be put in good ground. Spinach for early winter should be sown some time this month, and another lot early in March. Sow the pricklj’-scedod variety, becauso 1 it is best for winter.

Turnips may be sown in quantity if required, but requirements must regulate tbe quantity sown. Broccoli should be planted out as fast ns early vegetables are cleared off the ground. Short, sturdy plants give the best results.

Celery should he planted out in showery weather nml shaded for a few days. Prepare a solution of inseoticide and dip eacli plant before it is put in tho soil. This is very simple, but it destroys all insects that may be on the plants, and protects them from further attack for some time. In warm positions garlio and eschalots having finished their growth, should be lifted and put in a cool shed to finish ripening. Plant leeks on good soil that has lieen well manured and dug deep. Good cultivation will produce good quality. Early potatoes should he lifted when the haulm begins to turn brown. If left in the ground long after they arrive at this stage the tubers will grow out, and this will spoil them both for table and seed use. Winter greens of any variety should be got in as soon as possible. We hardly over have too many green vegetables in the winter and spring; indeed, too often there is a shortage. Kales iu varieties, savoys and cabbage are all useful in the winter. FLOWER GARDEN.

Roses are now at their best in, most gardens, and are making a great display. It is seldom that they are so good during the Christmas season, but the late frosts destroyed most of tho first crop; and so the second is a little earlier than usual,, and much better in quality. , , Those who intend to plant roses next winter should make their selection now, while the plauts are in full flower as thero is a greater chance of getting what ouo wants by choosing now thari bv either from a catalogue "or specimens exhibited at a flower show or in shop windows. ... There are four points to consider in selecting roses —colour, fragrance, habit of growth health and vigour. These can only he determined by examining tho plants when growing. In colour there are so many shades, many being easily bleached by strong sunshine, that, they" soon oease to be of any good either for garden decoration or cutting for tho house; and many are quite void of scent. This is a fault of many of the varieties that have been introduced during recent years, and yet fragrance is of tho greatest importance. As to habit tliis is too often overlooked when buying roses, and one is frequently disappointed when the habit proves so stunted that little or no stem can bo cut with the flowers. This dwarf habit is not effective in the garden, because tho bush never attains that willowy condition that gives the grace and airy appearance which is so decorative. And then there is “health.” Some varieties that are sickly in' health will give a magnificent bloom,

now and*then, and if one sees this at an exhibition it is ordered, without any reference to its health. What ono wants in a rose is (1) the true shade of colour; (2) fragranco; (3) a free habit; (4) good health. These attributes can only be determined by inspecting the plants growing; intending planters aro advised to do this while the plants are at their host. Old flowers should be cut off to prevent seeds forming Examine the sod about tho roots, and if it is on the dry side givo it a good soaking to encourage a strong second growth. Climbing varieties should be attended to. Secure young shoots, before they suffer injury from strong winds. Single varieties that givo but orie crop of flowers should be pruned. Cut away much of the wood that flowered to make room for fresh growth, because tho best blossoms are borne on young shoots. The herbaceous border will _ require constant attention to keep it in a tidy condition. Dead blossoms and old flower stems should be removed and tall subjects made secure against wind. Surplus growths of dahlias, etc., to be cut out, and plants of Sweet William, Canterbury Bell, etc., that are over , should bo thrown away. Keep tho hoe busy to conserve moisture and to keep down weeds All seed pods on rhododendrons should he removed at once. Sweet peas are flowering well, the recent rains having given them a great stimulus. Keep the blossoms cut to avoid seeds forming, as once plants have a number of seed pods to mature they cease forming fresh blossoms. Do not allow the plants to want for water. One good soaking per week is better than several driblets.

Should thrips attack the plants spray at once with insecticide.

GREENHOUSE. Make preparations for pitting the first batch of bulbs, for use m winter. Freesias, hyacinths, and narcissi are very useful iu winter for conservatory and house decoration, and the earlier these are in tho pots the sooner they make new roots. When the pots are well filled .with roots the plants can be put in a little heat and brought into flower. . Cinerarias should have plenty of air. as the more they get the better they will make sturdy plants with strong foliage, and keep dwarf. Water sparingly. Remember these plants take a lot of moisture through their leaves, and if too much is given at the roots some of the plants will damp off. Primulas need similar treatment, but a little more shade..

Calceolaria seed is generally sown too early. January is about the best month for sowing. Prepare a nice free but not over light compost for the seeds, make it quite even and sprinkle a little sand over the surface. Water and then sow the seeds evenly over tho surface. Do this with great, care, because the seeds are very small. Stand tlio pan in a cool place, and cover it with browu , paper’ until tho seeds sprout.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “ J.Lr.” writes:—l find that all my apples are falling off with no apparent) cause, unless tho leaves can sill ‘ s "tho cause, ono of which I eucliGe. end shall ho glad to hear your opinion on tho matter. The trees are apparently healthy, have been well attended to, sprayed, etc., but nearly all tho leaves have this peculiar appearance and tho fruit is falling off. —-Very sorry, but cannot express an opinion as to what is wrong with your apple tree. There are several things that may ho tho cause of the apples falling, but without an examination ono cannot decide which. The condition of the leaf suggests that it has been burnt with the spray fluid. A note to Dir W. J. Courtier, of the Agricultural Department, would secure an examination by him, and I suggest this course. “Subscriber’' writes Will you please toll mo of any moans for killing blight on cabbages and cauliflowers.—Any of the insecticides prepared for sale is an effective cure. Another good one is a solution of lime water. Put some fresh lime in water, and soak for twenty-four hours, then spray tho plants with tho “clear” water. Uso a proper spray pump and first direct the solution on to tho lower sido of the loaves.