Kitchen Garden.

Manawatu Herald, 27 April 1893, Page 2

Kitchen Garden.

♦ - — Black currant bushes which otfcen carry too many shoots in the middle of the head, should have these freely thinned out, thus admitting both light and air. Grub up all root suckers that may appear at a distance from the main plant. Stfcawberry beds, if neglected until now, should be put in good order, . while the soil is dry removing runners, weeds, &c, so that no further attention will be needed : till the spring. If the beds have been thoroughly mulched with good manure, the plants will have made good crowns, and a fine crop of fruit next? year may be anticipated. But where this precaution has been neglected, ; it should be done without delay. On light soils, the beds should be heavily manured twice yearly, ie, in the early spring, and again when the crop is gathered. When mulching the beds, place some manure atfeißse as possible to the plants. . Cuttings of all bush fruits may be stiir\made, as the cuttings will callus §arjy ; , and make rapid headway the first year, and with but little-loss, : The cuttings should be made of thf/ matured wood , shortened to 1 Ira in leflgth ;if a heel to each, so much the better. Take out a ' few^f tW'-Wer buds of all ; e«3fe& fhqse of Black Currant • / 'tPrepure* ;r »*' J f>ed in an open spot — and — set — evA the pieces at 12iq J> a«artrbetweep- I tlie rows, and 9in irHthe i rows^Vlhe cuttings may be dibbled in, resting the base of each on a firm. .bottom, and filling the hole. with r wa soil, treading the soil firmljr -about them before finally filling in. Bed and White Currants, may be.^ifepared and put in as for Gopsehejfjes, .Jbut the buds, which come underground, should not be cut out; and -keep free from weeds. ' *y'"~. In earthing up Celery, Jp! M" be sparing with the soil, pack it well about the stems and if 'sJjpgXlafe likely to prove troublesome ft. ; little soot and lime should be dusted about the soil. The soil should bebrought up sharply, beating it well with the back of the spade, as a smooth firm; surface turns off wet. If the If hole is covered to within 6 inches q! the leaves, there need be but little fear of injury from the most severe frost we may meet with in this part of the colony. — Press.